Peruvian fruits in Cusco markets: what to try and how to eat them

One of the great surprises of Cusco's markets is the fruit stalls. Although the city sits at 3,400 metres, warm valleys and high jungle such as La Convención or Quillabamba lie a few hours away, and tropical and subtropical fruit arrives from there every day. Many are unknown outside South America, and trying them is one of the cheapest and tastiest experiences of your trip. This guide introduces the fruits you'll see in the markets, how to eat them and how to choose them. We don't give prices because they vary a lot by season, but in general they're very affordable.

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Where to buy fruit in Cusco

• San Pedro market: the best known, with a whole aisle of fruit and juice stalls.
• Wanchaq and Rosaspata markets: more local, with prices for residents.
• Sacred Valley markets: in Urubamba or Pisac, fruit comes from nearby valleys.
• Street vendors: on corners and at bus stops they sell cut fruit in small bags, though it's better to buy whole fruit.

• San Pedro Market in Cusco: what to eat, what to buy, opening hours and tips
• Wanchaq Market: where Cusco locals really shop
• Rosaspata Market: juices, breakfasts and farm produce in Cusco
• Quillabamba: the city of eternal summer near Cusco

The must-tries

Cherimoya (chirimoya)

A green fruit with scaly skin and white, creamy, very sweet flesh, with black seeds you don't eat. Mark Twain called it "the most delicious fruit known to men". It's ripe when it gives slightly when pressed. Eat it with a spoon.

Lucuma (lúcuma)

A fruit with green skin and floury yellow-orange flesh, with a flavour reminiscent of caramel and sweet potato. It's rarely eaten raw: it's the queen of Peruvian ice creams, smoothies and desserts. If you see lucuma ice cream or juice, try it.

Granadilla

An orange sphere with a hard, brittle shell. You crack it with your fingers and inside are seeds wrapped in a jelly-like, sweet, fragrant pulp. You slurp it straight out. Very easy to carry on excursions.

Golden berry (aguaymanto)

Small orange berries in a papery husk, also called physalis. Sweet and tart, rich in vitamin C. Sold fresh and dried, ideal as a snack.

Prickly pear (tuna)

The fruit of the cactus, green, yellow or purple. It must be peeled carefully because of tiny spines; in markets it's often sold already peeled. Refreshing and very juicy.

The most curious

Pacay

A long green pod. Open it to find seeds covered in sweet, cottony white pulp. You suck off the pulp and discard the seed. Very popular with kids.

Tumbo

Related to passion fruit, long and yellow, with very tart pulp. Used for juices and "tumbo sour", a pisco sour variant.

Pepino dulce

Despite the name, it's not a cucumber: it's a purple-striped fruit, juicy and mild, somewhere between melon and pear.

Sauco and capulí

Dark Andean berries used for jams, drinks and desserts. You'll see them in season, especially at the start of the year.

Mango, papaya and pineapple

They come from Cusco's jungle and are the basis of market juices. Papaya is the most common breakfast fruit.

Seasons

What's available changes through the year. In general, from December to April, in the rainy season, there's more tropical fruit like mango and cherimoya; in the dry months citrus and granadilla abound. Ask at the stall what's "de temporada" (in season): it'll be tastier and cheaper.

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Juices and smoothies

The best way to try many fruits at once is at a market juice stall. You can order a single-fruit juice or a mix, and add milk, oats or honey. Popular combinations: papaya with orange, banana with strawberry and milk, or a "surtido" of several fruits. Remember the "yapa", the second glass poured from what's left in the blender.

• Traditional breakfast in Cusco: adobo, chicken soup, juices and pan chuta

Eating fruit safely

• Prefer fruit you peel or crack open: granadilla, cherimoya, mandarin, banana.
• If you buy fruit eaten with the skin, wash it with bottled or treated water.
• Avoid cut fruit left in the open if you have a sensitive stomach.
• At juice stalls, if you're worried about water, ask for no ice and milk instead of water.

• Health in Cusco: vaccines, yellow fever, water, sun and first-aid kit

Can I take fruit home?

Generally, no. Most countries ban fresh fruit imports to prevent pests, and there may be checks on domestic flights too. You can take processed products such as dried golden berries or packaged lucuma powder, though it's worth checking your country's rules.

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Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).