Your stay — Hostal Montoya
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The Property — Hostal Montoya
Hostal Montoya is a modest, family-run 3-star on a quiet street in central Puno. Its simple rooms with wooden furniture and colonial-style courtyards offer a calm base for exploring the city. The lobby feels like a lived-in common room, with old travel posters and a slightly worn sofa. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prioritise location and local character over modern polish.
Chronicles of Puno
Puno was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1668 on the shores of Lake Titicaca. During the silver boom of Potosí, it grew into a crucial trading post. The city's skyline still shows colonial churches and colourful adobe buildings. Today, Puno is the folkloric capital of Peru, famous for the Virgen de la Candelaria festival in February, and the gateway to the floating Uros islands.
Best Time to Visit
Full Puno guide →Best months
May to September – dry season with clear skies for Lake Titicaca boat trips, comfortable 10-20°C days, and manageable crowds outside the Candelaria period.
Peak / festival surge
February for the Virgen de la Candelaria festival, the biggest event in Puno, attracting thousands of dancers and musicians. Hotel prices can double; book months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October – just after the rainy season ends or before it begins, with mild weather, fewer tourists, and often 20-30% lower rates than peak months.
Weather & packing
Puno sits at 3,827m, so even in mild dry-season July days, temperatures drop sharply after sunset. Pack a warm jacket, hat, and thermal layers for evenings, plus sun cream for strong daytime UV.
Live City Briefing — Puno
- The new Terminal Terrestre de Puno bus station opened in early 2026, centralising long-distance departures and improving connections to Cusco and La Paz.
- Lake Titicaca water levels are unusually low this dry season due to reduced rainfall, affecting dock access on the floating Uros islands – check with tour operators before booking.
- The city is repaving Jirón Lima, the main pedestrian street, with work continuing through July; expect some dust and diverted foot traffic near the central market.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Montoya, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor facing the courtyard. These are quieter and get more natural light than ground-floor internal rooms.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the ground floor fronting the street — likely to suffer from pavement noise and passing traffic, especially in the morning.
Best views
Upper floor rooms facing the street offer a view of Puno's daily life, but at the cost of noise. Courtyard views are more peaceful.
Quietest floors
Second floor and above, facing the interior courtyard or away from the main street.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise is the main issue — Puno's streets have frequent buses, taxis and mototaxis. The hostel's entrance and reception area adds daytime bustle.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a courtyard room on the second floor at booking — it's the quietest. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; street-facing rooms can be noisy from early morning.
- 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 — Hostal Montoya
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical download speed 8-12 Mbps; no login—just select network 'HostalMontoya' and accept terms page once per device per 24 hours.
No passenger lift. Two-storey colonial building with stairs only; all rooms on first and second floors.
No printed newspapers; digital access not provided. Building originally a 19th-century merchant's house with thick adobe walls, offering quiet rooms away from plaza noise.
Standard check-in 14:00-00:00; bag drop available from 09:00 at reception; late check-out until 13:00 for 30 PEN surcharge (subject to availability).
Free locked luggage room behind reception, open daily 07:00-22:00; can arrange later pickup by request.
No step-free entry (two steps at main door); no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathroom adaptations; narrow corridors and stairs limit mobility access entirely.
No on-site parking. Safest option: paid lot at 2 blocks (Jr. Lima 430), 15 PEN per night (uncovered, monitored 07:00-22:00). Street parking risky due to break-ins. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (municipal tourism tax not applied to 1-night stays at 3-star properties in Puno as of 2026)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required 14 days before arrival; a 100 PEN incidental hold on a credit card taken at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Templo de Santa Barbara (510 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Templo de San Miguel (530 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Armas — 400 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Caja Cusco — 124 m · ~2 min walk
Boticas SanoFarma — 170 m · ~2 min walk
Terminal Zonal de Ilave — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use street-side casas de cambio near Plaza de Armas for fair rates; avoid airport or hotel exchange desks which offer poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels and mid-range restaurants, but many small shops, markets, and colectivos take only cash; contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge not included; taxis: round up the fare; hotel staff: 5–10 soles for luggage, housekeeping optional.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee at a local café costs around 3-5 soles.
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) in a local eatery costs 10-15 soles.
A main course at a budget-friendly restaurant (e.g., trout or lomo saltado) costs 15-25 soles.
Anticuchos (grilled skewers) and papa rellena from carts near the market or Plaza de Armas for 5-10 soles.
Mercado Central is the main market for fresh produce; supermarket chain Plaza Vea has several branches in the city.
Mercado Central de Puno sells affordable local clothing, alpaca wool items, and market stalls offer bargains.
Colectivos (shared minibuses) cost 1 sol per short hop; from the airport, take a colectivo (around 5 soles per person) into town, or a taxi for 30-40 soles.
1. Eat at market stalls or menú del día spots for cheap, filling meals. 2. Use colectivos instead of taxis for local travel. 3. Skip the tourist restaurants on the lake; eat where locals do around Mercado Central.
Good to know — Puno
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.39 · 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 Hostal Montoya
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Caja Cusco — 124 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Boticas SanoFarma — 170 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.
About Puno
Wikipedia ↗
Puno (Aymara and Quechua: Punu) is a city in southeastern Peru, located on the shore of Lake Titicaca. It is the capital city of the eponymous Puno Province and Puno Region; in 2017, it had a population of 135,288 (2017 census). The city was established in 1668 by viceroy Pedro Antonio Fernández de ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Montoya?
Request a room on the second floor facing the courtyard. These are quieter and get more natural light than ground-floor internal rooms.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Montoya?
Avoid any room on the ground floor fronting the street — likely to suffer from pavement noise and passing traffic, especially in the morning.
Is Hostal Montoya noisy?
Street noise is the main issue — Puno's streets have frequent buses, taxis and mototaxis. The hostel's entrance and reception area adds daytime bustle.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Montoya?
Upper floor rooms facing the street offer a view of Puno's daily life, but at the cost of noise. Courtyard views are more peaceful.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Montoya?
1. Ask for a courtyard room on the second floor at booking — it's the quietest. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; street-facing rooms can be noisy from early morning.
What time is check-in at Hostal Montoya?
Check-in at Hostal Montoya is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Montoya have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical download speed 8-12 Mbps; no login—just select network 'HostalMontoya' and accept terms page once per device per 24 hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Montoya?
None (municipal tourism tax not applied to 1-night stays at 3-star properties in Puno as of 2026)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Montoya?
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) in a local eatery costs 10-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Montoya?
Colectivos (shared minibuses) cost 1 sol per short hop; from the airport, take a colectivo (around 5 soles per person) into town, or a taxi for 30-40 soles.
When is the best time to visit Puno?
May to September – dry season with clear skies for Lake Titicaca boat trips, comfortable 10-20°C days, and manageable crowds outside the Candelaria period.
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.