Cusco, Peru
TO EAT AND DRINK
Museo del Pisco – one of our very favorite spots in Cusco – great pisco sours and you can even get behind the bar and learn to make them from the bartender!
Chicha por Gaston Acurio – delicious regional food, vegetarian friendly
Papachos – grub pub and burgers also by Gaston Acurio with beautiful views
Cicciolina – one of the best restaurants in Cusco (although full disclosure we haven’t eaten there!) “Novo Andino” cuisine mixed with Mediterranean flavors. a great spot for tapas and vino
Mauka – a just-opened Cusco restaurant that we can’t wait to check out this trip! Chef Pia León – of the husband-wife mastermind duo behind world-renowned Central in Lima – launched Mauka this spring, named after an endangered Incan root vegetable. "the restaurant “will serve as a vehicle to promote, preserve and celebrate Cusquenian cuisine and the rich biodiversity of the Peruvian environment” from the high Andes to the Amazon
La Valeriana Bakeshop – Cusco is filled with bakeries with mouthwatering empanadas and other pastries. La Valeriana is an adorable spot for coffee, treats and slices of Cusco rainbow cake
Mercado San Pedro – an action-packed market chock full of local vendors selling everything from fruits & vegetables to artisan souvenirs. try fruits you’ve never experienced
Los Toldos – a great spot for pollo a la brasa, the most delicious mouth-watering rotisserie chicken that is a Peruvian staple
TO DO
Plaza Mayor del Cuzco (aka Plaza de Armas) – the center of the city and the original center of the Incan empire. Make sure to check out la catedral with beautiful views of the mountains and city!
Quoricancha – the most important temple of the Incan empire
City Tour – a bus tour not actually of the city but of four Incan ruins in the surrounding area – Saqsayhumana, Q`enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. you can buy tickets easily throughout Cusco – ask your hotel to help you purchase.
where to stay
There are a wide variety of hotels to choose from in Cusco, from luxury (including hotels that offer oxygen in the rooms for those who want extra support acclimating) to budget choices! For location and proximity to la Plaza Mayor de Cuzco (the city center), we recommend you stay in el Centro Histórico. Here are some options*:
*full disclosure: we haven’t stayed in all these hotels but selected them based on their great location and reviews
GETTING AROUND
It’s easy to navigate Cusco by taxi. Uber is also available in Cusco and works well. Cusco is a beautiful city to experience by foot as most of the city is built on top of Incan ruins – wind your way through the ancient cobblestone streets and alleyways.
A NOTE ON ALTITUDE
Cusco is at very high elevation – just over 11,000 feet! We highly recommend taking it very easy the first day you arrive, aka avoid major activities, lots of walking, and drinking. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe altitude medication before you travel, and make sure to drink tea with coca leaves your first few days in Cusco – the time-tested Andean remedy for altitude sickness.