The Ultimate Cusco Travel Guide
Cusco was never a place that I dreamed of visiting. Previously to spending a year travelling the globe, I mostly dreamed of travelling to all the beach destinations of the world. Growing up in a landlocked province, I longed to be mesmerized by the rolling waves of the ocean, while curling my toes in the soft white sand and taking dips in crystal clear waters. However, once I started travelling from country to country, I quickly realized that our lovely planet is home to beautiful cities, towns and villages that are far from the coastal region and filled with adventure, culture and interesting people. Soon I fell in love with the mountains, rainforest, jungles, big cities, tiny villages and everything else in between.
Cusco was one of the mountain cities that I fell in love with. Before visiting Cusco, all I knew about it was that it was the setting for Disney’s classic The Emperor’s New Groove. Holla to all the Disney fans! But I was pleasantly surprised by all Cusco had to offer and it is now one of my favourite cities – in fact it made my top ten list of cities to explore.
Cusco is located in the beautiful Peruvian Andes and has the perfect mix of rich ancient culture, history, spirituality and outdoor adventure. I could spend all day wandering the cobblestone streets of Cusco buying alpaca sweaters, meeting other fun backpackers and learning more about the Inca people. Outdoor lovers, get excited because Cusco has a lot of great hiking trails that lead to ancient Inca ruins and beautiful views. Cusco is the perfect city for any photographer – from local life, architecture, natural beauty and roaming alpacas, there is a lot going on that can inspire creativity. To be honest, while I was in Cusco my photography skills were not as developed as they are today and I would love to go back and re-document the city. One of the greatest things about Cusco is that it is located fairly close to a number of breathtaking attractions, which makes it easy to go on day/weekend trips to see a good amount of Peru, including one of the wonders of the ancient world, Machu Picchu.
If you are looking for a fun, fairly affordable, South American adventure, Cusco is the place for you. So, let’s start your journey now! Grab a warm drink or a glass of wine and let’s dive into my favourite activities and tips for the best Cusco experience ever!
Explore:
1. Machu Picchu.
When you visit Cusco, you HAVE to take a few days and visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. You can find tours leaving from Cusco that will take you right to the top of the Inca trail.
2. Nazca Lines.
I didn’t get to see the Nazca Lines while I was in Cusco, and honestly I am a little upset at myself for not making this a priority. I guess that means I have to go back, and I’m def ok with that ;). The Nazca Lines are ancient geoglyphs that were created by the very advanced Nazca people around 200 – 500 BC. Each geoglyph is an image of a creature or plant, including a spider, hummingbird, monkey and flowers. There are thousands of images carved into the ground, and they stretch over 170 square miles. The thing that is most interesting about these lines, is that no one knows how or why this ancient civilization made them. There are a lot of theories on how they were made. My personal favourite is that aliens helped them. These lines are not in Cusco, but you can take trips from Cusco and fly over these fascinating works of art and be amazed at the hard work of the Nazca people.
3. The Plaza de Armas.
So I am pretty sure every South American city has a Plaza de Armas, but the one in Cusco is definitely one you want to explore while visiting. It is the main square of Cusco, and is filled with history, restaurants, local vendors and traditionally dressed Peruvians carrying baby lambs that you can take photos with. There are a lot of great shops where you can buy your loved ones some rocking souvenirs- follow Stephen’s fashion advice and consider buying an alpaca hat, sweater, scarf and booties.
The square also comes alive at night and has fun pubs where you can mingle with other tourists and locals. The Plaza de Arms is also home to my favourite Starbucks in the whole world. This Starbucks is super dope. It has this great balcony that overlooks the square and you can see the lush green mountains that surround the city. I spent a few hours there one sunny afternoon reading a good book, sipping a coffee in a cozy alpaca sweater and it was perfect.
4. Rainbow Mountain.
A few hours from Cusco is the beautiful, vibrant mountain range that is known as Rainbow Mountain. It is a gorgeous area that is great for hikers of any level. You can take a bus from Cusco and enjoy the day explorin’.
5. Pisac.
Pisac, also known as The Sacred Valley, is an area in the mountain region surrounding the city of Cusco. The village’s elevation about 9,500 ft and is home to a popular craft market, local artist, heaps of Inca ruins, the Urubamba River and the Sacred Valley archaeological site. The area was a holy region in the Inca Empire and thousands would come annually to visits it’s temples. Today it is still a very spiritual village and many tourist are drawn to it for its healing powers and mystic energy. It is a great location for yoga, meditation or to string up a hammock and relax. Even if you aren’t into the history, ruins, markets or mystic energy, Pisac is absolutely stunning and a wonderful area for any nature lover to explore.
6. The Chocolate Museum.
The Chocolate Museum is right in the heart of Cusco and is a must-see when visiting. You can learn how they make chocolate, try free samples and buy all the chocolate you want. The Museum is free to the public and is a great activity for all ages. Pro tip: try the chocolate tea, I LOVE IT!
