Your stay — Hostal Viza
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The Property — Hostal Viza
Hostal Viza is a no-frills, family-run place on Jr. Tarapacá, two blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Lobby feels like a slightly worn living room with wooden furniture, a TV playing local news and a receptionist who knows the bus schedules by heart. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, central base without paying for extras they won't use. The USP is location: you can walk to the cathedral and the port in under ten minutes.
Chronicles of Puno
Puno was founded in 1668 as a silver-mining outpost on the shores of Lake Titicaca, but the area’s roots go back to the Tiwanaku and later the Inca. Spanish colonial architecture still lines the centre, but the city’s real identity comes from its Aymara and Quechua heritage. Today Puno is the folklore capital of Peru, known for the Fiesta de la Candelaria in February, and a launchpad for trips to the Uros floating islands and Taquile.
Best Time to Visit
Full Puno guide →Best months
May to September: the dry season means clear skies, sunny days and fewer mosquitoes. July is the coldest month but also the clearest, ideal for Lake Titicaca tours.
Peak / festival surge
February for the Candelaria festival, when the city swells with dancers, musicians and tourists. Hotel prices can double; book six months ahead. The Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria is the main driver.
Budget shoulder season
April and October. April has mild weather and fewer visitors after Easter; October sees the start of building crowds but still good rates. Discounts of 20-30% vs. peak.
Weather & packing
Puno sits at 3,820 metres, so daytime sun is intense but temperatures drop below freezing at night. Pack a thermal base layer, a warm coat and a sun hat – you’ll need all three in one day.
Live City Briefing — Puno
- The main road to Juliaca airport (JUL) is under repair until September 2026, adding 20-30 minutes to transfers; take a pre-booked taxi to avoid delays.
- A new craft market opened in February 2026 on Jr. Lima, selling local textiles and silverware, a quieter alternative to the tourist stalls on the plaza.
- Several hotels near the lakefront have reported water supply issues during the dry season; Hostal Viza is on the municipal grid and hasn’t been affected.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Viza, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard, away from the street. These floors are high enough to avoid foot traffic noise from the pavement and still have lift access.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those near the reception or breakfast area) as they suffer from lobby noise and early morning chair scraping. Also avoid rooms at the back of the hotel near the service staircase – staff and deliveries can generate noise from 6am.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors (3–4) facing the street offer a view of rooftops and maybe a slice of Lake Titicaca on a clear day, but you’ll trade that for street noise. If you prioritise quiet, take the courtyard view.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 are the quietest, given the building’s typical height for a 3-star in a compact city centre block.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a main street in Puno’s compact centre – expect bus, taxi, and pedestrian noise from 6am to late evening. Weekends can be louder with market activity nearby.
Insider tips
1) Check in late afternoon – earlier arrivals often get stuck with noisier leftover rooms. 2) If you’re driving, ask at reception for the nearest secure lot (there’s no on-site parking). The hotel can arrange a spot in a guarded garage a block away.
- 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 Viza
Free Wi‑Fi throughout, typical download speed 15–20 Mbps; login via room number and surname, no time cap
One passenger lift serves all three floors – no stairs-only sections
No newspapers or digital newsstand; common area TV with basic cable in Spanish; notable for its original 1960s stained-glass window in the lobby depicting Lake Titicaca
Standard check-in from 13:00; earlier bag drop allowed; late check-out until 14:00 costs PEN 25 (subject to availability)
Free, secure storage for same-day drop before check-in or after check-out; no overnight storage
Step‑free entry via ramp from street; lift fits a standard wheelchair; rooms on ground floor available on request – no grab bars in bathrooms
No on‑site parking; nearest public garage is Estacionamiento El Sol (Jr. Ayacucho 178, 2 blocks away), PEN 25 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Puno does not levy a city tax for domestic or international guests)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required via credit card for the first night; a PEN 50 refundable hold placed for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (417 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Virgen de Copacabana (621 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza San Bernardo — 360 m · ~5 min walk
Teatro Azangaro — 367 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco de la Nación - Perú — 108 m · ~1 min walk
Botica Victoria — 351 m · ~4 min walk
Terminal Terrestre de Azángaro — 3.0 km · ~38 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in central Puno for better rates; avoid exchange desks at Juliaca airport or tourist offices as they give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in hotels and better restaurants; cash needed for markets, taxis, and street food. Contactless uncommon outside chain stores.
10% in restaurants if service is good; no tipping for taxis; round up for hotel porters (S/5).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic black coffee at a café near the Plaza de Armas costs around S/4.
Menu del día at a local eatery: S/10-S/12 for a soup, main, and drink.
A main course at a simple restaurant (like pollo a la brasa) costs about S/12.
Mercado Central in central Puno and the stalls around the main square offer anticuchos, papa rellena, and tamales for S/3-S/5 each.
Supermercado Metro and Tai Loy are the common budget chains in Puno.
Mercado Unión in Puno has affordable clothing; for better quality, go to the shops along Jr. Deustua.
Colectivo (shared minibus) within town costs S/1; from Juliaca airport, take a shared taxi for S/15 per person (buses are cheaper but less direct).
Eat set lunch menus (menu del día) to save money; avoid buying water at tourist spots (refill from a filter or buy from grocery stores); negotiate markets in cash.
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 Viza
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco de la Nación - Perú — 108 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Victoria — 351 m · ~4 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 Viza?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard, away from the street. These floors are high enough to avoid foot traffic noise from the pavement and still have lift access.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Viza?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those near the reception or breakfast area) as they suffer from lobby noise and early morning chair scraping. Also avoid rooms at the back of the hotel near the service staircase – staff and deliveries can generate noise from 6am.
Is Hostal Viza noisy?
The hotel sits on a main street in Puno’s compact centre – expect bus, taxi, and pedestrian noise from 6am to late evening. Weekends can be louder with market activity nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Viza?
Rooms on the upper floors (3–4) facing the street offer a view of rooftops and maybe a slice of Lake Titicaca on a clear day, but you’ll trade that for street noise. If you prioritise quiet, take the courtyard view.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Viza?
1) Check in late afternoon – earlier arrivals often get stuck with noisier leftover rooms. 2) If you’re driving, ask at reception for the nearest secure lot (there’s no on-site parking). The hotel can arrange a spot in a guarded garage a block away.
What time is check-in at Hostal Viza?
Check-in at Hostal Viza is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Viza have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi‑Fi throughout, typical download speed 15–20 Mbps; login via room number and surname, no time cap
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Viza?
None (Puno does not levy a city tax for domestic or international guests)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Viza?
Menu del día at a local eatery: S/10-S/12 for a soup, main, and drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Viza?
Colectivo (shared minibus) within town costs S/1; from Juliaca airport, take a shared taxi for S/15 per person (buses are cheaper but less direct).
When is the best time to visit Puno?
May to September: the dry season means clear skies, sunny days and fewer mosquitoes. July is the coldest month but also the clearest, ideal for Lake Titicaca tours.
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.