Population: 428,450 inhabitants.Altitude: 3,400 m.Cusco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Latin America (2 million 624,000 tourists in 2014!). In fact, it seems almost unthinkable not to stay there when you go to Peru. It must be said that walking through the cobbled streets, between the stone walls with multiple angles, or under the arcades of the Plaza de Armas is a constant delight. The traditional costume of the women of Cusco, composed of a black skirt embroidered with colourful motifs, brightly coloured mantas (in which they carry a baby or a burden on their back) and a small felt hat topped with a kind of fringed doily, is also perfectly original.Despite the tourist saturation, we love Cusco, we feel good there, and we come back, always, with the same joy. You can spend months there if you want to explore all the archaeological sites, all the small villages, all the lost markets of the distant valleys. But a few days will already be enough to illuminate your trip. For a time, we have the impression of having penetrated into the heart of an imaginary world and kingdom, almost legendary. The mountain environment, the light and the fresh air of the altitude enhance the picture. However, it rains frequently and heavily from December to April, with an average of 12°C; from May to October the weather is dry and cold (8°C), more from June to August.The main festivals are Semana Santa (March or April); Corpus Christi (in June, the Thursday after Pentecost), a procession in honour of the 16 patron saints worshipped in the city; inti Raymi, the Sun Festival on June 24th (it is by far the most impressive), the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo on July 16th (considered the best folk festival in the region), as well as the Pachamama Raymi, or Mother Earth Day, at the beginning of the new Andean year marked by offerings on August 1st.

What to visit Cusco?

When to go to Cusco?

When to go to Peru ? On the heights of the Andes, and particularly in Cusco, the very high tourist season extends from mid-June to the end of August: it is then the best season to visit Machu Picchu and the other Inca sites (dry and sunny weather) but there are a lot of people and often queues for example to go up by shuttle to the site of Machu Picchu. The best period would be from mid-April to mid-June when all the Sacred Valley is green and the visitors less numerous. In Peru, there are more than 3,000 traditional festivals; if most of them have been Christianized, the pre-Columbian influences are still alive. The only festival that attracts thousands of foreign travelers, and therefore requires that you book your accommodation well in advance, is the festival of the Inti Raymi, on June 24 in Cusco. The Holy Week and the dates around the 28th and 29th of July, national holiday, are often very requested.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

The weather in Peru is pleasant all year round. There are no intermediate seasons; summer and winter cover different periods of the year depending on the region. Temperatures in Cusco are pleasant all year round. The average temperatures range from 20°C in January to 22°C in October. It rains the most from December to February. The most pleasant time to stay in Cusco is from May to September.

Budget

The currency of Peru is the nuevo sol( pluralsoles ) symbolized S/. Even if the cost of living has risen considerably in recent times, a trip to Peru remains affordable (but much less cheap than in Bolivia). As long as you choose unpretentious establishments, you can stay for almost nothing, and the same goes for food. Transportation, even by plane, is not very expensive. Most of the expenses will be devoted to activities. A stay in Cusco will be very affordable.

Procedures

For a trip to Peru and a stay in Cusco no visa is necessary. A tourist visa for a period of 90 days will be automatically issued upon arrival in the country. The maximum duration is 183 days per year with a tourist visa. Passport controls are possible when crossing a provincial border. You must also present your passport when booking national or international flights and even when purchasing bus tickets from certain companies. The tourist card (or tarjeta migratoria) is now electronic. Your data is automatically entered into the Migraciones system. If you are in the border regions and your visa is about to expire, it is advisable to cross the border to re-enter as a tourist and extend your time there. If you overstay your visa, you will be charged a fine of US$1/day of delay upon exit from the country.

Health

To enter Peru and stay in Cusco, no specific vaccine is required if you are coming from Europe, North America, Oceania or Asia. However, if you have recently traveled to certain countries in Africa or South America, a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever will be required. In addition, it is recommended to be up to date with the usual vaccines (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tetanus-poliomyelitis, typhoid). It is strongly advised to protect yourself against yellow fever and to take a treatment against malaria if you intend to go to the Amazon area. In the same way, think of remaining vigilant against the risks related to the water, that of the tap being not drinkable in Peru.

How to go to Cusco? Our advice & tips

Tour operators specialized in this region of South America are legion and know the destination well. By looking at the existing offer you will certainly find the formula that suits you best, both in terms of travel time, areas to focus on and prices. Packages combining flights, lodging and visits to the main Peruvian sites (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Titicaca) are generally interesting and above all greatly facilitate the organization of the stay.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

You will arrive from Europe at the airport in Lima, so you will need to plan a transfer to Cusco, either by bus or by plane to the airport in Cusco. The average price of a flight to Lima from France in July (high season) is about 1 000 €. From about 700 € in low season. Please note that the price variation depends on the airline used but, above all, on the reservation deadline. To get good rates, it is essential to book in advance, ideally six months before departure! Booking your accommodation in advance can also be a good way to save money.

If you have little time, the poor state of the roads and buses will push you to opt for the plane, the tariffs being very affordable to connect the main points of the country. Otherwise, you will take the bus, the most widespread, cheapest and most practical means of transportation. The country is criss-crossed in all directions by this public transport. A nice train trip (Lima-Huancayo) can be made (twice a month between April and November) while the boat will be your indispensable vehicle in Amazonia: ferries connect Yurimaguas and the Triple Frontier (Peru-Brazil-Colombia) in 3 to 5 days depending on the direction of the current.

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Pictures and images Cusco

Site inca de Tambomachay. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Centre de Cusco. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Cuzqueña en costume traditionnel. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Temple inca de Sacsayhuamán. Stéphan SZEREMETA

Discover Cusco

When to travel?

When to go to Peru ? On the heights of the Andes, and particularly in Cusco, the very high tourist season extends fro...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

The weather in Peru is pleasant all year round. There are no intermediate seasons; summer and winter cover different...
Read more about it

Budget

The currency of Peru is the nuevo sol( pluralsoles ) symbolized S/. Even if the cost of living h...
Read more about it

Formalities

For a trip to Peru and a stay in Cusco no visa is necessary. A tourist visa for a period of 90 days will be automatic...
Read more about it

Health

To enter Peru and stay in Cusco, no specific vaccine is required if you are coming from Europe, North America, Oceani...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

You will arrive from Europe at the airport in Lima, so you will need to plan a transfer to Cusco, either by bus or by...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Tour operators specialized in this region of South America are legion and know the destination well. By looking at th...
Read more about it

Getting around

If you have little time, the poor state of the roads and buses will push you to opt for the plane, the tariffs being...
Read more about it

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