Skip to content
Voykit
Back to Desaguadero

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Include in the print. Unchecked sections stay on screen, dimmed, and drop out of the PDF.

Voykit pocket guide · 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.

LimaAbancayAguas CalientesAguaytíaAndaguaAndahuaylasAndahuaylillasArequipaAtalayaAyacuchoBallestas IslandsBarrancaCaballocochaCachoraDesaguadero500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Peru
Best months
May–Sep (dry season, clear lake views)
Avoid
Jan–Mar (rainy, colder)
Stay
0 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
PEN
Money
Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
Daily spend
Budget S/5–10 (food stall snack, toilet, pedicab) (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
Emergency
Police 105 · Fire 116 · SAMU ambulance 106
Plugs
Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
Tipping
Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
Water
Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
Toilets
Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Fruit snack on bridgeS/3–5
Soda or waterS/2–4

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

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.

Typical fares

Pedicab across bridge
about S/1, 10 min walk
Shared van to Puno
about S/25, 2 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get 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.

See and do

Known for

  • Border crossing between Peru and Bolivia
  • Lake Titicaca shoreline
  • Pedicabs and shared vans

Day trips

WhereHowTime
PunoShared van from the parking lot north of the border post, leaves when fullAbout 2 h
JuliacaBus from the terminal north of the border, or van to Puno then onwardAbout 2–3 h
SillustaniVan or bus to Puno, then a tour or taxi to the siteAbout 3 h
ChucuitoVan to Puno, then a short local ride southAbout 2.5 h
La RinconadaLong road route via Juliaca and Putina; no direct service advertisedCheck

Sleep

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.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Where is the bus terminal?¿Dónde está la terminal de buses?
How much for the crossing?¿Cuánto cuesta cruzar?
I need a copy of my passport stampNecesito una copia de mi sello de pasaporte

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
  • Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
  • Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
  • Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests

Scams and watch-outs

  • 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.

Generally safe for day‑crossing; stay aware of pickpockets in busy border area and keep valuables close.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Desaguadero yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Border crossing between Peru and Bolivia
  • Lake Titicaca shoreline
  • Pedicabs and shared vans

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Desaguadero

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Puno (check address); other embassies in Lima.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/desaguadero). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.