Major city · Peru
Chinchero
Half-day stop between Cusco and Urubamba: see the Inca terraces and colonial church, then move on. Not a base.
Chinchero sits at 3,762 m, higher than Cusco, and offers a compact set of Inca terraces and a 17th-century church with frescoes. The Sunday market is the main draw, but on other days the ruins are quiet. Most travellers pass through on the way to Urubamba or Maras.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (rain)
- Airport
- CUZ
- Nights
- 0
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 Chinchero105 ▾
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 Chinchero, 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
- SafetySafe during daylight; watch for altitude sickness.
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 (About 1 h by bus or taxi via Cusco).
- Getting aroundWalkable: the ruins, church and market are around the plaza.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealLunch set menuS/ 15–25
- Metro or bus rideBus Cusco–ChincherocheckS/ 3
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 30
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomPEN 150
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomPEN 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 60 · Mid PEN 120 · High PEN 250
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 (About 1 h by bus or taxi via Cusco)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jun (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chinchero: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
18 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
16 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
4 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
2 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
2 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
4 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°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
Walkable: the ruins, church and market are around the plaza. Combis to Urubamba and Cusco pass through the main road.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Maras and Moray
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus to Urubamba, then taxi or tour; about 30 min total
Salt pans and circular terraces; combine with Chinchero for a half-day.
Urubamba
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus from the main road, 20–30 min
Lunch and accommodation options; connects to Ollantaytambo.
Cusco
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus from the main road, about 1 h
Return to Cusco for the night.
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.
Chinchero town centre
A few basic hostels and guesthouses; limited dining options.
Urubamba
More accommodation choices, 20–30 min by bus.
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/ 50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/ 80–150 excl. bed
- High
- S/ 150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × PEN 150 | PEN 150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 120 | PEN 240 |
| Boleto Turístico (1-day)2 × PEN 70 · check | PEN 140 |
| Bus Cusco–Chinchero one way2 × PEN 3 · check | PEN 6 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 54 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 295 per person per day, bed included | PEN 590 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Cusco–Chincherocheck | S/ 3 |
| Boleto Turístico (1-day)check | S/ 70 |
| Market souvenir (small textile) | S/ 20–50 |
| Lunch set menu | S/ 15–25 |
| Bottle of water | S/ 2–3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 3,762 m. Acclimatise in Cusco or the Sacred Valley first.
- Boleto Turístico required for the ruins and church: S/70 (1-day) or S/130 (10-day) — check current prices.
- Market is only on Sundays; other days the plaza is quiet.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
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ChincheroChinchero
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance106
Embassy
Embassies in Lima; US consulate in Cusco (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Cusco–Chinchero: about S/ 3, about 1 h (check)
- Bus Chinchero–Urubamba: about S/ 3, 20–30 min (check)
- Taxi Chinchero–Urubamba: S/ 30–50 (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello (bway-nohss dee-ahs)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwahn-toh kweh-stah)
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (don-deh eh-stah el mehr-kah-doh)
- No entiendo — I don't understand (noh en-tee-en-doh)
Carry small bills for buses and market.
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 Chinchero. 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–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas 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
- Place page for the ruins and church with opening hours and ticket details.
- Eat page for the Sunday market food stalls.
- Sleep page for the few guesthouses in town.
Sources
Ask about Chinchero
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