Puno is a city, region, and department in southeastern Peru, which borders Bolivia to the east. The city of Puno, or the “Folkloric Capital of Peru”, is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca and is known for its extensive history and lake life where numerous inhabitants continue to live as their ancestors did.
Puno, a department in Peru, rests on the Collao Plateau, where 70% comprises Andean mountains, while the remaining area is lush Amazon rainforest. Puno city is situated on Lake Titicaca’s shores, the world’s highest navigable lake, extending onto floating Uros islands within the lake. The city’s eastern side reaches into the Andes foothills, with some poorer areas climbing the hills.
To reach Puno, you can fly to the Inca Manco Capac International Airport in Juliaca, followed by a 30-minute taxi ride. Alternatively, budget travelers can take an 18-hour bus journey from Lima. The Andean Explorer Train from Cusco is another option, offering a scenic 10-hour ride through the Andean plains.
Puno is a reasonably high city located at 3,830 meters (12,566 ft) above sea level. The climate is described as both cool and temperate with an average temperature of around 8°C (47°F). The summer months, from November to March, tend to have a lot of rainfall, whereas the least amount of rainfall is during June with an average of about 11 mm (0.4in).
An important note is that the temperatures in the morning and night often drop to freezing, but during the day it’s usually sunny and warm.
Uros Islands
The Uros Islands, made of totora reeds, have been home to Uro-Aymara communities for centuries. They can be visited by boat from Puno, where visitors explore ancestral traditions, such as fishing with totora reed boats and handwoven clothing. It is also possible to arrange a stay on the islands for a unique experience.
Taquile Island
Taquile Island, in Lake Titicaca, is home to around 2,200 Taquileños. It is known for its handwoven textiles and clothing, with men dedicated to knitting and women to spinning. The island offers a lively market, dances, and celebrations, as well as a landscape with eucalyptus, cypress groves, and totora reeds along the shore.
Amantaní
Amantani, a 9 km² island in Lake Titicaca, is home to over 3,000 Quechua residents. Known as the “Island of the Kantuta,” it features two mountain peaks, Pachatata and Pachamama, with ruins of Inca and Tiwanaku temples accessible only during the annual festival. The locals practice agriculture and produce textiles and ceramics, with alpaca being the main souvenir.
Puno’s city center, anchored by the Plaza de Armas, features the ornate Cathedral of Puno and the Lima pedestrian walkway. The Don Carlos Dreyer Museum, founded by a German landscape painter, houses his artworks and treasures from Sillustani. La Casa Del Corregidor, a historic yellow building, is a prominent landmark.
Near Puno, Lampa offers insights into local life and features an impressive church. Lake Titicaca is the area’s centerpiece, known as the ‘Rock of the Puma’ in Aymara, and a nature reserve with diverse fish, frogs, ducks, geese, flamingos, Andean ibis, and seagulls.
Puno’s attractions include the Sillustani Cemetery, known for its cone-shaped tombs built by the Kollla culture, offering panoramic views of Lake Umayo. These tall towers, some 12 meters (40 feet) high, once served as burial sites for noble Kolla individuals, containing their remains, food, and personal items for the afterlife.
The Ichu temple complex, situated about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Puno on the lake’s southern shores, offers tranquility and stunning 360-degree views over a lush valley.
The Fertility Temple, or Templo de la Fertilidad, located in Chucito, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of Puno, features large stone phalluses. Local legend suggests that young women sat on these carvings to enhance their fertility, making it an intriguing and unique site to explore.
Evidence of human remains and artifacts show that the department of Puno has had hunter and gatherer nomads traveling through it for thousands of years prior to the arrival of the Incas. The first organized civilizations with the construction of long truncated pyramids were probably built by the Pucará in around 200-300 AD. From there, several independent cultures formed, including the Kolla and Llupacas. Puno was located in the middle of these two cultures with the Kolla (Quechua) to the north and Lupacas (Aymara) to the south.
When the Inca arrived, led by Inca Pachacútec, they destroyed the Kolla and left only the children, the elderly, and those compliant with their ways. They took over the area, calling it “The Plateau” and created a settlement with both Quechua and Inca customs. According to legend, it’s here where Manco Capc and Mama Ocllo, the mythical founders of the Inca Empire, were born. They rose from the waters with divine instruction to found the empire created from the amalgamation of the area’s main cultures in the name of peace and civilization. The Spanish arrived in 1657, and they officially founded the city of Puno on November 4, 1668 as San Carlos de Puno, when they realized the area offered huge silver mining potential.
Over time, Puno has become a commercial and communications center of the southern Andes, and trades in the wool of llamas and alpacas although it suffers badly from droughts and poor water management. Ecotourism has also become essential for the city’s survival. Due to its varied history, Puno is known as the folklore capital of Peru, as it has over 300 local dances that come from both the Inca and Spanish colonists. Even though the Spanish brought Catholicism with them that was adopted by the local population, they haven’t forgotten their roots and still ask Pachamama to bless their crops and harvest.
Lake Titicaca offers various water sports like sailing, kayaking, and swimming. On land, visitors can hike to the Condor Viewpoint or Mirador Kuntur Wasi for panoramic views, or explore Huajsapata Park with statues of Manco Capac and a puma. Horseback riding is available at ranches on the city’s outskirts, such as Fundo Chincheros. Puno hosts numerous festivals, including the Festival of the Virgin of La Candelaria in February and the city’s anniversary in November. These celebrations feature folk dancing, music, colorful costumes, and cultural displays, highlighting Puno’s rich heritage.
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