🇵🇪 Puno, Peru
Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II
📍 516, Jr. El Puerto, Puno
Your stay — Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Puno.
The Property — Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II
Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II is a no-fuss, clean three-star bolthole two blocks from Puno’s main plaza. The lobby feels like a quiet community living room: worn sofas, a small TV, and staff who actually remember your name. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable base for Lake Titicaca day trips without paying for lake views or frills.
Chronicles of Puno
Puno was founded in 1668 as a silver-mining hub under Spanish viceroy Conde de Lemos, but its real significance came later as the lakeside gateway to the Tiwanaku and Inca civilisations. The city’s architecture mixes colonial Baroque churches, such as the cathedral (1757), with colourful adobe houses climbing the hillsides. Today Puno is the folkloric capital of Peru, famous for the Virgen de la Candelaria festival in February, and remains the primary launch point for boat tours to the Uros floating islands and Taquile Island.
Best Time to Visit
Full Puno guide →Best months
April and May — clear skies, low rainfall, and fewer tourists than peak season. September also offers settled weather with thinner crowds.
Peak / festival surge
February is the busiest month because of the massive Virgen de la Candelaria festival (2-18 Feb), which fills hotels and pushes prices 30-40% above normal. Inti Raymi (24 June) in nearby Cusco also spills some overspill into Puno.
Budget shoulder season
November and March are the sweet spots: lower rates, lighter crowds, and still decent weather, though March can have afternoon showers.
Weather & packing
Puno sits at 3,830m — expect intense midday sun and near-freezing nights even in July. Pack thermal layers and a waterproof shell, plus sunscreen and lip balm regardless of season.
Live City Briefing — Puno
- The main market, Mercado Central, reopened in May 2025 after a fire; stalls are back, but expect some temporary reorganisation.
- Lake Titicaca water levels are currently low due to a dry austral winter — some floating islands may have shifted position; check with tour operators before booking.
- A new bus terminal opened at Av. Ejército in January 2026, replacing the old illapa terminal; all long-distance buses now depart from there.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing away from Jr. El Puerto (rear side of the building). These floors are high enough to reduce street-level sounds but still within easy stair-walking distance if the lift is slow or broken.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially front-facing ones near the entrance) and rooms directly next to the lift shaft — in a 3-star hostal, the lift motor can be audible at all hours. Avoid 4th floor rooms on the front side if the building has a roof terrace or laundry, as foot traffic above can be noisy.
Best views
Front-facing rooms (overlooking Jr. El Puerto) give a view of the street and nearby lake glimpses — worth it if you don't mind some traffic sounds. Rear-facing rooms look onto inner patios or neighbouring buildings, which is quieter but less scenic.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors (if the building has 4 floors). These are the 'middle' floors, buffered from street noise below and from roof activity above.
🔊 Noise notes
Jr. El Puerto is a fairly narrow street in Puno's central area, with regular mototaxis and buses. Expect daytime road noise and occasional late-night group chatter from nearby bars on Puerto and parallel streets. The lift is a service lift, not a passenger lift, so it clunks.
Insider tips
1) Puno is at 3,830m — ask for a room on a lower floor (1st or 2nd) if you feel altitude sickness, to avoid extra stairs. 2) The hostal doesn't have its own parking; the nearest public lot is on Jr. Deustua, a 3-minute walk — drop luggage first.
- 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 Virgen de Las Nieves I y II
Free for all guests; speed approx. 10 Mbps (fine for messaging and browsing, not streaming). Login requires room number and surname.
One lift serves all three floors (rooms 101-310). No stairs-only sections; lift accessible from ground floor entrance.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Building is a converted 19th-century townhouse with original stone staircase and high tin ceilings (common area only).
Check-in from 12:00; early bag-drop available from 09:00 (free, no fee). Check-out by 10:00; late check-out (until 14:00) costs 50 PEN (subject to availability).
