Rating: Deluxe
Suasi Island is a beautiful, private 106 acre island near the remote northern shore of Lake Titicaca, and Hotel Isla Suasi (formerly Casa Andina Suasi Island), a small, stone-built eco lodge set in lovely gardens, is the main building on the island. It's an immensely relaxing place to stay, with boutique hotel-style rooms.
You can hike or kayak around the island, enjoy a massage, relax in a hammock, visit the floating Uros reed islands, get to know some alpacas and vicuñas, or just chill out in between excellent meals. Walking to the top of the island to view the sunset is a must during your stay. There is also a cultural centre where you can learn about the geology and ecology of the lake and the region, and the people who live here.
As one would expect from an eco lodge, there is solar-powered electricity, no electrical points in the room (you can charge items in the lobby), and no TV. Surrender to this and just enjoy the blissful tranquility and glorious location.
Just getting there is an adventure in itself; access to the island is by land or lake, although the preferred option is to travel to the island across the lake, and return by land. Travelling by lake it is possible to combine visits to both the Uros and Taquile Islands during the transfer to Suasi Island. From Puno it is a 20 minute boat journey to the Uros Islands, a 1 hr 15 minute boat journey to Taquile Island (visiting the less busy southern tip of the island is recommended), and then a 1 hr 15 minute journey to Suasi Island. For the return journey by road it is a short paddle across the lake (15 - 30 minutes) to the village of Cambria, then approximately a 3 hour drive to Juliaca airport (add an extra 45 minutes to Puno). The first 2 hours of the journey are spectacular, with beautiful lake views and picturesque unspoiled villages.
Open: Hotel Isla Suasi is open all year.
Location: Suasi Island is near the northern shore of Lake Titicaca.
Rooms: The hotel has 23 bright, spacious rooms, all with views of the lake, plus a separate Andean Cottage with two bedrooms, a large bathroom, lounge-diner and private terrace. Some of the bedrooms in the main hotel have woodburning stoves, and all rooms feature Peruvian art.
Activities: Hike or canoe round the island, cruise on Lake Titicaca, visit the floating Uros reed islands and Taquile island, take a sunset walk.
Facilities: There is a restaurant and bar, and a small Andean spa with a sauna and massage service. The hotel has a billiards table.
Dining: A buffet breakfast is provided, whilst lunch and dinner are a la carte.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Health: Lake Titicaca is not a malarial area.
Communication: There is wifi access in the lobby.
Notes: This hotel was previously Casa Andina Suasi Island
The hotel and island is managed along ecological guidelines, with island-grown seasonal organic produce served in the hotel's restaurant, solar lighting, the composting of all organic waste, and minimal use of plastics. When plastics are used the empty bottles etc are returned to the mainland. The hotel also has close ties with the local communities on the mainland.
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0"A perfect end to a brilliant but busy trip. Idyllic location and everything as expected. On our first night there were 2 other couples, second night just 1 other couple. Such a lovely place with lovely helpful staff and I worry that it is not sustainable with so few visitors! Sunset from the top of the island was worth the climb. Also so lucky to view the lunar eclipse from here."