Top places to visit in Cusco

• Sacsayhuamán

  inca site · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  inca wall · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  inca site · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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

  inca site · 4.6 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  archaeology museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  main square · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  central market · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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)

  inca temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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

  cathedral · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  museum · 4.4 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Cusco

Airport: Cusco (CUZ)

How visitors arrive in Cusco

• Flight from Lima By air from Lima · common

  Most travelers connect through Lima to reach Cusco's small airport, which handles mainly domestic flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Puno By road from Puno · common

  Long-distance buses run to the Terminal Terrestre from Lima, Puno, Arequipa and Nazca. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train from Puno By train from Puno · possible

  PeruRail operates a rail link between Puno and Cusco. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight from Arequipa By air from Arequipa · possible

  LATAM flies between Arequipa and Cusco. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Official airport taxi desk

  Taxis booked at the airport desks go to the Centro Histórico, a short drive from the terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• City bus past the main gate unconfirmed

  Buses pass outside the main airport gate towards the centre; easiest in daylight. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Order taxis by phone or through your hotel rather than hailing one on the street at night, and never share with another passenger already inside. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Taxi from the Terminal Terrestre

  The bus terminal is on Avenida Vía de Evitamiento, southeast of the centre; a radio taxi is the safer option on arrival at night. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Car With Driver
• Taxi useful for some trips

  Taxis in Cusco are useful for the bus station, Sacsayhuamán or the airport; agree the fare before getting in.

• Walking

Paying

• Agree the fare before getting in any taxi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

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.

Best time to visit Cusco

• Jan 21°C
• Feb 20°C
• Mar 21°C
• Apr 21°C
• May 21°C
• Jun 21°C
• Jul 21°C
• Aug 22°C
• Sep 22°C
• Oct 22°C
• Nov 22°C
• Dec 21°C

More in Peru

• Lima
• Aguas Calientes
• Arequipa
• Puno
• Ica
• Iquitos

Frequently asked questions about Cusco

What are the top-rated places to visit in Cusco?

The highest-rated places in our Cusco guide are Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), Twelve-Angled Stone, Q'enqo.

Where should I stay in Cusco?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cusco: Plaza de Armas / Centro Histórico, San Blas.

How do I get around Cusco?

Ways to get around Cusco covered in our guide: Car with driver, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Cusco?

Scams reported to us for Cusco include Fake / unlicensed tour agencies; Llama / costumed-photo tip pressure; Coca / altitude remedy hard sell. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Cusco?

Average daytime highs in Cusco run from 20°C in Feb to 22°C in Nov.

Which airport is nearest to Cusco?

The nearest airport to Cusco has the code CUZ.