Overview
Cusco sits at roughly 3,400 metres (11,200 ft) above sea level in the southern Peruvian Andes, in the Cusco Region — not Bolivia, which is a separate country. The city was the administrative and spiritual capital of the Tawantinsuyu, the Inca Empire, and remains one of the best-preserved examples of pre-Columbian urban planning in the Americas. UNESCO recognised its outstanding value by inscribing the historic centre as a World Heritage Site in 1983.
The city's layout still follows the Inca grid, and many colonial churches and convents were deliberately built on top of Inca foundations — you can see the contrast in the stonework on streets like Hatun Rumiyoc, where the famous twelve-angled stone sits. The Plaza de Armas, the city's social and historical heart, is ringed by arcaded colonial buildings and the Cathedral of Cusco.
Modern Cusco is a functioning Andean city of more than 400,000 people. Tourism is central to its economy, but residents maintain strong ties to Quechua language, traditional dress, and annual festivals. Visitors who look beyond the postcard sites will find markets, neighbourhoods, and everyday life that offer a fuller picture of the place.
Before You Go
Altitude
Acclimatising is the single most important preparation for a visit to Cusco. Arriving from sea level and immediately exerting yourself raises the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), whose symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. Plan at least one full rest day upon arrival, stay well hydrated, and avoid alcohol during the first 24–48 hours. Coca tea (mate de coca), widely available and legal in Peru, is a traditional remedy many travellers find helpful; consult your doctor before taking prescription medications such as acetazolamide.
Health
Yellow fever vaccination is not required for Cusco itself (a highland city), but may be relevant if you are continuing to Amazonian areas. Check current requirements and recommendations with your own healthcare provider or a travel medicine clinic well in advance. Tap water is not safe to drink; bottled or purified water is readily available.
Visas
Entry requirements depend on your nationality. For current visa rules, visit TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Peruvian immigration authority (Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones — migraciones.gob.pe). Do not rely solely on third-party summaries, as policies can change.
Travel Insurance
Given the altitude-related health risks and the popularity of trekking in the region, comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation and medical treatment is strongly advised.
Getting There
By Air
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) is located about 3 km from the city centre. It handles domestic flights from Lima, Arequipa, and other Peruvian cities, as well as some regional international connections. Flight times from Lima are typically around one hour. Verify current airline schedules and book early during high season (June–August), when seats sell out quickly.
By Bus
Overland buses connect Cusco to Puno (approximately 6–7 hours), Arequipa (around 9–11 hours), and Lima (a very long overnight journey of 20+ hours). Reputable long-distance bus companies operate from the main terminal on Avenida Vallecito; verify current operators and schedules locally or through their official websites, as services change.
By Rail
There is no passenger rail connection between Cusco and other major Peruvian cities for general transit. Rail lines from Cusco and the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu) are operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail; book well ahead during peak season as trains fill up weeks in advance.
Getting Around
Within the City
The historic centre is compact and most major sites are walkable, though the steep streets and altitude make flat-looking distances feel longer than they are. Take it slowly. Licensed taxis are widely available and relatively inexpensive; agree on a fare before you get in or use a ride-hailing app available in the city. There are no metered taxis in the traditional sense.
To the Sacred Valley and Beyond
Shared minibuses (colectivos) run from Cusco to towns in the Sacred Valley such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo and are a budget-friendly option; depart times are flexible and based on when the vehicle fills. Organised day tours from Cusco to the Sacred Valley are available through numerous agencies — quality varies considerably, so check reviews carefully. For Machu Picchu, the standard route is bus or taxi to Ollantaytambo, then train to Aguas Calientes, then a bus up to the ruins (or the hike). The Inca Trail requires a licensed tour operator and advance permits; permits sell out months ahead.
Things to See & Do
Archaeological and Historical Sites
- Sacsayhuamán — Massive Inca fortress complex on a hill overlooking the city. The scale of the stonework is remarkable. A short walk or taxi ride from the centre; verify current admission arrangements, as it is often bundled into a multi-site tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico).
- Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) — The most important Inca temple, much of which was incorporated into the colonial Convent of Santo Domingo. The contrast between Inca masonry and Spanish construction is visible throughout.
- Hatun Rumiyoc Street — A narrow street in San Blas neighbourhood where the famous twelve-angled stone sits in situ in an original Inca wall.
- Cathedral of Cusco (La Catedral) — Dominates the Plaza de Armas; built over the palace of Inca Viracocha. Contains an important collection of Cusqueño School paintings, including a famous Last Supper depicting guinea pig as the central dish.
- Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Chinchero — Sacred Valley sites reachable on day trips; each offers a distinct character, from Pisac's terraced ruins and market to Ollantaytambo's still-inhabited Inca grid.
Trekking
The Inca Trail (4 days/3 nights) is the most iconic trek, ending at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. The Salkantay Trek and Lares Trek are popular alternatives without the permit cap. All treks at this altitude require solid physical preparation.
Festivals
Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun), held each June 24 at Sacsayhuamán, is one of Peru's largest cultural events. Corpus Christi, Carnival (February), and the Señor de los Temblores procession are also significant. Check exact dates before travelling as they vary by year.
