Tips Puno

The first two weeks of February transform Puno into one of the most colorful places in the world. There will be more than 200 dance groups making their way to the city. It gives you a real impression of what the city of folklore is like.

Go on a trip to the floating islands, the Uros are made completely out of totora. Even their houses are built out of the same material. There are still people living on these floating islands. Originally these were used for protection, since you can move them around.

For an authentic insight you should go on a 2-day trip to the Islands of Taquile and Amantani and stay with the locals for a night, learn about their traditions and enjoy the food of this region.

Chucuito, a small Aymara village only 18 km from Puno will offer you some surprises. This place hosts the Inca Uyo, a pre-Columbian fertility temple. You will find about 90 stone carvings shocking the visitors with the detail of the male anatomy. The fact of having little kids as your guides will make this visit even more interesting. Legends say that women used to sit on top of these to increase their chance of having a boy.

A half an hour trip up north of Puno brings you to the Chullpas of Sillustani, which are a reflection of Aymara Culture. They are situated right at the Lake Titicaca. These tombs have the shape of towers and some of them are up to 9 meters high. Entire families were buried in their.

Puno is not the best place to party, but still there are some places to have some diversion. Very centrally located you will find the bars and clubs in town in the Jr. Lima. Just in a side street is the Kamizaraky Rock Pub, which appeals to a young crowd, with occasionally life music. You are looking for decent music combined with some hot drinks you should stop by at Positive Vibrations or Apu Salkantay at the Jr. Lima. You will find some life music at la Hostería and Ekeko’s, which even has a big screen to watch some good sports.

You will find the majority of restaurants in and around the Jr. Lima. The Asi es mi Perú in the Libertad Street has a variety of good and cheap food. Chocolate Caliente with fresh bread for only one sol is a good choice, if you want to start with a little breakfast at the market. Famous among the locals is the el Galpon, in the Libertad Street 168, which offers good and cheap lunch menus.

In the Keros, in the Lambayeque Street, you can have a taste of Cuy and Alpaka combined with good cocktails. Chicken fans should visit one of the local Pollerías, such as the Pollería Sale Saliente in the Tacna Street 381. Machu Pizza, in the Arequipa 279, is the place if you crave a good pizza made in a wood stove. Café Ricos Pan, in the Jr. Lima 424, is good breakfast place, but all day long you will be able to enjoy their delicious coffee specialities.

Puno has a rather dry and quite cold temperature all year round with an average of 8º and a maximum of 15º and a minimum of 1º. Nevertheless once the sun is out it might feel not that cold.