Your stay — Casona Plaza
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The Property — Casona Plaza
Casona Plaza is a no-frills three-star in central Puno, a short walk from the Plaza de Armas. The lobby feels like a small-town guesthouse: tile floors, a few leather sofas, and a reception desk where the staff actually remember your name. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable, clean base for exploring Lake Titicaca and the city's colonial centre, not those looking for boutique atmosphere. The USP is its location—you step out onto Jr. Deustua and the city's main sights are five minutes away.
Chronicles of Puno
Puno was founded in 1668 as a silver-mining outpost by Viceroy Conde de Lemos, though the area had been inhabited by the Uros people for centuries. Its architecture is a mix of Spanish colonial and Republican-era buildings, with the neo-Renaissance Cathedral facing the main plaza. The city reinvented itself as a commercial and administrative hub for the altiplano after the railway arrived in the 1870s. Today, Puno is Peru's folkloric capital, known for the February Virgen de la Candelaria festival, and serves as the primary gateway to the floating Uros Islands and Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca.
Best Time to Visit
Full Puno guide →Best months
May, June, and August: dry, sunny days with clear skies over Lake Titicaca, and lower crowd density than July. June has the Fiesta de San Juan (24th), which adds local colour without overwhelming Puno.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month because it coincides with Peruvian school holidays and Fiestas Patrias (28-29 July). Hotel prices often double from June's rates, and the lakeside area gets packed with domestic tourists. The Fiesta de San Juan on 24 June also spills into early July.
Budget shoulder season
September and April: still mostly dry, with hotel discounts of 30-40% compared to July. The weather is mild (lows around 2°C, highs 15°C), but you get fewer tourists and easier access to Uros boat tours.
Weather & packing
Puno sits at 3,827 metres, so even on a sunny June day you'll get biting cold by 5pm. Pack thermal layers, a windproof jacket, and fingerless gloves for morning boat trips on the lake.
Live City Briefing — Puno
- The Puno airport (Inca Manco Cápac) extension project was delayed; confirmed direct flights from Lima still run twice daily, but check for weather cancellations in June.
- The Uros floating islands are seeing new restrictions on entry fees and visitor numbers to manage overtourism; some operators now require advance booking for tours.
- Puno's main market (Mercado Central de Puno) underwent a renovation in late 2025, adding a new food court area; it's open 7am-6pm daily and good for cheap trout ceviche.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casona Plaza, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third (top) floor, facing the interior courtyard away from Jirón Arequipa. These rooms pick up less street noise and benefit from being above the general foot traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms backing onto the reception or the hotel’s internal corridors—they’re closest to the entrance step, stairwell, and any early-morning coming-and-going. Also skip rooms on the first floor directly overlooking Jirón Arequipa; that’s the main through-street into the historic centre and carries traffic from early morning until late evening.
Best views
From a third-floor, courtyard-side room you’ll get a view over the inner patios and tiled roofs of neighbouring buildings—it’s not dramatic but it’s calm and feels private. Front-facing rooms (any floor) look onto Jirón Arequipa, a typical cobbled street with colonial balconies and daily Puno life.
Quietest floors
Third floor is quietest—furthest from street level and with no lift machinery or terrace bar above. Second floor is also generally quiet, especially rooms on the courtyard side.
🔊 Noise notes
Jirón Arequipa is a live, mixed-use street—buses, taxis, mototaxis, and pedestrians from early morning (around 6am) until 10-11pm. The hotel has no double glazing on the front windows. Inside, the main stairs echo, so footsteps on landings are audible, especially on the ground and first floors.
Insider tips
If you’re driving, the Plaza Vea car park (Av. El Sol, 5 mins walk) charges 5 PEN/hour or 25 PEN overnight—cheaper and more secure than street parking. Ask at check-in for a spare room key card so you can keep the blackout curtains drawn during the day—rooms at the back get little direct sunlight, but it helps with the early dawn light.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casona Plaza
Free WiFi for all guests; speed is adequate for browsing and email (approx. 10 Mbps download); no login — just select the network.
No passenger lift — the hotel is a historic building with stairs only to all floors (ground to 3rd floor).
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical newspapers; the building is a restored colonial house with original stone walls and a central courtyard.
Standard check-in from 13:00; early bag drop is free if arriving before; late check-out until 12:00 (fee: 20 PEN), after 12:00 charged half the night rate.
Free storage at reception for same-day arrivals/departures; no charge.
No step-free access — there is a small step at the main entrance; no wheelchair ramp; no lift; not suitable for guests with limited mobility.
No on-site or valet parking; nearest public car park is at Plaza Vea (Av. El Sol, 5-minute walk) costing 5 PEN per hour or 25 PEN overnight; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (tourist tax is typically included in the room rate for 3-star hotels in Puno)
Deposit & card hold: A 15% advance deposit is required to confirm the booking; at check-in, a hold of 50 PEN is placed on a credit card for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de San Juan (92 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Basilica Catedral de Puno (357 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Parroquia Franciscana San Antonio de Padua (497 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Merced (510 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque Pino — 118 m · ~1 min walk
Museo Carlos Dreyer — 361 m · ~5 min walk
Giant Slide — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 261 m · ~3 min walk
Rp. Pharma — 137 m · ~2 min walk
Variedades Olmar — 371 m · ~5 min walk
Puno — 501 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange desks at airports and tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants/cafés but cash is king in markets and small eateries.
