What currency is used in Cusco?

Cusco uses the Peruvian sol (PEN).

What is the emergency number in Cusco?

In Cusco, call 105 for police, 116 for fire, 106 for ambulance.

How much does a day in Cusco cost?

Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-130 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Cusco?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Cusco without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Cusco travel guide

Peru

The old Inca capital and the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, with Spanish churches built straight onto Inca stone walls.

Essentials

Language: Spanish and Quechua; English is common in tourist businesses
Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN)
Plugs: Types A, B and C, 220 V
Emergency number: 105 for police, 116 for fire, 106 for ambulance
Tipping: Around 10 percent in restaurants if service is not included, and tips for trekking guides, cooks and porters are expected.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $30-50, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $70-130, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Cusco

Centro Histórico: the Plaza de Armas, cathedral and Inca masonry.
San Blas: the artisans' quarter: steep lanes, workshops and views.
San Cristóbal: a quieter hillside base with the best views over the city.

Getting around Cusco

The centre is compact but steep. Taxis and colectivos reach the Sacred Valley; trains for Machu Picchu leave from Cusco or from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, depending on the season and the timetable, so check the departure station when you book.

Best time to visit Cusco

May to September, the dry season.

Top things to do in Cusco

See the Inca stonework of Qorikancha, beneath the Santo Domingo convent
Walk up to the giant zig-zag walls of Saqsaywamán above the city
Find the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc street
Have a fresh fruit juice and a counter lunch at San Pedro Market
Visit Machu Picchu, by train from Ollantaytambo or on a multi-day trek such as the Inca Trail

What to eat in Cusco

Lomo saltado: beef stir-fried with onion, tomato and chips, served with rice
Cuy: roast guinea pig, an Andean dish for special occasions
Chicha morada: a sweet, spiced drink made from purple corn
Mate de coca: coca-leaf tea, widely drunk to help with the altitude

Day trips from Cusco

Pisac: Inca terraces above a market town, about an hour by road
Moray and Maras: circular Inca terraces and hillside salt pans, about an hour and a half away
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): striped slopes at around 5,000 metres, a long day of about three hours' drive each way

Local etiquette

Ask before photographing people; those posing in traditional dress with llamas expect a small payment. Keep voices low in churches and respect the no-photo signs.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from Claro, Movistar or Entel are sold with a passport in phone shops, and Wi-Fi is common in hostels and cafés, though signal fades in the valleys and on treks.

Staying safe

Altitude sickness is the most common problem: go slowly, drink water and see a doctor if symptoms get worse. Bag snatching and pickpocketing happen around the Plaza de Armas and markets, and at night an app or a registered taxi is safer than one hailed on the street.

A local tip

Cusco sits at about 3,400 metres. Take your first two days slowly, and book Machu Picchu tickets well ahead.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Cusco on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Cusco for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Cusco, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Cusco

What currency is used in Cusco?: Cusco uses the Peruvian sol (PEN).
What is the emergency number in Cusco?: In Cusco, call 105 for police, 116 for fire, 106 for ambulance.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?: May to September, the dry season.
How much does a day in Cusco cost?: Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-130 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Cusco?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Cusco without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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