Cusco Peru Travel Guide

How to Reach Cusco

By bus – The main bus terminal, Terminal Terrestre, is about 1.5 miles (2.4km) SW of the city center. Buses are plentiful to and from other Peruvian and Bolivian cities but are quite long and slow, although many times offer scenic views.

By train – Cuzco is connected to Machu Picchu and Puno by rail. The train service is operated by Peru Rail.

By plane – The international airport of Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) is located at the edge of the city. There are daily internal flights to and from Lima, Arequipa and smaller jungle airports in the Amazon basin.

Where to Stay in Cusco

Aside from Central Cusco, where most establishments are, San Blas is also a popular area, especially for visitors. It’s several minutes and uphill from Lima, but it offers many choices in terms of types of accommodations and price ranges.

Cusco Travel Tips

Try Cuy (guinea pig) – Taste the traditional holiday food of the region. You can buy a whole cooked cuy in many of the
Eat and Drinks around Plaza de Armas. There are also many dedicated ‘cuyerias’ around town where you can find much cheaper cuy. If you purchase around the Plaza de Armas be prepared to pay close to that of a decent steak.

Take a Salsa class – With a number of enthusiastic teachers and a number of styles taught in the city, this is the perfect place to learn some new dance moves.

Try alpaca steak – A taboo in other parts of the world but here, it is considered a delicacy.

Do not be reckless – Although Cusco is a relatively safe city, as in any urban area, muggings and petty thefts do occur. Be
careful where you walk at night and take care of your belongings.

Do not underestimate the altitude– The altitude isno joke. Many people experience some for of altitude sickness when
arriving to Cusco as it is around 11, 000 feet (3399m) high. Just be sure to drink plenty of water and use cocoa leaves in a tea or simply chewing them. If you are doing hikes such as the Incan Trail it is a good idea to acclimate here for a day or two before heading out on a hike.

Typical Costs in Cusco

Price Range for Hotels

There are many sleeping options in Cusco to suit all budgets. Most won’t need to be booked beforehand. You can find a hostel or a local bed and breakfast for as low as $13 per night, you can find a luxurious hotel for a few hundred USD per night and you can find all the options in between.

Cost of meal

There is an endless string of Eat and Drinks and bars in Cusco’s streets that offer food and drinks at reasonable prices. Price per dinner in an average Eat and Drink can be lower than $5 per person. If you are looking for a more expensive option, there is no shortage of those also.

Transportation costs

Taxis are a relatively cheap way to move around the city as a 3 km ride will cost you around $1. The taxi from the airport to the city center costs around $3.5. Busses are an even cheaper way to move around the city, though they might get really crowded and hectic.

Where and What to Eat in Cusco

Where to Eat

Cicciolina (dishes start at $12) is one of the most recommended Eat and Drinks in Cusco and is known for its selection of international dishes. Marcelo Batata is for those looking to try classic Peruvian favorites ($15-$25), while La Bodega 138 offers up brunch menu and craft beer, with meals starting at $8.

Unique Dishes to Eat

Cusco has some very unique dishes that are must tries. First off try cuy (guinea pig). It’s sounds very odd but it’s actually pretty good and as you would suspect, it takes like chicken. Another unique thing to try is alpaca meat. Alpaca steaks are delicious and tastes a big like something between lamb and beef. Chicharrón is another typical local dish which is basically fried pork.

For the Beer Enthusiast 

We checked out the QosQo Beer House by the square which had an excellent beer selection with plenty of local craft beers. QosQo even had pretty good food. Cholos Craft Beers and Nuevo Mundo Draft Beer also come highly recommended.