Day 442 – Arequipa to Puno

Travelling to Lake Titicaca

Today we woke up at Holidays Backpacking Hostel and packed our bags. As we were having breakfast, we met a German couple who were also travelling to Puno today. We got along really well and ended up exchanging phone numbers. 

Then we caught a taxi to the Arequipa Bus Terminal (Terminal Terrestre). There was plenty of traffic in the morning, which resulted in some really crazy by the taxi driver.  

At the terminal we lined up at Cromex (the company we had bought our tickets from yesterday) to check in our large backpacks. Afterwards, we were required to pay a terminal departure tax at a kiosk named ‘Pago de Services’.  

Our bus wasn’t new but it was still nice and clean. The bus was scheduled for 10.45am but it left closer to 11.00am. At 2pm we stopped for lunch and a short toilet break. The roads were winding throughout the journey and there was a stretch with a super straight road. 

As we were getting close to Puno the skies darkened and there were some showers. As we drove towards the town, we could see the famous Lake Titicaca in the distance. 

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While driving through the town of Puno, we saw locals in some sort of festival. Our bus arrived in the terminal just before 4.20pm. Our original thought was to walk to our hotel, but after reading the sign age at the terminal, warning about scams our guard went up.

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There was an iPeru (Tourist Information) booth at the terminal, with a English speaking lady who gave us tips on seeing the lake. She wasn’t fully saying that it would be safe to walk, but at the same time didn’t say it was dangerous. Therefore we decided to take a taxi to our hotel near the central plaza.

We were staying at a nice hotel as a birthday treat for my wife. The hotel was called Sol Plaza Hotel. The room was massive and the staff were friendly. The majority of the other guests were holidayers instead of backpackers. 

While we were visiting, the plaza was under construction. Therefore we could only walk around it. In front of the plaza is a Japanese restaurant called Sushi Ten Bento. Once the plaza is open, I can imagine the place has nice views. For now the food was good. I was disappointed with the servings considering the meal was expensive for Peru standards. However, given the location, it was mainly catering for tourists I assume, like most of the other restaurants in the area. 

Travelled November 2019

Getting Around

Taxi – Historic Centre Area to Arequipa Bus Terminal (Terminal Terrestre) 10 PEN (~$5.00 AUD)

Bus – Arequipa Bus Terminal to Puno Bus Terminal 20 PEN (~9.50 AUD) p/p with Cromotex, leaving at 10.45pm and arriving at 4.30pm

Bus – Arequipa Bus Terminal (Terminal Terrestre) Departure Tax 2 PEN p/p (~$1.00 AUD)

Taxi – Puno Bus Terminal to Central Plaza 7 PEN (~$3.00 AUD)