Taquile Island

Located 35 kilometres east of Puno, Taquile is a beautiful hilly island, narrow and long and parenthesis-shaped. It was used as a prison during the Spanish Colony and well into the beginning of the 20th century, and only became property of the Taquile people in 1970.

Its inhabitants, the Taquile --about 3,000 of them--, stand out both for their discretion (a friendly discretion, though) and for their very special, unusual culture. Taquiles, for example, wear different clothes according to their social status. Leaders wear black chullos (caps), married men red ones, singles red and white (and the same applies to women). Taquile textiles, which also reflect customs and beliefs, are colourful and exquisitely hand-woven, much sought by visitors for their quality. To what point Taquiles live according to their traditional lifestyles can be depicted with one simple fact: there isn't electricity on Taquile island (nor cars, but you wouldn't need them).

There are Pre-Inca ruins on the highest part of the island, and stone agricultural terraces on hillsides. The main town in the island is also called Taquile. It features a textile and handicrafts cooperative shop, some small restaurants, and available rooms in family houses where visitors can stay for the night.

Organized tours to Taquile are widely available in Puno. Staying over one night or two is recommended, given that single-day tours are quite wearying (seven hours on a boat for a couple hours visit).

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