Puno is located in Peru’s southeastern region, this city has the great privilege of being located on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. For this reason, it is well-known for travelers who visit it to learn more about the main natural wonders of the country. However, the fascination generated by the interest in getting to know the lake can often make it difficult to perceive the wealth of Puno.
Puno is home to charming people, vibrant colors, culture, and a festive spirit that, a few times a year, takes their streets. No wonder, this city is known as the “Folkloric Capital of Peru“, and it lives up to it due to the preservation of the local culture that has remained practically untouched for so many centuries. It is interesting to note that Puno’s cultural heritage comes from a culture that inhabited Lake Titicaca, known as the Aymara.
It is clear that this giant body of water exerted and still has a lot of influence in this city. We know that many travelers who choose Peru as their destination in South America seek to know the country beyond the obvious and, as we know well the importance and cultural value of each corner of the ancient lands of the Incas, we imagine that it would be a great waste to go through Puno without exploring a little more of this destination, which can be surprising, in your itinerary and that will surely delight you!
So, keep reading, allow yourself to discover one of the fascinating destinations in Peru, and fall in love with the charms of Puno, beyond Lake Titicaca.
What to do in Puno
As we said earlier, Puno is a destination worth knowing and exploring beyond the Taquile islands, floating reed islands, Uros floating islands, etc. Despite not being the main focus of travel itineraries to South America, both the city of Puno and the region as a whole have incredible attractions to visit and learn more about Peruvian culture.
With that in mind, here are some of the main sights and features of Puno that you need to pay attention to while you’re passing through. If you love history, culture, and festivities then you are in the right place! Shall we know a little more about this destination?
Parque Pino
Parque Pino is a city square, next to Plaza de Armas, built in the early 20th century in honor of the hero of the war against Chile, Dr. Manuel Pino. This is a public space that promotes the concentration of people coming for various reasons, as this is a place to relax, enjoy the scenery, or just walk around. In addition, in the surroundings of the park, it is possible to find points such as the Virgen de la Candelaria Sanctuary and the San Carlos National School.
Museo Carlos Dreyer
For art and history lovers, or people curious about different aspects of Peru, the Carlos Dreyer Museum is a sure stop! This museum houses artifacts from antiquity that fascinate everyone who visits this attraction, as the collection of the place is composed of jewelry, pre-Columbian fabrics, pre-Columbian objects, and even some mummies.
Can you imagine how much can be learned on this tour? In addition, it is interesting to know that Carlos Dreyer Spohr was a painter who lived in Puno for 30 years, where he executed part of his art in the region and built his historical collections.
Casa del Corregidor
It is a colonial structure built in the 17th century that is currently multifunctional, being a cultural center, bar, restaurant, and cafeteria. This is the ideal place for those who enjoy cozy experiences that mix art and cuisine!
This construction has a long history, having been ordered by the same builder as the Cathedral of Puno. However, it only became known as “Casa del Corregidor” after the house was acquired by Joaquín de Orellana, the city’s mayor.
Mirador del Condor
If you want to have a privileged view of Puno and Lake Titicaca, you cannot leave this point out of your itinerary through the city. It is necessary to make the effort to climb a long staircase to the top, where you will find the large condor statue and you can even see some of them flying over the place.
Arco Deustua
This structure is a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives during Peru’s wars of independence, revealing its importance. It was built in 1847 and is worth visiting the site to appreciate the structure’s architecture and reflect on the country’s historical aspects.
Catedral de Puno
This is a star in the city, as it is located in the heart of downtown Puno. It is often possible to find festivities taking place outside the church, which is located in the Plaza de Armas in Puno, which concentrates some places to visit, mainly restaurants and bars. The cathedral has a mestizo style, which mixes the Andean expression with Spanish Baroque architecture.
Festival Virgen de la Candelaria
And, as we said, Puno is a very cultural city, even receiving the name of the Folkloric Capital of the country. One of the events that represent this strong characteristic of the city is the Festival Virgen de la Candelaria.
This festivity is an Intangible Cultural Heritage, defined by UNESCO, and you will find the opportunity to experience the numerous forms of Andean expression, with typical songs and dances. It’s worth planning to live this celebration!
Puno attractions
As if that were not enough, not only Puno city is a jewel of the southern region of Peru, but also its surroundings hold some archaeological sites that tell a lot about the lifestyles of some of the cultures that marked these lands. There are about 4 main archaeological sites that represent the burial sites of the Kolla and Lupacas cultures, such as the Chullpas de Sillustani and the Archaeological Site of Cutimbo.
In addition to these, it is also possible to find an archaeological site involved in many theories, the main one being that the place would be a center of worship to Mother Earth, but that it could also make women more fertile, if you were curious, get to know Inca Uyo Archaeological Site.
And it doesn’t stop there, since the Pucara culture left a great legacy in this region, such as the Pukara Archaeological Site, which functioned as a residential, administrative, and religious center for this people, being one of the most important found in Puno. Here it is possible to imagine in more detail what life was like in this pre-Inca civilization!
Visiting a city above 3800 meters sea level can sound a bit wild, but Puno and its surroundings can offer immersion experiences in cultural expressions that you can only find in Peru, like all the joy and festivity that are intrinsic to our people.
Do you want to know this destination with your own eyes? Don’t worry, discover our packages to Puno, and authentically experience the energy of the ancient lands of the Incas. Get in touch with our team, which is always willing to serve you with full attention, and come make your dream trip with Viagens Machu Picchu!
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