Uros Titicaca Uta Lodge

The room at Aruma Uro was beautiful, and the food was really nice. We also had warm water for showers. Juan, the owner, and his family made us feel very welcome, and learning how people live there was fascinating. The hotel's full experience includes a traditional boat tour around the Uros, kayaking, and handicrafts. The handicrafts were a bit expensive, but this was easily our best experience in the Titicaca area. I recommend doing the full experience.

I stayed on Vidal's island and he treated us with a lot of respect and was really nice. The place felt amazing, dreamy, and wonderful. Our room was very nice, and I never felt cold. They provide everything you need to feel comfortable, and there were two bathrooms. They also helped me find a tour to the other islands. The breakfast was the best I had in Puno. I'd definitely stay again.

The rooms are very clean and have incredible views. Juan and his family were always around to help, and were so welcoming. They offered kayaking, fishing, and stargazing. Dinner was 11USD and included a main course and dessert; breakfast was included too. Nights get cold, but they provide extra blankets and hot water bottles. They also collect you from any of the other islands where the water taxi drops you off, then take you back to the port when you're ready to check out.

We left Juan’s accommodations really disappointed. It was pouring when we arrived, and we were told to take a taxi to a sketchy “local” port instead of the main port in Puno. My girlfriend and I had to change in the back of the taxi, then slog through water and mud to reach the boat. We waited 30 minutes for it in the dark. The accommodations were decent, but the toilet and sink leaked and everything smelled like lake water. As we were going to sleep, one of Juan’s hot water bottles exploded all over my girlfriend. It could have seriously hurt her, though luckily she was okay. They found us a new room and bed, and the rest of the stay was fine. At almost $70 a night, not including transport to and from the island, it was very expensive for what we got. We were basically forced to have the family cook for us unless we paid for transport to Puno, which I felt they overcharged for. Dinner was $14 US per plate for frozen french fries, boiled vegetables, and a piece of pan-seared chicken. It wasn't awful, but very expensive compared with the options in Puno. We felt a bit taken advantage of. This could have been the cheapest leg of our trip if we'd stayed in town, but it ended up being the most expensive accommodation we paid for in all of Peru. The family is wonderful, and I want to reiterate that they're very nice and caring. Still, I'd tell anyone wanting an “island” experience to think twice. Prices: transport, $10 a person; food, $14 a plate; room, $70 a night.