Cusco
Peru
Plaza de ArmasPhoto: FrederickCusco · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cusco CathedralPhoto: PoolPs · CC BY-SA 4.0
CoricanchaPhoto: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
SacsayhuamánPhoto: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Church of La Compañía de JesúsPhoto: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
About Cusco
Cusco sits in the Peruvian Andes at about 11,200 feet and was the capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th century until 1532. The city was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Spanish colonial churches and mansions were built on top of Inca walls, and this layering is the city's most striking feature. Cusco is also the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Natural phenomena and seasons
- Altitude — The city lies more than 6,500 feet above sea level. In the first days you may tire quickly or have headaches and shortness of breath; drink plenty of water and avoid heavy exertion on day one.
How many days do you need?
Allow two or three days for the city itself, keeping the first day easy while you adjust to the altitude. Add at least two more days for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Where to stay
- Historic center — Around the Plaza de Armas, within walking distance of the main sights.
- San Blas — A hillside quarter near the center with narrow lanes, craft workshops and cafés; expect steep streets.
From the airport to the city
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) is about 2.3 miles from the historic center; a taxi gets you into town quickly. A new airport for the region is under construction at Chinchero.
Getting around
The historic center is best explored on foot, but take hills slowly at this altitude. Taxis cover longer distances. Trains to Machu Picchu leave from San Pedro station in the city and from Poroy just outside it; PeruRail's Titicaca Train runs to Puno.
Good to know
- The city is at about 11,200 feet, and altitude sickness (headache, shortness of breath, nausea) is common. Rest on your first days, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol; if symptoms get worse, go to a lower altitude and seek medical help. If you have a heart or lung condition, consult your doctor before traveling.
- Machu Picchu entry tickets and trains are limited; book ahead.
- The currency is the Peruvian sol.
Useful links
- Peru Travel (official Peru tourism site) peru.travel
- PeruRail perurail.com
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: August–November. The warmest month is September (average high 65 °F); the wettest is February (6.1 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 62.2 | 4.70 | Good |
| February | 62.1 | 6.15 | Good |
| March | 62.1 | 3.62 | Good |
| April | 61.9 | 1.99 | Good |
| May | 62.2 | 0.31 | Good |
| June | 62.6 | 0.20 | Good |
| July | 63.5 | 0.30 | Good |
| August | 65.1 | 0.24 | Ideal |
| September | 65.5 | 0.57 | Ideal |
| October | 65.3 | 2.39 | Ideal |
| November | 65.1 | 3.17 | Ideal |
| December | 63.1 | 5.48 | Good |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Maundy ThursdayMarch 25
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Easter SundayMarch 28
- Labour DayMay 1
- Battle of Arica and Flag DayJune 7
- Saints Peter and PaulJune 29
- Peruvian Air Force DayJuly 23
- Independence DayJuly 28
- Independence DayJuly 29
- Battle of JunínAugust 6
- Santa Rosa de LimaAugust 30
- Battle of AngamosOctober 8
- All Saints' DayNovember 1
- Immaculate ConceptionDecember 8
- Battle of AyacuchoDecember 9
- Christmas DayDecember 25
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyPeruvian Sol (S/.)
- Dialling code+51
- Plugs & voltageType A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz
- EmergencyPolice 105 · Ambulance 106 · Fire 116
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.