Puno
Puno is a pretty tourist city on the shores of Lake Titicaca on the Altiplano of Peru. The city's biggest attraction is its proximity to Lake Titicaca.
Culture and History
Puno is also the name of the region.
Travel to Puno (city), visa requirements
By Train
Trains to and from Cuzco travel only 3 times per week. Other trains travel down to Arequipa.
By Bus
- Daily buses depart to and from Cuzco and Arequipa. The ride form Puno to Cuzco takes around 8 hours. There's a night bus leaving Puno at 19h30 and arriving in Cusco at 4h30 am.
- Direct route, faster.
- Via ferry boat across Lake Titicaca and Copacabana.
Get around
Puno (city) attractions and sightseeing
Reed islands or Uros can be reached by buses travelling from Copacabana and stop in Puno. Tour can be organised with bus companies in Copacabana.
- Visit the Church of San Pedro.
- The Sistine Chapel of the Americas.
- Raqchi.
- La Raya Ranch.
- Titicaca Lake.
- Floating Islands of the Uros and Taquile Island
City tours
Sillustani Burial Towers
Hundreds of years ago, the ancient people from the Altiplano, that lived at the shore of the mystical Lake Titicaca, built a series of funeral towers to bury their kings and other important people of their regions. The Sillustani towers are perhaps the finest and the most perfect cylindrical constructions of ancient Peru, as such perfection can be found no where else in South America. A tour to Sillustani will give you a better view into the life of pre-Inca civilizations, and exploring the area, you can marvel with the great beauty of the Umayo Lagoon, which is located at the foot of Sillustani.
Shopping, Puno (city) souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
- In and around the mercado central are several budget places to eat for less then 3 soles. Also try a fruitjuice at one of the many juguerias on the second floor.
Most touristspots are in and around Calle Lima. A little bit of bargaining will get you a discount, but don't push it too far if you want your food prepared without any bodily fluids.
- Cafe restaurant Monterrey, Pasaje Grau 158, has reasonably cheap and good breakfasts.
- Restaurant pizzeria Ollantay, Pasaje Grau 160, has pizzas, trout and alpaca. Ask for el menú.
Puno (city) nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
- Hostal Los Uros, Theodóro Valcárcel N8 135, 051-352141. Clean and decent hotel close to the center. Popular with foreigners. A single with shared bathroom cost 20 soles. Ask for a discount in low-season.
Get out
Day Trips
Walking up in the hills gives nice views over the city and the lakes, but it is dangerous! Locals recommend not to do so since tourists are often the victims of armed robberies in the hills. If you like hiking, take a colectivo to Chuciuto (19km, 1 Sol, US$ 0.30) and start hiking from there. Next to the highest mountain (with a thin antenna on the top, 4550m) there is a summit where locals bring sacrifices. Fireplaces, flowers and bottles give witness of that.
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