In this post we tell you everything you need to know to travel to Cuzco, Peru.
Everything you need to know to travel to Cuzco
When to go
- Before buying the tickets and choose the date for traveling to Cuzco we recommend you to inform about the weather, the festivities and the tourist movement of the place.
How to get there
By plane
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Regular flights to Cuzco City from Lima (1 hour) and from Arequipa (30 minutes).
Travel Requirements
- Peru is basically a country of open doors. The entry into Peru for Citizens of most American and Western European countries does not require a tourist visa. The maximum period of stay granted by the authorities is 183 days (cannot be extended).
- For longer periods of time for other purposes (business, study, work, etc.) it is necessary to apply for the corresponding visa at a Peruvian consulate.
- In order to enter Peru it is indispensible to carry a valid passport. Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Chile may enter with their valid national identification document.
Time Zone
- Peru has one time zone -5h, GMT
Currency
- The “Nuevo Sol” (S/.) is the official currency of Peru. There are notes of the following denominations: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles. Coins are 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as 1, 2 and 5 Nuevos Soles.
- Countless shops, restaurants, hotels and gas stations accept US Dollars. It is possible to exchange currency in banks and currency exchange agencies. There are also “cambistas” street currency exchangers, but the safety of the transaction is not guaranteed.
- Currency exchange agencies are regularly open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, from Monday to Friday, and half day on Saturdays
- Most cities in the country have ATMs connected in most cases to Plus (Visa), Cirrus (MasterCard/Maestro), American Express and other networks. You may withdraw Nuevos Soles or US Dollars, although the exchange rates tend to be less favorable.
Health
- There are no mandatory vaccines for entry into Peru.
What to visit in Cuzco
- On a journey through the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, one of the must-sees of the place is walking and touring the historic center of Cusco.This was proclaimed as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1983, and today, the “Capital archaeological of South America”, is the most visited destination in Perú and one of the most important in America and the world.
Gastronomy
- The gastronomy of Peru has been classified by many expert chefs as one of the best in the world because of its wide variety of flavours and aromas, so authentic as ancient, as well as its nutritional richness. The city of Cuzco, especially, has one of the best dishes of the Andes Peruvian where prevails the use of the potato and the corn. On your visit to the Peruvian city this are the 5 Must-Eat Dishes.
Shopping
- Cuzco is one of the Peruvian cities with more historical and cultural wealth. Its long tradition cultural presents a diversity of products manufactured by artisans. Many of them are really amazing, especially its textile art and goldsmithing. While visiting the city, shopping lovers will have the opportunity of acquire incredible crafts as souvenirs as part of the culture and the traditions of this tourist destination. Read: Where to buy handicrafts in Cusco.
