In our first post of the year, we head south of Peru to discover the Tourist Attractions of Puno.
Puno, a cradle of mysteries and great legends, possesses a natural heritage of incalculable value to the world. This beautiful city embraces a cultural blend of pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial influences, evident in the architecture of its temples, archaeological sites, and colonial mansions.
Among the main Tourist Destinations of Puno are: Lake Titicaca, the Uros Islands, Taquile Island, Amantani Island, the Pucará Museum, the Sillustani Archaeological Complex, the Chucuito Peninsula, the Island of the Sun, and many more. However, the greatest tourist attraction in Puno is the mythical Lake Titicaca, which shines year-round under a bright blue and sunny sky. Moreover, it offers travelers a variety of activities and countless sites of interest on its numerous islands.
Another reason to visit the city of Puno is to experience its living culture, especially by participating in one of the most important events in the Americas: the Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria and the Immaculate Conception. Every February 2nd, the city of Puno is flooded with dancers and performers—more than 50,000 people dancing in colorful costumes and playing Andean music for over two weeks in one of the largest celebrations in southern Peru and South America.
Let’s take a look at the best tourist destinations in Puno:
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. At the same time, it serves as the natural border between Peru and Bolivia. It is an ecosystem as wonderful as it is unique, characterized by its peculiar features, majesty, history, and biodiversity. Additionally, it holds an unparalleled cultural, animal, and plant richness.
This impressive body of water is located on the Andean high plateau. It is considered the highest freshwater navigable lake in the world, at an altitude of 3,812 meters above sea level. It spans an area of 8,562 km², with 56% belonging to Peru and 44% to Bolivia. The lake has an average depth of 107 meters and is believed to be over 3 million years old. More than 25 rivers flow into Lake Titicaca.
Nowadays, Lake Titicaca is a national reserve protected by the Peruvian government and one of the main tourist attractions of Puno on the Peruvian side and Copacabana on the Bolivian side.
This natural treasure consists of the lake itself, a series of artificial floating islets, islands, and agricultural zones that perfectly showcase the harmonious coexistence between the island inhabitants and their environment and nature.
In ancient times, the islands of Lake Titicaca were inhabited by various Andean cultures, including the Pucará, Tiahuanaco, and Inca civilizations. For this reason, it is also known as the cradle of Peru’s ancient civilizations. Additionally, during the Inca period, Lake Titicaca was considered a sacred place, as, according to Inca mythology, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, the legendary founders of the great Inca culture, emerged from its waters.
Witnessing the perfect combination of the blue sky and crystal-clear waters makes Lake Titicaca a magical and dreamlike place unlike any other.
Uros Islands
The Uros Islands, also known as the floating village in the heart of Lake Titicaca, are artificial floating islands made by the Uros, an ancestral community that still inhabits this highest navigable lake in the world in small communities. The small platforms on which the Uros build their homes are constructed with totora, a water plant that grows abundantly around Lake Titicaca.
In fact, a floating island can last up to 20 years if properly maintained. However, to keep it afloat without having to rebuild, a new layer is added every 20 to 25 days. On the other hand, to move from one island to another, the Uros also use boats made from totora, which can even have two floors and are beautifully designed.
On each island, an average of five to seven families live, subsisting through fishing, hunting, and ecotourism. Additionally, the beautiful and colorful totora weavings and handicrafts offered to visitors are entirely original.
According to chroniclers, the Uros were one of the earliest cultural formations of the Altiplano, and their origins date back to the pre-Inca period. Some theories suggest they originated from Bolivia, but migrated to the shores of Lake Titicaca after the severe droughts of the 9th and 12th centuries AD. Initially living on dry land, they decided to build floating islands to avoid being conquered by the Tiahuanacos, Collas, and Incas. Finding better means of survival (hunting and fishing) inside Lake Titicaca, they never returned to dry land again.
Chullpas de Sillustani
The Sillustani Archaeological Complex contains archaeological monuments linked to funerary rituals of the Tiahuanaco, Colla, and Inca cultures. It is located 34 kilometers from the city of Puno, on the Peninsula of Lake Umayo at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. It is believed that the Chullpas or circular stone towers were built to house the remains of the main authorities of the Colla lordship.
