How to Get from Lima to Suasi

Suasi is a pristine privately owned island on the majestic Lake Titicaca, complete with a charming upmarket eco-hotel that makes for about as radical a contrast with the teeming metropolis of Lima that there is in Peru.

Access to the island is only by boat from Puno, the biggest city on the lakeshore. However, getting to Puno from Lima, you have several choices involving planes, trains, buses, and private transfers. Because of Puno's stunning Andean location on the other side of Cusco, taking this route involves passing some great scenery.  

However, because the only boat leaves to Suasi from Puno at 7:30 am in the morning (and arrives at midday), all of the below options will involve an overnight stay in Puno (or Cusco) which is not included in the journey durations given below. That is unless you go by direct bus, in which case you may be able to coordinate an early morning bus arrival in Puno with connecting to the boat.  

Use a taxi to transfer between Cusco and Puno transport hubs.

By Plane to Juliaca, Private Transfer, and Boat

Duration: 7.5 hours

This is certainly the quickest means of approach, beginning with one of four daily flights from Lima to Juliaca, the major city in the Titicaca region. The only one of these flights currently operating in the afternoon is LATAM's early evening departure, which involves the least total time spent between departing Lima and arriving on Suasi (18 hours, including an overnight stay in Puno).

Traveling this way, from Lima at sea level to Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Juliaca, which is at a high elevation, be mindful of the possibility of altitude sickness. At the airport, taxis and colectivos (shared vans) transfer you to Puno direct without going into central Juliaca: travel time is one hour.

After overnighting in Puno, boats to Suasi leave from the harbor in Puno, and take 4.5 hours to arrive at Suasi as they detour via the islands of Uros and Taquile.

By Direct Bus and Boat

Duration: 24-26 hours

This is certainly the cheapest means of arrival on Suasi and can work out as the shortest number of hours between departing Lima and arriving on Suasi.  Buses to Puno from Lima normally take the route via Arequipa on Hwy Pan-Americana Sur. The length of this journey (half-way across Peru) means travel time can vary: it can be as quick as 19 hours or as long as 21 hours depending on the road conditions and the stops the driver makes.

The good news for those wanting to save on time and money is that this is the only option where you can with careful planning arrange your arrival time in Puno to connect with the boat departure time, thereby saving on a night's stay in Puno. This is because buses depart from Lima to Puno around the clock.

Boats to Suasi leave from the harbor in Puno, and take 4.5 hours to arrive at Suasi as they detour via the islands of Uros and Taquile.

By Bus via Cusco and Boat

Duration: 35-42 hours

You would only really want to take this option if you were going to stop off in Cusco en route, which is what many travelers do end up doing. Buses from Lima to Cusco can take as little as 21 hours but more commonly take 24-30. It is then six to seven hours from Cusco to Puno.

Because of the length of this journey (traveling 30 hours by bus in Peru leaves you tired!) passengers would almost certainly need to break the journey and stay overnight in Cusco. By taking an overnight bus then from Cusco to Puno, it would then be possible connect direct to the boat to Suasi without staying in Puno.

Boats to Suasi leave from the harbor in Puno, and take 4.5 hours to arrive at Suasi as they detour via the islands of Uros and Taquile.

This is the second-cheapest option for travel between Lima and Suasi.

By Bus to Cusco, Train, and Boat

Duration: 39 hours-2.75 days

This is an interesting option because of being able to factor in one of Peru's last great train journeys. Buses from Lima to Cusco can take as little as 21 hours but more commonly take 24-30. Because of the length of this journey (traveling 30 hours by bus in Peru leaves you feeling tired!) and the train departure in the morning the next day, passengers need stay overnight in Cusco.

One of the best train journeys in Peru—and all of South America—then runs from Cusco to Puno. The same train also makes a stop at Juliaca. The train run by Peru Rail departs Cusco's Huanchac train station: The Titicaca train departs on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings and makes the journey in ten hours; the Andean Explorer train (more luxurious) departs once weekly on Tuesdays but takes until the following day to arrive. Either way, the journey over the Andes is stark and stunning, but prices are high. The train journey makes this travel option the most expensive and atmospheric way to travel between Lima and Puno.

Boats to Suasi leave from the harbor in Puno, and take 4.5 hours to arrive at Suasi as they detour via the islands of Uros and Taquile.

By Plane to Cusco, Train, and Boat

Duration: 16-17 hours

This travel option involves the most luxurious means of arrival at Suasi (fitting, given Suasi itself is an exclusive destination) with two overnight stops, in Cusco and then in Puno, ideally needed. It would also be possible to take a very early morning flight from Lima and Cusco in order to make the train connection, but this obviously makes it that much less of a comfortable journey.

Direct flying time from Lima to Cusco's Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is 80-90 minutes. Most of Peru's domestic airlines and several international carriers ply the Lima-Cusco route, which is Peru's most popular. Latam offers the greatest choice of flights, whilst other airlines flying include Avianca, Sky Airline Perú and Peruvian. Direct flights are about hourly between 5 am and 7 pm.

The second leg of the journey is by train with Peru Rail, departing from Cusco's Huanchac train station bound for Puno. There are actually two services. The Titicaca train departs Cusco on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings and makes the journey in ten hours; the Andean Explorer train (even more luxurious) departs once weekly on Tuesdays but takes until the following day to arrive. Either way, the journey over the Andes is stark and stunning, but prices are quite high, making this option by far the most expensive overall.

Boats to Suasi leave from the harbor in Puno, and take 4.5 hours to arrive at Suasi as they detour via the islands of Uros and Taquile.