Major city · Peru
Desaguadero
Cross Desaguadero to change countries; no need to stay more than a few hours for border and transport to Puno.
Desaguadero is a tiny border town on Lake Titicaca. Most travellers only need a few hours to clear immigration and catch a shared van or bus onward. Stay only if you have a delayed connection or want a quick lakeside break.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry season, clear lake views)
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, colder)
- Airports
- Juliaca (JUL) · La Paz (LPB)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Desaguadero105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Desaguadero, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for day‑crossing; stay aware of pickpockets in busy border area and keep valuables close.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJUL Juliaca (Inca Manco Cápac International) (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; reach it by van or bus via Puno, about 2–3 h.
- Getting aroundWalk between immigration posts and bus terminal (≈10 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealFruit snack on bridgeS/3–5
- Budget bedCapsule or hostel bed, a night, per personPEN 10
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomPEN 45
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomPEN 70
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 5 · Mid PEN 8 · High PEN 12
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JUL Juliaca (Inca Manco Cápac International) (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; reach it by van or bus via Puno, about 2–3 h. Check current schedules.) · LPB La Paz (El Alto International) (Bolivian side: shared vans from a few blocks from the border, El Alto about 1 h, Cementerio in downtown La Paz about 2 h; Bs. 15 per person as of Oct 2018, check.)
Map of Desaguadero
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Desaguadero
- Full city guide
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Copacabana · 45 km straight line
- Yampupata · 56 km straight line
- La Paz · 97 km straight line · full guide
- Sorata · 97 km straight line
- Chucuito · 118 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Sep
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Desaguadero: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Aug
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk between immigration posts and bus terminal (≈10 min). Pedicabs/tuk‑tuks charge about S/1 for the 850 m bridge. Shared vans to Puno cost S/25 and take ~2 h.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
Shared van from the parking lot north of the border post, leaves when full
Faster than the bus (about 3 h); S/25 per person as of Oct 2018, check current fare.
Door to door: About 2–3 h
Bus from the terminal north of the border, or van to Puno then onward
All Arequipa and Lima coaches call at Puno and Juliaca first.
Door to door: About 3 h
Van or bus to Puno, then a tour or taxi to the site
Not a direct trip from Desaguadero; base in Puno instead.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Van to Puno, then a short local ride south
Small lakeside town; easier as a stop from Puno.
Door to door: Check
Long road route via Juliaca and Putina; no direct service advertised
Very high altitude and rough access; not a day trip from the border.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Peruvian side guesthouses
Basic rooms near the bus terminal; suitable for a few hours to overnight if needed.
Bolivian side hostels
Limited options; mainly for backpackers crossing the border.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/5–10 (food stall snack, toilet, pedicab)
Trip budget
| Capsule or hostel bed1 × 1 night × PEN 10 | PEN 10 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PEN 5 | PEN 5 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 15 per person per day, bed included | PEN 15 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Fruit snack on bridge | S/3–5 |
| Soda or water | S/2–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bolivia is one hour ahead of Peru; check train/bus times across the time‑zone change.
- Border queues can delay crossing; keep passport handy and allow extra time.
- Paid toilets cost S/0.5; bring small change.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
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DesaguaderoDesaguadero
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
US consulate in Puno (check address); other embassies in Lima.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pedicab across bridge: about S/1, 10 min walk
- Shared van to Puno: about S/25, 2 h
Say or show
- ¿Dónde está la terminal de buses? — Where is the bus terminal?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta cruzar? — How much for the crossing?
- Necesito una copia de mi sello de pasaporte — I need a copy of my passport stamp
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Desaguadero. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry season, clear lake views) · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, colder) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Desaguadero
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