Cusco Travel Tips
The ancient Inca capital has become Peru’s modern tourism capital
After five years in Cusco, I’ve gathered a wealth of recommendations and tips. In this blog, you’ll find insights on where to stay, where to eat, the Boleto Turístico, the best museums and archaeological sites, ATMs that don’t charge fees, and much more.
Where to stay in Cusco
If you’re looking for the most photogenic neighborhood filled with restaurants and bars, I recommend staying in San Blas. For a quieter experience close to the center, Lucrepata is a great option, located right next to San Blas. Since I haven’t stayed in a hotel in Cusco since March 2019, I don’t have specific hotel recommendations, but you can check my partnerships page to see the hotels I’ve collaborated with as a photographer and writer.
Where to eat in Cusco
Most of my favorite restaurants are in San Blas and around the Plaza de Armas. While my reviews may be from a year or two ago, all the places are still open and remain my go-to spots. I haven’t updated the list recently because they’re still my favorites! You can find the complete list here.
The Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) is required for entry to government-owned museums and archaeological sites in and around Cusco. You can purchase it at any participating site, but note that they only accept cash.
There are two options:
- Full ticket: Covers 16 sites for S/130.
- Partial ticket: Covers either Cusco or the Sacred Valley for S/70.
In Cusco, you’ll need this ticket for popular sites like Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Tambomachay, and Puka Pukará. Keep in mind, there is no option to buy a ticket for just one individual site or museum.
The Boleto Turístico del Cusco
Of my favorite museums, only the Regional Historical Museum is included with the Boleto Turístico. My other top recommendations are private museums, along with the Qorikancha, which is owned by the Catholic Church.
For the best presentation, exhibits, and explanations, I recommend the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. If you’re looking for the most impressive artifacts, visit the Museo Inka—though the signage is limited, so I suggest hiring a guide at the entrance for a more informative experience.
Another must-see is Casa Concha, the only museum displaying artifacts from Machu Picchu. Many of these pieces were taken to Yale University by Hiram Bingham in the 1910s and returned to Peru in the 2010s. You can easily explore the collection in about an hour, and it’s definitely worth the visit.
Best Museums in Cusco
Best Archaeological Sites in Cusco
You’ll need the Boleto Turístico to visit these sites. Most people join a “city tour,” which doesn’t actually tour Cusco itself but takes you to the four main archaeological sites in the hills above the city: Sacsayhuamán (pronounced sack-sigh-wah-mon), Q’enqo, Puka Pukará, and Tambomachay. You can also visit them on your own by taxi or public bus (the Huerto line goes all the way to Tambomachay, the farthest site).
If you can only visit one site, make it Sacsayhuamán, and hire a guide at the entrance. Before committing, chat with the guide to assess their language skills and experience to ensure they can answer your questions.
If you’re short on time and need to skip one, skip Puka Pukará. While it offers a great view across the Cusco valley, there’s not much else to see.
For something off the beaten path, check out Inkilltambo, a free site that requires a short hike to reach. For more recommendations, see my article on the 10 Best Free Inca Sites in Cusco.
Essential Tips for Managing Altitude in Cusco
The most common question I get is: How do I acclimatize to the altitude in Cusco?
Cusco sits at about 11,000 feet (3,500 meters) above sea level, depending on where you are in town. If you’re coming from sea level, take it easy for the first couple of days. Walk slowly, stay hydrated, and rest whenever you feel the need. Prioritize sleep and avoid alcohol as much as possible.
While many recommend coca leaf tea for altitude headaches, I personally find that a combination of ibuprofen and caffeine works better. For a great cup of local coffee, check out Café d’Wasi or Xapiri Ground.
Shopping and Souvenirs in Cusco
One of the most common questions I get about Cusco is where to buy authentic baby alpaca sweaters. If you want to ensure you’re purchasing genuine baby alpaca, it’s essential to shop at reputable stores. Vendors selling sweaters for around s/40 soles (roughly $10) on the streets are typically offering acrylic or synthetic products. A genuine baby alpaca sweater will usually cost around ten times that amount, reflecting its quality—either 100% baby alpaca or a blend with a high percentage of it.
