Practical tips
Altitude sickness in Cusco: how to prevent it and what to do
Cusco sits at about 3,400 m. Altitude sickness symptoms, warning signs, how to acclimatize, coca tea, medication and when to do the highest day trips.
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Practical tips
40 guides
Before thinking about tours, it pays to sort out the basics: getting from the airport, moving around, getting cash, how safe Cusco is and how altitude affects you. These guides answer the questions travellers ask most.
Before you go
eSIM for Peru
Land connected: install an Airalo data eSIM before you travel and switch it on when you land. Check first that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
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Practical tips
Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): what's included and is it worth it
Guide to the Cusco Tourist Ticket (COSITUC): full and partial tickets, sites in each circuit, what it does NOT include, where to buy it and how to use it.
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Practical tips
How many days in Cusco + 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries
How many days do you need in Cusco? Short answer, key factors (altitude, Machu Picchu, treks) and day-by-day 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries.
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Practical tips
Best time to visit Cusco and what to pack
Dry and rainy seasons month by month, main festivals, approximate temperatures and a practical packing list for Cusco and Machu Picchu.
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Practical tips
Cusco weather by month: temperatures, rain and what to expect
What Cusco's weather is like each month: approximate day and night temperatures, rain, crowds and festivals, with tips for Machu Picchu and treks.
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Practical tips
Cusco airport to the city centre: taxi, ride apps, transfers and approximate prices
How to get from Alejandro Velasco Astete airport to central Cusco or straight to the Sacred Valley: options, times, approximate prices and safety tips.
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Practical tips
Is Cusco safe? Real risks and practical tips for a worry-free trip
How safe Cusco is for tourists: theft, taxis, nightlife, protests, altitude and adventure tours. Areas, times of day and what to do in an emergency.
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Practical tips
Cusco to Lima (and Lima to Cusco): flight or bus, travel times and tips
How to travel between Cusco and Lima: 1–1.5-hour direct flights or a roughly 20–22-hour bus, routes, approximate prices, stops in Nazca and Ica, altitude tips.
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Practical tips
Getting around Cusco: taxis, ride apps, city buses and colectivos
Cusco transport guide: walking the centre, taxis and approximate fares, ride-hailing apps, city buses, colectivos to the Sacred Valley and safety tips.
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Practical tips
Cusco to Puno and Lake Titicaca: bus, tourist bus, train or plane
How to get from Cusco to Puno: direct bus (about 6–7 h), tourist bus with stops at Raqchi and La Raya, scenic train or flight to Juliaca. Altitude, tips and what to see on Titicaca.
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Practical tips
Cusco to La Paz (Bolivia): routes, border crossing and tips
How to travel from Cusco to La Paz: bus via Puno through Desaguadero or Copacabana, travel time, border crossing, Bolivia entry requirements, flights and practical tips.
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Practical tips
SIM, eSIM and internet in Cusco: how to stay connected in Peru
How to get mobile data in Cusco and Machu Picchu: an eSIM before you travel, a local SIM with your passport, coverage in the Sacred Valley and on treks, wi-fi and tips to stay online.
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Practical tips
Cusco to Arequipa: overnight bus, flights, via Puno or by luxury train
How to get from Cusco to Arequipa: overnight bus (duration, classes, safety), direct or connecting flights, the route via Puno and Titicaca, the luxury train and altitude tips.
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Practical tips
Coca leaf in Cusco: tea, chewing, altitude sickness and whether you can take it home
All about coca leaf in Cusco: its cultural role, how it's used (tea, chewing, sweets), what's known about altitude sickness, drug tests and why you shouldn't take it home.
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Practical tips
Money in Cusco: soles, ATMs, exchange offices and cards
How to handle money in Cusco: the Peruvian sol, ATMs and fees, exchange offices, US dollars, card payments, tipping, fake notes and safety tips.
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Practical tips
Rainy season in Cusco and Machu Picchu: what to expect and how to make the most of it
Visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu in the rainy season (November to March): weather, the February Inca Trail closure, treks, what to pack, upsides and planning tips.
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Practical tips
Cusco to the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo: colectivo, taxi, tour and train
Transport from Cusco to the Sacred Valley: colectivos to Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, taxis and private transfers, from the airport, tours and trains, with rough times and tips.
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Practical tips
Health in Cusco: vaccines, yellow fever, water, sun and first-aid kit
Health tips for Cusco: recommended vaccines, yellow fever and the jungle, altitude sickness, drinking water, UV index, stomach issues, first-aid kit, pharmacies and insurance.
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Practical tips
Luggage storage in Cusco: hotels, left-luggage, the Machu Picchu train and treks
How and where to store luggage in Cusco while you visit Machu Picchu or trek: hotel storage, left-luggage services, train baggage limits and safety tips.
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Practical tips
Is Cusco worth it? What to do beyond Machu Picchu and how long to stay
Is Cusco worth it beyond Machu Picchu? What to see in the city, the Sacred Valley and the mountains, who it suits, real downsides and 3 to 7-day itineraries.
