There are many things to do in Cusco, we will mention the most important things to do and places to visit in Cusco, below we give you useful information recommended by travelers:
Purchase a Boleto Turístico
If you want to visit the cultural and representative tourist places in Cusco we recommend to buy the (Boleto Turistico) is your passport to the sites and monuments around Cusco. It can be purchased at any one of the sites it covers, which include:
Santa Catalina Convent and Art Museum
Museo de Historia Regional
Museo Palacio Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo
Museo Arqueólogico Koricancha (but not Koricancha itself)
Museo de Arte Popular
Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo
Monumento Pachacútec
Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero (in the Sacred Valley); and
Pikillacta and Tipón
Visit Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman the head of the Puma shape that forms the city of Cusco. The tiered zigzagging walls of the main fortification are said to be the teeth, but also serve a more obvious purpose, which is a defense mechanism against invaders. A close look at the ruins show a fact even more intriguing than the site’s name: the massive rocks that make up the walls, some weighing 130 tons, have been perfectly placed, in the impeccable style that is common to Inca foundations. Despite its fortress-like structure, the site is thought to have been a temple to the sun.
Visit the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is the enchanted area that lies between Cusco (formerly the capital of the Incan empire) and Machu Picchu (the lost city of the Incas). The sacred Wilka Mayu River flows from its source high in the Wilcanota Mountains down through this picturesque valley. Here it becomes the Urubamba (‘fields of light’) River and winds its way around Machu Picchu before completing its journey to the Amazon.
There is plenty to see and do in the area – which is accessible by day trip from Cusco – from hiking the mystical trails of the Sacred Valley to taking novoandino cooking classes.
Immerse Yourself in the Local Languages
Peru has two official languages, Spanish and Quechua (the language of the Inca Empire). Cusco is teeming with Spanish schools and provides an excellent environment to settle in for a few days or weeks to pick up a new language. For Spanish lessons we can recommend the Amauta School. Although Quechua lessons are less common, we do recommend Daniel Concha, a tour guide in Cusco who has guest rooms in his home where you can stay and study.
Take a walk in the Artistic Neighborhood of San Blas
At the top of a rather steep climb from the Plaza de Armas is a quaint little pedestrian-only barrio where Cusco’s artists and bohemian-types reside. Here you will find fun little cafes and restaurants, as well as your typical tourist stops. The white adobe church in the plaza is worth popping into for its elaborate woodworking and gold-leaf altar. While you’re there, take in the view of the town below.
Be sure to take a stroll down Hatun Rumiyoc, the cobblestoned street filled with polygonal stone walls. Right near the Archbishop’s Palace you will find the famous 12-cornered stone, which is more popularly recognized amongst travelers as the logo for Cuzqueña beer.
Visit Machu Picchu one of the new seven wonders of the world
Machu Picchu is the crown jewel of the Inca Empire. It is believed to have been built by Pachacuti, the legendary Inca figure who was responsible for the expansion of the Inca Empire in the 15th century. Archaeologists have determined that it was a country estate for Inca nobility because it is not designed in the form of a conventional city. Some also suppose that it was built to protect this nobility in the event of an attack. An educated look at the placement and direction of the ruins would also indicate that they were built to accommodate a variety of sacred landscape features and in consideration of the sun’s position throughout the seasons.
There are several ways to visit Machu Picchu. If you are adventurous (and fit!) you can embark on a 4-day hike along the Inca Trail. Those who want a bit of the outdoors, but can’t spare the time, can hop on the trail at km 104 and still participate in the glorious experience of walking through the gates at sunrise. If you prefer a less vigorous route you can take the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and shuttle to the ruins. Don´t miss the walk to Huayna Pichu. The view of Machu Picchu and the rest of the valley from there is quite unique.
Explore Pisaq Market
Pisaq Market (shown right) sells handicrafts, jewelry, minerals, herbs, spices and local foods and is the biggest market in Cuzco. Sunday is the best time to go, when locals from hours away come to attend church and buy and sell goods. This is also when you can see locals dressed in traditional clothing from the church procession that takes place in the town. Even if you don’t buy anything it’s a good way to learn about the local way of life, get a taste of how herbal medicine works, see how paints and dyes are made using natural minerals and sample the various local foods. Make sure to try the choclo con queso, a regional strain of corn on the cob topped with cheese and chili sauce.
For something closer to the downtown area of Cuzco, you can also visit the San Pedro Central Market located on Santa Clara near the Church and Monastery of Santa Clara. The market is enormous and sells an array of traditional and offbeat items. You can purchase handicrafts, beauty products, fresh fruits, ornate flans, sweet breads, traditional llama fetuses, colorful masks and even hallucinogens.
Experience The Nightlife
Cuzco has many options for bars and clubs. The best part: it’s easy to get a buzz on a budget, as a full-priced cocktail will only set you back about $4 to $6. Paddy’s Pub is a lively Irish bar with a great happy hour, although you’re more likely to find Pisco Sours and Cuba Libres on the menu than Magners. However, they do have Guinness. If you want to experience the best club in town, Mama Africa is a favorite among tourists and locals. Other popular bars and clubs include Real McCoy, 7 Angelitos, Groove, Mythology and The Frogs.
Taste the flavors of Cusco cuisine and enjoy a diner show
If you travel to Cusco you can lose the opportunity to make a reservation in a restaurant to taste the delicious cuisine of Cusco and enjoy a diner show, they offer a typical dance show, with the most representative dances of Peru, it will be an amazing experience. There are many restaurants in Cusco that offer this kind of shows as Tunupa Restaurant, Inkas Wall Restaurant and others.
Maras y Moray tour
The traditional circuit that is having great importance in recent years is in the town of Maras, Moray and Pichingoto where they make “Salt Works” these are visited all together or separately. Maras is a district of the province of Urubamba can be reached via a paved road is 50 km down the road Qosqo – Chinchero – Urubamba.
It is located west of Cusco at an altitude of 3300 mts.
Rafting the Urubamba River
The Urubamba River rises in the Andes of southern Peru to the south-east of Cuzco in the place call La Raya, the upper part of the Urubamba; it’s called the Vilcanota Wicamayu (Sacred River), flows past the towns of Sicuani, Urcos. Between Písac and Ollantaytambo, it is also called Vilcanota. In the lower part it’s called Alto Urubamba near Machu Pichu, Santa Teresa, Quillabamba and Echarate. It flows north-west for about 724 kilometers to its junction with the Apurímac River, where it forms the Ucayali and then the Amazon River. The volume and rocky underground provide ideal conditions for recreational and adventure activities on the Urubamba River. The most popular of which is white water rafting. Many companies operate seasonal trips on the Urubamba River. Rafting trips vary depending on the section of river you choose to navigate and the time of year you will like to raft.
Horseback riding – Visit the Four Inca Ruins around Cusco
This is an unforgettable experience, you will ride a horse during all the tour, we start riding passing many incas archaelogical sites like temple of the moon the zone x and some more sites such as: Sacsayhuaman Tambomachay , Q’enqo y Pucapucara.