aerial view of city buildings near body of water during daytime

Puno

Puno is the base for Lake Titicaca trips, where you meet island communities and folk dance traditions at 12,500 feet.

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Puno is a city in southern Peru, on the shore of Lake Titicaca at about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) above sea level. It sits in the Andean highlands near the Bolivian border, and both countries share the lake. Puno is often called the folklore capital of Peru, and dance groups perform in the streets during the February festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria.

Most visitors come for the lake. Boats leave from the city for the Uros floating islands, made of totora reed, and for Taquile, where residents are known for hand-woven textiles. Nearby, the Sillustani burial towers, called chullpas, stand on a peninsula above Lake Umayo. The dry season, May to October, is when skies are usually clearer. Plan at least two or three nights, and give yourself a day or two to adjust to the altitude before long boat trips or walks.

Puno in five

Acclimatize before the lakePuno sits at about 3,800 m on Lake Titicaca. Take the first day easy and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Puno serve coca tea.
Book the lake boat tour from the waterfrontUros and Taquile trips leave from the docks in Puno, and operators differ on price and what is included. Compare two or three boats before you pay.Tours and tickets
Carry soles in small notesThe sol (PEN) is the currency. Boat operators and mototaxis often want small change, and large notes are hard to break.Money and costs
Get an eSIM or download offline mapsMobile signal is patchy on the lake and on the islands. Set up an eSIM or download maps before you leave the city.Phones and eSIM
Take the Juliaca airport transfer to PunoFlights land at Juliaca, about 45 minutes by road from Puno. Book a shuttle or taxi in advance, since the airport is outside the city.Getting around

Things to do in Puno

See all attractions in Puno

Historic site · PunoLa Casa del Corregidor

Museum · PunoYavari

Museum · PunoCoca Museum & Costumes

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to PunoPut the places you like in Puno on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Sol (PEN)
Entry: Visa-free short stays for many passports; check Migraciones before you fly Read more
Emergency: 105 police, 106 ambulance, 116 fire
Tipping: Not expected; some restaurants add about 10% service, so check the bill
Time: UTC-5, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Rainy, green
FebruaryRain27 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Candelaria fiesta
MarchRain28 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Rains ending
AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Dry, cooling
MayClear7 rainy daysHigh14°Low2°Dry, cool
JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh14°Low0°Dry, cold nights
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh14°Low1°Dry, clear skies
AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh15°Low1°Dry, cold nights
SeptemberClear10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh15°Low4°Dry, clear skies
OctoberRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh16°Low5°Dry, warming
NovemberRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh16°Low6°Rains start
DecemberRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh15°Low6°Rainy season

Average daily high and low in Puno, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Puno

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 56%
Wind: 21 km/h
Chance of rain: 99%

Puno

05:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today17°6°99%Monday: Rain. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 99%.
Tue16°7°69%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 69%.
Wed17°6°38%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 38%.
Thu17°6°49%Thursday: Rain. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 49%.
Fri17°7°51%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 51%.
Sat16°7°64%Saturday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 64%.
Sun14°7°88%Sunday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 88%.

Updated 05:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.467 PEN

Amount

Converted to

PEN · Peruvian Sol

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Uros Islandsabout 30 to 45 min by boatReed islands built and lived on by the Uros people, reached by boat from Puno.
Taquile Islandabout 2 to 3 hours by boatAn island with terraced farms and hand-woven textiles, a long boat trip out on the lake.
Sillustaniabout 45 min to 1 hour by carPre-Inca funerary towers on the shore of Lake Umayo, a half-day trip from town.

Before you go to Puno

eSIM for PunoOffline maps help on the lakeRead the guide

Travel insurance for altitudeCheck the policy covers altitude and boat tripsRead the guide

Money and cards in PeruSol cash and card use in townRead the guide

Stays in PunoHotels near the docks and centreRead the guide

Rules for Puno, checked

Many nationalities need no visa for short stays in Peru. Check the entry rules on the Migraciones site, Peru's immigration authority, before you book.
Archaeological objects cannot be taken out of Peru without permission. Check the Ministry of Culture rules before you buy crafts that look old.
Crossing to Bolivia overland from Puno requires checking both countries' entry rules first.

Plan around Puno

All of Peru

Entry, regions and transport for a wider Peru trip

Read the guide Getting around

Juliaca airport transfers, buses and lake boat routes

Read the guide Money and costs

Sol cash, cards and typical prices for a day

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry rules to check before you book your flight

Read the guide Where to stay

Hotels and guesthouses in Puno and by the lake

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Lake trips to Uros and Taquile, compared before booking

Read the guide

Puno FAQ

Is Puno worth visiting?

Yes if you want Lake Titicaca and the floating Uros islands. One or two nights is usually enough for a lake trip.

How do you get to Puno?

Fly to Juliaca, then take a shuttle or taxi about 45 minutes to Puno. Buses from Cusco also run to Puno along the highway.

How high is Puno, and does altitude matter?

Puno sits at about 3,800 m. Most visitors feel it on the first day, so rest, drink water and avoid heavy exercise until you feel settled.

How many days do you need in Puno?

Two nights cover a lake day trip and the town. Add a third if you want Taquile or Sillustani without rushing.

When is the Candelaria festival in Puno?

The Virgen de la Candelaria festival is held in Puno in early February, with music and dance groups. Book rooms early if you plan to visit during the festival.