Taquile Island: Island with ancestral traditions
Index
About Taquile Island
Taquile Island is a special place thanks to its ancestral traditions and beautiful landscapes, not for nothing was selected in the category “Best Tourism Villages of the World” (Best Tourism Villages – BTV, for its acronym in English), in its 2023 edition, together with other destinations in Peru. Peruvian pride!
From our experience, I must say that the island of Taquile caught us since we arrived at one of its ports, the place is magical, full of ancient traditions, it seems that time stopped there and that is what makes this island a special and unique place. Its beauty is unparalleled! We really didn’t want to leave!
On your tour of Taquile Island you will see old houses made of stone and mud, which are modest but picturesque, you will also see many of its inhabitants wearing their traditional handmade clothes. These clothes follow an ancestral technique that is learned by the new generations. The technique of weaving their garments is a tradition well known worldwide and declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2008.
Through their textile technique they make different shawls, chullos, belts, among other garments, reflecting their ancestral memories, their civil and socio-cultural status. The tools they use to create these garments are made of wood and are used from generation to generation.
These looms are mostly sold in the Taquile Island Handicrafts Market for travelers visiting the island or in the houses where travelers stay. The population of Taquile lives from tourism, but mainly from fishing and cattle raising.
At what altitude is Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca in Puno?
Taquile Island is located at 3,980 meters above sea level.
What activities can you do in Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca in Puno?
Here are 6 activities that you can do in Taquile Island
1.- Walking around Taquile Island
This is a highly recommended activity, exploring and admiring the landscapes of Taquile is the best thing you can do during your stay.
2.- Visit the Taquile Handicraft Market
This small market is located in the Plaza de Taquile, in this place you can find popular art made by the Taquileños. The price of the products is quite affordable, from S/. 5 soles per object (USD 1.20 dollars), you can also stroll through its facilities and the streets surrounding the market enjoying some food or snacks prepared by the villagers, you can find many food stalls very close to the market.
3.- Bathing in Taquile Beaches
In these beaches you can enjoy the waters of Lake Titicaca, which are a bit cold but tolerable. But if you do not want to dive into the waters you can enjoy the view, explore or rest on some seats left by the locals for visitors. The beaches we visited were Collota and Huayllano.
4.- Visiting the Mulsina Pata viewpoint
This viewpoint is located in one of the highest points of Taquile Island and is considered a spiritual place, so there are ceremonies and you can have a beautiful view of Lake Titicaca, a gift of nature! Also in this viewpoint archaeological remains have been found.
5.-To observe the Taquileño weaving technique.
In case you have the opportunity to stay with a Taquile family or stay several hours on the island, I suggest you take some time to observe the Taquile weaving techniques, this technique is very popular and internationally recognized so it is part of the intangible heritage of Peru.
6.- Experiential tourism
Doing experiential tourism more than an activity is a unique experience that gives you the opportunity to learn about new cultures and way of life.
If you want to know more about our experience with experiential tourism in Taquile Island, click on this link: Experiential Tourism in Taquile Island, Titicaca Lake
