Travel Guide Cusco
It was the capital of the Inca Empire. It is the base camp and the starting point for all excursions to Machu Picchu. At an altitude of 3,400 m, in the Andes of Peru, Cusco is a destination known for its archaeological remains, but also for its Hispanic colonial architecture. On the Place d'Armes is the magnificent Baroque cathedral, built in the mid-seventeenth century on the palace of the Inca Wiracocha. Also essential is the Compañía church, built by the Jesuits on the former Inca Huayna Capac palace, decorated with Métis art. Also worth seeing is the Coricancha, which was the most sacred temple of the Inca Empire, dedicated to the sun and richly decorated with gold, silver and precious stones. It is said that 4,000 priests lived there. The building was destroyed by the Spanish conquistadors. There are still some original walls, made of large interlocking blocks of stone, in the style of the Incas. On the outskirts of the city, several archaeological sites are worth a visit. Remember to bring your tour guide. You should also visit the Larco de Lima Pre-Columbian Art Museum.
What to visit Cusco?
Suggested addresses Cusco
When to go to Cusco?
When to go to Peru ? On the heights of the Andes, and particularly in Cusco, the very high tourist season extends from mid-June to the end of August: it is then the best season to visit Machu Picchu and the other Inca sites (dry and sunny weather) but there are a lot of people and often queues for example to go up by shuttle to the site of Machu Picchu. The best period would be from mid-April to mid-June when all the Sacred Valley is green and the visitors less numerous. In Peru, there are more than 3,000 traditional festivals; if most of them have been Christianized, the pre-Columbian influences are still alive. The only festival that attracts thousands of foreign travelers, and therefore requires that you book your accommodation well in advance, is the festival of the Inti Raymi, on June 24 in Cusco. The Holy Week and the dates around the 28th and 29th of July, national holiday, are often very requested.
Weather at the moment
The weather in Peru is pleasant all year round. There are no intermediate seasons; summer and winter cover different periods of the year depending on the region. Temperatures in Cusco are pleasant all year round. The average temperatures range from 20°C in January to 22°C in October. It rains the most from December to February. The most pleasant time to stay in Cusco is from May to September.
The currency of Peru is the nuevo sol( pluralsoles ) symbolized S/. Even if the cost of living has risen considerably in recent times, a trip to Peru remains affordable (but much less cheap than in Bolivia). As long as you choose unpretentious establishments, you can stay for almost nothing, and the same goes for food. Transportation, even by plane, is not very expensive. Most of the expenses will be devoted to activities. A stay in Cusco will be very affordable.
For a trip to Peru and a stay in Cusco no visa is necessary. A tourist visa for a period of 90 days will be automatically issued upon arrival in the country. The maximum duration is 183 days per year with a tourist visa. Passport controls are possible when crossing a provincial border. You must also present your passport when booking national or international flights and even when purchasing bus tickets from certain companies. The tourist card (or tarjeta migratoria) is now electronic. Your data is automatically entered into the Migraciones system. If you are in the border regions and your visa is about to expire, it is advisable to cross the border to re-enter as a tourist and extend your time there. If you overstay your visa, you will be charged a fine of US$1/day of delay upon exit from the country.
To enter Peru and stay in Cusco, no specific vaccine is required if you are coming from Europe, North America, Oceania or Asia. However, if you have recently traveled to certain countries in Africa or South America, a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever will be required. In addition, it is recommended to be up to date with the usual vaccines (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tetanus-poliomyelitis, typhoid). It is strongly advised to protect yourself against yellow fever and to take a treatment against malaria if you intend to go to the Amazon area. In the same way, think of remaining vigilant against the risks related to the water, that of the tap being not drinkable in Peru.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
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How to go to Cusco? Our advice & tips
Tour operators specialized in this region of South America are legion and know the destination well. By looking at the existing offer you will certainly find the formula that suits you best, both in terms of travel time, areas to focus on and prices. Packages combining flights, lodging and visits to the main Peruvian sites (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Titicaca) are generally interesting and above all greatly facilitate the organization of the stay.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationYou will arrive from Europe at the airport in Lima, so you will need to plan a transfer to Cusco, either by bus or by plane to the airport in Cusco. The average price of a flight to Lima from France in July (high season) is about 1 000 €. From about 700 € in low season. Please note that the price variation depends on the airline used but, above all, on the reservation deadline. To get good rates, it is essential to book in advance, ideally six months before departure! Booking your accommodation in advance can also be a good way to save money.
If you have little time, the poor state of the roads and buses will push you to opt for the plane, the tariffs being very affordable to connect the main points of the country. Otherwise, you will take the bus, the most widespread, cheapest and most practical means of transportation. The country is criss-crossed in all directions by this public transport. A nice train trip (Lima-Huancayo) can be made (twice a month between April and November) while the boat will be your indispensable vehicle in Amazonia: ferries connect Yurimaguas and the Triple Frontier (Peru-Brazil-Colombia) in 3 to 5 days depending on the direction of the current.
