Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you plan to visit during a festival, either make reservations in advance or show up a few days early, and ex-
pect to pay premium rates for lodgings.
Festivals & Events
No list of regional holidays and fiestas could ever be exhaustive. Most are celebrated for
several days before and after the actual day. All of these festivals feature traditional music
and dancing, as well as merry mayhem of all sorts.
FESTIVAL
La Virgen de la Candelaria
The region's most spectacular festival spreads out for several days around the actual date
(February 2), depending upon which day of the week Candlemas falls. If it falls between
Sunday and Tuesday, things get under way the previous Saturday; if Candlemas occurs
between Wednesday and Friday, celebrations will get going the following Saturday.
Puno Week
A huge celebration marking the legendary birth of Manco Cápac, the first Inca. Events are
held the first week of November, centered on Puno Day (November 5).
FESTIVAL
Epiphany
Held on January 6.
FESTIVAL
Fiesta de San Juan
The Feast of St John the Baptist is held on March 8.
FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL
Alacitas
With the blessing of miniature objects, such as cars or houses, supplicants pray that the
real thing will be obtained in the coming year. Features a miniature handicrafts fair in
Puno on May 2.
Las Cruces
Held from May 3 to 4, with celebrations on Isla Taquile and in Huancané.
FESTIVAL
