Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re traveling to Cusco, Peru. Cusco is the base of most trips to Machu Picchu, so if you are planning to visit the Incan ruins, you will more than likely visit Cusco before and after. We felt that there are a few things you should know before you visit Cusco, that will make your trip much more enjoyable!
Cusco Elevation
Cusco sits at an elevation of 3,000 meters, or 11,000 feet. Altitude sickness is a real problem at those altitudes, and it can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness levels. Jocelyn was pretty sick for the first part of our Cusco trip. Thankfully, most hotels are equipped to help you out, either with coca leaf tea or oxygen masks you can use. Don’t plan any activities for your first day in Cusco; give your body time to adjust to the altitude first. Take it easy and stay hydrated.
How to Deal with Altitude Sickness
Don’t Drink the Tap Water
With the high altitude, it’s important to stay hydrated and drink a LOT of water, both before and during your trip. However, you cannot drink tap water in Peru. Buy bottled water or use a water bottle with a filter. Even brushing your teeth with tap water can result in some issues that are rather unpleasant.
Everything You Need to Know About Traveler’s Diarrhea
Beware of the UV Rays
At this elevation, the sun is super strong. Even when it’s cloudy, it’s super easy to get a sunburn, so make sure you are lathering on the sunscreen and reapplying it. A good sunhat is also a great idea to keep your head and face out of the sun. Make sure you also have a lip balm with SPF as sunburned lips are not fun to have! Depending on the season, you might also need to bring some bug spray on your Cusco trip.
Best Things to Do in Cusco
While Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu, you definitely want to leave some time to explore this city as well. There are some great cathedrals, which are usually open to the public from 6-10 in the morning. Cusco also has several great museums, like the Inca Museum and the Textile Museum. We’re pretty independent travelers, but we signed up for a tour of Cusco, and it was really great. There are many Cusco tours to choose from; including city tours and hiking tours. They can customize a hike to your ability and effort, and it may be a great way to acclimate after a few days. There are dozens of tour agencies in town, so even if you don’t pre-plan your entire Cusco trip, you can still book tours when you arrive.
Cusco Weather
We visited in December, and the weather was really nice. The rainy season runs from November to April, but it didn’t rain a ton while we were there. The dry season is from May to October. The biggest tourist months are May through August. You’ll have the best weather, but also the highest prices and the most crowds at that time. (Do note that the Inca Trail is closed in February!)
Traffic in Cusco
Traffic in Cusco is crazy. The drivers are crazy, so I don’t recommend driving, but even as a pedestrian, you have to be really careful when walking near traffic. Accidents and near-misses are almost constant around Cusco. Be sure you follow the traffic lights, but also look in both directions before crossing any street. Even if you have the light.
Vendors & Peddlers
We call it the gauntlet. Every time you step out of your hotel, expect to “run the gauntlet” of vendors trying to sell you things. There is always someone trying to sell you something in Cusco. From photo souvenirs to alpaca sweaters, you can park yourself in the main square and all of the shopping will come to you. A lot of them are selling the exact same items, and it can be frustrating after a while. They are very friendly, though, and not aggressive.
Cusco Accommodation
With Cusco being such a tourist hub, there are plenty of hotels in Cusco for all budgets and travel styles. Whether you want a backpacker hostel or a nicer hotel, you’ll have many options in Cusco.
Safety in Cusco
We have felt very safe everywhere in Cusco. Even visiting Peru with kids, we haven’t felt uncomfortable anywhere, especially Cusco. It’s also very clean, so you can tell they really take pride in their city.
We have so enjoyed our time in Cusco and hope that these travel tips help you enjoy your Cusco trip as well. If you want more tips on traveling in Peru, check out some of our other blog posts: