Puno Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 6.5/10
- Best time to visit
- The dry season from May to October offers clear skies for lake excursions. The Virgen de la Candelaria festival in February is spectacular.
- Population
- 0.1M
Overview
Perched on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, Puno is Peru's folkloric capital. It's the base for visiting the famous floating Uros islands and rich Andean traditions.
Getting around
The compact centre is walkable, and boats depart from the port for the lake islands. Taxis and tricycle taxis serve the town.
Local etiquette
Respect Aymara and Quechua traditions and ask before photographing islanders. Buying local crafts supports the communities.
Safety
Puno is reasonably safe, with petty theft possible around the market and bus station. The high altitude is the bigger concern, so acclimatize carefully.