Food & Drink
Cusco has a thriving food scene rooted in Andean ingredients. Cuy (guinea pig), slow-roasted or fried, is a traditional Andean protein with deep cultural significance — try it at a local restaurant rather than a tourist-focused one for a more authentic version. Chicharrón (fried pork), tamales, and choclo con queso (large-kernel Andean corn with fresh cheese) are popular street and market foods.
The Mercado San Pedro, a short walk from the Plaza de Armas, is the city's main covered market and an excellent place to eat breakfast or lunch at a fraction of restaurant prices. Stalls serve fresh juices, soups, and set lunches (menú del día). Hygiene standards vary; observe which stalls are busy with locals as a general guide.
Novoandina cuisine — contemporary cooking that reinterprets Andean ingredients — has a strong presence in Cusco, with several well-regarded restaurants experimenting with quinoa, purple corn, native potatoes (Peru has over 3,000 varieties), and highland herbs. The neighbourhood of San Blas and the streets around the Plaza Regocijo have a concentration of quality restaurants.
Chicha, a fermented corn drink, is a pre-Columbian staple; look for a red plastic bag or bunch of flowers hung above a doorway, which signals a local chicha house (chichería). Pisco sours (Peru's national cocktail) and craft beer made with local ingredients are readily available in bars around the centre.
Shopping
The San Blas neighbourhood is the traditional artisan quarter, with workshops and small galleries selling textiles, ceramics, and woodcarvings. Quality and authenticity vary enormously — handmade Andean textiles using natural dyes and traditional techniques are available but require some discernment to distinguish from mass-produced imports.
The Pisac market (held daily, most active on Sundays) is well-known for textiles, silver jewellery, and carved items. Bargaining is accepted in market contexts but not in fixed-price shops. Artisan cooperatives that market themselves as working directly with weavers from surrounding communities offer more assurance of fair-trade provenance — ask questions and look for transparency.
Note that exporting genuine pre-Columbian artefacts is illegal under Peruvian law and internationally prohibited. Modern reproductions are fine; if a seller claims an item is authentically ancient and the price seems low, treat this as a red flag.
Practical Information
Money
The Peruvian Sol is the only currency for everyday transactions. ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are widely available in the centre; notify your bank before travel and be aware of local withdrawal limits and foreign transaction fees. Exchange US dollars at cambistas (exchange booths) or banks — verify rates are competitive. Counterfeit soles notes exist; examine notes you receive.
Connectivity
SIM cards from Peruvian carriers (Claro, Entel, Movistar, Bitel) are available at the airport and in the city centre. Mobile data coverage is good within Cusco and most Sacred Valley towns; it drops considerably on trekking routes. Most hotels and many cafés offer Wi-Fi.
Boleto Turístico
Many of Cusco's major archaeological sites — including Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha (partial), and sites in the Sacred Valley — are covered by a tourist ticket available in partial and full options. Prices change periodically; verify the current cost and what each ticket includes at official sales points or the official Cusco tourism authority website before purchasing.
Emergency Contacts
Verify current emergency numbers locally on arrival. Peru's general emergency number is 105 (police) and 116 (fire). The tourist police (Policía de Turismo) have a presence in Cusco specifically to assist travellers with crimes, lost documents, and disputes.
Safety
Cusco is generally safe for tourists by South American standards, but petty crime — pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and scams — is common in crowded areas including the Plaza de Armas, the San Pedro market, and around the bus terminal. Use a money belt or internal pocket for passports and excess cash. Avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewellery, or phones unnecessarily.
Express kidnapping (secuestro express), where victims are briefly held and forced to withdraw cash from ATMs, has been reported in some Peruvian cities; take licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked vehicles, especially at night. Do not accept unsolicited help from strangers near ATMs.
At altitude, overexertion is a genuine safety risk. Altitude sickness can escalate to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) in severe cases — both require immediate descent and medical attention. Know the warning signs and descend if symptoms worsen rather than persisting.
On the Inca Trail and other treks, do not trek independently or without informing someone of your itinerary. Licensed guides are mandatory on the Inca Trail. Weather in the Andes changes rapidly; carry layers and rain gear regardless of the forecast.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Cusco is a living Andean city, not a museum. Quechua culture and language remain genuinely important to many residents. During festivals, religious processions, and market days, you are observing events of real meaning to participants — ask before photographing people, and accept a refusal graciously.
Catholicism and pre-Christian Andean spirituality coexist and often blend in Cusco in a phenomenon sometimes called sincretismo. The famous Cusqueño School paintings — a regional style that emerged in the 16th–18th centuries, blending European techniques with Andean imagery — are visible in churches and museums throughout the city and represent a distinct cultural expression worth understanding in context.
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. In restaurants a 10% tip is common where service charge is not included. Tipping guides on treks is customary and important as wages are often very low; ask your operator for current norms.
Dress modestly when entering churches and religious sites — shoulders and knees covered. Some churches restrict photography indoors; observe posted signs.