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Practical tips
Things to do in Cusco: 30 essentials in the city and beyond
Things to do in Cusco: the city's essentials, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, day trips, treks, food, markets and festivals, with 1- to 3-day plans.
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Practical tips
What to pack for Cusco and Machu Picchu: a packing list by season
Packing list for Cusco and Machu Picchu: layered clothing, dry and rainy season, the backpack size allowed at Machu Picchu, an altitude first-aid kit, documents and what to leave home.
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Practical tips
PeruRail vs Inca Rail: how to choose your Machu Picchu train (no invented schedules)
PeruRail vs Inca Rail to Machu Picchu: classes (Expedition/Vistadome vs Voyager/360°), stations, seasonal Poroy, bimodal service and tips. Verify official prices and times.
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Practical tips
Cusco in 5 days: itinerary with Machu Picchu (updated 2026)
A 5-day Cusco itinerary: sleep in the Sacred Valley first, visit Machu Picchu, then explore Cusco. Daily plan, booking order and 7-day extension.
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Practical tips
Cusco to Nazca and Huacachina: bus, flights over the lines and dunes
How to get from Cusco to Nazca and the Huacachina oasis: a direct bus of about 15 hours or via Lima, Nazca Lines flights, sandboarding near Ica and a 3–4 day route.
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Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu tickets: how to buy them on the official site and not miss out
Where to buy official Machu Picchu tickets, how far ahead, approximate prices, entry time slots, in-person tickets in Aguas Calientes and common mistakes.
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Tours
How to choose a tour agency in Cusco: a checklist to get it right
What to check before booking a tour in Cusco: licence, what's included, group size, guide, porter welfare, cancellation, payment and booking online vs on the street.
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Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu via Hidroeléctrica and Santa Teresa: the budget route step by step
How to reach Machu Picchu without the outbound train: van from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica via Santa María and Santa Teresa, the walk along the tracks to Aguas Calientes, timings, risks and tips.
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Culture and history
Basic Quechua phrases for your trip to Cusco (with pronunciation)
Learn greetings and useful Quechua phrases for Cusco: hello, thank you, please, how much, numbers, words you'll see everywhere and tips to use them respectfully.
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Travel styles
Cusco on a budget: saving on accommodation, food, transport and Machu Picchu
How to visit Cusco cheaply: an indicative daily budget, hostels, set lunches, local transport, the Tourist Ticket, budget Machu Picchu, free things to do and costly mistakes.
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Travel styles
Learning Spanish in Cusco: schools, formats, homestays and volunteering
How to study Spanish in Cusco: course types, private or group classes, homestays, cultural activities, volunteering, rough prices and how to choose a school.
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Travel styles
Cusco for digital nomads: internet, neighbourhoods, coworking and daily life
Living and working remotely from Cusco: internet quality, neighbourhoods, coworking, cost of living, altitude, visas, time zone, community and practical tips.
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Travel styles
Solo female travel in Cusco: safety, accommodation, tours and tips
Guide for women travelling solo to Cusco: safety, taxis, accommodation, group tours and treks, nightlife, ceremonies, clothing, meeting people and emergency numbers.
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Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu rules: what to bring, bag size, banned items and guides
Rules for visiting Machu Picchu: passport and timed ticket, one-way circuits, bag size, banned items, guides, toilets, food, clothing and what to bring.
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Hiking and trekking
Trekking gear rental and shops in Cusco: what to rent, what to bring and tips
Trekking gear in Cusco: renting sleeping bags, poles and jackets, outdoor shops, what agencies include, what to bring from home, checking gear and a packing list.
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Markets
How to shop at Cusco's markets: bargaining, yapa and safety
A practical guide to shopping at Cusco's markets: typical hours, cash, respectful bargaining, the yapa, photos, pickpockets and which market to choose.
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Crafts and shopping
What you can take home from Peru: customs, coca, food and crafts
Before buying souvenirs in Cusco: which products are banned or restricted when leaving Peru and entering your country (coca, seeds, vicuña, antiquities, food).
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Crafts and shopping
Supermarkets and malls in Cusco: where to stock up
Where to shop for groceries in Cusco: Real Plaza with Plaza Vea, Tottus, central minimarkets and markets. What to buy before a trek, pharmacies and payment tips.
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Adventure sports
Adventure sports safety in Cusco: choosing an operator and avoiding risks
How to do rafting, ziplining, paragliding, canyoning or ATV tours in Cusco safely: choosing an operator, checking gear, altitude, weather, insurance and red flags.
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Travel styles
Cusco in 3 days: a realistic itinerary with acclimatization, city and Sacred Valley
A 3-day Cusco itinerary: acclimatize on day 1, city and nearby ruins on day 2, Sacred Valley or a short day trip on day 3. Altitude tips, tourist ticket and useful links.
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