City, Peru
Puno for solo travelers
Is Puno good for solo travel?
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.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here, though catcalling occurs. Use registered taxis and book lake trips with reputable operators. |
How to meet people in Puno
Hostels on and near Calle Lima, shared Uros and Taquile boat tours, homestays on Amantaní, and bars off the main plaza.
Good things to do alone
- Visit the Uros floating reed islands
- Overnight on Amantaní or Taquile
- Walk up to Huajsapata viewpoint
- Tour Sillustani burial towers at sunset
- Time a trip with the Candelaria festival in February
Where to stay in Puno
| 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 |
Solo travel across Peru
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lima | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Machu Picchu | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Arequipa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sacred Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Máncora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huaraz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huacachina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puno | 3/5 | Limited |
| Paracas | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Iquitos | 3/5 | Limited |
| Puerto Maldonado | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nazca | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Puno good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). High-altitude port on Lake Titicaca at 3,800 m, gateway to the Uros floating islands and Taquile.
How do you meet people in Puno?
Hostels on and near Calle Lima, shared Uros and Taquile boat tours, homestays on Amantaní, and bars off the main plaza. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Puno?
Limited.
Is Puno safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here, though catcalling occurs. Use registered taxis and book lake trips with reputable operators.
More about Puno
Going to Puno solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Puno meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.