Puno

Puno lies on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable body of water in the world. The city combines this setting with a distinctive cultural character: religious traditions, historic buildings, collections and viewpoints offer different starting points for planning your trip. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Puno, you can first consider whether the city itself, with its cultural impressions and views across Puno, offers the focus you are looking for.

The Candelaria Festival in February

A special occasion is the Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria, celebrated every year in February in Puno. It includes religious, festive and cultural events. Its roots lie in both Catholic traditions and the Andean worldview. The festival thus brings together different religious and cultural influences rather than offering just one type of event.

During the celebrations, an image of the Virgen de la Candelaria is carried in a procession through the streets of Puno after a liturgical act. Traditional dances and music accompany the procession. The Arco Deustua is also a setting for festive traditions: on the eve of the celebrations in honor of the Virgen de la Candelaria, the pago a la tierra takes place there. If you would like to plan your trip around this special occasion, February is the relevant time; regardless, Puno’s cultural character can also be explored through its museums and buildings.

Museum and historic buildings

The Museo Municipal Carlos Dreyer has six rooms and three exhibition galleries. The Sala Sillustani displays the Tesoro de Sillustani as well as five mummies with grave goods. This collection brings named objects and human remains together with grave goods in a clearly designated exhibition area. The museum opened its doors to the public in 1978.

The Casa del Corregidor preserves a different kind of historic detail: old tiles, dressed stone and a patio typical of Puno, with black-and-white cobblestones. The house also features historic balconies overlooking Puno Cathedral. When choosing cultural experiences, both exhibition spaces and architectural features are therefore central.

The façade of the Iglesia San Juan Bautista displays Baroque forms that combine Indigenous and European elements. Inside are numerous works of art, including paintings from the Cuzco School and silver ornaments. The bell tower also offers panoramic views of Puno and the surrounding area. The church and its tower thus offer different perspectives: the design of the façade and the artworks on the one hand, and views across the city on the other.

Viewpoints and paths

Kuntur Wasi viewpoint offers a panorama of the city of Puno; panoramic photographs can be taken from the city’s highest point. Kuntur Wasi is accessible by taxi. This gives you a specific way to reach the viewpoint, where the focus is on the view across the city.

Another destination is the sculpture of Manco Cápac on Cerrito Huajsapata. It can be reached via paved and cobbled footpaths. Kuntur Wasi and Cerrito Huajsapata thus offer two different perspectives on Puno: the viewpoint described specifically as the city’s highest point and the route to the sculpture. Which of these experiences you include depends on whether you want to focus primarily on panoramic photographs or on the sculpture.

For the general trip overview: Puno.