☀️ Best Time to Visit
Cusco’s weather can be a bit tricky. Here’s the scoop:
- Dry Season (May-October): Perfect weather to visit Cusco and hike the Inca Trail, which also means that tourists will be everywhere.
- Rainy Season (November-April): Fewer crowds but bring an umbrella or raincoat!
My Experience: I visited in early April and yes, it rained daily, but only around noon and evening, which didn’t impact my sightseeing plans at all. Mornings and afternoons were perfect for exploring. Temperatures ranged from 5-15°C, and most of the time it felt like 20°C with the sun out.
📅 How Many Days to Spend in Cusco
I recommend 4-5 days to fully experience Cusco:
- 3 days exploring Cusco’s historic center and local markets
- 1 day for Machu Picchu (check out my detailed 1-day Machu Picchu guide)
- 1 optional days for Sacred Valley tours
🛏️ Where to Stay
Cusco has tons of great options, but here’s what you need to know:
Best Areas:
- Historic Center (San Blas)
- Charming cobblestone streets
- Close to main attractions
- Plenty of cute cafes
- Warning: Those hills are no joke! 😅
- Near Plaza de Armas
- Heart of everything
- Perfect for first-timers
- Flat terrain (your lungs will thank you!)
My Choice: I stayed at Illas Inn in Cusco, a charming boutique hotel with an unbeatable location – literally a 2-minute walk from the PeruRail Cusco station, which was very convenient for my early morning Machu Picchu trip (if you’re planning too, check out my ultimate Machu Picchu 1-day travel guide for all the details!). The staff was super nice during my stay, providing personalized service and some great insider tips for travelling in Cusco.
🦙 Getting Around
Getting around Cusco is super easy and won’t break the bank:
- Uber: Your best friend here! Most rides cost just a few dollars
- Walking: The historic center is totally walkable
- Taxis: Available but stick to official ones (yellow cars)
My Experience: I mainly used Uber and found it incredibly reliable and cheap. Plus, no haggling needed!
📸 Recommended Itineraries & Must-See Attractions
Day 1: City Exploration & Acclimatization
- Morning: Plaza de Armas & Cusco Cathedral (Visit early morning to avoid crowds and get those perfect photos!)
- Afternoon: San Blas neighborhood
- Evening: Dinner in the area
The heart and soul of Cusco offers a perfect blend of Inca and colonial architecture. Start your day early at the stunning Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Jesus with its magnificent golden altar.
San Blas is one of my favourite areas in Cusco, known for its artsy vibes and stunning viewpoints overlooking the city. The neighbourhood is filled with cute boutiques, art galleries, and cafes shops. Just be warned – the stairs and steep hills will definitely remind you about the altitude! Your lungs will thank you for taking it slow. 😅
Pro Tip: Grab a seat at one of the balcony restaurants overlooking Plaza de Armas for the best sunset views in Cusco! I recommend going around 5:30 PM to snag a prime spot – order a pisco sour and watch as the golden hour light bathes the cathedral in warm hues. For more Cusco food recommendations, check out my Complete Guide to Peruvian Food.
Day 2: Inca Sites & Local Markets
- Morning: Qorikancha (Sun Temple) & Twelve-Angled Stone
- Afternoon: San Pedro Market
- Evening: Shopping at Centro Artesanal
Just steps from Plaza de Armas, you’ll find some of the most impressive Inca architecture in Peru. Start at Qorikancha (the Sun Temple), the most important religious site of the Inca Empire, where you can marvel at the incredible stonework. A short walk away, you’ll find the famous Twelve-Angled Stone – an engineering masterpiece that showcases the Incas’ architectural precision (yes, I actually counted all twelve angles! 😉). And fun fact – the stones fit together so perfectly you can’t slide a piece of paper between them.
San Pedro Market is where the real Cusco comes alive, bustling with colourful stalls offering fresh produce, local crafts, and traditional food. The market offers an authentic glimpse into daily local life and is a perfect spot for both shopping and sampling Peruvian flavours. 🍊
My Experience: Go hungry and don’t miss trying the fresh fruit juices – they’re incredible! For more Inca sites in Cusco, check out my 9 Days Solo Travel in Peru: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu (Part 1).
Day 3: Machu Picchu Day Trip
- Follow my Ultimate Machu Picchu 1-Day Guide for the detailed plan
5-Day Complete Itinerary: [Add two more days of Sacred Valley tours]
⚠️ Dealing with the Altitude 🏔️
Listen up – this is super important! Cusco sits at a whopping 3,399 meters (11,152 feet) above sea level. Yeah, that’s high! Here’s how to handle it:
- Take it easy your first few days
- Stay hydrated (like, really hydrated)
- Try coca tea (it’s everywhere and helps!)
- Consider altitude sickness meds
- Skip the alcohol for the first 48 hours (I know, I know…)
My Experience: I started feeling better since day 2, but everyone’s different. Listen to your body!
🍴 Must Eats
Trust me, you’ll want to try these local specialties:
- Alpaca: Yes, really! Try the burger at Chakruna Native Burgers
- Cuy: Guinea pig – if you’re brave!
- Choclo con Queso: Giant corn with cheese
Check out the Peru Food Guide I put together, and 🇵🇪 9 Days Solo Travel in Peru: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu (Part 1) to see where I ate.
🛍️ Shopping Spots
- Centro Artesanal Cusco: Great for souvenirs
- San Blas for artisan crafts
- San Pedro Market for local goods
Haggling Tip: Negotiate gently – it’s expected but be respectful!
💡Other Quick Tips
💰 Daily Budget
Here’s what I spent per day:
- Hotel: US$80-90
- Food: US$15-50 (depending on the level of restaurants you go)
- Transport: US$5-10
- Activities: US$10-20
📍 Plan Your Peru Adventure!
I’ve created a detailed Notion travel planner template to help make your Peru trip planning a breeze! Inside you’ll find:
✈️ Complete travel tips
📝 Customizable packing lists
🍽️ Local food recommendations
💰 Budget tracker
🗺️ Interactive Google Maps with all locations
Get Your Planner Here: ⛰️ Peru Cusco & Lima 9-Day Travel Itinerary Planner
