Puno, Andean city in southeastern Peru.
Puno is an Andean city in Puno Province, southeastern Peru, sitting between Lake Titicaca and surrounding mountains at 3,830 meters (12,566 feet) elevation. Buildings climb steep slopes, while flat roofs and narrow lanes shape the urban layout.
Spaniards founded the settlement in 1668 as San Juan Bautista de Puno, later renaming it San Carlos de Puno after King Charles II. It grew into an important trade hub between the coast and the Bolivian highlands during the 19th century.
The name comes from a Quechua legend about hidden treasure beneath Huajsapata hill, where a viewpoint now stands. Locals often wear layered pollera skirts and bowler hats, a clothing style inherited from colonial times that remains visible in daily life.
Travelers arrive through Inca Manco Capac International Airport in Juliaca, followed by a 30-minute taxi ride to the center. The elevation causes mild breathlessness for many visitors at first, so moving slowly and drinking plenty of water after arrival helps with adjustment.
Nearby Lake Titicaca contains 41 floating islands made entirely of totora reeds, where Uros communities maintain their traditional lifestyle. The islands require constant renewal as lower reed layers rot in the water and new layers must be added on top.
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