For you, the adventurer and explorer of the world, we present our Puno Travel Guide where you will find the most complete and updated tourist information about Puno and Lake Titicaca: the history, weather, altitude, festivities, tourist destinations, cuisine, and much more.
| Capital: | City of Puno. |
|---|---|
| Area: | 66,997 km². |
| Population: | 1173 million inhabitants. |
| Altitude: | 3827 masl. |
| Telephone prefix: | 051 |
| Nickname of the inhabitants: | Punenyo, Punenya. |
| Names and titles: | Capital of Peruvian Folklore, City of Silver, Land of Artists and Poets, City of the Sacred Lake. |
The region of Puno was the territory of the Pucará and Tiahuanaco cultures. At present there are
innumerable remains that clearly show the early occupation of Puno by these two cultures and
also by other, earlier cultures.
Over the years, Puno became a prosperous town on the shores of Lake Titicaca. And its population
was composed of Qollas, Aymaras and Quechuas.
According to old mythological legends and stories, some of the ancient inhabitants of Puno
migrated westward and gave rise to one of the greatest of South America’s civilizations, the
Inca culture.
During the early Colonial period, the city of Puno was as a quiet town. But on November 4, 1668,
Viceroy Conde de Lemos made it the capital of the province of Paucarcolla. From this point on,
it stopped being called San Juan Bautista de Puno and came to be called San Carlos de
Puno.
However, the Puno region was not created as a region until April 26, 1822.
In your next adventure to the city of Puno, don’t forget to visit this beautiful highland city’s main tourist attractions. In this next section we will list for you Puno’s most important tourist destinations:
Lake Titicaca is the highest, navigable freshwater lake in the world. This Natural Heritage is
located in the Puno region, and it is shared with the neighboring country of Bolivia. In the
middle of Lake Titicaca there are majestic islands that are inhabited by fishermen and farmers.
Out on the islands the local people still practice their ancestral customs. The most important
islands are: the Floating Islands of the Uros, the Island of Taquile and the Island
Amantaní.
All around this sacred and mystical Lake, there are people who live in ancient villages. The
inhabitants of these villages, along with the numerous tourists who come to visit from all over
the world, sail out onto the Lake’s cold blue waters every day.
According to Andean legend, the founders of the amazing Incan dynasty emerged from the pristine
waters of this Lake.
As a tourist in Puno you can be part of its magical atmosphere where legends, traditions and colorful parties can be found throughout the year. The amazing Floating Islands of the Uros are only surpassed by the crystalline waters of Lake Titicaca, itself. Every Puno resident is proud of his heritage and his past. This folk tradition is renewed through its typical dances. The most emblematic holiday is the great party in honor of the Virgin de la Candelaria. There are so many reasons to visit Puno and explore its most popular tourist attractions such as Lake Titicaca.
Compartir
For travel inspiration and insights