Side Note: Baby alpaca fur is harvested from the alpaca’s first shearing, making it exceptionally soft, similar to the texture of puppy fur or baby hair. It’s rare and of higher quality than adult alpaca wool, which is why it’s more expensive.
My favorite shops for baby alpaca sweaters and other knits are HJK Studio and Coco Liso, both located in the charming San Blas neighborhood. These locally owned boutiques offer high-quality, authentic products. HJK Studio, in particular, collaborates with local women who hand-knit all of the shop’s items in their own homes, working on their own schedule. For those who enjoy crafting, HJK also sells alpaca yarn so you can knit your own creations.
Vicuñas are wild cousins of alpacas. Vicuña fur is the most expensive natural fiber in the world.
Shopping at Markets in Cusco
If you’re in Cusco on a Saturday, make sure to visit the Saturday market in Plaza Túpac Amaru, about a 20-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. The outer stalls are mainly dedicated to food and plants, but the center stalls are a rotating showcase of rural communities from the Cusco region. This is one of the best places to buy authentic souvenirs directly from the artisans who create them. Another great Saturday market is located in Plazoleta San Blas, known for its artsy atmosphere.
The most famous market in Cusco is San Pedro Market, celebrated for its wide variety of souvenir stalls and local foods. This market has a historic metal roof designed by Gustave Eiffel as a gesture of appreciation for his love of Cusco.
You’ll also find many artisan markets throughout the city. Two of the most accessible from Plaza de Armas are located at the east corner of Plazoleta Regocijo and the south side of Plaza San Francisco. These markets typically offer a similar mix of items, including acrylic sweaters, sheep’s wool ponchos, jewelry, toy llamas, magnets, and other classic souvenirs.
Practical Tips for Travelers in Cusco
1. Use MultiRed ATMs
The first thing you’ll likely need in Cusco is cash, as many places still don’t accept credit cards. The best option is the MultiRed ATMs, part of Peru’s Banco de la Nación, which don’t charge local fees. However, they tend to have lower daily withdrawal limits than other banks. (Note: Your home bank may still charge international fees, so check before you travel.)
2. Bring a Water Bottle with a Filter
Tap water in Cusco isn’t safe to drink without treatment, and even locals don’t drink it without boiling it first. If you have a water filter, bring it along, but most Cusqueñians boil their water due to the cost of filters. Drinks like chicha morada (a popular Peruvian beverage) are safe to buy, even from street vendors, because they are boiled and then cooled.
3. Reduce Plastic Consumption
Cusco lacks a proper recycling facility, so minimizing plastic use is important. Try to avoid using plastic bags and opt for reusable water bottles rather than buying drinks in plastic bottles. The recycling bins you see are more for sorting than actual recycling, so the less plastic waste you produce, the better.
4. Agree on Taxi Fares in Advance
Always negotiate the fare before getting into a taxi. Locals typically lean into the passenger window to ask the driver how much they’ll charge to a destination, and you should do the same. Taxi drivers generally know popular hotels and landmarks, but don’t rely on them to follow maps on your phone. In the historic center, fares typically range from s/5 to s/6 soles, while a trip to the airport costs around s/10 soles.
5. Take the Imperial Bus from the Airport
The Imperial bus is a convenient and affordable option for getting from the airport to the city center. The bus route ends on Ruinas Street, just a block from the Plaza de Armas, near the Marriott. The buses are easy to spot, with large green letters spelling “Imperial” across the top of the windshield. Fares are s/1 sol until 10 PM, and s/1.50 until midnight or later.
Hi! I am Heather, a Writer, Photographer, Traveler based in Cusco since August 2019.
On my blog, Heather Jasper, I write about and photograph the incredible places I live in and travel to.
I’ve explored over 30 countries as a tourist and lived in the US, France, Morocco, Turkey, Bangladesh, and now Peru. Each country has offered me a unique perspective on how we humans coexist, interact, and engage with our environment.