The Chullpas of Sillustani consist of approximately ninety inverted cone-shaped chullpas, skillfully constructed and perfectly fitted. These mausoleums reach heights of up to 12 meters and are characterized by their smaller base compared to the upper part. According to chroniclers, the mummified bodies of the highest authorities were placed inside these tombs. Alongside their bodies, as part of their funerary offerings for a better afterlife, their most valuable belongings, such as gold and silver objects, food, and ceramic utensils, were also placed.
A short distance from the Sillustani tourist complex is the on-site museum, where various pieces from the Colla, Tiahuanaco, and Inca cultures are preserved.
In fact, it is recommended to visit the Chullpas of Sillustani during your journey from Puno to Juliaca airport, or vice versa.
Amantani Island
Amantani Island is the perfect place to experience ancient customs, witness the lifestyle of the highland inhabitants, and enjoy stunning landscapes. This legendary island is located within Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3,817 meters above sea level, and is 36 km northeast of Puno’s port. The journey by motorized boat takes approximately 3 hours.
In fact, the island is renowned for its two viewpoints: the Coanos and Llacastiti hills, where the ceremonial centers of Pachatata and Pachamama are located. From these points, visitors can admire Lake Titicaca in all its splendor. Additionally, the island is covered with countless native and medicinal plants such as muña, cantuta, sage, and patamuña.
Amantani Island is also home to ten communities, where residents are primarily engaged in farming (such as potatoes, maize, oca, and quinoa) and craftsmanship (stone carving) and textile arts. However, today, Amantani Island stands out due to the practice of experiential tourism. It is one of the few places where visitors can stay in rural homes, learn about local customs and traditions, savor traditional local cuisine, and participate in ancestral activities.
Due to its distance, tourism on this island has not developed as extensively as on other islands of Lake Titicaca. Nevertheless, it is currently one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Puno.
Taquile Island
The beautiful Isla de Taquile is the largest island on Lake Titicaca, famous for its pre-Inca remains and spectacular landscapes. It is home to Quechua-speaking islanders who are dedicated to fishing, agriculture, and textile production, and are known for their deep connection to their customs and traditions.
The people of Taquile are quite distinct from the inhabitants of other Lake Titicaca islands. In Taquile, there is a strong sense of group identity, which is why most residents marry only within the island community.
Taquile has a fascinating tradition when it comes to crafts and textiles, each piece made according to deeply rooted social customs. Men wear well-knit woolen hats made by themselves, and according to the color of the hat, they can denote their social status: red hats if they are married, and red hats with white if they are single. Meanwhile, the women of Taquile dress in their traditional red blouses and colorful skirts.
Today, Taquile has rural tourism ventures that allow travelers to disconnect from routine and the hustle of big cities. Explore Isla Taquile to learn about the customs and traditions of the Quechua world that lives on the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca. The best sunsets, the fertile reddish lands of Taquile, the blue of Lake Titicaca, and the snow-capped peaks on the Bolivian side are waiting for you!
Chucuito
The Chucuito Peninsula, also known as the City of the Royal Boxes for being a center for tax collection during the colonial period, is located 18 km south of Puno. It is renowned for its beautiful white sand beaches, unique landscapes, and natural viewpoints that offer some of the most fantastic views of Lake Titicaca.
In Chucuito, specifically in the rural community of Karina, it is possible to participate in traditional activities and visit the churches of Asunción and Santo Domingo. Both are of Renaissance style and are considered the best colonial expression of Chucuito. Additionally, you can visit the pre-Hispanic Inca Ullo site, a rectangular construction dating back to the Inca period. It is known for being a sacred place for celebrations and ceremonies related to fertility.
Pucara
The town of Pucará is located 110 km from the city of Puno, northwest of Juliaca. It is known for its magnificent handicrafts and pottery. It is the home of the famous Toritos de Pucará (ceramic pieces that symbolize, in the Quechua world, protection and prosperity; and are placed on the roofs of newly thatched houses). Additionally, it is part of its grand celebrations during the Feast of the Virgin of Carmen (every July 16) and the important archaeological sites it hosts.
