Recommendations for traveling to Cusco

Your trip to the imperial city of Cusco definitely has to be unique and unforgettable. That’s why there can’t be any mistakes in your travel planning. In order to help you organize a MEMORABLE trip to Cusco, we have prepared for you a list of tips and recommendations:Your trip to the imperial city of Cusco definitely has to be unique and unforgettable. That’s why there can’t be any mistakes in your travel planning. In order to help you organize a MEMORABLE trip to Cusco, we have prepared for you a list of tips and recommendations:

1.- Book your ticket to Machu Picchu

For many visitors arriving in Cusco, the city is just a place of passage for their final trip to the citadel of Machu Picchu, for this reason many venture to arrive without having their entrance to the citadel already purchased in advance and I imagine that you are one of these intrepid travelers, as we recommend you book in advance your ticket, as this ticket tends to sell out quickly especially in high season.

2.- Buy your flight tickets to Cusco

There are many websites that offer you various offers on air flights, so you have to choose several airline options, but remember that there are only direct flights from the following countries: Santiago de Chile, Bogota (Colombia) and La Paz (Bolivia), so if you’re from another country, and want to go straight to Cusco, check if it’s in your best interest to stop at one of these countries. However, if you are stopping in Lima first, you can find plenty of options to Cusco (or Lima – Cusco) departing from Peru’s capital. For travelers who enjoy traveling by land or want to save some money, you also have the option to arrive by bus, but keep in mind that the journey takes a little more than 21 hours and you could be affected by the altitude on the way there.

3. Book your accommodation

There is a wide variety of accommodations in the city of Cusco, you will find from Airbnb, hostels, hotels and ranging from 1 to 5 stars, however we always recommend you to search for reviews online so that you get an idea of the lodging where you are thinking of staying, research, or ask for advice from a travel agency that always handles better information about the place and good prices that suit your budget and preference. You can also consider staying in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, after your arrival in the city of Cusco you can go directly to Valley and this will help your acclimatization to the high altitude.

4. Beware of altitude sickness or soroche

The imperial city of Cusco is located in the south of Peru, between the Andes mountain range, its altitude is above 3399 meters above sea level, which is why most visitors get altitude sickness or soroche. If you’re wondering, what is altitude sickness?  It the illness caused by the lack of adaptation of the organism to the low oxygen it receives at altitude. This is usually suffered by travelers who are not adapted to altitude, but don’t worry, it is a passing problem that is solved when your body manages to adapt to the Cusqueño climate.What are the main symptoms of altitude sickness? Dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing.

Here are some recommendations:

• When you arrive in the city, rest in the room, do not explore yet, there will be time to visit this beautiful place, remember that first is your health and the ideal is to spend the most pleasant time for the duration of your stay.
• Take a deep breath and don’t despair.
• Don’t eat too much on the first day, try to eat something light, this will also help.
• Drink plenty of water or the natural infusions that are much recommended in Cusco: coca matte.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, at least on the first day.
• A few hours before your arrival in Cusco, take some medicine, prescribed by your doctor, that counteracts altitude sickness.

5. Choose the best time to travel to Cusco

To get to know Cusco you have all the months of the year, however you must take into account the following: the tourist influx is divided into two seasons: high season(May to November) and low season (December to April), during the low season, you will find greater availability in all services (accommodation, ticket dand entrance, train and transport) although they will also be more with presence of cloudy skies or rainy days and other inclement weather that could interfere with your trip.On the other hand, during the high season in Cusco you will always enjoy a bright sunand a clear sky, although in the city there will be little availability, prices a little more highand a cold weather during the nights.Then you will wonder, what is the best date to travel to Cusco? From our experience we believe that the best month to travel to Cusco is in the month of April, and this month you will find a blue and radiant sky and a green sacred valley’s scenery.

6. Take your personal documents with you

As in all countries of the world, the most important thing is to carry with you your updated passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months at the time of your entry to Peru. Look, it must be the same one with which you have booked your flights, entrance tickets, train, bus, etc. However, if you are from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay or Venezuela, only your National Identity Document will be required.In case you are a student, we recommend that you also bring your updated student ID with you to benefit from some discounts, especially on entry tickets.

7. Bring cash or your credit card

We recommend you to bring some dollars and exchange in authorized places, there are several around the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, also at the airport. You should consider bringing credit cards, since in Cusco there are several ATMs and banks where you can withdraw money, also hotels and restaurants mostly accept credit cards.

8. Taste the exquisite cuisine of Cusqueña

Peruvian cuisine in general is mega diverse, but cusqueña in particular is varied, traditional and full of flavor and color. So, you will have no problem finding foods of your liking, the delicious Andean breads in your breakfast and the smell of the combination of grains, meats and specially selected tubers will make your stay in Cusco the most pleasant stay. Another recommended option is to visit the artisan market of San Pedro. In this place you can observe the combination of traditionaland modern cultural elements and if you are adventurous and enjoy the local gastronomy.

 9. Explore Cusco on your own or with a travel company 

There are different ways to explore Cusco. On your own or with your trusted Travel company. Whatever the case, find out well before taking a tour or go out to explore some tourist attraction on your own. Remember that tour operators like us you won’t have any stress or worries about finding hotel availability or purchasing train or entrance tickets to the local sites. We will take care everything for you, that way you can enjoy every minute of your trip fully and stress free!

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Happy trip through Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire!