Incan stones sit perfectly on top of each other, mortarless marvels silently mocking their Spanish counterparts. Stunningly blue skies and perfect ancient architecture juxtaposed against colonial buildings take up tourists’ imaginations. Similarly, the countless photogenic spots take up the tourists’ phone data too.
Cusco is the longest-inhabited city in the Americas. Take time to appreciate the culture and history here. And if you get antsy, there are plenty of activities in and around town, too.
The attractions in Cusco are the city’s history and proximity to Machu Picchu. Pretty much all of the region’s adventure activities are in the Sacred Valley and not the city itself. But there are excellent hikes and activities to do in and next to Cusco, and I included those in this list.
Note: Places with (B) next to them are part of the “boleto turistico”. Sixteen sites are available ONLY with this Tourist Ticket. You can buy the ticket at the office at Avenida el Sol 103. Current prices are found on the website here.
The best photos of our hike around the sites next to Cusco were of Sacsayhuaman. We walked about 20 minutes from our hotel through the city to its outskirts, where Sacsayhuaman sits above the plaza.
Heavy, potato and rice-based dishes are typical of the Andes. Consider tried-and-true traditional foods like “cuy”, alpaca or anticuchos (beef heart skewers).
And definitely try the soups at night!
Got a hankering for vegetarian food or similar to back home? There are touristy spots catering to other diets and gastronomies all around the city.
Note: to prevent altitude sickness, avoid heavy meals, alcohol and coffee for the first 1-2 days.
Cusco probably has more hotels per capita than any other major city in Peru. But I’ve stayed at one place, Ninos Hotel, twice. That’s because “Ninos” is not just comfortable and clean.
Ninos is a “Green Leader” recognized by TripAdvisor. AND the establishment funds childcare for underserved children in Cusco.
The restaurant is also amazing and has a fireplace (did I not say cozy?).
They have two locations, both walking distance to the main plaza.
The rainy season starts in November and ends around March. You can visit year-round but torrential rain in the afternoons is common during this period.
Year-round highs hover around 19-21 C (62-70 F), with lows around 6-7 C (41-44 F) in most months. Nighttime gets near freezing from May through August.
Every June 24th Cusco celebrates the solstice with its biggest party! Traditional dances, clothing and ceremonies highlight this celebration of the sun.
An overnight buscama from these locations can be comfortable and save you money on lodging:
Destination | Length of Trip | Price (Soles) |
Arequipa | 10.5 hours | 29-167 |
Lima | 21-22 hours | 29-78 |
Nazca | 15 hours | 29-177 |
Puno | 6.5 hours | 29-65 |
Note: The US Dollar to Nuevo Sol exchange rate tends to hover around 3:1
Regular, frequent flights arrive from all major Peruvian cities.
Cusco is the navel of the world in the Incan worldview. And it will possibly be the center of your trip. After all, one can spend weeks just exploring the city and its surroundings!
Have you been? Let us know?
Wanna go? Consider making Cusco part of a bucket list adventure!
Thanks for reading :)
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