Cusco

Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart

Cuzco stands at over 11,000 feet above sea level in Peru’s high Andes mountains. The city was once the heart of the Inca Empire and still shows its ancient layout with stone walls and terraces. Today, Spanish colonial churches sit alongside Inca ruins like Sacsayhuamán. Visitors find a mix of Quechua traditions and modern life here. Daily markets sell textiles, potatoes and quinoa while nearby villages preserve centuries-old customs. Cuzco serves as a gateway to Machu Picchu and other archaeological sites, drawing travelers seeking history, culture and mountain views.

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City in Peru

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.0

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	2
Tap water:	1

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3/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and by tour operators. In more local settings, Spanish or Quechua is more common, so a few phrases in Spanish can be helpful.

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Last update: 29 Oct 2026

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Cusco Summary

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Outstanding for Inca history and mountain culture. Explore ancient ruins, visit colonial plazas, hike nearby valleys and start treks toward Machu Picchu.

Place score

8.4

Best at:

Historic sites

Architecture

Guided tours

Traditional culture

Ruins

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 3

Seniors

👩 8

Solo

❤️ 8

Couples

Peru – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Peruvian Sol (PEN) £1 ≈ PEN 4.59
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Peru, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Peru, with 10-15% being the usual amount in restaurants. Small tips are appreciated by taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in Peru, and alcohol consumption is restricted to licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally prohibited.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 105 (Police), 106 (Ambulance), 116 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Peru is known for its ancient culture, including Inca ruins and the Amazon rainforest, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Cusco, Peru

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

☀️

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

🌤️

Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Inca Trail closed in February for maintenance

Inti Raymi festival on 24 June, city fully booked weeks ahead

Machu Picchu tickets and Inca Trail permits sell out months ahead for June to August

Don't miss

🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
🧶 Shop handmade alpaca textiles and crafts at San Blas Market
🍲 Taste traditional Andean cuisine with coca tea and cuy
🌾 Explore the Sacred Valley and its colorful indigenous villages

You've been here?

Why travel to Cusco?

Cuzco is the perfect base for exploring iconic Incan sites like Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating blend of Incan and colonial architecture. It offers rich cultural experiences, from traditional Andean festivals to colorful markets. However, be prepared for the high altitude – take it slow to avoid altitude sickness.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Qurikancha
2 Inca Museum
3 Cuzco Cathedral
4 Plaza de Armas
5 Sacsayhuamán
6 Twelve-angled-stone

🎡Places for activities

1 Moray
2 Planetarium Cusco
3 Planetarium Cusco
4 Museum of Precolumbian Art
5 Museo de la Coca
6 Cusco Theatre of Indigenous Art
7 Monument to Inka Pachacutec

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Machu Picchu
2 Sacred Valley of the Incas
3 Huchuy Qosqo
4 River Home

🛍️Shopping

1 San Pedro Market
2 Market Sofis
3 Centro artesanal cuzco
4 Plaza San Blas
5 Alpaca 111

🎈Events

Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)
Corpus Christi
Qoyllur Rit'i Festival
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Santurantikuy Market
Pachamama Day
All Saints' Day
Carnaval Cuzqueño
Feria del Señor de los Temblores
Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen

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Knowledge before you go

Take altitude seriously; ascend gradually and rest your first day.
Plan extra days in Cuzco to explore Inca sites, museums and cobbled streets beyond the standard Machu Picchu excursion.
Drink coca tea, stay hydrated and avoid heavy meals or alcohol on arrival to reduce common high-altitude discomfort and headaches.
Stay near the historic center for walkable access to Plaza de Armas, San Blas neighborhood and evening Andean cultural performances.

How to travel to Cusco

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) connects Cuzco with Lima and some international destinations. Alternatively, take a train or bus from other Peruvian cities. Many travelers arrive by plane from Lima, which is a quick and scenic flight.

Access summary

From Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ): Taxi or bus, about 20–40 minutes.
From Lima: Very frequent domestic flights, usually around 1–1.5 hours.
From Arequipa: Long-distance buses through the Andes, typically about 10–11 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Cusco

Cuzco offers a range of accommodations, from boutique hotels in historic buildings to budget hostels. San Blas is great for charm and views, while the historic center offers convenience and colonial architecture.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Wyndham Costa del Sol Cusco

9.2

Casa Andina Premium Cusco

9.1

Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel

9.5

Hotel Golden Inca

8.1

JW Marriott El Convento Cusco

Tierra Viva Cusco Centro

9.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Cusco

Cuzco is walkable in the historic center. Taxis are widely available and affordable, but agree on a price beforehand. Buses and colectivos connect Cuzco with the Sacred Valley and surrounding areas.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-60 %

Daily expenses in Cusco are around 60% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PEN) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£31	£68	£187
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£14	£25	£77
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£5	£20

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.60
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.70
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.70
☕ Cappuccino	£2.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.23
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£13
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.25

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£20
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£3.20

Safety information overview

General safety

Cuzco is generally safe for tourists, but beware of pickpockets in crowded places. Avoid walking alone at night in isolated areas and keep valuables secure.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Cuzco are decent, but for serious issues, Lima has better-equipped hospitals. Altitude sickness is common; acclimate slowly, stay hydrated and avoid heavy meals.

Accessibility

The city has many steep and cobblestone streets, which might be difficult for those with mobility challenges. Some Incan sites are not wheelchair accessible, so plan accordingly.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or filtered water. Many hotels and restaurants provide filtered water to refill bottles, helping reduce plastic waste.