Uros Aruma Uro Hotel Review | Lake Titicaca, Peru

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Uros Aruma Uro: How To Get There

Located about 3 miles into Lake Titicaca from the primary dock in Puno, hotel Uros Aruma Uro is only accessible by water taxi – similar to the rest of the floating islands. To get there, you’ll first want to make your way to the Puerto de Puno (address: 21001, Peru), which is the central port in the city of Puno. Here, simply ask one of the local boat captains to take you to Uros Aruma Uro (the name of the hotel), and hop onto the water taxi.

Before you depart, you can call the host of Uros Aruma Uro directly through Whatsapp to let them know that you are on your way. This allows them to wait on the communal part of the island for you, help you off the boat, and show you straight to your house.

The Floating Island of Uros Aruma Uro

When you get off of the boat, the host will meet you at the dock and walk you to the community area of the island. This area is centered between the host family’s home, the guest houses where visitors (including you) stay, and the “restaurant” area where you can choose to dine during your stay.

As a man-made island, everything you see at Uros Aruma Uro was constructed by the host family of the island. The most traditional building block of these islands is totora roots & reeds, which you will see lining the outer walls of your personal house. Totora reeds can also be seen on the traditional boats and flooring of the island.

Uros Aruma Uro Lodging

Private Rooms with a Lake View

Uros Aruma Uro offers a few different room styles: a triple room (which includes a terrace and balcony), a private room with a double-sized bed, and a “twin” room with two twin-sized beds. Just like the rest of the island, each room was built by hand and offers a uniquely tranquil experience on Lake Titicaca.

One of our favorite features of the Uros Aruma Uro hotel was the insane views of Lake Titicaca, not only from the island, but from your room itself! Each private “room with a view” is adorned with a glass wall that looks right out onto the water, allowing you to enjoy the serene views of Lake Titicaca from within the cozy walls of your room.

In addition to the stunning views of the lake from inside the room, personal suites also come with private outdoor areas facing the water. With both indoor and outdoor options, this allows you to comfortably enjoy Lake Titicaca regardless of the weather!

The outdoor cabanas include colorful walls to provide privacy from the community area in the middle of the island, as well as open views to the lake. The double bed is covered by a totora covering that provides shade from the sun (keep in mind that at higher elevations, the sun has a stronger effect on your skin!).

Dining on the Island

As an accommodation on a private floating island, you can’t very easily pop out your door to find a restaurant – you’re surrounded by water! While you can hire a water taxi to take you to and from the mainland, if your stay on Lake Titicaca is short you’re better off staying put. Fortunately the hosts include breakfast with your stay, and offer lunch and dinner dining for an additional charge.

While you have the option to request room service, we’d recommend dining in the communal area of the island. This allows you to chat with other visitors on the island if interested, as well as with your hosts!

The dining area also has a tea station set up at any time of day for you to stop by if you’d like – it even offers classic Peruvian muña and coca tea!

Amenities at Uros Aruma Uro

While rooms do have an outlet to charge your phone, a stay at the Uros Aruma Uro is a great way to unplug. Since it is an island, you do not have the option to simply walk down the street to a convenience store and buy things on a whim. You either have to anticipate your needs ahead of time and bring them with you to the island, or enjoy what is available to you at Uros Aruma Uro! A summary of the hotel’s amenities is shared below.

• While there is no wifi at the hotel, the island does get cellular service
• Private bathroom + bath
• Shuttle service to & from the island
• Heating bag to help keep the beds warm in cold temperatures

Additional Activities & Services

If you’re interested in getting out and about a bit during your stay, Uros Aruma Uro also offers some optional excursions to participate in during the day – including kayaking, a class about how to traditionally fish on Lake Titicaca, and a tour of the Floating Island of Uros community!

Since we wanted to enjoy the majority of our stay in the peaceful rooms by the lake, we only chose to participate in the community tour – and I couldn’t recommend it more. If interested in the tour of the floating islands, your host will take you around the ~ 70 island community, explain its history, and point out various key components – including the schools, restaurants, and recreational areas.

After riding through the floating village, you will make a stop at a separate island for a short lecture on the history of the islands and Lake Titicaca. Here you will also have the opportunity to try on traditional Uros clothing, and purchase souvenirs to bring home with you!

Many locals on the Floating Islands of Uros only speak Spanish, so it might be a good idea to brush up on the language prior to your arrival if you’d like to learn about their history in greater detail or ask questions to your guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What time is check-in/check-out at Uros Aruma Uro? Standard check-in is available between 7:00am – 10:00am, and check-out between 10:00am – 12:00pm. However, if you’re arriving in Puno at a later time of day, you can let your host know ahead of time and they can arrange a later check-in for you.
2. How do I get to the Floating Islands of Uros? Located on Lake Titicaca, the only way to access the Floating Islands of Uros is through Puno. Make your way to Puno either by bus or plane, then go to the Puerto de Puno (the city’s main port). From here, you can take a water boat to the islands. If you are not staying overnight on the islands, there are also day tours offered from the island of Puno.
3. What are the Floating Islands of Uros known for? The Floating Islands of Uros are a beautifully maintained look into an indigenous Andean lifestyle, with classic customs & traditions that are still practiced by the locals today. The islands are also impressively crafted, comprised of natural totora reeds.
4. What should I know before going to Lake Titicaca? Lake Titicaca sits at an elevation of over 12,500 feet (~ 3,800 m), making it the highest “navigable” lake in the world. This elevation is higher than both Machu Picchu and Cusco! If you are not accustomed to being this high up, it is a good idea to stop at either Arequipa or Cusco before coming to Puno to allow your body to adjust to the elevation levels and thin air.
5. Can you take a boat tour of Lake Titicaca? Yes, boat tours are offered on Lake Titicaca. A popular activity is to take a boat tour to the Floating Islands of Uros on the lake. While you can sail on Lake Titicaca, there are limits to your journey. Since the lake forms part of the border between Peru and Bolivia, you cannot sail with total freedom without your passport!
6. What should I wear to Lake Titicaca? Due to its elevation, the areas surrounding Lake Titicaca can get very cold at night. Yet its proximity to the sun can also cause it to feel quite warm on a sunny day. For this reason, it is a good idea to pack many removable layers, thermal clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
7. When is the best time to go to Lake Titicaca and the Floating Islands of Uros? The best time to go to Lake Titicaca is during the dry season, which is between April to October in Peru. Conversely, the wet season is between November to March.
8. What language is spoken in the Floating Islands of Uros? A local dialect of Spanish called Aymara is traditionally spoken on the Floating Islands of Uros. While I do not speak Aymara, our host let us know that Titicaca translates to “gray puma” in the local dialect!

Book Your Stay at Uros Aruma Uro

Overall, our trip to Peru would not have been the same without our stay on the Floating Islands of Uros. A total contrast to the busy cities of Cusco and Puno, Lake Titicaca offers insight into a slower, more traditional Peruvian lifestyle. We definitely can’t complain about the stunning views of Lake Titicaca either. Please let us know what you thought of your stay in the comments below!

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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.