Question 1

What is the "Altitude Sickness Pharmacy Overcharge" scam in Puno?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacies near Plaza de Armas charge 60-120 soles for soroche (altitude) tablets that cost 8-15 soles at normal pharmacies in the center. Tourists with severe altitude symptoms pay whatever is asked. Bring acetazolamide from home or buy it in Lima before arriving. At altitude, walk 2-3 blocks off Jirón Lima to Botica BTL or Inkafarma for normal pricing.

Question 2

What is the "Restaurant Tourist Menu Double-Pricing" scam in Puno?

Accepted Answer

Restaurants on Jirón Lima have two menu versions: a local-language menu with normal prices and a tourist menu (usually with photos) at 2-3x the price. Same dishes. Ask for the menú del día (Peruvian fixed-price lunch menu) — always fair. Or request the regular menu rather than the photo-heavy tourist version.

Restaurant Scams in Puno

Altitude Sickness Pharmacy Overcharge

Restaurant Tourist Menu Double-Pricing

Experienced a scam here?