Puno is a city on Lake Titicaca and the main base for exploring its surroundings. From here, you can go on a sightseeing cruise or admire the lake from one of the several viewpoints.
The city was founded during the Spanish colonization and has a nicely preserved center with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The most important monument is the baroque cathedral in Puno. Around it, in numerous squares and in the streets, there are craft shops and workshops producing handicrafts. A stroll through the center of Puno is a good preparation before setting out to explore the whole area, especially Lake Titicaca.
The city has Port Puno, from which excursion boats depart for excursions on the lake. Their length depends on arrangements with the crew. They can take either an hour or two, or even two days with an overnight stay on one of the islands. In Port Puno, there are also craft fairs, where Indians from nearby villages bring their products.
The biggest attraction of Puno are the floating islands of Uros, where Indians live in huts made of reeds. By sailing to them, you can visit the village and buy handicrafts. It is also an opportunity to meet the living culture and folklore of the local inhabitants.
You can end your visit to Puno by going to one of the lake's viewpoints. The most famous is the El Condor Viewpoint, named after the huge statue of the condor placed on the platform. Several hundred steps lead to the observation deck, but the view of the lake and Puno is worth the effort.
