How to get to Lima?

The quickest and simplest recommendation for getting to Lima is to take an international flight from anywhere in the world to Jorge Chavez International Airport, located in the capital of Lima – Peru. Once in Lima, you can take two options to get to Cusco as follows:

How to get to Cusco from Lima?

Economic Option – National Ground Transport from Lima to Cusco

Lima has several bus terminals that provide services to all destinations in the country, but this terminal is the one you need to take to get to Cusco.

Great North Plaza Bus Terminal (LIMA)

This terminal is located in a very specific place in the city on Av. Túpac Amaru in the center of Lima, in this terminal you can find transport services that offer up to 150 national destinations such as Ica, Puno, Arequipa, Cusco, Tumbes as well as international destinations to Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina.

If you want to store your luggage here next to this Terminal is the Plaza Norte Shopping Center where you can store your luggage and also use Free WI-FI, have a coffee, there are also some ATMs and taxis available.

Important: The bus trip from Lima to Cusco has a duration of approximately 18 to 22 hours (1108 KM) and prices vary according to the services offered by each transportation company, ranging from 130 soles to 180 soles. Our recommendation is to take the OLTURSA transportation as it offers onboard services such as a pillow, blanket for the cold, and some drinks.

Flight Option from Lima to Cusco

One of the main International Airports in Peru is the Jorge Chavez Airport, located on Elmer Faucett Avenue in Callao, a constitutional province 10 kilometers from downtown Lima. This airport offers a wide range of international and national destinations throughout Peru, including the former Inca Empire capital, Cusco. If you are planning to travel to Cusco, this is the option you should choose.)

The Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco also offers domestic flights and some international flights such as:

• Flights from Buenos Aires
• Flights from Rosario
• Flights from Cordoba
• Flights from Mendoza
• Flights from Foz de Iguazu
• Flights from Santiago de Chile

Important: The plane trip from Lima to Cusco covers a distance of 557 kilometers with an average travel time of 42 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes approximately. The prices for flights from Lima to Cusco range from 70 USD to 38 USD, depending on the airline you choose.

Once at the Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco, you have three options to choose from to get to the center of Cusco.

If you are staying in the center of Cusco, here are three recommendations for getting to the center:

Take a taxi from the Teniente Velasco Astete Airport

You can take a taxi service from within the airport, which is associated and the fares range from S/. 30 to S/.40 soles to the center of Cusco. It is also very safe as the drivers are identified with a card that contains personal information and a photo of the driver associated with the Teniente Velasco Astete Airport.

Take a taxi from Avenida Velasco Astete

You can also take a taxi service outside the airport on Avenida Velasco Astete, ensuring that the vehicle has the taxi number or plate identified on all four sides – front, sides, and back. The prices for the service range from S/. 15 to S/. 20 soles.

Economical option, take public transportation

To use this service, you must go outside the airport to Avenida Velasco Astete. On the right-hand side, there is a specific stop for public transportation. This service is recommended for tourists with minimal luggage and heading to the Historic Center of Cusco. These public transports are usually crowded and of local use. If this does not bother you, you can take the “Correcaminos” service, which is easy to recognize with their blue color and runs every 10 to 15 minutes. The cost is S/. 1 sol. If you are going to the center of Cusco, remember to get off at the Almagro stop, where the Plaza de Armas de Cusco is just a block away.)

Ideal Season to Travel to Cusco

The best season to visit Cusco is from April to November, as these months are the dry season, meaning there is no rain and you will be able to appreciate the best clear landscapes such as Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and others. Additionally, you will not miss out on some festivities in Cusco such as Inti Raymi (Andean New Year), a celebration that takes place on June 24th each year. Remember that during this month there are many festivities nearly every day at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, including native dances from the region and traditional dishes like Chiriuchu, Baked Guinea Pig, and more.

In these months, the high season is upon us, so Hotels, flights, tours increase their prices, and also some tickets like to Huaynapicchu, Inca Trail, MachuPicchu sell out very quickly, so it is recommended to book far in advance.

The Other Economical Season to Visit Cusco

The low and economical season to visit Cusco is from October to March, during these months the weather is rainy, so prices in Hotels, Excursions, flights are cheaper. Likewise, tourist attractions like Machu Picchu and others are not overcrowded with tourists.

Some entry requirements to Peru

As a requirement to enter Peru, it is necessary to present your valid passport. If you are from one of the countries we mention below – Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, and Bolivia – you can enter with just your national identity documents.

In countries in the Americas and Western Europe, mentioning Peru, entries are free and they do not need to apply for a tourist visa; they can enter freely for 183 days as authorities have stipulated.

If you wish to stay in Peru for a longer period for leisure, study, or other purposes, you must apply for a visa at Peruvian consulates.

What to do in Cusco?

In this article, we present what you can do in Cusco through paid tours, excursions, as well as recommendations on what you can do for free in Cusco.

What to do in Cusco for a fee?

In Cusco, there are many things to do such as visiting museums, churches, archaeological sites, and natural attractions, so you have to buy your Tourist Ticket that includes some of these activities. Here are the most popular and best-selling ones:

• Machu Picchu Bike Tour
• Inca Trail (Trek)
• Choquequirao Excursion (Trek)
• Lares Trek
• Salkantay Trek
• Trek to Nevado Ausangate
• Inca Jungle (Activities)
• Sacred Valley Tour
• Cusco City Tour, Museum, Church, Cultural Attractions
• Maras and Moray Tour
• Rainbow Mountain Tour
• Humantay Lagoon Tour
• Palccoyo Colorful Mountain Tour
• South Valley Tour
• And more activities

All these activities or tours in Cusco are from half a day to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days, such as the Choquequirao excursion.

