Guest Testimonials

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PUNO

Altitude

Capital: 3,825 meters above sea level (Puno)

Climate

The city of Puno rests on the shores of Lake Titicaca and generally enjoys a temperate climate during the day due to the coolness provided by the lake. It is cold at night and semi-dry with humidity at 55-65%. The rainy season begins in December and ends in April. The average annual temperature ranges from 14°C (58ºF) down to 3°C (37ºF) at night.

Altitude Sickness (Soroche)

If you experience dizziness, nausea and headaches while visiting any city higher than 3,000 meters above sea level, you may be suffering from altitude sickness, or soroche. We recommend that you don't be alarmed, because it is a common affliction among our visitors, including natives. What should you do? Request ten minutes of oxygen on the bus, in the infirmary at the ground terminal, or at the hotel. Don't be alarmed; it is just the body's natural way of adapting to higher altitudes. After a few days of avoiding rigorous walks, heavy weight-bearing activities, and excessive alcohol consumption, you'll achieve an adequate level of adaptation to the altitude that should last for almost a week.

WHEN TO COME

You can visit Puno all year round. The rainiest months are December through April, the local summer, when one can enjoy the landscape. Nevertheless, many of the big festivals take place during the rainy months. Only adventure tourism is restricted during this season. For everyone else, it's possible to enjoy Puno and the lake all year long.

WHAT TO BRING

Because Puno is hot during the day and cool or cold at night and in the early morning hours, what you should bring depends on the type of trip you're planning. Bring some warm layers. Other packing suggestions include a dictionary, email addresses, and a guidebook. If you plan to take an overnight camping trip, we suggest bringing a warm, waterproof coat, walking or hiking shoes, a sleeping bag, water-purifying tablets, a pocket knife, and matches or a flashlight. Depending on the establishment and the quality of services offered, you may find bathrooms with or without toilet paper, even in restaurants. It is better to keep a small roll with you at all times. The trash cans are emptied regularly.

VISITING

Public buses are the usual form of long-distance transportation. They are cheap, frequent, and relatively comfortable, at least on most routes. While traveling through the villages, take your passport with you as you will need to present it at police control points. Taxi rates must be negotiated as there are no meters.

COMMUNICATIONS

Generally, you will have no problem communicating with home via telephone, mail, fax or internet from the hotel or in the city, because there are internet cafes near the hotel.

VISAS

Visitors from ,most Western countries do not need visas (but please verify this with the Peruvian embassy in your country). The tourism visa that will be issued upon your arrival at the Lima airport will allow you to stay in Peru for 90 days.

BUSINESS HOURS

Most stores are open from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Banks are open only from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m

SAFETY AND HEALTH

Sunburn
Don't forget that the sun is much stronger in tropical latitudes. It is easy to get a sunburn even when it is cloudy. Take the necessary precautions to avoid being burned by the sun: use a hat and sunscreen. Try not to spend too much time in direct exposure to the sun, especially between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Be especially careful when traveling by boat, as the wind and the sun's reflection on the water increase the risk of sunburn. Drink plenty of water.
Stomach Problems
The symptoms of stomach problems are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The best precautions are to avoid consuming uncooked vegetables, salads and tap water. Eat fruit only if it is peeled first. If your meals are served by the hotel, don't worry, because all your meals and drinks will be properly prepared. Despite these precautions, many visitors are afflicted by stomach problems. If you are affected, try to rest and drink plenty of liquids. Oral rehydration solutions (OREGÓN) are available at pharmacies and can help replace lost fluids. If you are affected for more than three days and/or also have a fever, you should see a doctor.
Safety
Puno is a safe city, but it does have a low incidence of theft. We recommend taking the following precautions: make sure your taxi is verified by the hotel, and don't walk outside alone at night after 10:00 p.m., especially through desolate areas or far from the city center.