Major city · Peru
PisacPísac
Sleep 1–2 nights in Pisac as your first stop after Cusco: it sits 428 m lower, so you acclimatise here, see the ruins, then move down-valley.
Pisac is a small Sacred Valley town 32 km from Cusco with the biggest Inca site in the valley above it and the region's largest market in its plaza. At 2,972 m it is 428 m lower than Cusco, which makes it the usual first overnight after flying in. Most travellers give it one or two nights, walk the ruins, and continue to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season)
- avoid Nov–Mar (rain; February worst, paths slippery and landslides possible)
- Airport
- CUZ
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pisac105 ▾
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 Pisac, 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
- SafetyPisac is a small, low-crime tourist town; the real risks are altitude, loose gravel in the ruins, and unpredictable rain in Nov–Mar.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (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 (Closest airport; about 1 h by road to Pisac.
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or coca teaS/ 5–10
- Street or quick mealMenu del día (set lunch)S/ 12–25
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Pisac–Urubambaabout S/ 50
- Museum or sight ticketBotanic garden entryS/ 8
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 35
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomPEN 180
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomPEN 400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 90 · Mid PEN 160 · High PEN 300
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 (Closest airport; about 1 h by road to Pisac. Check current Cusco–Pisac transfer times.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jun (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pisac: 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
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
17 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
15 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
2 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
2 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
3 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
15 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
The town is small enough to walk. Taxis run up the sealed 8 km road to the upper park entrance (Paradero Alto) in 15–20 min. Colectivos and buses stop at the bridge or on Avenida Amazonas near Calle Espinar.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ollantaytambo
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Colectivo or bus via Urubamba; direct colectivos are occasional
Usually change in Urubamba; the last bus out of Pisac leaves around 19:00.Usually change in Urubamba; the last bus out of Pisac leaves around 7:00 PM.
Urubamba
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Colectivo from the bridge or Avenida Amazonas
Cheap hop down-valley; colectivo fare around S/ 4.
Maras and Moray
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Taxi or tour from Pisac or Urubamba
Easier as a half-day by taxi; check the salt-pans entry fee.
Door to door: 45–60 min by colectivo
Bus from Av. Tullumayo 207 or colectivo from Calle Puputi
Buses every 20 min from about 05:00 to 20:00; colectivos leave when full.Buses every 20 min from about 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM; colectivos leave when full.
Patacancha
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Road via Ollantaytambo
Weaving community high above the valley; go with a guide and sleep in Ollantaytambo.
Mollepata
cautionDoor to door: 2–3 h
Road via Anta or Limatambo
Trailhead for Salkantay treks; arrange transport in advance.
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.
Plaza Constitución and around
Walk to market, church and the trailhead; most guesthouses and cafés are within a few blocks.
Avenida Amazonas / river side
Near the bridge where buses and colectivos stop; 5–10 min uphill walk to the plaza.
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/ 90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/ 150–260 excl. bed
- High
- S/ 260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × PEN 180 | PEN 360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PEN 160 | PEN 640 |
| Colectivo Cusco–Pisac, one way2 × PEN 5 | PEN 10 |
| Taxi town centre to upper park entrance, one way2 × PEN 32 | PEN 64 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × PEN 35 | PEN 70 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 114 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 315 per person per day, bed included | PEN 1,258 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights and Boleto Turístico excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Menu del día (set lunch) | S/ 12–25 |
| Coffee or coca tea | S/ 5–10 |
| Bottle of water | S/ 2–5 |
| Colectivo Cusco–Pisac | S/ 5 |
| Taxi Pisac–Urubamba | about S/ 50 |
| Botanic garden entry | S/ 8 |
| Boleto Turístico (multi-site pass) | check current price; buy in soles only |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: the ruins sit at 3,446–3,514 m; acclimatise before the climb.
- Park paths have loose gravel and no map boards; bring the free map from the tourist office.
- Rainy season: slippery paths and possible landslides closing sections.
- Boleto Turístico must be bought in Peruvian soles; US dollars and cards are not accepted, and you show your passport.
- Ask before photographing market vendors; a small payment per person is the local norm.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PisacPísac
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
No embassies in Pisac; most are in Lima, with consulates in Cusco (check your country's list).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colectivo Cusco → Pisac: about S/ 5, 45–60 min
- Taxi town → upper park entrance: S/ 30–35, 15–20 min
- Colectivo Pisac → Urubamba: about S/ 4, 1 h
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (DON-de es-TA el mer-KA-do)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (ne-se-SI-to un TAK-si)
- ¿Puedo tomar una foto? — Can I take a photo? (PWE-do to-MAR U-na FO-to)
- La cuenta, por favor — The check, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
Buy the Boleto Turístico in soles before the park; cards and US dollars are not accepted.
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 Pisac. 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: Apr–Oct (dry season) · avoid Nov–Mar (rain; February worst, paths slippery and landslides possible) · 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
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CUZ: field-checked transfer times, taxi fallback, first-night rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: plaza and market, river promenade, upper park entrance, lower park trailhead.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (park, market, church, botanic garden) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rainy-season and altitude fixtures so gates A–D can go green.