CuzcoCusco

The questions people ask first about Cuzco, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
• SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
• Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
• TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
• SafetyCuzco is a busy tourist city with ordinary big-city theft risk, plus altitude.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeCoffee or coca teaS/5–12
• Beerdraught in a bar / bottle in a shopS/12–20S/6–10
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in the centreAgree the fare first.S/2–4
• Museum or sight ticketQoricancha entrycheckS/20
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 35
• Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomPEN 250
• High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomPEN 500

A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 120 · Mid PEN 250 · High PEN 500

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

CUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International (5 km (3.1 mi) east of the centre; about 16–20 min by taxi. Mostly domestic flights, with connections through Lima. A larger airport is under construction at Chinchero.)CUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International (3.1 mi (5 km) east of the centre; about 16–20 min by taxi. Mostly domestic flights, with connections through Lima. A larger airport is under construction at Chinchero.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

S/120–200 excl. bed

Mid

S/200–400 excl. bed

High

S/400+ excl. bed

• Altitude: 3,400 m. Take the first day slow, drink water, skip alcohol, and see a doctor about soroche if a headache and nausea do not pass.
• Do not take a street taxi at night and never one that already has a passenger; order by phone or app.
• Agree the fare before you get in, especially from the airport or bus terminal, where S/15–30 is asked for a S/10–15 ride.
• Keep bags in front of you on combis and in markets.
• Some sights need the boleto turístico (S/130 full, ten days, 16 sites; S/70 with an ISIC student card); buy it at the sites or at the OFEC office, Av. El Sol 103.
• Place names are spelled several ways (Cuzco, Cusco, Qosqo): search both spellings.