Visiting Peru: Cusco Travel Tips
Once the crown jewel of the continent-stretching Inca empire
, the city of Cusco is a modern tourist mecca with layers of history and culture peeking from every stone doorway. The region's hills and highlands are filled with important archaeological remains and other surprising remnants from the past. With this, a wide array of services have sprung up all along the way to satisfy all types of traveler as they add this city to their South America vacation packages .Cusco
The Sights
The Plaza de Armas is at the center of Cusco, and with bustling neighborhoods combined with carved-stone alleyways to enjoy there is endless fun to be had. The Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman perches above the city, open 7am-6pm and included with a variety of sites on the boleto turistico; 70 Soles for just Cusco sites for one day, 130 Soles for sites across Cusco and the Sacred Valley for ten days. The main Cathedral in the Plaza is that of Santo Domingo, but there are a vast amount of other monasteries and churches open for you to enjoy - entrance charges vary. Cusco is home to many museums of varying quality including the excellent Museum of Pre-Columbian Art on the Plaza Nazarenas, the small but well-curated Traditional Textile Center on the Avenida del Sol and the fun upstart Chocolate Museum on Plaza Regocijo, two blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Souvenir seekers can browse the many small handicraft markets around the central plazas or shop high-end boutiques for alpaca knitwear and silver jewelry. Feast your senses at the giant, central San Pedro market on Calle Santa Clara for a true local shopping experience.
Sleeping and Eating
And, of course, like any other spot in Peru Cusco is brilliant for Andean and hearty Peruvian dishes that come either as fusion or with an international creativity. Be sure to try classic plates like lomo saltado, Andean steak stir-fry, or chicharron, juicy hunks of fried pork with corn and mint salad - one of the big joys of taking Latin America vacations! Big restaurants aimed at tourists offer buffets and ala carte Peruvian specials, like guinea pig or alpaca, plus basic meats, pastas, soups and salads. Wood-fired pizza places and rotisserie chicken joints are omnipresent and dependable. To eat lunch like a Cusqueo, ask at any small, local restaurant for the menu del da and receive a set soup and entree with a sugary tea or refresco drink to wash it down, all for 5-10 soles. Also find restaurants specializing in Italian, Israeli, Spanish, Mexican and even Japanese cuisine in this international hub.
Lucky for the visitor, the number of hotels and hostels in Cusco seems to swell by the hour. All types of lodgings are available, from the luxurious and historic Hotel Monasterio, $400-$2000 USD per night for double occupancy on the Plaza Nazarenas, to the no-frills backpacker haven Hostel La Estrellita, 15 Soles per person per night on Calle Tullumayo. In between, find rooms at a variety of prices points and flavors, from hippie casual to colonial charm, mostly around the historic center of town.
Getting There
Almost all travelers enter Peru through the international airport in Lima. To reach Cusco, choose between an easy one hour flight (from $150 USD round-trip) or an all-day or overnight bus ride. Fare on the cushiest bus company, Cruz del Sur is $140 USD round-trip. Cheaper fares on reasonably comfortable buses can be hunted down at the bus terminals in Cusco or Lima. Visitors during the rainy season, November through March, will be rewarded with fewer crowds and deeper discounts on lodging and tours.
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