Amantaní Island and the travel agencies that take advantage of host families

South America » Peru » Puno » Lake Titicaca
September 30th 2021

Published: September 30th 2021

After my article about Amantaní Island was published in Fodor’s, I decided to go back to the island to see what the impact has been so far. If you haven’t read the article, check it out first. (There are also links on my website). This follow-up story will make a lot more sense afterwards. I went for a quick weekend trip and despite how long it takes to get to the island, I went there on Frid... Read Full Entry

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Heather Jasper

Ezeur

I live in Cusco, Peru and will be posting mostly about my trips around Peru and South America. From August 2012 to June 2014 I lived in Dhaka, Bangladesh and blogged about living there and traveling around Southeast Asia. This blog also contains my stories from living in Istanbul, two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, and some other travels. ... full info

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Souvenirs

Many islanders take sweaters, hats and other knitwear to sell to the tourists who have half frozen up on Pachatata watching the sunset. The wind starts up just before sunset and the temperature drops quickly.

Don Guillermo

Don Guillermo owns the only bar on the island. He actually makes the best té macho that I've ever had! He uses coca leaves and island eucalyptus and muña. Muña is a kind of mint that grows wild all over the island. It has an earthy flavor, which makes it very unique among mints.

La plaza

Don Guillermo's bar has a little grocery store right next door. Day and night there are people selling sweaters and souvenirs in the plaza. In the evening, other vendors come out and sell all kinds of snacks.

Don Guillermo's bar

There are only three tables inside, which are always full in the evening.

Turismo vivencial y comunitario

Amantani is famous for their homestays. There are no hotels on the island and most families open their homes to travelers.

Ferry from Capachica

The most direct way to get to Amantani is to drive or take a van from Juliaca to Capachica. The beach in Capachica is called Chifrón and from there you can take a boat like these directly to Amantani.

The altiplano

The drive from Cusco to Juliaca takes you across high altitude prairies called altiplano. It's a very scenic drive, so I recommend doing it in the morning rather than evening.

Construction en route

Unfortunately, this year there has been a lot of construction on the road between Cusco and Juliaca. The worst stop I had was over an hour, out here in the middle of nowhere.

Coronavirus vaccine public service announcement

Quechua coronavirus vaccine public service announcement

Coronavirus vaccine

This is meant to reassure people who are nervous about the vaccine.

La vacuna salva vidas

Translation: The vaccine saves lives

2nd October 2021

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

The Island of Mystery, Amantani
Having experienced a homestay on Amantani and enquired as I do as to the economic ins & outs of our host in doing so, I am moved by your blog and the inciteful detail in it, Heather. Thank you. For additional perspectives including the economic you may be interested in my blog "PERU...Lake Titicaca Homestays...the best remedy for a disaster". Relax & Enjoy, DD.

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Amantaní Island and the travel agencies that take advantage of host families

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