The port city of Puno is located in the region of the same name and stretches from the shores of Lake Titicaca up into the hillsides. Many travelers stop by Puno in order to visit it’s most popular attractions, the Floating Islands of Uros and the traditional islands of Uros and Amantaní. Others choose to cross the border between Bolivia and Peru by passing through Puno on the Peruvian side into Copacabana on the Bolivian side.
Crossing into Bolivia from Peru is easy to do from Puno, but you’ll want to make sure that you have the most up-to-date information regarding transport prices and schedules as well as Bolivian entry requirements for different nationalities. Here, we’ve compiled some of the most important information you need to know.
Tens of thousands of domestic and international travelers are expected to visit Puno this year during its annual and legendary Virgin of Candelaria Festival the first two weeks of February. Even more will be participating, however, as more than 40,000 dancers and 5,000 musicians will take part in the competitions and parades. Some have been preparing for the event for half a year, along with the mask and boot makers and embroiderers. Even the Chulluni community on the Floating Islands of Uros is preparing, as locals have been remodeling their totora reed houses in anticipation of a grand influx of visitors.
When talking about excursions in Puno, we generally focus on the islands of Lake Titicaca- the Floating Islands of Uros, Amantani Island, and Taquile Island- but there’s even more to see in Puno. If you have an extra day in the city, your first choice should be the pre-Incan Sillustani Chullpas.
Each year during the final days of October and the first week of November, the small, dusty city of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca celebrates its founding anniversary. As can be expected for a city known as Peru’s ‘Capital of Folklore’, the event is a riot of color and activity. During the two weeks of celebrations, lucky visitors can watch fireworks shows and concerts and attend food and handicraft fairs.
