Major city · Peru
Quillabamba
Skip unless you have 2+ extra days in the Cusco region and want a low-altitude, hot-weather break with coffee farms and waterfalls.
Quillabamba is the capital of La Convención Province, a low-elevation (1,050 m) town where the Andes meet the jungle. It's a coffee, cacao and tea hub with a relaxed pace, waterfalls, and a small zoo. Most travellers use it as a 1–2 night stop to acclimatise after Cusco or to break a trip toward the Amazon.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–October (dry season)
- avoid November–March (rainy season, road conditions worsen)
- Airport
- CUZ
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Quillabamba105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Quillabamba, 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
- SafetyQuillabamba is generally safe, but take usual precautions: avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables out of sight, and use registered taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Cusco) (Then 7–8 h by bus to Quillabamba).
- Getting aroundTaxis are the main option; walking covers the compact centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee from a farmS/ 5–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within towncheckS/ 5–10
- Metro or bus rideBus Cusco–Quillabamba (one way)checkS/ 15
- Budget bedHostel or basic guesthouse bed, a night, per personPEN 20
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in guesthouse, a night, per roomPEN 70
- High-end bedPrivate room in guesthouse, a night, per roomPEN 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 50 · Mid PEN 90 · High PEN 150
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Cusco) (Then 7–8 h by bus to Quillabamba)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Quillabamba: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
18 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
16 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
17 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
15 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis are the main option; walking covers the compact centre. For waterfalls and the zoo, hire a taxi for a half-day trip (check price).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 7–8 h
Bus from Santiago terminal (Turismo Ampay recommended), 7–8 h
Return trip is a full day; better to combine with a longer stay.
Door to door: 2–3 h
Bus via Santa María, about 2–3 h
Thermal springs; can be done as a day trip.
Door to door: 5–6 h
Bus to Santa María, then Santa Teresa, then train/hike; about 5–6 h
Long and requires planning; better to go from Cusco directly.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Cheap hostels and basic hotels; ask a taxi driver for recommendations.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/ 40–70 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/ 70–120 excl. bed
- High
- S/ 120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in guesthouse1 × 2 nights × PEN 70 | PEN 140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PEN 90 | PEN 360 |
| Taxi to waterfalls (half-day)1 × PEN 60 · check | PEN 60 |
| Bus Cusco–Quillabamba (one way)2 × PEN 15 · check | PEN 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 59 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 162 per person per day, bed included | PEN 649 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights and long-distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Cusco–Quillabamba (one way)check | S/ 15 |
| Taxi within towncheck | S/ 5–10 |
| Half-day taxi to waterfallscheck | S/ 50–70 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | S/ 10–20 |
| Coffee from a farm | S/ 5–10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rainy season (Nov–Mar) can make roads slippery and cause delays.
- The Pongo de Mainique rapids on the Urubamba River are dangerous in wet season; do not attempt boat travel then.
- Coca leaves are grown here; possession of processed cocaine is illegal.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
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QuillabambaQuillabamba
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
Embassies are in Lima; the US has a consulate in Cusco (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Cusco–Quillabamba: about S/ 15, 7–8 h (check)
- Taxi town centre to waterfalls: S/ 50–70 half-day (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (KWAN-toh)
- ¿Dónde está la cascada? — Where is the waterfall? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah kas-KAH-dah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay with card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Quillabamba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–October (dry season) · avoid November–March (rainy season, road conditions worsen) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Quillabamba
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