Uros Balsero

Ruben and Maria gave exceptional service on Uros Island. The place was impeccably clean, and the food was full of flavor with generous portions. A spectacular experience all around.

We’d been to Lake Titicaca before, so hearing Rubén’s more critical take on tourism gave us a useful point of comparison. He guides visitors around the floating islands and other Uros attractions, while also talking about the tourist industry and the stories some guides make up. I appreciated that less romanticized view of the place. The Lodge was much more luxurious than we expected, and the setting was idyllic. I wish we’d had more days there to enjoy it. Rubén’s wife also cooks to an extremely high standard. I’d originally planned to review only the food, as I usually do when trying a restaurant, but ended up wanting to describe the whole stay.

Staying overnight on Rubén’s island with his family was unforgettable. We had delicious trout for dinner, then the next day Rubén took us by boat to see the Uros community. He told us about its history and origins, how people lived before and live now, and why keeping their culture and traditions matters. He also talked about tourism’s effects and what’s truly real versus what’s more suited to tours. Rubén clearly loves his culture and community, and helps preserve and promote its unique character. Thank you so much!

Mr. Rubén was excellent, and the place was really nice. I’d definitely stay again and highly recommend it.