Puno Travel Guide

Puno is a port city at an altitude of over 3,800 meters, on the shores of Lake Titicaca on the Altiplano of Peru - though because it's located within an enclosed bay, you won't see the full scale of the lake here unless visiting the outlying islands of Taquile and Amantaní. In 2018, Puno had about 129,000 residents. Though it does have a fairly cute historic center, its biggest attraction for tourists is as a departure point for the famous Uros floating islands on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. This, and its proximity to the Bolivian border, means that it’s a regular stop on the South American tourist trail.

Trains to and fromCuscotravel three times per week. The “Andean Explorer[dead link]”, run jointly by Peru Rail and Orient Express, is spectacular — one of the world’s great train journeys. It leaves Cusco W F Sa at 07:10 and arrives at Puno at 17:30 (US$313-334 one way as of Dec 2017). The other way (leaving Puno M Th Sa at 07:30, arriving at Cusco at 17:50) is significantly cheaper: US$186-196 (Dec 2017). Don’t look for the backpacker class for less money, it is not running anymore.

Many of the hostels are set on a hill above the Plaza del Armas which feels even steeper because of the altitude.

The area is secure but it is advisable to hire the transfer from Juliaca to Puno through a tour operator of reputation.