How do I get to Uros Islands?

How do I get to Uros islands, must be a question that came to your mind when you decided to visit them.

The first thing you need to learn is getting to Puno. If you don’t know how to do it. You can read about how to get from Lima, Cusco or Arequipa 

Once you are in Puno, there are 3 ways to go to Uros Floating islands, but the choice you’ll make will depends on : Visiting the islands just for a few hours or Visiting the islands and staying for a night.

We let you know both options, so you will be able to choose the best option for your itinerary.

This option will be usefull for you even if it’s just for a short trip or if you need to get to Uros to stay a night.

Whether you are in Puno for a previous night or you arrive the same day and you are at bus station. You have to take a taxi to the MAIN PORT (located in EL PUERTO Av.)

At the port, look for the Uros islands’s office. Most of times their staff are selling tickets outside. Una vez hayas llegado al puerto, so buy your ticket, and the boat that will be leave will be shown to you and the only thing you need to do is waiting there, until the boats gets enough passengers to leave.

There are boats leaving from 7 to 16 hours. The travel journey is 30 minutes.

It’s important that you know, that is mandatory to pay your entrance fee to Uros. 

This boat will make a stop in 2 floating islands and you will get some free time to visit them.  These boats don’t have a tour guide, that is why the most of times, the host family provide an explanation in Spanish about the way they build the island, their culture and activities. on each island.

At an specific time you will be told to go back the boat to leave to Puno.

In case, that you will spend the night in Uros. You should call your hotel and inform the name of island where you will be, so they could pick you up. There are around 70 floating islands, that’s is why is so important to make that call.

If you are a person who prefers to have an organized trip, this is the best option for you, because if you hire the service a tour with a travel agency, you will have included a pick up on your hotel, transportation, entrance fee and tour guide included.

Just be sure to book your tour at least the day before, to avoid lack of information and get involved in hurry situations.

This option is also perfect, if you will make a short visit or if you will spend the night in Uros, because your travel agency will get in touch with your hotel in Puno, you just need to provide enough information to them.

Hardly ever, this is the option taken for travelers that will spend the night in Uros.

Spend the night in Uros floating Islands is just an amazing experience, because you will be surrounded by Lake, you will be able to be part of their Culture, taking part on local activities. If you make a short visit those things will be less probable to be done. There are several lodgings in Uros provinding a great experience in Uros.

So… How do I get to Qalapajra?

If you have alredy booked a hotel. You have to take a taxi from Puno and ask the driver to take you to QALAPJRA PORT (it’s close to Uros Chulluni neighborhood)

Something important that you have to know, is the fact that this is an small port used just for local people. It means that YOU WON’T FIND DAILY DEPARTURES leaving at any time as the Main Port. So It’s important that before leaving Puno you have called your hotel and hire with them the boat service from Qalapajra port to your hotel in Uros.

Maybe you must be thinking… Wouldn’t it better to go to the Main port and take a private boat? and the answer to this question is YES, but Just big boats for 20 – 25 people are allowed to leave from the Main port. Hiring a big boat can be more expensive, and they leave just until 4 – 5 in the afternoon.

Now, that you have learnt how to get to Uros Islands, choose the best option for you and decide if you will make a short visit or spend the night to enjoy better!

Have a nice trip!