The Archaeological Zone of Pucará is represented by architectural monuments built around 1800 BCE. According to chroniclers, it was the oldest and most important religious and administrative center of the Altiplano. The archaeological complex is divided into two sectors: ceremonial and urban. The ceremonial sector is the most significant and consists of nine pyramids, with the Kalasaya pyramid standing out. Typically, this tour is included in the Sun Route tour (Cusco – Puno).
In Pucará, you can also visit the Pucará Lithic Museum, where ceramic pieces of various sizes and shapes are exhibited, along with a collection of monoliths and lithic sculptures from the Pucará culture. These have been classified into three groups: monoliths, stelae, and zoomorphic sculptures. Additionally, the Pucará Ceramic Museum showcases over thirty ceramic objects that stand out for their large size and represent the grandeur of the Pucará culture, as well as the magnificence of pre-Inca and Inca ceramics.
Aramu Muru Door
The Aramu Muru Door, also known as Hayu Marca (City of Spirits) or Willka Uta (Door of the Gods), is located 70 km south of the city of Puno. It is a doorway carved from a single piece of rock, approximately 7 meters tall. Aramu Muru is undoubtedly one of the most mystical, enigmatic, and energetic tourist sites in Puno.
Today, the locals share numerous legends about the Aramu Muru Door, such as: during the Spanish invasion, the Inca priest Aramu fled Cusco with a golden solar disk to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Spaniards; and according to Andean mythology, Amaru used this disk as a key to open and disappear through this portal. For this reason, Aramu Muru has become a place steeped in mythologies and legends.
Today, thousands of adventurous travelers and historians, including locals, have visited this sacred door. Many come to offer their prayers, while others perform rituals, and others seek positive energy; for it is said that only the gods pass through this door, making it an excellent place to revitalize the soul and mind.
If you are seeking positive energy, this could be your perfect destination. Especially on each solstice of June 21st, a date celebrated with festivities in gratitude to Pachamama, Tayta Inti, and the water.
Tinajani Canyon
The Tinajani Canyon is located 150 km north of Puno, at an altitude of 4059 meters above sea level. It is the perfect destination for adventurers who love exploring breathtaking, less-visited natural landscapes.
Today, Tinajani Canyon is becoming increasingly popular due to its enigmatic geological formations. The rock formations and the mysticism of the place have made Tinajani a spot for direct contact with nature and our ancestors.
The stone forests of Tinajani Canyon span over 250 hectares alongside the peaceful, crystal-clear waters of the Pacobamba River. These rock formations resemble massive towers or castles that appear to have been transformed into stone for some mysterious reason. According to some scholars, one of the reasons Tinajani Canyon has such unique rock configurations is due to wind phenomena and temperature changes.
Among the main figures, some reaching heights of up to 50 meters, found within this stone forest are human-like figures, granite phantoms, winged sphinxes, and some dinosaurs.
To reach Tinajani Canyon, it is recommended to do so from the city of Ayaviri, just 15 minutes by car or a 3-hour and 30-minute walk. This tourist site in Puno is one of the newest gems of the highland region.
Isla del Sol
Isla del Sol is the perfect place to rediscover the history and traditions of the Andean people. It is a beautiful destination with its terraced farmland and Lake Titicaca serving as a picturesque backdrop. Located in the middle of Lake Titicaca, on the Bolivian side, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
According to Andean mythology, Isla del Sol holds great significance; legend has it that this island was home to the god Inti (the sun), who created his children Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, the first Incas who founded the great Inca Empire. According to chroniclers, during the Inca period, Isla del Sol was a sanctuary with a temple where virgins dedicated to the Sun god lived.
Today, the island is inhabited by indigenous communities of Quechua and Aymara origin, who are engaged in agriculture, rural tourism, handicrafts, and herding South American camelids. Most of these inhabitants are trilingual, typically speaking Quechua, Aymara, and Spanish. The easiest way to reach Isla del Sol is from Copacabana, Bolivia.
During your next vacation, visit the city of Puno and create your own legend in the land of myths, where you will find ancient legends, colorful festivals, natural and artificial islands, and many other natural and cultural wonders. Indeed, on the altiplano, you will not only explore the best Tourist Places of Puno in the Peruvian part, but also the tourist sites of Bolivia.