Tip 5–10% in restaurants if no service charge; taxis no tip; hotel staff 1–2 soles per bag or 5 soles per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A coffee from a local café or street stall costs about 3–5 soles.
Menú del día (soup + main + drink) runs 8–12 soles.
A main dish at a simple restaurant costs 10–15 soles.
Anticuchos (grilled beef heart) and empanadas sold at evening stalls along Jirón Arequipa and near the market area.
Supermercados like Metro or Plaza Vea are common chains in Puno.
Mercado Central de Puno has cheap clothing and local textiles.
Colectivos (shared minibuses) cost 1 sol per ride; from Juliaca airport take a bus (10 soles) to Puno town centre.
Eat at menú del día lunch spots; buy water in bulk at supermarkets; skip guided tours and explore independently.
Good to know — Puno
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Puno, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casona Plaza
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 261 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Rp. Pharma — 137 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Puno Terminal Terrestre or Plaza de Armas → Avenida La Torre stop (5 min walk to hotel)
💡 Buses are numbered but don't display routes consistently—ask a local or driver where it goes. Keep your bag zipped and close; pickpocketing happens on crowded routes. The walk from the stop to Munay Tambo is flat and safe.
Inca Manco Cápac International Airport, Juliaca → Munay Tambo Hotel, Puno
💡 Book in advance through your hotel or a reliable agency; don't just grab a taxi outside the airport as prices jump and safety varies. Agree on the fare before getting in.
Juliaca Airport exit gate → Puno Terminal Terrestre
💡 Shared minibuses run from the main road outside the airport terminal. They're cheap but cramped—better for light backpacks than big suitcases. Have small change in soles ready.
Plaza de Armas, Puno → Munay Tambo Hotel
💡 Negotiate down from their first quote (usually 10–15 soles). Use official radio taxis (look for a rooftop light) rather than unmarked cars. A short walk from Plaza de Armas is fine in daylight—saves a few soles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casona Plaza?
Request a room on the third (top) floor, facing the interior courtyard away from Jirón Arequipa. These rooms pick up less street noise and benefit from being above the general foot traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casona Plaza?
Avoid ground-floor rooms backing onto the reception or the hotel’s internal corridors—they’re closest to the entrance step, stairwell, and any early-morning coming-and-going. Also skip rooms on the first floor directly overlooking Jirón Arequipa; that’s the main through-street into the historic centre and carries traffic from early morning until late evening.
Is Casona Plaza noisy?
Jirón Arequipa is a live, mixed-use street—buses, taxis, mototaxis, and pedestrians from early morning (around 6am) until 10-11pm. The hotel has no double glazing on the front windows. Inside, the main stairs echo, so footsteps on landings are audible, especially on the ground and first floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Casona Plaza?
From a third-floor, courtyard-side room you’ll get a view over the inner patios and tiled roofs of neighbouring buildings—it’s not dramatic but it’s calm and feels private. Front-facing rooms (any floor) look onto Jirón Arequipa, a typical cobbled street with colonial balconies and daily Puno life.
What are insider tips for staying at Casona Plaza?
If you’re driving, the Plaza Vea car park (Av. El Sol, 5 mins walk) charges 5 PEN/hour or 25 PEN overnight—cheaper and more secure than street parking. Ask at check-in for a spare room key card so you can keep the blackout curtains drawn during the day—rooms at the back get little direct sunlight, but it helps with the early dawn light.
What time is check-in at Casona Plaza?
Check-in at Casona Plaza is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casona Plaza have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; speed is adequate for browsing and email (approx. 10 Mbps download); no login — just select the network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casona Plaza?
None (tourist tax is typically included in the room rate for 3-star hotels in Puno)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casona Plaza?
Menú del día (soup + main + drink) runs 8–12 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casona Plaza?
Colectivos (shared minibuses) cost 1 sol per ride; from Juliaca airport take a bus (10 soles) to Puno town centre.
When is the best time to visit Puno?
May, June, and August: dry, sunny days with clear skies over Lake Titicaca, and lower crowd density than July. June has the Fiesta de San Juan (24th), which adds local colour without overwhelming Puno.
Top Attractions in Puno
💡 Best in late afternoon when the sun softens and the trees cast long shadows. Avoid the park after dark – it’s poorly lit and can feel unsafe.
💡 You can walk right under it for free – no tickets needed. Combine with a short stroll up to the nearby Mirador del Lago for a broader view. The steps are steep but manageable.
💡 Usually unlocked from 08:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00. The caretaker may ask for a voluntary donation of 2 or 3 soles. Don't expect a guided tour – wander quietly and take your own time.
💡 Sunset is the moment to go – the light turns the water silver. It’s a 10-minute uphill walk from the Plaza de Armas. No entrance fee, but you can buy a juice or snack from the vendor who sometimes sets up there.
💡 Entry is 5 soles (about £1). Go early to avoid the tour groups. The museum is easy to miss – look for the sign above a souvenir shop on Calle Deustua.