Cusco is the historical capital of Peru. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. The city is sometimes spelled Cuzco or with its name in Quechua: Qosqo. It is the capital of the Cusco Region and of the Province with the same name. In 2013, the city of Cusco had a population of 435,114. It is located about 3,400 m (11,200 ft) in the Andes.
Cusco is a very interesting city with many things to do and see. And the city is the perfect starting place to explore the beautiful nature in the Andes, practice adventure sports and go on excursions. Inside and outside the city, you can discover everything that has to do with the ancient Inca Empire. Visit this city in the Cusco Peru vacation packages.
Today Cusco is a place where Peruvians meet their culture and traditions. But due to tourism, you can also find the services that you are used to in the modern world. Therefore, it is not a coincidence that Mundo Antiguo Spanish school is located in this beautiful Peruvian city.
Why visit Cusco?
Cusco is fascinating for being a destination where you will find, history, nature, adventure, art, gastronomy and customs that are kept alive. Come and enjoy the warmth of a town the warmth of a town that enjoys with visitors, Cusco awaits you. You cannot miss the opportunity to visit this city! There is a lot of things to do in Cusco.
Weather
The city of Cusco has a semi-dry and cold climate.
- Maximum temperature 21 ° C / 70 ° F
- Minimum temperature 1 ° C / 34 ° F
Things to do in Cusco
Here is a list of things to do in Cusco and places you should visit in the city:
Main Square of Cusco
- Visiting hours: During the day and at night.
- Location: Surrounded by the city’s cathedral and the Society of Jesus.
In Inca times it was called “Haucaypata”, a Quechua word that means place of the warrior. It was an important ceremonial place where the Inti Raymi or Fiesta del Sol was celebrated every year.
Cusco Cathedral
- Visiting hours: Mon-Sun 10: 00-18: 00 hours, includes holidays.
- Location: Plaza de Armas.
The façade and the interior are dominated by the Renaissance style, with a rich interior decoration in carvings in cedar and alder. The choir and the pulpit stand out for their beauty. It preserves an important collection of paintings from the Cusco school and embossed silver objects.
Temple of the Society of Jesus
- Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:15 / Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 11:00 and from 13:00 to 17:15.
- Location: Plaza de Armas.
The original temple was built in 1571 on the grounds of the old Amarucancha, palace of the Inca Huayna Capac. After the 1650 earthquake it had to be rebuilt around 1688. Upon entering the temple, the main altar with three sections and Solomonic columns, the wooden pulpit and numerous Baroque, Plateresque and Churrigueresque altarpieces stand out. Among the works of art, “The Marriage of Martín García de Loyola with Beatriz Clara Coya” stands out.
San Blas neighborhood
- Visiting hours: During the day.
- Location: 4 blocks from the Plaza de Armas.
Called “T’oqokachi or Salt Hollow,” with narrow, steep streets and beautiful colonial-style houses. It is known as the Barrio de los Artesanos. Many families offer accommodation in their homes, and San Blas is known for its talented artisans.
Temple of San Blas
- Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday 08:00 – 18:00 / Holidays 8:00 -18: 00 hours.
- Location: Plazoleta San Blas.
Built in 1560 during the colony, it preserves a baroque pulpit that constitutes a masterpiece of woodwork and carving, attributed to the indigenous artist Diego Quispe Tito.
Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Complex
- Visiting hours: Mon-Sun and holidays 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Location: 2 km northeast of the city of Cusco (10 minutes by car).
The complex encompasses 33 archaeological sites, of which the best known is Sacsayhuaman. The consensus in the opinion of the chroniclers would indicate that the construction of Saqsayhuaman began at the end of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century, under the leadership of the Inca Pachacuteq; the references of the time that said construction lasted, indicate an approximate of 60 years. It is described as cyclopean due to the size of its stones, some of which weigh between 90 and 128 tons. Every June 24 is the scene of the Inti Raymi or Fiesta del Sol.
Qenko Archaeological Complex
- Visiting hours: Mon-Sun and holidays 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Location: 3 km northwest of the city of Cusco (10 minutes by car).
Qenko or “labyrinth” is considered a sacred place in which ceremonies were celebrated in honor of the Sun, the Moon and the stars.
Puka Pukara Archaeological Complex
- Visiting hours: Mon-Sun and holidays 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Location: 7 km northeast of the city of Cusco (15 minutes by car and 2 hours on foot).
The complex has numerous enclosures, interior squares, aqueducts, watchtowers and roads; it would have served as a tambo or place of rest and lodging. According to what is said, every time the Inca got ready to visit Tambomachay, he was accompanied by a large retinue that stayed at Puka Pukara. Because of its fortified appearance they call it a fortress.
Tambomachay Archaeological Complex
- Visiting hours: Mon-Sun and holidays 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Location: 7.5 km northwest of the city of Cusco (20 minutes by car).
It would have fulfilled an important religious function linked to water and the regeneration of the land. The place has an approximate area of ??half a hectare and the material used for its construction was limestone with polygonal-style rigging.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Visiting hours: Visiting season is between the months of March to January (February closed for maintenance).
- Location: The location of the tour varies depending on the section you want to travel.
The most popular route begins at Km 82 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railway (40 Km until reaching the citadel of Machu Picchu). Another possibility, which requires less time, is the Sacred Way, which begins at Km 104 of the same road.
Along the way you can see numerous streams and water courses of glacial origin, as well as twelve archaeological sites.
Salineras de Maras
- Visiting hours: During the day.
- Location: 10 km from the town of Maras (30 minutes by car or 2 hours on foot).
Salt mines whose exploitation is as old as the Tahuantinsuyo. The villagers channel the saline water that emanates from the ground into pools where, due to the effects of the sun, it evaporates, leaving the salt on the surface, which is then treated to be sold in the local market.
Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
- Visiting hours: Mon-Sun 06:00 – 16:00. Departure time 17:00 hours.
- Location: 110 km northwest of the city of Cusco (4 hours by train), until you reach the town of Machu Picchu, from where you travel 8 km more to the citadel (20 minutes by bus).
The jewel of Inca architecture and the main tourist destination in Peru. The citadel originated in the 15th century and is attributed to the Inca Pachacútec. The archaeological complex is divided into two sectors that cover approximately 20 hectares: The agricultural, with terraces up to 4 meters high; the urban one, with various buildings and squares. The stone blocks used in the work were extracted from the surrounding areas. The fine finish of the walls offers different qualities and techniques, one of the best achieved is the central wall of the Main Temple, with blocks that fit perfectly.
The Machupicchu Historic Sanctuary also constitutes an ecological reserve of invaluable flora and fauna with varieties of orchids and species such as the cock of the rocks. In 1983 it was declared a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO and in July 2007 it was elected, by universal vote, as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Cusco Airport
The Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport or Cusco Airport is the second most important airport in Peru, behind the Lima Airport, the air terminal is located in the Region and Province of Cusco, in the District of Wanchac-San Sebastián, about 3.7 km from the imperial city of Cuzco.
The Cusco Airport receives flights from the main cities of Peru and also international flights, since Cuzco has one of the great wonders of the world, which is the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Transport
Bus
Although buses cannot enter to the Cusco Airport, they usually park outside the airport to take you to the city center. There are also minibuses – which can hold up to 40 people – whose cost is 60 cents per person, which will take you to the Plaza Mayor.
Taxi
Boarding a taxi is the safest means of transport to get from the Cusco Airport to the city. The Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport has an official taxi company; they are inside the airport.