At Capachica’s centuries-old Plaza de Armas stands the Templo del Niño San Salvador, built in 1820. The peninsula offers other perspectives, too: in Llachón, walks follow community paths, while Allan Pucara provides sweeping views over Lake Titicaca.

Plaza, Temple, and Traditions

The Plaza de Armas is a landmark in the town center. It is characterized by picturesque cobbled streets, and the Templo del Niño San Salvador stands there. The temple was built in 1820. The plaza, streetscape, and religious building give Capachica a distinct cultural focal point that does not require planning a longer excursion.

The patron saint’s festival of Niño San Salvador is celebrated on August 5. The program includes religious activities, local dances and light dances, handicrafts, and trade and exchange activities. Those interested in local religious and cultural traditions can find several different forms of expression on this date. If you plan to visit for the occasion, check the dates in advance.

Qhashwa—dance, music, and singing—is also part of the culture of the Capachica district and has been declared a National Cultural Heritage. While the patron saint’s festival is celebrated at the temple in Capachica, the Qhashwa designation applies to the district.

Getting There and Finding Your Way Around

The route from the minibus station and the temple’s location are useful landmarks: the Templo de San Salvador is 200 meters away, or about a six-minute walk. For travel by boat, the Puno municipal tourism office lists an approximate journey time of 1 hour and 20 minutes from Puno to Capachica. Schedules and journey times may vary; check the connection when planning your trip.

Distances in the surrounding area also vary. Playa de Chifrón is 2 kilometers east of the district capital, Capachica. There is a boat dock on its beach for boats to Amantani Island. Llachón is 14 kilometers south of the town of Capachica. These locations help distinguish Capachica itself from destinations in the surrounding area.

Landscape and Communities on the Peninsula

In Llachón, you can walk along community paths and enjoy panoramic views of Lake Titicaca and the surrounding mountains. Handicrafts are sold in the town center. Artisanal fishing is also preserved as a cultural tradition on the peninsula. Llachón brings together paths, scenery, and handicrafts in one particular place; the fishing tradition, by contrast, is associated with the peninsula as a whole.

Allan Pucara lies at the highest point of the peninsula and offers sweeping views over Lake Titicaca. Auquiacarrus offers a different connection to the landscape: according to local tradition, this pre-Inca sanctuary has magical power to influence the fate of people, plants, animals, and fish. Capachica is also home to Parque Mirador Umasuyo, a district park, and Jaruspata, a viewpoint.

Choose Accommodation That Suits Your Destination

Communities on the peninsula offer overnight stays in homes prepared by community members as part of rural community-based tourism. If you are looking for a vacation rental or considering a community-organized stay, make sure when planning whether you want to stay in the town of Capachica or at a location on the peninsula.

Discover more destinations: Lampa, Huillanopampa, Puerto Leguía, Ayculaca, Anapia, Tambopata, Isla Suasi, Tililaca.

For the broader travel overview: Puno.