City, Peru
Puno
High-altitude port on Lake Titicaca at 3,800 m, gateway to the Uros floating islands and Taquile. Worthwhile for the lake and festivals; cold, thin air and a gritty city center are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$697–1,100Comfortable, one person · S/2,400–3,800Details
- Value for money81/100Better value than 80% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Nov, 18°CDetails
- Internet260 MbpsFixed broadband, Peru medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$23–52Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTaxi / mototaxiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards accepted at larger hotels and restaurants; carry soles for boat trips, markets, mototaxis and island stays.Details
Where to stay in Puno
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro (Plaza de Armas and Lima street) | Hostels, restaurants, tour offices; walkable |
| Lakefront (Puerto) | Boats to Uros and Taquile; quieter at night |
| Huajsapata hill area | Viewpoint, less touristy streets above the center |
Apps that work in Puno
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- redBus: Compare and buy intercity bus tickets
- Taxis: Mototaxis and taxis are standard; apps are not reliable here. Agree the fare before you start.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Peru.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards accepted at larger hotels and restaurants; carry soles for boat trips, markets, mototaxis and island stays.
- Currency: Sol (PEN). US$1 ≈ S/3.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs charge foreign cards a flat fee per withdrawal, higher at airports; many also dispense US dollars.
- Tipping: Around 10% in sit-down restaurants without a service charge. Budget tips for trek guides, cooks and porters; taxis aren't tipped.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in cities; Yape and Plin QR payments need a Peruvian account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Pre-registering on MigraCheck (free) can let you use the immigration e-gates at Lima airport.
- No arrival card; entry is recorded digitally. Overstays are fined per day when you leave.
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Amazon trips but is not required for entry.
Emergency numbers
Police 105 · Ambulance 106 · Fire 116
Plugs
Type A, C · 220 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy prepaid chips in official carrier stores with your passport, not from street sellers. Claro and Movistar cover the Andes best. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Peru
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.