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Jr Deza 591, Puno, Puno 51, Peru
Looking up at Condor Hill
Inca Uyu Park
Floating Islands
Puno Cathedral
I arrive in Puno in late afternoon and need to get to La Paz (in about 3-4 days). I guess i need to know the best way of getting there, given i'm not in a huge rush. From other responses, Puno does not seem to be recommended as a place to stay. Is it best travel by land or by boat (as much as possible)? If by land, where are the best places to visit - any recommendations greatly appreciated!!
Compared to Cusco or Arequipa, Puno is not to be highly recommended. It seemed reasonably safe and does have a good selection of hotels. There is just not a lot to see. It is probably best known as the point of departure for Uros, Amantadi and Taquili islands. Juliaca is even less attractive. You have about 6 hours by bus to La Paz. This will be the best way for you to travel. You could go by way of Copacabana or by way of Desguadero and Tihuanacu. The distance is the same so it may be a choice between a lakeside stop or a visit to a different type of archeologic site. Have a good trip. bob
From the tour guide to Chullpas de Sillustani, I learned that there are two native languages on Lake Titikaka (the correct spelling). The prominent one is Aymara. However, the Spaniards brought tons of Quechua speakers to work the fields.
Though during my stay in Puno there was a boat strike (wich resulted in me not being able to visit the Uros Islands) it is an essential form of travel in the region. You can wander down to the waterfront and hop on a boat to the Uros, Amantani or Taquile, or arrange it ahead of time through more costly travel agent or tour agency.
My visit to the ‘Floating Islands’ and the descendants of an ancient Indian people called ‘Uro’ was part of a day trip on Lake Titicaca. There are around 40-50 floating islands and they are located about 10 kilometre from Puno. The ‘Uro’ people are known for living on floating villages, made of ‘totora’, which is a papyrus-like plant. The community's main sources of income has always been fishing and hunting, but now it seems that tourism has taken over.
We went ashore on one of the islands and immediately noticed the shaky ground under our feet. We were welcomed by the locals and they showed us around the island. They told us about their lifestyle and demonstrated how the islands were built – a skill passed from generation to generation. While a group of locals showed us the family houses, other locals were setting up souvenir and craft stalls at the centre of the island – but it was not like we were feeling obliged to buy something. Some kids were begging for money or candy - bring pencils, pens, crayons and paper instead…
We ended our visit with an interesting ride around the islands in a raft made of ‘totora’. The ‘Uro’ Indians are great raft builders and it is said that they inspired (and helped) Thor Heyredahl to built his ‘Kon-Tiki’ raft. Along the edges of the islands, ‘Uro’ women - with derby hats and full skirts - gathered and started singing a farewell to us. Not their own traditional songs, but a potpourri of well known international hits - like 'See You Later Alligator'! This was too much in my opinion, but the islands have become a major tourist attraction.
This is the main square, where tha Cathedral, Justice Palace, Police... are located.
Is big and sometimes crowded and there are some nice colonial buildings around, like this Palacio de Justicia, that might have been as well in any Caribbean island...
From ‘Plaza de Armas’ you can spot a statue of a Inca, located on a small hillside behind the square.
The statue is of the first Inca, Manco Capac, and it stands on a white concrete pedestal. I guess the monument is about 10 meters high in total. A legend says that inside the monument is a portal connected to the ‘Qorikancha' temple in Cusco.
The monument is erected in ‘Parque de Huajsapata’. There is a beautiful view of the city and Lake Titicaca from the small park. However, the view from ‘Parque de Huajsapata’ is not as great as from ‘Condor Hill’ – but is easier to reach than ‘Condor Hill’.
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