Free for same-day arrivals and departures (lobby area). Multi-day storage not offered.
Main entrance has two steps (no ramp). Lift fits a standard wheelchair but not all room doors are wide enough; contact ahead for accessible room. No accessible bathroom grab bars.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Estacionamiento El Muelle (200 m, 30 PEN overnight). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 PEN per person per night (tourist tax, applies to foreign guests)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required to guarantee reservation; incidental hold of 100 PEN at check-in (cash deposit accepted)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Merced (332 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Parroquia Franciscana San Antonio de Padua (727 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de San Juan (764 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Basilica Catedral de Puno (790 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque de la Aguas — 137 m · ~2 min walk
Museo Marina de Guerra — 236 m · ~3 min walk
Giant Slide — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 428 m · ~5 min walk
Botica Puno R&S — 362 m · ~5 min walk
Flores Minimart — 836 m · ~10 min walk
Estación Virgen de Fátima — 484 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Change money at banks or official exchange houses (casas de cambio) in central Puno; avoid the airport or tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Credit/debit cards accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but cash is king for street food, taxis, and small market stalls.
Tipping is not mandatory; round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good, and tip hotel porters a few soles.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee from a market stall or small café costs around 3-5 soles.
A menú ejecutivo (set lunch) from a local restaurant costs 8-15 soles and includes soup, main, and drink.
A simple main course like pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken) with fries costs 10-15 soles in a local eatery.
Head to the central market or stalls near the Plaza de Armas for cheap anticuchos (grilled hearts), emoliente (herbal drink), and salteñas.
Supermarkets like Plaza Vea and Metro are common for groceries in Puno.
The Mercado Central and Mercado Unión in Puno cheap for clothing, alpaca wool goods, and souvenirs.
Local combis (minibuses) cost 1 sol per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo (shared taxi) into town for about 10-15 soles.
Eat menú del día at lunch for the best value. Buy snacks and water at markets, not tourist shops. Haggle politely in markets for crafts.
Good to know — Puno
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.41 · 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 Virgen de Las Nieves I y II
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 428 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Puno R&S — 362 m · ~5 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 Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing away from Jr. El Puerto (rear side of the building). These floors are high enough to reduce street-level sounds but still within easy stair-walking distance if the lift is slow or broken.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially front-facing ones near the entrance) and rooms directly next to the lift shaft — in a 3-star hostal, the lift motor can be audible at all hours. Avoid 4th floor rooms on the front side if the building has a roof terrace or laundry, as foot traffic above can be noisy.
Is Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II noisy?
Jr. El Puerto is a fairly narrow street in Puno's central area, with regular mototaxis and buses. Expect daytime road noise and occasional late-night group chatter from nearby bars on Puerto and parallel streets. The lift is a service lift, not a passenger lift, so it clunks.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II?
Front-facing rooms (overlooking Jr. El Puerto) give a view of the street and nearby lake glimpses — worth it if you don't mind some traffic sounds. Rear-facing rooms look onto inner patios or neighbouring buildings, which is quieter but less scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II?
1) Puno is at 3,830m — ask for a room on a lower floor (1st or 2nd) if you feel altitude sickness, to avoid extra stairs. 2) The hostal doesn't have its own parking; the nearest public lot is on Jr. Deustua, a 3-minute walk — drop luggage first.
What time is check-in at Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II?
Check-in at Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed approx. 10 Mbps (fine for messaging and browsing, not streaming). Login requires room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II?
10 PEN per person per night (tourist tax, applies to foreign guests)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II?
A menú ejecutivo (set lunch) from a local restaurant costs 8-15 soles and includes soup, main, and drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Virgen de Las Nieves I y II?
Local combis (minibuses) cost 1 sol per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo (shared taxi) into town for about 10-15 soles.
When is the best time to visit Puno?
April and May — clear skies, low rainfall, and fewer tourists than peak season. September also offers settled weather with thinner crowds.
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.