Cusco
Peru
Overview
The ancient Inca capital sits high in the Andes, serving as the gateway to Machu Picchu and offering a fascinating blend of Inca and Spanish colonial heritage.
Cost of Travel
Daily budget guide for Cusco — what you can expect to spend per person including accommodation, meals, transport, and activities.
per person per day
per person per day
per person per day
Approximate costs in USD based on today's exchange rates.
Explore Cusco
Machu Picchu
Iconic hilltop ruins of a large 15th-century Inca city featuring numerous structures & terraces.
Plaza de Armas
Lively urban gathering place offering colonial arcades, a cathedral, gardens & a central fountain.
Saqsaywaman
Inca complex surrounded by walls that were made by fitting stones tightly together without mortar.
Qorikancha
Inca ruins of a prominent 15th-century temple that once had walls & floors covered in pure gold.
Twelve Angled Stone
Placed in the wall of a once-Incan palace, this legendary stone is said to hold up the structure.
Tambomachay
This Inca site with canals, waterfalls & aqueducts is thought to have been built to worship water.
Where to Stay
Belmond Hotel Monasterio
A converted 16th-century monastery with oxygen-enriched rooms, colonial courtyards, and fine dining in the heart of Cusco.
Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza
A comfortable mid-range hotel right on Plaza de Armas with oxygen support, warm service, and an unbeatable location.
Where to Eat
MAP Cafe
Peruvian
A stunning glass-walled restaurant inside the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, serving refined Peruvian cuisine in a magical setting.
Morena Peruvian Kitchen
Peruvian
A warm Plaza de Armas restaurant serving elevated comfort food including ceviche, lomo saltado, and quinoa dishes.
Travel Tips
- Spend 2-3 days acclimatizing to the altitude (3,400m) before Machu Picchu
- Drink coca tea to help with altitude sickness
- Book Machu Picchu tickets well in advance — daily limits apply
- Try ceviche, lomo saltado, and cuy (guinea pig, a local delicacy)
- Visit the San Pedro Market for local food and culture
Getting There & Around
Walking is the main way to explore Cusco's historic center, though altitude and hills can be tiring. Taxis are cheap and abundant. PeruRail and Inca Rail trains connect to Machu Picchu via Ollantaytambo. Colectivos (shared vans) go to Sacred Valley towns. Private tours offer the most flexibility.
Book & Reserve
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