Cruise the Uros Floating Islands
The Uros floating islands are a group of 80 man-made islands located just 5 kilometers from the port of Puno, although only about 20 percent of them are permanently inhabited. These islands are built entirely out of totora reeds, an aquatic plant that grows in Lake Titicaca. The Uros weave together several layers of totora to create floating platforms that can last up to 30 years with proper maintenance. When the lower layers rot in the water, they add new layers on top. The origin of the Uros is a matter of debate; some theories suggest they migrated from the Amazon about a thousand years ago. Basic tours last about three and a half hours, though there are also two-day options where you can stay with local families. During your visit you can take rides on totora reed boats, see demonstrations of how the islands are built, try on the traditional Uros clothing, and take part in artisanal fishing. Boats leave from the port of Puno for about 15 soles per ride plus an 8-sol entrance fee.
Discover Taquile and Its Textile Tradition
Taquile Island is located 45 kilometers from Puno, about a three-hour boat ride away. It has a population of 2,200 inhabitants who speak Quechua. The island sits at 3,950 meters above sea level and its highest point reaches 4,050 meters. Taquile is famous for its textile heritage recognized by UNESCO; its inhabitants are expert weavers who create traditional textiles with unique designs. On the island you can visit the handicraft market to buy beautiful traditional Taquile textiles, and you can also learn to weave directly from them. Other highlights include the Mulsina Pata viewpoint with panoramic views of the lake, archaeological remains at the highest point, and the beaches of Collota and Huayllano. The island has agricultural terraces on its slopes where quinoa, potatoes, and vegetables are grown. The locals remained relatively isolated until the 1950s, which allowed them to preserve their autonomy and traditions.
Experience Amantaní Island
Amantaní is known as the “island of love” and is located about two hours by boat from Taquile. The community is made up of 800 families who have developed an ecotourism and community-based tourism program. Here you can stay with a local family, share their traditional meals prepared with quinoa and beans, and join in their daily activities. The island has two mountain peaks called Pachata and Pachamama, meaning father and mother earth respectively. As in Taquile, there are beautiful agricultural terraces on the hillsides. A typical experience includes sleeping in a family home, sharing their customs, wearing traditional clothing, and taking part in a nighttime party where everyone dances to Andean music. It is one of the most authentic community tourism experiences on Lake Titicaca.
Community-Based Tourism in Llachón
Llachón is located on the Capachica Peninsula, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, about an hour and a half by bus from Puno. This Quechua-speaking community offers community-based tourism experiences where you can stay with local families. Available activities include sailing on handmade boats, helping with farm work, practicing artisanal fishing, watching textile demonstrations, kayaking, cycling, and horseback riding. From Llachón you can visit the nearby islands of Taquile, Amantaní, and the Uros Titino islands, which are less visited than the floating islands near Puno. Each Uros Titino island is home to between three and eight families and only receives a few small groups per week, making visits much calmer and more authentic. Llachón allows you to connect with archaeological sites while sharing customs and activities with the locals.
Exploring the Sillustani Chullpas
Located 34 kilometers from Puno, on a peninsula in Lake Umayo, is Sillustani, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the region. It is a pre-Inca cemetery where you can see 90 chullpas, circular stone tombs shaped like truncated cones that measure between 3 and 4 meters high. The largest is the Chullpa del Lagarto, which reaches 12 meters. These structures belong to the Colla or Kolla culture, which flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries, before being conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. The chullpas contain mummies in fetal position along with various valuable objects such as gold and ceramics. The Qolla tied their deceased relatives in a fetal position and placed them in these womb-shaped tombs along with food and personal belongings. The site is located on a hill that offers fantastic views of Lake Umayo and the surrounding area. It is a surprising spot that is still relatively uncrowded.
Stroll Through the Historic Center and Plaza de Armas
Downtown Puno has interesting colonial architecture that is well worth exploring on foot. The main focal point is the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by colonial buildings. Here you’ll find the Puno Cathedral, built in the 18th century in a Baroque style. Admission is free, and it is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also visit the Conde de Lemos Balcony, a 17th-century colonial balcony located right in front of the Cathedral, where the Viceroy who founded Puno once slept. Another interesting place is the Deustua Arch, a historic monument built in honor of the heroes of independence. In the Central Market and its surroundings you’ll find food stalls and restaurants serving typical Peruvian dishes. The Bahía de los Incas boardwalk offers a relaxing walk along the lake with views of Titicaca.
Climb Up to the Viewpoints
For the best panoramic views of Puno and Lake Titicaca, you should head up to one of the city’s viewpoints. The most popular is Cerrito Huajsapata, also known as the Manco Cápac viewpoint, located in the upper part of the city. Here you’ll find the monument to Manco Cápac, founder of the Inca Empire. You can walk up, although the slopes are steep and at 3,800 meters the altitude makes the climb feel tougher, so many people prefer to take a taxi to the top and then walk to the viewpoint. From this point you get spectacular views of the entire city of Puno and the immense Lake Titicaca, which looks like a sky beneath the sky. Another recommended viewpoint is Kuntur Wasi, which also offers sweeping views of the city and the lake. The best time to go up is at sunset, when the sunlight creates golden reflections on the water.
Experience the Fiesta de la Candelaria
The Virgen de la Candelaria Festival is Puno’s most important celebration and one of the largest in Peru. It has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It is held during the first two weeks of February, with February 2 being the most important day. More than 200,000 dancers and musicians from across the region take part in the festivities, filling Puno’s streets with color and music. It is an expression of religious syncretism that links Catholic faith with Andean spirituality, associating the celebration of the Virgin with that of Pachamama, or Mother Earth. The most representative dances are the Diablada Puneña and the Morenada. During the parades you can see groups of dancers in colorful costumes moving through the city to the rhythm of marching bands, creating a festive atmosphere. The sheer scale of the festival turns Puno into a whirlwind of movement and color. In 2025 the key dates run from January 29 to February 11.
Try Puno’s Local Cuisine
Puno’s gastronomy reflects the culture of the high plateau, using ingredients typical of the region. At the port on Lake Titicaca you’ll be offered fried trout from the lake, which you can accompany with rice, French fries, or boiled potatoes. Typical dishes include chairo, a hearty soup made with lamb, chuño (freeze-dried potatoes), fava beans, peas, and potatoes. Quinoa chowder (chupe de quinua) is another traditional dish that combines quinoa with fresh cheese and egg. Caldo de cabeza is made with lamb’s head and various Andean tubers. Sancochado is a dish made with various boiled meats and vegetables. You should also try cancacho, roasted lamb served with potatoes and sauce. For drinks, try coca tea, which helps with acclimatization to the altitude, or muña tea, made from an aromatic digestive herb. Restaurants around the Plaza de Armas and in the market area offer these options.
Visit Other Nearby Archaeological Sites
In addition to Sillustani, Puno has other interesting archaeological complexes. The Cutimbo Archaeological Complex is the most important funerary center in southern Peru, with chullpas similar to those at Sillustani but far less visited. The district of Chucuito, located 16 kilometers south of Puno, is home to the Temple of Fertility, or Inca Uyo, with phallic stone sculptures. Paredones is just 5 minutes from Puno and was probably an Inca administrative center, made up of numerous rooms, terraces, and courtyards with stone foundations and adobe walls. For more adventurous travelers, the Tinajani Canyon offers a landscape of unique rock formations that look like a stone forest. You can book half-day or full-day tours that combine several of these archaeological sites with views of lagoons and highland landscapes.
