Puno Peru

We travelled from Arequipa to Puno in a double-decker bus, complete with leather seats with much leg room. We watched three movies (Yours, Mine and Ours, Herbie 2 and the third one was very confusing, so we paid little attention to it. The bus line also provided with ´lunch´.

We arrived in Puno on the shores of the sacred Lake Titicaca this past Monday. Our research had led us to believe that Puno would be a place that we would not want to stay for any length of time. However, we discovered that this was not the case.

Puno is 4200 metres above sea level. When we arrived we took a three-wheel motorcycle taxi to the Central Square, Plaza de Armas to begin our search for accommodation. This is when you appreciate a good knapsack that does not hurt your shoulders.


When we were dropped off, the high altitude was overwhelming initially. It is amazing how altitude affects the way you breath and your energy level. We found a hotel for $26.00 a night including a buffet breakfast versus a continental breakfast (we are becoming very aware of the subtle differences of all these things). The hotel had coca tea available in the lobby to help us adjust to the altitude.

Puno is very lively during the day, but especially at night, when the streets are crowded with people going out to eat at the various restaurants, socializing in the different squares. There are various markets and stores open selling their goods, especially Alpaca, everything from sweathers, scarves, gloves, socks, hats, etc. We had oven-fired pizza for supper in a small, very comfortable restaurant.