7. Hatun Rumiyoc and The 12 Angled-Stone.
(Complete sidebar here, but doesn’t that kind of sound like it could be a Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and The 12 Angled Stone.) Hatun Rumiyoc is an ancient Inca road that has lasted for years, in nearly perfect condition. The main part of the road is cobbled stoned with walls on either side. Located in these walls is The 12 Angled- Stone, which is a giant stone that has 12 sides that was somehow perfectly placed with all the other stones. This wall and road are great examples of how impressive the Inca architects were.
8. Trip to the Amazon.
Another great trip you can take from Cusco is a trip to the Amazon Jungle. This was one of my favourite parts of my time in Peru. I am going to be super honest with you, THERE ARE SO MANY BUGS IN THE RAINFOREST, like a lot more than you are going to aspect. I am not telling you this to stop you from exploring one of the most unique places on the planet, I just want to paint a realistic picture of what you are getting yourself into so you can mentally prepare for your awesome adventure. No one mentioned to me how many bugs I was going to come in contact with before I went and it was a little overwhelming. Keep in mind this was not my first rodeo, this was after I spent heaps of time camping in the Australian outback with tarantulas and scorpions. Besides the amount of bugs, The Amazon was wicked awesome.
While I was in the Amazon, I was on a volunteer trip. The trip was hard both physically and mentally, but there were a lot of little moments I had to myself where I got to fully appreciate where I was and enjoy connecting to nature. One night, I woke up and heard a Jaguar growling as it prowled around outside the unfinished building I was sleeping in. I remember sitting up in my mosquito net covered bed, listening to the Jaguar and being filled with gratitude that I was living this Discovery Channel moment. I also really enjoyed showering in the “Jungle Shower.” One side of the shower was covered by a tarp and the rest of it was completely opened to the rainforest. It was a very freeing experience, to say the least. The cold water made a perfect escape from the intense heat and being au naturel in nature made me feel alive. The Amazon was also a great place to unplug and connect to nature. There was no Wi-Fi, reception or electricity where I was staying. Even though that meant I wasn’t able to charge my camera, it did mean that I could give my brain a rest from the media overload society we live in.
9. The Qoorikancha.
The Qoorikancha was the Inca Empire’s, religious, and political hub, as well as the Temple of the Inca sun god, Inti. It is located in Cusco, and is another great place to explore to gain more knowledge of life in the Inca Empire.
10. San Pedro Market.
The San Pedro Market is one of my favourite markets in the whole world and I feel like it paints a great picture of what Peruvian culture is like. It is filled with so many amazing things to buy, see, smell, hear and taste. The vendors sell goods that can only be found in Peru’s coastal, jungle and mountain regions. You can purchase food, spices, handcrafted items, alpaca apparel and traditional/ sacred Peruvian herbs and medicinal items.
Places to stay:
Cusco is home to a ton of both beautiful hotels and nice, affordable hostels. If you are looking for more luxurious accommodations try checking out, Hotel Arqueologo, or JW MARRIOTT EL CONVENTO. What I love about these hotels is that their exterior design is very Cusco, while their interior design is a little more modern, giving you the perfect luxurious Cusco vacation. If you are wanting to stay at a fun hostel where you can save money and meet other travellers, check out these hostels: Pariwana-hostel or Loki Hostel. Both of these hostels are affordable and have a lot of fun activities, tours and parties happening every day and night.
Places to eat and drink:
Cusco is home to some delicious restaurants that combine Peruvian classics with modern cuisine. Pro tip: Peruvian dishes do include some non-traditional Western meats, including alpaca and guinea pig, so I do suggestion you look up the menus to restaurants before visiting and always ask your server if you are unsure what is in the dishes. These are some of Cusco’s most popular restaurants: Pachapapa, Cicciolina, Limo and Greens Organic. When you visit Pisac, be sure to stop at the Blue Llama to enjoy their all-you-can-eat pancakes!
Cusco does have a pretty vibin’ nightlife! Check out this guide for more information on pubs, bars and clubs. Pro tip: Peru is (debatably) the birthplace of the Pisco Sour, so be sure to enjoy one while you are there.
Weather:
Cusco is located in the Peruvian Andes, which makes the daily weather pretty unpredictable. The morning can be sunny and by the afternoon it can be pouring rain. However, the temperature usually stay between 15 – 25 Celsius (60 – 70 F) in the day and 0 – 15 Celsius (30 – 40 F) at night. Pro tip: dress in layers during your adventures and purchase some alpaca apparel – it is SO warm, cozy and cute af.
Transport:
Take the bus or taxis as both are fairly cheap. Here is a guide to get a fair price when taking a taxi in Peru. The bus is a fun experience – their buses are minivans that get packed with people and may play Latino music or have funky lights.
If Cusco isn’t already on your bucket list, I hope it is now! Cusco is a city that is filled with adventure, fun, history and culture. It is a place that I will return to whenever I get a chance and I hope you get to explore it as well. Need more help planning your trip to Cusco, no worries! Book a travel consulting call with me today.
Wishing you a lifetime full of epic adventure,
