Cusco, Peru - Travel Guide

Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, offering a rich blend of Incan and colonial architecture, vibrant culture, and serves as the gateway to Machu Picchu. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with charming cobblestone streets and bustling markets.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay3 days

Budget$25/day

Mid-range$50/day

Luxury$300/day

Known For

Sacred ValleyMachu PicchuInca TrailUrubambaOllantaytamboPisac

🇵🇪 Country Information: Peru

CapitalLima

CurrencyPeruvian sol (S/.)

LanguageSpanish , Quechua, Aymara

Phone Code+51

Electricity220V (Type A, B, C)

Tap WaterNot recommended

Tipping

Tipping is common but not mandatory
In restaurants, a 10% tip is standard
For tour guides and drivers, tipping is appreciated and depends on the service quality
For hotel staff, a small tip for porters or housekeepers is customary

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in cities
Credit cards are widely accepted in urban areas and tourist establishments, but less so in rural areas
It's advisable to carry some cash, especially for smaller vendors and rural areas
There is no official black market for cash, but some informal money changers might offer slightly better rates, which is not recommended

Cultural Norms

Punctuality is often flexible, especially in social settings
Dressing modestly is advisable when visiting religious sites or traditional communities
Bargaining is common in markets, but not in formal stores
It's considered rude to point with your finger; instead, use your whole hand

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. LGBTQ+ rights in Peru have been advancing, with anti-discrimination laws in place, but same-sex marriage is not yet recognized. Social acceptance varies, with urban areas generally more tolerant.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

The legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are strict, and possession of even small amounts can lead to severe penalties

Special Laws

Possessing or trafficking pre
Columbian artifacts is illegal
It is illegal to deface historical monuments or natural sites
Respect for local customs and traditions, particularly in indigenous communities, is important

Common Phrases

NoNo (NOH)

YesSí (SEE)

HelloHola (OH-lah)

PleasePor favor (por fah-VOR)

Excuse meCon permiso (kon per-MEE-so)

Thank youGracias (GRAH-see-ahs)

Climate

Cusco is in the Andean highlands, experiencing a distinct wet and dry season.

Climate Zone: Tropical Savanna

Best Time to Visit

Cusco experiences a dry season from May to Oct, which is generally sunny and cool, and a wet season from Nov to Apr, characterized by more rainfall
While not prone to hurricanes, the wet season can bring increased chances of landslides and localized flooding in mountainous areas
Earthquakes can occur in Peru as it is located in a seismically active zone, but major destructive earthquakes are rare in the immediate Cusco area

Getting There

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
Buses from Lima (20
24h, $30
60)
PeruRail or Inca Rail to Machu Picchu from Cusco (3
4h, $60
150 round trip)

Getting Around

Taxis are common and affordable
Uber and InDrive are available but not as widely used as taxis
Collectivos (shared vans) for local routes

Health & Vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccine recommended for some travelers
Hepatitis A/B recommended
Altitude sickness medication is highly recommended (e
g
, Soroche pills)
Probiotics recommended due to food differences
No malaria concerns in Cusco itself

Staying Connected

eSIMs available
Claro, Movistar, and Bitel networks
Airalo and Nomad eSIM work well

Local Cuisine

Chiri Uchu seasonal

Cusco's traditional and main culinary dish for the festival of Corpus Christi. This cold dish is a mix of ingredients from the coast, mountains, and j

Ceviche must_try

A classic Peruvian dish featuring fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices, most commonly lime, and spiced with chili peppers. In Cusco, it is often serv

Lomo Saltado fusion

A popular Peruvian stir-fry combining marinated strips of sirloin or filet mignon with onions, tomatoes, and French fries. This dish exemplifies Chine

Pisco Sour / Chilcano alcohol

Pisco is the national grape brandy of Peru, and the Pisco Sour is the quintessential cocktail, made with pisco, lime juice, egg white, and bitters. A

Chairo regional_speciality

A hearty and nutritious Andean soup, traditional to Cusco, often consumed for energy in the high-altitude climate. Ingredients typically include beef

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Inca Trail Permit to Machu Picchu (4-day or 2-day) permit_or_pass

Book at least 6 months in advance

Permits are strictly limited by the Peruvian government and sell out completely for the entire year, especially for high season (May-September), shortly after release.

Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets (Circuit 4 + Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain) Attraction

Book 2–4 months in advance

Daily visitor capacity is strictly regulated, especially for the mountain hikes (Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain), which sell out well in advance.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

PeruRail or Inca Rail Train Tickets (Ollantaytambo/Poroy to Aguas Calientes) Transport

Book 1–3 months in advance

Specific departure times, especially those popular for day trips or specific cabin classes (Vistadome, Hiram Bingham), often fill up.

Accommodation in Cusco (Boutique Hotels or Highly-Rated Hostels) Accommodation

Book at least 2 months in advance

The best-located and highly-rated accommodations in the historic center have limited capacity and are quickly booked, especially during peak travel months.

Fun Facts

1. The Incas designed the city of Cusco to be in the shape of a puma, a sacred animal, with the Sacsayhuaman fortress serving as the head.
2. Cusco is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city on the entire American continent, with a history spanning more than 3,000 years.
3. The massive stone blocks used to build the Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman fit together so precisely that it's impossible to pass a piece of paper between them.
4. When people in the city of Cusco greeted each other, they often used the phrase “Ama Sua, Ama Quella, Ama Lulla,” which was the foundation of the Inca Law and means "Do not lie, do not steal, do not be lazy."

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