Where to Stay in Puno, Peru
Are you wondering where to stay in Puno, Peru?
Puno is a city in southern Peru on the shores of Lake Titicaca, which is the highest-altitude navigable lake in the world. Many travelers stop in Puno before continuing across the border to Bolivia.
One of the most unique activities to do in Puno is visiting the Uros Islands, which are floating villages on Lake Titicaca, home to the indigenous Uros people. You can visit the Uros Islands on a day trip from Puno, or you can stay overnight! I just visited on a day trip, but I’ve included some options for unique floating hotels if you would like to spend more time experiencing life on these manmade islands.
How do you get to Puno?
The closest airport to Puno is Inca Manco Capac Internacional Airport in Juliaca, which is a city about 50 minutes away. You can fly on a short, cheap domestic flight from Lima, Cusco, or Arequipa to the airport in Juliaca, and then take a public bus or arrange a private transfer to get to Puno.
Another option is the bus. I took an 8-hour overnight bus from Cusco to Puno. I had an… interesting experience with the bus because I was traveling in March 2023, when there was a lot of civil unrest going on in southern Peru. My bus ended up having to stop for a blockade at 3 a.m., and we had to get out and walk in the rain with all our stuff for 1.5 hours to get to another bus waiting on the other side of that town.
This is definitely not the norm — as I said, I was traveling during a tumultuous time. Normally, the bus is a reliable and cheaper option than flying, and it will take you directly to Puno from Cusco.
If you do choose to take an overnight bus to Puno, I recommend booking your transportation with Peru Hop. This is a well-run tourist company with buses all over Peru. Due to the unrest in southern Peru, they were unfortunately not running their tourist buses from Cusco to Puno at the time I was traveling, but I did use their service elsewhere in Peru, and I also traveled with their sister company Bolivia Hop.
Best Places to Stay in Puno
Although I was there at a weird time when there were very few tourists, Puno is normally a popular spot on the backpacking trail, with many travelers stopping to explore Lake Titicaca and the floating islands before making their way across the border to Copacabana, Bolivia, which is also on the lake.
How many days do you need in Puno, Peru? You really only need one full day in Puno, Peru. This is enough time to take a tour of the Uros Islands and walk around town for a bit or relax by the lake. However, you can stay for longer if you have more time or want to stay overnight on the Uros Islands.
The lodges located on the floating islands tend to be all-inclusive serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner because there’s nowhere else to go! If you stay in town, you’ll have access to more options.
Here are my top picks for the best places to stay in Puno:
- Best luxury hotel: Sonesta Hotel Posadas Del Inca Puno
- Best budget hotel: Hotel Hacienda Puno Centro Histórico
- Best floating lodge: Uros Samaraña Uta Lodge
And here’s a full breakdown of where to stay in Puno:
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Sonesta Hotel Posadas Del Inca Puno
I stayed at Sonesta Hotel Posadas Del Inca Puno, which I would highly recommend. This luxury hotel is located right on Lake Titicaca and comes with its own adorable llamas that roam around the garden! This was the perfect relaxing place to stay after my long, chaotic journey of getting to Puno.
The hotel is slightly outside the center of town, but they can easily arrange affordable taxis for you. Since I was only staying for one night and one day, the location was not a big deal for me. However, it’s a little too far to walk to town, so this is something to take into consideration before you stay here.
Hotel Hacienda Puno Centro Histórico
Another great place to stay in Puno is Hotel Hacienda Puno Centro Histórico. This hotel is located right in the historic heart of the town, just one block from the central square and cathedral.
It’s about a 20-minute walk to Lake Titicaca, where you can join tours to visit the Uros Islands. The hotel can assist with booking tours and transportation. Free breakfast is also included with your stay here. This is a great place to stay in Puno if you are looking for a comfortable, affordable, and central hotel.
Hotel Hacienda Plaza de Armas
Another affordable and highly-rated hotel in the city center is Hotel Hacienda Plaza de Armas. This hotel is also located right on the main square in Puno, and it’s a 20-minute walk to Lake Titicaca.
The hotel offers a tour desk and a complimentary buffet breakfast. The Puno bus station is a 20-minute walk away. This is another excellent option if you want to be centrally located in Puno.
Amalia Titicaca Lodge
While there are several good hotel options in Puno, one of the most unique experiences to have here is staying at a lodge on one of the floating islands. This is unlike anything else you’ll find in the world, and it’s an incredible way to learn more about the history, culture, and way of life of the indigenous people here.
One of the best lodges is Amalia Titicaca Lodge. This family-run lodge is located on a floating island in Lake Titicaca, a boat ride away from Puno. The property offers spectacular views of the lake from sunrise to sunset. All home-cooked meals are included during your stay at Amalia Titicaca Lodge.
Uros Samaraña Uta Lodge
Another unique place to stay on Lake Titicaca is Uros Samaraña Uta Lodge. This beautiful property offers comfortable accommodations and stunning views of the lake from every angle.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in your nightly rate. Other activities like fishing trips and excursions around the lake in traditional totora boats are also included during your stay.
Uros Titicaca Lodge
Uros Titicaca Lodge is one of the most luxurious places to stay on Lake Titicaca. It seamlessly blends modern comforts with traditional design and construction on a floating totora island.
Located just a 30-minute boat ride away from Puno, Uros Titicaca Lodge offers an all-inclusive rate with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided. Activities like boat trips and a visit to a local community are also included in your stay. This is the perfect place to experience life on the Uros Islands in Puno.
Kay Pacha Lodge
Kay Pacha Lodge is another great place to stay on Lake Titicaca. You can enjoy spectacular views of the water from your room or your private terrace at any time of day. Activities like kayaking are available.
Or you can relax on your floating island and simply enjoy the view. You can choose an all-inclusive rate that includes three meals a day, or opt for a rate that includes breakfast only.
Titicaca Sariri Lodge
Finally, Titicaca Sariri Lodge is one of the more affordable options if you are looking for a comfortable place to stay on one of the floating islands. Like all the others, this lodge offers spectacular views.
Meals are not included in your stay here, but you have the option of enjoying home-cooked meals at the lodge. You can also arrange activities during your stay like fishing and boat tours on Lake Titicaca.
Where to Stay in Puno, Peru
This guide showed you the best places to stay in Puno, Peru.
To recap, my top three picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury hotel: Sonesta Hotel Posadas Del Inca Puno
- Best budget hotel: Hotel Hacienda Puno Centro Histórico
- Best floating lodge: Uros Samaraña Uta Lodge
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Puno!
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