Cusco, Peru: travel guide
The ancient Inca capital at 3,400 m — cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial churches on Inca foundations, and the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
- Country
- Peru
- Currency
- PEN
- Time zone
- America/Lima
- Nearest airport
- CUZ
Top places to visit in Cusco
Sacsayhuamán
Fort · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry PEN 70
Massive Inca ceremonial fortress above Cusco built from interlocking megalithic stones, some weighing over 100 tons, with sweeping views of the city.
Twelve-Angled Stone
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h
A famous Inca stone on Hatunrumiyoc street precisely cut with twelve angles to lock seamlessly into the wall of the former palace of Inca Roca, now the Archbishop's Palace.
Q'enqo
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · entry PEN 70
An Inca ceremonial site carved from a giant limestone outcrop, with zigzag channels, an underground altar and a probable sacrificial chamber, near Sacsayhuaman.
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
Church · 4.6 rating · about 0.7 h · entry PEN 15
A spectacular Jesuit baroque church on the Plaza de Armas with one of the most ornate carved stone facades and gilded altarpieces in the Americas.
Tambomachay
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.7 h · entry PEN 70
Known as the Baths of the Inca, a series of finely built aqueducts, canals and cascading fountains that still flow, dedicated to the Inca water cult.
Museo Inka
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · entry PEN 20
The University's archaeology museum in the colonial Admiral's House, holding the world's largest collection of Inca wooden cups (queros), ceramics, metalwork and mummies.
Plaza de Armas
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h
The grand main square of Cusco, ringed by colonial arcades, the Cathedral and the Church of La Compañía de Jesús, built atop the ceremonial heart of the Inca capital.
San Pedro Market
Market · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h
Cusco's bustling central market designed by Gustave Eiffel's workshop, packed with fresh juices, cheeses, chocolate, textiles and cheap local lunches.
Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun)
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry PEN 15
The most important Inca temple, once sheathed in gold and dedicated to the Sun god Inti; the Spanish built the Santo Domingo convent atop its flawless stonework.
Cristo Blanco
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
An 8-metre white statue of Christ overlooking Cusco from a hill near Sacsayhuamán, a gift from Palestinian refugees in the 1940s, with sweeping city views.
Cusco Cathedral
Church · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry PEN 40
Monumental 16th-17th century cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, famed for its colonial Cusco School paintings including a guinea-pig Last Supper, and a silver altar.
ChocoMuseo Cusco
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 0.7 h
A free interactive chocolate museum and shop just off the Plaza de Armas, with cacao history exhibits, tastings and bean-to-bar workshops.
Things to do
- Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Day Trip Hiking · 14 h · from PEN 150 per person
- Humantay Lake Day Trek Hiking · 12 h · from PEN 140 per person
- Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour Cultural · 10 h · from PEN 90 per person
- Cusco City Tour (Sacsayhuaman & Qorikancha) Sightseeing · 5 h · from PEN 70 per person
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (5 Days) Hiking · 120 h · from PEN 1,800 per person
- San Pedro Market Food & Cooking Class Cooking Class · 4 h · from PEN 180 per person
- Maras Salt Mines & Moray Half-Day Tour Cultural · 6 h · from PEN 80 per person
- South Valley Tour (Tipón, Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas) Cultural · 7 h · from PEN 95 per person
Day trips and tours
- Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour 10 h · from PEN 90
- Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Day Tour 14 h · from PEN 150
- Maras Moray & Salt Mines Half-Day 6 h · from PEN 80
Where to stay in Cusco
- Plaza de Armas / Centro Histórico about PEN 70 per night
The heart of Cusco around the main square — closest to cathedrals, restaurants and nightlife but steep and busy.
- San Blas about PEN 65 per night
The artisan hill quarter above the plaza — boutique stays, cafés, viewpoints and bohemian charm (lots of stairs).
Hotels
- Belmond Hotel Monasterio 5-star · PEN 1,400 to PEN 3,500 per night
- Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel 5-star · PEN 1,200 to PEN 2,800 per night
- Casa Andina Premium Cusco 4-star · PEN 450 to PEN 800 per night
- Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza 3-star · PEN 380 to PEN 650 per night
- Hotel Rumi Punku 3-star · PEN 300 to PEN 520 per night
- Inkaterra La Casona 5-star · PEN 1,300 to PEN 3,000 per night
Where to eat
- Cicciolina Mediterranean, Peruvian, Tapas · about PEN 120 per person
- Chicha por Gastón Acurio Peruvian, Andean · about PEN 110 per person
- MAP Café Peruvian, Contemporary, Novoandina · about PEN 150 per person
- Limo Cocina Peruana Peruvian, Nikkei, Seafood · about PEN 90 per person
- Pachapapa Peruvian, Andean, Grill · about PEN 80 per person
- Morena Peruvian Kitchen Peruvian, Fusion · about PEN 70 per person
- Green Point Vegan Vegan, Vegetarian, Peruvian · about PEN 45 per person
- Pacha Sumaq Peruvian, Healthy · about PEN 40 per person
Getting around
- Car With Driver main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake / unlicensed tour agencies
Street touts and pop-up offices around Plaza de Armas and Procuradores
Touts sell heavily discounted Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain tours that are oversold, never materialise, or use unsafe operators. Some take a deposit and vanish.
How to avoid it: Book only with agencies that have a permanent office and verifiable reviews; for the Inca Trail use a licensed operator and confirm your permit by name.
Llama / costumed-photo tip pressure
Plaza de Armas, San Blas, Twelve-Angled Stone
Women in traditional dress with baby llamas or alpacas offer a "free" photo, then aggressively demand a large tip afterwards.
How to avoid it: Agree a small price (1-3 PEN) before any photo, or politely decline. Keep walking if pressured.
Coca / altitude remedy hard sell
Hostels, street vendors, some tour desks
Vendors and over-eager guides pressure new arrivals into expensive coca products, oxygen or "altitude pills" framed as urgent medical necessities.
How to avoid it: Coca tea is free in most hotels; acclimatise slowly and consult a pharmacy (botica) for cheap soroche tablets if needed.
Taxi overcharging & unofficial cabs
Airport, bus terminal, late at night
Unofficial taxis quote inflated fares, take long routes, or in rare cases involve "express kidnapping" at ATMs at night.
How to avoid it: Use Uber/Cabify/InDrive or an official airport taxi desk; agree the fare first and avoid hailing random cars after dark.
Pickpocketing in crowds
San Pedro Market, Plaza de Armas, crowded buses and festivals
Thieves work in pairs to distract and lift wallets, phones and bag contents in dense crowds and on packed combis.
How to avoid it: Wear bags in front, keep phones zipped away, and stay alert during festivals and in the market.
Counterfeit banknotes & short-change
Markets, taxis, small shops
Travellers are handed torn or fake soles notes as change, or short-changed when paying with large bills.
How to avoid it: Check notes for the watermark and security strip, carry small denominations, and count change before leaving.