Main Attractions

(*)For some culture, visit the Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo, with Contemporary Art exhibitions.


(*)Climb up the cylindrical base of the Monumento Pachacuteq, a 22-meter-high statue of the Inca warrior King Pachacuteq. The climb is fun, but views from the top are disappointing due to the monument?s location at the lower part of town.


(*)Stroll around the main square Plaza de Armas, with churches, shops, restaurants, and bars, making it a great place to grab a drink and spend an evening watching the life of the town pass by.


(*)Go see the walls of the town, most of which are still Incan walls, particularly around Plaza de Armas.


(*)Visit some of the many galleries that dot the streets of Cusco. Local artists often do a beautiful job depicting Cusco?s majestic scenery, and prints can often be picked up inexpensively while supporting local talent.

When to go

The best time to go to Cusco is between June and October, when the sun shines brightly during the day, though temperatures can be quite cold at night, so bring a sweatshirt. Avoid traveling from April to December, when heavy rains will interfere with your time spent in the city.

How to get there

(bus) There are plenty of cheap and convenient buses from other Peruvian cities such as Lima (24 h), Puno (7 h), Arequipa (10 h), and Nazca (14-16 h), as long as you are not in a hurry. If you ARE in a hurry, and not on a very limited budget, flying is also an option. The Cusco airport is at the edge of the city (3-5 sole taxi ride from Plaza de Armas), and has daily flights from Lima and Arequipa. The cheapest flights to and from Lima are USD 70 one-way, and bad weather often causes delays or cancellations in flight schedules.

Visa information

Travelers from the USA, Europe, and Israel, do not need a visa to enter Peru. Some Asian countries do need visas, so check online before planning your trip.

Tipping

Most restaurants and bars in Peru add a 10% gratuity onto the bill. If the service has been good it is customary to add an additional 10%. Taxis are not tipped, and meters are rare, so make sure to negotiate a fare prior to getting into the cab. Hotel porters expect a tip of $1 per bag.