{"id":1306274,"date":"2026-10-12T08:48:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306274"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:00:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:00:34","slug":"cusco","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/peru\/cusco\/","title":{"rendered":"Cusco"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306247,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hub_term":"","hw_hub_country_parent_hub":"","hw_hub_country_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_city_hero_eyebrow":"City guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things to do in Cusco","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"The old Inca capital at 3,400 metres: colonial churches on Inca walls, the Sacred Valley on the doorstep and the gateway to Machu Picchu. The busiest backpacker city in South America.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1307736","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Plan your days | #do\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"5+ | Days with Machu Picchu","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"The navel of the Inca world","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire, which at its height stretched from Ecuador to Chile. The Spanish built their churches and mansions on top of the Inca temples and palaces, and the result is a city where colonial balconies rest on perfectly fitted Inca stone walls. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and almost every trip to Peru passes through it.\r\n\r\nAt around 3,400 metres, the altitude hits most people on arrival. Take the first day or two slowly before any hiking. Once you have adjusted, the city is a joy to explore: the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the Qorikancha temple, the steep streets of San Blas, the San Pedro market and the ruins of Sacsayhuam\u00e1n above the city.\r\n\r\nGive Cusco and the area at least five days: two for the city, one or two for the Sacred Valley and one or two for Machu Picchu, plus more for a trek such as the Inca Trail or Salkantay, or a day at Rainbow Mountain. Book Machu Picchu tickets, and Inca Trail permits, well before you arrive.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Languages | Spanish and Quechua\r\nCurrency | Peruvian sol (PEN)\r\nAltitude | Around 3,400m\r\nFrom the airport | 15\u201320 minutes\r\nGetting around | On foot, taxis and colectivos\r\nEmergency | 105 police, 106 ambulance\r\nTap water | Not drinkable. Bottled or purified\r\nTipping | 10% in restaurants aimed at visitors\r\nHow long to stay | Five days or more\r\nBest months | May to September","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay in or near the historic centre. San Blas is hilly but charming, San Pedro is cheap and local, and the streets around the Plaza de Armas are convenient but busy.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"14","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"","hw_hub_city_areas":"Historic centre | Convenient, sights | The streets around the Plaza de Armas, with most sights, restaurants and clubs. Busy and noisy. | -13.5170 | -71.9785 |  | \nSan Blas | Charming, caf\u00e9s, views | The artisans' quarter uphill from the Plaza, with steep streets, workshops and quieter nights. | -13.5150 | -71.9750 |  | \nSan Pedro | Budget, local, market | The area around the San Pedro market and the train station, cheaper and more local. | -13.5215 | -71.9830 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"Acclimatise in the city, then the valley, the trek and the citadel.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in Cusco","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Start in the Plaza de Armas, with the cathedral and the Iglesia de la Compa\u00f1\u00eda. The Qorikancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, has the finest Inca stonework in the city, with a Dominican convent built on top. Walk the narrow Hatun Rumiyoc street to see the twelve-angled stone, and climb to San Blas for workshops, caf\u00e9s and views.\r\n\r\nAbove the city, Sacsayhuam\u00e1n is a fortress of huge zigzag walls, and the nearby sites of Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay can be walked in a half day. The boleto tur\u00edstico, a combined ticket valid for several days, covers these and many Sacred Valley sites, so buy it early.\r\n\r\nThe Sacred Valley has the Inca terraces and market at Pisac, the fortress town of Ollantaytambo, the circular terraces of Moray and the salt pans of Maras. Machu Picchu is reached by train from Ollantaytambo or Cusco to Aguas Calientes, then a bus or a steep walk up. Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake are popular day trips, both at very high altitude.