Major city · Peru
Paucartambo
Go for the Virgen del Carmen festival (15–19 July) only. Outside the festival, the town has no tourist infrastructure and is not worth the 3-hour drive from Cusco.
Paucartambo is a quiet Andean town that comes alive for four days in July with the Virgen del Carmen festival — a colourful, tourist-free celebration of dance, music and local food. Outside those dates, there is little to see or do, and accommodation is limited. Most travellers visit as a day or overnight trip from Cusco during the festival.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- July (festival dates)
- avoid All other months (little to do, limited services)
- Airport
- CUZ
- Nights
- 1
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 Paucartambo105 ▾
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 Paucartambo, 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
- SafetyPaucartambo is safe for tourists during the festival.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire and ambulance · 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 (Cusco) (About 3 h by road to Paucartambo).
- Getting aroundPaucartambo is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet food snack (during festival)S/ 5–15
- Budget bedCamping (own tent, soccer field), a night, per personPEN 0
- Mid-range bedLocal hotel room, a night, per roomPEN 100
- High-end bedLocal hotel room, a night, per roomPEN 180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 50 · Mid PEN 100 · High PEN 200
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 (Cusco) (About 3 h by road to Paucartambo)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Jul. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Paucartambo: 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
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
20 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
18 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
18 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
Paucartambo is walkable. During the festival, streets are closed to traffic in the centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 3 h
Colectivo or taxi from Cusco, about 3 h
Only during the festival; outside, skip.
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 (few hotels)
Mostly full during the festival; book ahead or camp on the soccer field.
Camping on the soccer field
Bring gear from Cusco; quiet and away from party noise.
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
- Mid
- S/ 70–120
- High
- S/ 120+
Trip budget
| Local hotel room1 × 1 night × PEN 100 | PEN 100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 100 | PEN 200 |
| Colectivo Cusco–Paucartambo one way2 × PEN 20 · check | PEN 40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 34 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 187 per person per day, bed included | PEN 374 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights and transport from Cusco excluded.
Prices of common things
| Street food snack (during festival) | S/ 5–15 |
| Local cheese (per kg) | S/ 15–25 |
| Coca leaves (for tea, small bag) | S/ 3–5 |
| Colectivo Cusco–Paucartambo one waycheck | S/ 15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Festival accommodation fills fast: book weeks ahead or bring a tent.
- Altitude is about 3,000 m; coca tea helps if you are not acclimatised.
- Street food is abundant during the festival; ask locals what is fresh.
- Dried alpaca fetuses and other ritual items are sold openly — unusual for Western visitors.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire and ambulance
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PaucartamboPaucartambo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire and ambulance116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colectivo Cusco → Paucartambo: about S/ 20, about 3 h (check)
- Taxi Cusco → Paucartambo: S/ 150–250, about 2.5 h (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello (bway-nohss dee-ahs)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh kwehs-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la fiesta? — Where is the festival? (dohn-deh ehs-tah lah fee-ehs-tah)
- ¿Puedo acampar aquí? — Can I camp here? (pweh-doh ah-kahm-pahr ah-kee)
Altitude about 3,000 m; acclimatise in Cusco first.
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 Paucartambo. 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: July (festival dates) · avoid All other months (little to do, limited services) · 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
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Festival-specific page with schedule, dance troupes and food stalls.
- Camping logistics page: gear rental in Cusco, soccer field conditions.
Sources
Ask about Paucartambo
Loading…
Was this useful?