As soon as we arrived in the city of Cusco, I immediately fell in love. As we wandered through the hilly, cobblestone maze of streets I couldn’t help but to get lost in its rich history, vibrant culture, & friendly locals. It was complete sensory overload, yet I couldn’t get enough! It is no wonder why Cusco is the crown destination of many itineraries for world travelers. When visiting Peru, plan to spend a couple days to explore Cusco & acclimatize as you immerse yourself in its old Peruvian traditions & Spanish colonial influences.

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Cusco ranks as one of the highest cities in the world, situated at an elevation of 11,152 feet. Nestled in between scenic landscapes & towering mountains, it is quite literally breathtaking. Because its location was central to other landmark destinations, we spent many nights in Cusco as our home base in Peru. As the country lies in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite from us northerners in the U.S. Generally, the dry periods from May through October are the best times to visit with day temperatures averaging 60°F. We were in Peru the final week of May through the start of June & were blessed with gorgeous weather throughout our visit.

A Brief History Lesson on Cusco

According to legend, Manco Capac (son of the sun god) & his wife, Mama Ocllo (daughter of the moon goddess) emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca & ventured into Cusco Valley, claiming it to be the center of the earth. Here they founded the Inca dynasty & built their empire in the shape of a puma. They strategically placed the ancient ceremonial site of Sacsayhuaman as the head of the sacred animal. Plaza de Armas represented the puma’s body & Tullumayo River made up its long tail. In 1533, Spanish conquistadors took over the city destroying much of the architecture. However, they left some of the larger structures behind which is what stands in Cusco today. After endless battles with Spain, Peru finally gained its independence in 1821.

People Watch at Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas translates to Weapons Square, however it is anything but dangerous. Known as the main center of Cusco & a cultural mecca, the Plaza is surrounded by beautiful Baroque style architecture of churches, cathedrals, & magnificent fountains. Here you’ll discover the picturesque Cusco Cathedral & the equally impressive, Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús. I highly recommend you get an inside tour of the intricate wood carvings as well as the many treasured gold & silver artifacts that were collected over the centuries. Here you will also find an unusual painting similar to the famous Last Supper, with the exception of Jesus & his disciples dining on a Peruvian guinea pig instead of the sacrificial lamb!

Cusco, Peru is a historical melting pot & you will find a variety of international cuisines to satisfy any palate. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can order one of the Peruvian delicacies of cuy (roasted guinea pig) or alpaca meat. Personally, I could not even stomach the idea of eating any of these animals, especially after seeing Quechua children carrying their own as pets!

On the topic of animals, you may notice several dogs roaming aimlessly on the streets of Cusco. Because none of the dogs wore collars & there were no signs of ownership, it led me to think they were simply lost strays. As a devoted dog lover, the sight of these lonely pups tugged at my heart strings. Check out my post, The Wandering Dogs of Peru, to learn more about the city’s lack of animal control measures & how you can help these strays receive the love & care that they deserve.

Mingle With the Locals at San Pedro Market

Just a few minutes from the Plaza is the thriving San Pedro Market where you’ll encounter locals grocery shopping & enjoying Peruvian meals. Prior to our trip, an untraveled friend ill-advised me that there wouldn’t be much to eat in Peru. But I was pleasantly surprised how many of their dishes served up organic superfoods such as quinoa, maca root, camu camu berry, & cacao along with a variety of fresh fruit & vegetables. Let’s just assume my friend was not a health conscious eater either!

Aside from the delicious food, you will find hundreds of handmade goods & endless booths of souvenir items. If you are looking to buy anything marked as “real alpaca,” examine the item carefully since many are made from synthetic fabrics & some are listed at ridiculous prices. Authentic alpaca wool is soft & cool to touch. It is heavier in weight & usually made in the natural color of the wool as opposed to the bright fluorescent colors so popular in Andean clothing. Learn how you can distinguish between real & fake alpaca in my post here.

Keep in mind that it is completely acceptable to haggle in the markets, even if your Spanish is very poor. Most storekeepers do not put prices on their wares thus leaving much room for inflated prices. Take your time to browse, but contain your enthusiasm & kindly ask “Cuánto cuesta?” This is where the fun begins!

Go Treasure Hunting at the Artsy San Blas

Head north uphill from Plaza de Armas to the charming neighborhood of San Blas. The busy streets are lined with lively vendors selling colorful trinkets, unique jewelry, & assorted handcrafts. All along the narrow alleyways, there are several artisan workshops where local artists showcase their work. Not surprisingly, I even spotted a quaint little yoga studio promoting creative healing practices within this hipster bohemian district!

Here, I was on a mission to find the perfect charango to present as a gift to my father, a former musician. The charango is a small Andean stringed instrument, similar to a guitar, & there were numerous music shops that carried a variety of them. However, the particular type of charango I was looking for had an image of Machu Picchu etched on its body. This was of special significance as it was the location where my husband proposed to me during our trip! ❤️

Drink Coca Tea for Altitude Sickness

As a tea connoisseur, I was really curious to learn more about Peru’s traditional coca tea & its healing properties for altitude sickness. The coca leaf is the key ingredient in cocaine. But the leaves in its purest form are not addictive & ingesting them will not get you high. Sipping it as an herbal tea or even chewing the leaves can help with mild headaches, nausea, & stomach problems. Coca tea is quite similar to green tea with its bland, sometimes bitter taste. As Peru’s replacement for coffee, the tea is served everywhere in Cusco with just as much stimulating effect as our favorite caffeine counterpart.

Remember, coca is illegal in many countries outside of South America. So avoid the potential hassles at customs & don’t plan on bringing any home as souvenirs.

Rest Your Weary Feet at the Novotel

We chose to stay at the Novotel Cusco Hotel for its 4-star accommodations & its convenient location situated right within the city center of Peru. At first glance it may look like an old, unassuming 16th century colonial building. But the inside of this luxurious hotel features two beautiful courtyards, restaurants & lounges, as well as spacious rooms with wide open balconies. In addition, the hotel features all the high-end amenities at half the cost, with fast speed Wi-Fi, efficient room service, helpful multilingual staff, private laundry, & lovely city views. The international Novotel chain is well known for its sustainability practices in using eco-friendly products & energy-saving lights. They are also notable for their water conservation & recycling efforts.

Angella’s Travel Tips

• Spend your first day in Cusco, Peru to rest & acclimate to the high altitude. Stay well hydrated (no alcohol) & eat light meals. I promise your body will thank you the rest of the trip!
• Once you’ve become acclimated, visit some of the ruins located right above the city. I highly recommend checking out Sacsayhuaman, the “Sexy” Ruins of Cusco. It will help you prepare for more advanced activities that may be on your list including Machu Picchu or Vinicunca.
• Cusco is not a fashion forward city & you will be visiting a lot of religious centers. Dress comfortably with decent walking shoes, as there are lots of cobblestone & steep walkways.
• Do not take photos of the locals without their permission. Be respectful & if they allow you to take a picture, thank them with a couple soles.
• As of March 2018, the currency exchange rate still remains fair with one sol equaling to 0.31 USD. Before leaving Peru, be sure to exchange all soles back to dollars.