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Qorikancha | The Inca Temple of the Sun\r\nSacsayhuam\u00e1n | Giant zigzag walls above the city\r\nSacred Valley | Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Maras\r\nMachu Picchu | Book tickets well ahead","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Cusco","hw_hub_city_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Walking the historic centre costs nothing: the Plaza de Armas, the Inca walls along Hatun Rumiyoc and Loreto, and the streets of San Blas are the best free sights in the city. Free walking tours leave from the Plaza de Armas daily; tip the guide.\r\n\r\nThe San Pedro market is free to explore, and the viewpoint at San Crist\u00f3bal church, above the Plaza, has great views over the rooftops.\r\n\r\nMany of the churches charge entry, and the main Inca sites need the boleto tur\u00edstico.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Inca walls | Hatun Rumiyoc and the twelve-angled stone\r\nSan Blas | Steep streets and workshops\r\nSan Pedro market | Free to explore\r\nWalking tours | Daily. Tip the guide","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Cusco","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Cusco has some of the best food in the Andes. Try lomo saltado, a stir-fry of beef, tomato and chips, rocoto relleno, a stuffed spicy pepper, and cuy, roast guinea pig, a highland speciality. Chicharr\u00f3n, fried pork, is a Sunday favourite.\r\n\r\nThe San Pedro market has cheap set lunches, juices blended to order and stalls of bread and cheese. A men\u00fa in a local restaurant costs a few euros, while the centre has excellent restaurants for a splurge.\r\n\r\nCoca tea helps with the altitude, and chicha morada, a sweet purple corn drink, is everywhere. Try a pisco sour once.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Lomo saltado | Beef stir-fry with chips\r\nSan Pedro market | Cheap lunches and juices\r\nCuy | Roast guinea pig\r\nCoca tea | Helps with the altitude","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Cusco","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Cusco has the liveliest backpacker nightlife in Peru. Clubs around the Plaza de Armas hand out free drink vouchers and stay open late, and party hostels run their own bars and nights.\r\n\r\nSan Blas has quieter bars with live music, and craft beer bars are scattered around the centre.\r\n\r\nGo easy on alcohol in your first days at altitude, never leave a drink unattended and take an official taxi or app home.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Plaza de Armas | Clubs and late nights\r\nParty hostels | Bars and events\r\nSan Blas | Live music and quieter bars\r\nAltitude | Go easy at first","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Cusco","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"The historic centre is walkable, though steep. Taxis and ride apps are cheap for longer trips.\r\n\r\nAlejandro Velasco Astete airport is close to the city, around 15 to 20 minutes from the centre, with flights to Lima, Arequipa and other cities. Buses go to Puno in around seven hours and to Arequipa in around ten.\r\n\r\nColectivos to the Sacred Valley leave from the city. For Machu Picchu, trains run from Ollantaytambo, or from near Cusco, to Aguas Calientes, and are expensive. The budget route is a van to Hidroel\u00e9ctrica and a walk of around two to three hours along the tracks.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"Airport | 15\u201320 minutes from the centre\r\nColectivos | Cheap rides to the Sacred Valley\r\nMachu Picchu trains | From Ollantaytambo. Expensive\r\nBudget route | Van to Hidroel\u00e9ctrica, then walk","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Cusco","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Cusco costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Cusco itself is good value. Dorm beds start around \u20ac8, with well-rated hostels from \u20ac10 to \u20ac18. A men\u00fa costs \u20ac3 to \u20ac5.\r\n\r\nMachu Picchu is where the money goes. A standard foreign adult ticket costs around \u20ac40, the bus up and down from Aguas Calientes around \u20ac20, and the train \u20ac60 to \u20ac120 return. Treks such as the Inca Trail and Salkantay cost hundreds more. The boleto tur\u00edstico for the city and valley sites is extra.\r\n\r\nUse ATMs inside banks, and carry soles in cash for markets, colectivos and small shops.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Dorm bed | Around \u20ac8\u201318\r\nMachu Picchu ticket | Around \u20ac40 for a standard circuit\r\nTrain | \u20ac60\u2013120 return\r\nBoleto tur\u00edstico | For the city and valley sites","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Cusco","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Cusco is generally safe, but petty theft is common: watch your bag in markets, restaurants and on night buses. Use official taxis or apps, especially at night.\r\n\r\nAltitude is the main risk. Most people feel breathless, tired or have headaches at first. Rest for a day or two, drink water and coca tea, avoid alcohol, and do not start a trek on arrival. If symptoms get worse, go down and see a doctor.