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Back to Juliaca

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Voykit pocket guide · Peru

Juliaca

Spend 1–2 days in Juliaca to see its colonial churches, market and nearby lagoon; add a day trip to Puno or Sillustani if time allows.

Juliaca sits at 3,825 m on the Collao Plateau, 45 km from Lake Titicaca. It is a trade hub with several colonial churches, a large market, and easy bus links to Puno and other Altiplano towns. A short stay covers the main sights; longer trips add nearby archaeological sites.

LimaAbancayAguas CalientesAguaytíaAndaguaAndahuaylasArequipaAtalayaAyacuchoBallestas IslandsBarrancaCaballocochaCajabambaCajamarcaJuliaca500 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–Oct (dry, milder temperatures)
Avoid
Nov–Mar (cold, possible snow, Carnival crowds)
Stay
1–2 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/30–45 excl. bed · Mid S/45–80 excl. bed (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
CoffeeS/3–5
Meal (local restaurant)S/10–20
Taxi (city ride)S/5–10
Bus ticket to PunoS/25–30

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

JUL · Inca Manco Cápac International Airport
5 km (3.1 mi) NW of Plaza de Armas, airlines: LATAM, Sky Airlines to Lima

Typical fares

JUL → Juliaca city centre (taxi)
≈ S/10, 10 min (check)
Bus Juliaca → Puno
≈ S/25, 1 h (check)
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

Walking covers the historic centre; taxis are cheap (≈S/5‑10 for short trips). Buses from Terminal Terrestre (2 km (1.2 mi) east) run to Puno (45 km (28 mi), ~1 h) and other Altiplano towns.

See and do

Known for

  • Mother Church of Santa Catalina
  • Church of La Merced
  • Franciscan Convent
  • Christo Blanco monument
  • Las Calceteras Gallery
  • Chacas Lagoon

Day trips

WhereHowTime
PunoBus from Terminal Terrestre, ~45 km (28 mi), 1 h≈1 h 15 min
SillustaniBus to Puno then local taxi, total ~1 h 30 min≈2 h round trip
ChucuitoBus via Puno, ~1 h 30 min total≈2 h
DesaguaderoBus via Puno, ~2 h total≈3 h
La RinconadaLong bus (≈6 h) from Juliaca; not recommended for day trips≈12 h round

Sleep

Hotel Sakura
Double room S/70, clean, Wi‑Fi; near Plaza de Armas

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryDisculpedisˈkulpe
Thank youGraciasgraˈθjas
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanˈto ˈkwes.ta
Where is the bathroom?¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdon.de esˈta el ˈba.ɲo

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

  • Altitude: 3,800 m can cause headache; hydrate and move slowly.
  • Winter nights can drop below 0 °C; bring warm layers.

Juliaca is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of pickpockets in crowded markets and acclimatise to altitude.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Juliaca yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Mother Church of Santa Catalina
  • Church of La Merced
  • Franciscan Convent
  • Christo Blanco monument
  • Las Calceteras Gallery
  • Chacas Lagoon

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.

Juliaca

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

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

US consulate in Lima; check for regional assistance.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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