Puno & Lago Titicaca, Peru
Puno sits on the shores of Lake Titicaca — the highest navigable lake in the world, at 3,812 metres above sea level. I want to say this clearly: Puno surprised me. It’s so much more beautiful than it looks in photos. And the Uros floating islands were one of the most extraordinary things I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Yes, it’s tourism — but the Uros people open their homes, show you how they live, how the islands are built entirely from reeds, how they eat and sleep on these structures floating on the lake. The warmth and generosity of the people there is something that stays with you.
Time of Year I Visited
I went in June, arriving from Arequipa with Peru Hop.
Did I Feel Safe?
Yes, I felt safe in Puno. Like anywhere in Latin America, common sense applies — watch your belongings, avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas at night, and use registered taxis. The tourist areas and the lake are very well frequented and generally safe. Petty theft is the main thing to be aware of, not anything more serious than that.
Where I Stayed
Pacha Suite — well located, just a 2-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. Good value for money, friendly staff, and comfortable. One thing to keep in mind: the rooms can get cold at night, which makes sense given the altitude. Pack something warm to sleep in.
What’s Worth Doing
Mirador Lagunillas: On the way from Arequipa to Puno with Peru Hop, we stopped at this viewpoint at over 4,400 metres above sea level. From up there you can contemplate a beautiful lake — Laguna Lagunillas — set in the middle of the Andean Altiplano, with mountains all around and small islands dotting the water. One of those unexpected stops that turns into one of the most beautiful moments of the journey.
Floating Islands of the Uros — tour with Lago Explorer: This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The Uros people have lived on handmade floating islands made entirely of totora reeds for centuries — they build their homes, their boats, and the islands themselves from these reeds. Getting to visit and understand how they live was genuinely moving. What a place.
How Long Did I Stay?
2 days and one night — enough to see the lake and the floating islands before crossing into Bolivia with Bolivia Hop.
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