Puno | Lake Titicaca

Puno is a small town at an altitude of 3830m, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It is also a gateway to Bolivia and Peruvian islands on the lake like Uros and Taquile. Here are my must do’s when in Puno.

Fun Fact: Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America (volume perspective) and the highest navigable lake in the world! 

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Lake Titicaca is the highest lake in the world (3812m) ánd the largest lake in South America. Let’s discover the floating islands of Uros and the natural island Taquile! ⛵️ #titicacameer #laketiticaca #lagotiticaca #puno #pérou #travelperu #igersperú #visitperu #bestoftravel #southamericatravel #perou #pérou #peru #perutravel #peruadventure #travelperu #peru🇵🇪 #perú #lifeofapassion

♬ hospital beach – Cottonwood Firing Squad

1) Uros floating islands

You don’t want to miss the man-made Uros Floating Islands. A short boat ride will take you a few miles from shore where you can walk on one of the Uros islands. Your guide will tell you how the islands are made and maintained with Totora, (a native reed). 

Fun Fact: The ancient people (predating the Incas), ran away and hid in the reed when the Incas came. The Incas did nothing but shout Uros (meaning shy) to them. Eventually, they started living in the reeds and started building their floating island, adopting the name Uros. 

Fun Fact: They even make their boats and houses from the reeds.

Sad Fact: They used to live off the fishing but due to overfishing the men are now searching for work in Puno while the woman makes homemade souvenirs to sell to the tourists.

2) Taquile Island

In addition to the Uros Islands, you can also visit the island of Taquile. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a 2.5-hour boat ride from Puno Port and offers some of the most stunning views of Lake Titicaca. Take a swim at the highest beach in the world, walk the stone paths that give amazing views of the lake, and spot Bolivia from the island. The island is known for the intricate colorful fabrics made by the locals. 

Fun Fact: Taquile is the place where the man is the one who knits. He has to make a good hat when he is a teen. The woman who is interested in him, shall take the hat and test it if it can hold water. If yes, then the man made a good qualitative hat, meaning the man himself is a good catch. Once they marry, the woman cuts off her hair so that her husband can knit a waistband with wool and her hair to create a strong waistband to carry the potatoes. One final time the woman cuts her hair so that her husband can wear her hair as extensions to honor his wife with pride.

Fun fact: Don’t forget to use the toilet with the best view in the world; the view of Lake Titicaca! 

3) Say Hi to Bolivia!

And shoutout to the toilet with the most amazing view (view on Lake Titicaca of course!)!

4) Cathedral of Puno

The Baroque Colonial Cathedral (1757) is the place to chill. In the evening, the fountain is covered in many colors. In front of the cathedral, you can spot La Casa del Corregidor. This yellow house dates back to 1668. It is one of the oldest examples of colonial-style architecture in Puno. 

5) Kuntur Wasi Viewpoint Puno

Climb the 700 steps to the Kuntur Wasi viewpoint for breathtaking views of the city and Lake Titicaca. 

6) Sillustani cemetery

More time? Visit Sillustani, where you can see the Chullpas (ancient funerary towers). The Qolla people would wrap their deceased nobles in a fetal position and bury them in these towers with food and personal belongings for their journey into the afterlife.

Where to Stay in Puno

We stayed at the Casona Plaza Hotel Puno. Close to the Puno Cathedral. The room had no windows so we didn’t like this room. Breakfast was good though!

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