Cusco, Cuzco Department, Peru

Cusco travel guide

From Wikipedia and maps · Wikipedia · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo

Inca heartland and the gateway to Machu Picchu. The best time to visit Cusco is May, June, July and August. A mid-range trip runs roughly $130/person/day before flights.

Best time

May, June, July

Ideal length

4 days

~Cost/day

$130

Currency

USD

Plan Cusco

Days, budget, and flights. You can edit it after.

Build my Cusco trip

Best day trips from Cusco → More in Peru → Where to stay in Cusco →

Best time to visit Cusco

The best time to visit Cusco is May, June, July and August. Here's the average temperature through the year:

12°

11°

10°

11°

12°

Planning a specific month?

Cusco in May Cusco in June Cusco in July Cusco in August

Top things to do in Cusco

Highlights from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap.

Culture & sights

LANSA Flight 502

LANSA Flight 502 was a Lockheed L-188A Electra operated by Líneas Aéreas Nacionales Sociedad Anónima (LANSA) which crashed shortly after takeoff from Quispiquilla Airport near Cusc

~$5 · 1.5h

Estadio Garcilaso

Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, commonly known as Estadio Garcilaso, is Cusco's principal stadium and the home venue of the local football teams Cienciano, Deportivo Garcilaso a

~$5 · 1.5h

Cusco District

Cusco is a district in the northern Cusco Province within the Cusco Region of Peru. It is bordered by districts of Ccorca and Poroy on the west, the provinces of Anta, the Calca, a

~$5 · 1.5h

Wanchaq District

Wanchaq District is one of eight districts of the province Cusco in Peru. It includes Avenida de la Cultura, and Avenida de los Incas. It is home to 2 hospitals, and borders the di

~$5 · 1.5h

Nature & outdoors

Araway Qhata

Araway Qhata which further to the south is named Kunturuma is a mountain in the south of the city of Cusco in Peru. It lies in the Cusco Region, Cusco Province, Santiago District.

Free · 2h

Muyu Urqu

Muyu Urqu is an archaeological site and a prominent hill in Peru. It is situated in the Cusco Region, Cusco Province, Santiago District, east of the mountain Araway Qhata, at the r

Free · 2h

Food & markets

Local food tour of Cusco

Taste the signature dishes of Cusco.

~$25 · 2h

Central market & street-food lunch

Grab lunch where locals do.

~$12 · 1.3h

A sample 4-day Cusco itinerary

Day 1

09:00 · LANSA Flight 50212:30 · Araway Qhata16:00 · Central market & street-food lunch

Day 2

09:00 · Estadio Garcilaso12:30 · Muyu Urqu16:00 · Wanchaq District

Day 3

09:00 · Cusco District12:30 · Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, Cusco16:00 · Coricancha

Day 4

09:00 · Coliseo Cerrado12:30 · National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Cusco16:00 · Cusco province

A sample plan. See the full 4-day Cusco itinerary →

Cusco travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Cusco?+

The best months to visit Cusco are May, June, July and August, when the weather is most comfortable for sightseeing.

How many days do you need in Cusco?+

Most travellers find 4 days ideal for Cusco, enough to see the highlights without rushing. Add a day or two if you want day trips.

Is Cusco expensive to visit?+

Budget roughly $130 per person per day for a mid-range trip in Cusco (accommodation, food and activities), before flights. Costs scale up or down with your travel style.

What are the top things to do in Cusco?+

Popular highlights include LANSA Flight 502, Estadio Garcilaso, Cusco District and Wanchaq District. There's a longer list above, or start a plan and swap things in.

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Getting to & from Cusco

Mexico City → Cusco Lima → Cusco Cusco → New York Cusco → San Francisco

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