If you are looking for any other specific activity, please inquire here.

What to do in Cusco for free?

In the city of Cusco itself, there are many things to see for free, as the historic center of Cusco preserves the richest Inca and colonial architecture in South America, which is why it was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1983. Here are the places you can visit for free in Cusco:

• Plaza de Armas de Cusco
• Calle Loreto
• The Cathedral (from 6am to 8am from Monday to Saturday)
• The Stone of the 12 Angles
• The Mural Painting on Av. El Sol
• The Local Market of San Blas
• San Blas Neighborhood
• San Blas Viewpoint
• Botanical Garden of Plants, Plaza San Francisco
• San Pedro Central Market
• Regocijo or Kusipata Square
• San Cristóbal Viewpoint
• Cristo Blanco Viewpoint
• Inca Ruins Temple of the Moon (Amaru Markawasi)
• Inca Ruins Temple of the Monkey (Cusilluchayoq)
• Inca Ruins Inca Profile (Chuspiyoq)

All these mentioned sites can be visited for free by walking, you don’t need to buy any Tourist Ticket. If you need a Tour Guide who offers a Free Tour of these places, click here.

Where to Stay in Cusco?

Here in this article we mention some areas around the historic center where you can stay:

San Blas area, is a beautiful area located in the high part of the historic center including a beautiful viewpoint where you can see the whole city of Cusco, you can also find many hostels, backpackers, lodges, tourist restaurants, craft shops, paint shops and more.

Plaza de Armas area, here in this area you can find a variety of hotels, obviously the prices are very high because they are easier to locate for any tour pick-up, you will also find restaurants, jewelry stores, stores selling alpaca and vicuña clothing, bars, nightclubs, and travel agencies.

Santa Clara area, here in this area you will find the most well-known hostels and backpackers in Cusco such as Wildrover, Loki Hostel, Intro Hostel and also another viewpoint in Santa Clara where you can see the city from another angle.

San Pedro area, this area is located 4 blocks from the Plaza de Armas where you will find very affordable accommodations close to the central market of San Pedro and the Paraiso shopping center where cell phone repairs and other services are available.

As other very economical alternatives for families and couples, we recommend the Airbnb platform, they are very affordable including a kitchen, laundry, and other amenities depending on what the host includes on this platform, the only drawback is that they are located further away from the historic center.

Where to Buy Handicrafts in Cusco?

If you are looking for an original alpaca or vicuña garment, buy it in a legal store near the Plaza de Armas where they will help you recognize the alpaca and vicuña garment.

If you are looking for art such as paintings, ceramics, and woodcarvings that are a mix of Andean and pre-Columbian art, we recommend going to the neighborhood of San Blas, on the street of Cuesta de San Blas.

If you are looking for affordable clothes and gifts, the San Pedro Market is one of the recommended places where you will find a great variety of these gifts for the family.

If you want to help by buying crafts from local people such as hats, gloves, ponchos, and scarves, you can do so when visiting the Sacred Valley in the town of Pisac.

What typical dishes to eat and where to eat these delicious dishes in Cusco?

Peruvian food without a doubt leaves many wanting to try and judge for themselves about Peruvian cuisine, here below is a list of authentic and ancient Cusco dishes.

Cuy Chactado Baked Guinea Pig Chicken Soup Chiriuchu (only in the month of June) Stew Lamb Soup Olluquito with Charqui or jerky

If you want to try these delicious Cusco dishes, you can find them at the Typical and Traditional Chicherías or Picanterías, where you can also try chicha, an Inca drink made from fermented corn.

If you’re looking for a more touristy place in Cusco, I recommend you visit the Inka Grill restaurant located in the main square on Plateros Street.

You can also visit the famous restaurant of Gaston Acurio, known as Chicha, located in the Regocijo square, just one block away from the main square.

Cusco and Sacred valley Bus station

This terminal in Cusco is located on Av. Micaela Bastida, 20 minutes from the historic center. It offers ticket services, tourist information center, taxi service, ATMs, luggage storage, restrooms, security, and some shops. Here you can find destinations nationwide, as well as international ones. Some of the national and international destinations are:

• Puno
• Lima
• Ica
• Arequipa
• Trujillo
• Tumbes
• Bolivia
• Argentina

Bus station for the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, this terminal is located on Pavitos Street, very close to the Historic Center.

Bus station for the Sacred Valley Pisaq, also located near the historic center of Cusco on Puputi Street, next to the main avenue La Cultura.

Regular schedules for public and private services in Cusco usually end around 9 or 10 pm.

Peruvian Currency

The official currency of Peru is the new sol. Below you can see the types of coins and bills in Peru: Coins:

• 10 cents
• 20 cents
• 50 cents
• 1 new sol
• 2 new soles
• 5 new soles

Bills:

• 10 new soles
• 20 new soles
• 50 new soles
• 100 new soles
• 200 new soles

If you wish to exchange foreign currency, you can do so at banks or exchange houses located on Av. El Sol. They are open from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, and only until noon on Saturdays.

In the historic center of Cusco, you can find many ATMs that are open 24 hours.

Services in Cusco such as restaurants, clothing stores, jewelry stores, travel agencies, and others also accept credit card payments like MasterCard, Visa, American Express, local currency, or US Dollars. In special cases, they may not accept cards.