Visiting Cusco, Peru: 21 Do's and Don'ts

Visiting Cusco, Peru: 21 Do's and Don'ts

Peru's Inca gem proves that tourism doesn't have to destroy the charm and soul of a city. Here's what you should know before visiting Cusco

Cusco, Peru is one of the most beautiful, clean and, yes, consistent cities we have ever been to.

The stately colonial architecture, trimmed lawns and expansive views work in immaculate harmony to negate the harmful effects of tourism. Even McDonald’s ubiquitous golden arches are discreetly colored black.

.@KiaAbdullah on Cusco: "This city must have a style guide. Everything is so consistent." #travelwithameditor

– Atlas & Boots (@atlasandboots) April 3, 2015

alt="Visit to Cusco">Atlas & Boots

Of course there are tourist trappings that line a street or two, but it's done in such an orderly, organized way that it's hardly noticeable. In short, the city proves that tourism does not have to destroy the charm and soul of a city. We spent a few days there and put together the following list of tips for visiting Cusco.

21 do's and don'ts

1. Wenn Sie nach Machu Picchu wandern, fliegen Sie nicht am Tag vor Ihrer Abreise ein. Sie brauchen Zeit, um sich zu akklimatisieren, also verbringen Sie zuerst 2-3 Tage in der Stadt. Ein Mädchen auf unserer Wanderung machte diesen Fehler und kämpfte die ganzen fünf Tage.
2. Nehmen Sie es langsam. Cusco ist vollständig begehbar, liegt aber auch 3.399 Meter (11.151 Fuß) über dem Meeresspiegel, also lassen Sie es an Ihrem ersten Tag dort ruhig angehen.
3. Kaufen Sie Ihre Outdoor-Ausrüstung nicht in der Stadt. Wenn Sie zu einer Wanderung aufbrechen, kaufen Sie Ihre gesamte Ausrüstung im Voraus. Gefälschte Etiketten sind weit verbreitet und das echte Angebot kostet normalerweise mehr als den empfohlenen Verkaufspreis.

4. Visit the surrounding ruins. If you have time, hike to the ruins of Sacsahuaman and Qenko on the hill above Cusco for great views over the city.

5. Buy a Boleto Turistico if you want to visit most of the attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It costs 155 PEN (47 USD) and gives access to 16 attractions over 10 days. Buy it at your hostel or at the tourist information office at Avenida El Sol 103.

alt="Visit to Cusco">Atlas & Boots

1. Probieren Sie das lokale Essen. Ob Meerschweinchen (Cuy), Alpaka oder ein weniger abenteuerliches Lomo Saltado (Steak mit würziger Paprika und Zwiebeln sautiert), Cusco hat einige köstliche Restaurants zu bieten. Probieren Sie Cicciolina oder das Restaurant Inkazuela. Wenn Sie das Budget haben, soll El Tupay im großzügigen Hotel Monasterio ausgezeichnet sein.

2. Don't ignore the international food. The falafel at Paloma Imbis is simply delicious. Order a portion with the spicy sauce and dare to eat it all.

3. Stay overnight in a local hospedaje. These are usually run by locals and offer comfortable accommodation at excellent prices. We stayed at Hostal Nueva Alta. It got a bit chilly in the evening, but the nice family more than made up for it.

4. People watch in the Plaza de Armas. There's something deeply relaxing about sitting in the afternoon sun and lazily watching tourists and Peruvians milling about at the Catedral del Cuzco.

5. Stop to enjoy Starbucks and McDonald’s. Unlike all the other branches we've seen, Cusco's is adorned with black logos and brick facades to blend in with the city's aesthetic. A lesson perhaps for their countless other industries?

6. Don't take photos of people without asking. This should be standard everywhere, but Cusco locals are particularly sensitive to it. Be polite.

alt="Visit to Cusco">Atlas & Boots

1. Feilschen. Wie in vielen anderen Touristenstädten werden die Preise erhöht, also scheuen Sie sich nicht, nach einem Rabatt zu fragen. Denken Sie natürlich daran, dass Peru relativ arm ist, also bieten Sie an, was Sie für fair halten, aber nicht weniger.

2. Do not buy alpaca wool. "Baby alpaca? More like 'maybe alpaca!'" the guides in Cusco like to joke. Don't buy cheap knitwear as they are probably fake.

3. Expect rain, which is common from December to March. April to November offers better weather, but pack layers as high altitudes mean cool evenings.

4. Learn about the city's history. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco has a rich and fascinating past.

5. Don’t visit Pisac…unless you are a buyer. The Sunday market in Pisac, 35km from Cusco, offers a range of sights, smells and colors but is not a must-visit for the less enthusiastic shopper. If you want to make the trip, take a bus from Av. Tullumayo 207 (2.50 PEN, 0.75 USD), a colectivo from Puputi Street (4 PEN, 1.2 USD) or a taxi from the city center (around 20 PEN, 6 USD).

6. Buy your bus ticket for onward travel in the city center. Our host pointed us to a bus stop outside of town, but there are ticket sellers in the center. Look out for Cruz del Sur, which offers reliable service.

7. Visit the Nazca Lines before visiting Cusco. If you are coming from Lima, you should visit the lines before coming to Cusco. The route is more logical than zigzagging back and forth.

alt="Nazca Lines Flight">Atlas & BootsOne of the many mysterious Nazca Lines as we saw them from our flight over the area

1. Wenn Sie Machu Picchu wandern, fragen Sie Ihr Hostel, ob Sie Ihre großen Taschen für die Dauer dort lassen können. Die meisten Reiseveranstalter können Ihr Gepäck für Sie aufbewahren, werden es aber zu schätzen wissen, wenn Sie Ihre eigenen Vorkehrungen treffen. Das bedeutet normalerweise, dass Sie nach Ihrer Rückkehr eine Nacht im Hostel verbringen müssen, aber das werden Sie wahrscheinlich trotzdem tun.

2. Take your passport to Machu Picchu if you want to collect one of the coolest passport stamps in the world. You can do this in a small office just inside the entrance to the actual Inca ruins.

3. Celebrate with a Pisco Sour and Limo. Whether you hike to Machu Picchu or book a trip to the summit, you'll see one of the biggest sights on everyone's bucket list - a sure reason to celebrate.

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Visiting Cusco: The essentials

What: Visit to Cusco, Peru.

Where: We stayed at Hostal Nueva Alta, which is run by a nice local family. It was super cheap, but it got chilly in the evenings. You might want to opt for Munaycha Casa or Yawarmaki Hostel instead, both of which come highly recommended by fellow travelers.

When: June to September is the best time to travel weather-wise as there is less chance of rain. However, it is also peak season in terms of tourism, so you may prefer to visit in the shoulder months of April-May or October-Nov.

How: You can fly from Lima to Cusco (book flights via skyscanner.net). Taxis from the airport to the city center cost 30 PEN (9 USD) for official taxis, although you can haggle down a few dollars. Unofficial taxis cost 15 PEN, but we always advise against them.

Visiting Cusco is made easier as it is well connected by bus, but expect long journeys: Lima (24 hours), Puno (6-8 hours), Arequipa (10 hours), Nazca (14-16 hours), Copacabana (9-12 hours) and La Paz (12-15 hours).

We recommend using Bookaway to find bus, ferry and train tickets in Peru. Book buses to Cusco here.

For more information about visiting Cusco, check out the Lonely Planet Guide to Peru.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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