\r\n\r\nBook treks only with licensed operators; the Inca Trail legally requires one. Protests and road blockades have closed routes to Machu Picchu at short notice before, so leave buffer days. In an emergency, call 105 for police or 106 for an ambulance.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Emergency | 105 police, 106 ambulance\r\nAltitude | Two days before any trek\r\nTreks | Licensed operators only\r\nBlockades | Leave buffer days","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Cusco","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Worth leaving the city for","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"The Sacred Valley, the lost city and the high mountains.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Machu Picchu | About 3 to 4 hours each way | Train from Ollantaytambo or near Cusco, then bus | The Inca citadel in the cloud forest. Book tickets ahead. |  | 1306374\nSacred Valley | About 1 hour | Colectivo or tour | Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and the Maras salt pans. |  | 1306379\nRainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) | Full day | Tour | Striped mountains at over 5,000 metres. Acclimatise first. |  | 1306378\nHumantay Lake | Full day | Tour | A turquoise lake below a glacier, at around 4,200 metres. |  | 1306377","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Cusco","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"May to September is the dry season, with sunny days and freezing nights, the best for treks and Machu Picchu. November to March is wet and green, and the Inca Trail closes every February.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs, rounded. Nights drop close to freezing in winter.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 19 | 3 | Wet season\r\nFebruary | 19 | 2 | Wettest. Inca Trail closed\r\nMarch | 19 | 2 | Wet, green\r\nApril | 20 | 3 | Drying out\r\nMay | 20 | 4 | Dry, clear\r\nJune | 19 | 5 | Dry. Inti Raymi\r\nJuly | 19 | 5 | Peak season\r\nAugust | 20 | 5 | Dry, busy\r\nSeptember | 21 | 4 | Dry, quieter\r\nOctober | 21 | 3 | Rains begin\r\nNovember | 21 | 3 | Mixed\r\nDecember | 20 | 3 | Wet. Santurantikuy market","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Inca festivals, processions and the busiest week of the year.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"manual","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Barcelona","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/europe\/spain\/barcelona\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Inti Raymi | 24 June | Sacsayhuam\u00e1n | The Inca festival of the sun, recreated above the city. Cusco fills for a week. |  | \nCorpus Christi | May or June | Plaza de Armas | Saints from the city's churches are carried through the streets. |  | \nSanturantikuy | 24 December | Plaza de Armas | A huge Christmas market of crafts and nativity figures. |  | \nInca Trail closure | February | Inca Trail | The trail closes every February for maintenance. Other treks stay open. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Cusco prices.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Machu Picchu, trains and treks cost extra.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 9 | 9 | 3 | 10\r\nMiddle of the road | 16 | 17 | 6 | 25\r\nComfortable | 40 | 35 | 12 | 50","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in Cusco, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Cusco","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/peru\/cusco\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Cusco questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"How many days do you need in Cusco? | At least five: two for the city and acclimatising, one or two for the Sacred Valley, and one or two for Machu Picchu. Add four or five for a trek.\r\nHow far ahead should I book Machu Picchu? | Weeks or months ahead in high season, from the official platform. Inca Trail permits sell out four to six months ahead.\r\nHow bad is the altitude in Cusco? | Most people feel it. Rest for a day or two, drink water and coca tea, and do not trek straight away.\r\nWhat is the boleto tur\u00edstico? | A combined ticket for many sites in and around Cusco, including Sacsayhuam\u00e1n and Sacred Valley ruins, valid for several days.\r\nHow do I get to Machu Picchu cheaply? | Take a van to Hidroel\u00e9ctrica and walk along the tracks to Aguas Calientes, around two to three hours, instead of the train.\r\nWhere should I stay in Cusco? | Near the Plaza de Armas for convenience, San Blas for charm and views, or San Pedro to save money.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit Cusco? | May to September, the dry season. June and July are the busiest.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare hostels in Cusco: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Cusco | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/peru\/cusco\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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