A Digital Nomad Guide to Cusco, Peru

Cusco Visa

Peru is one of the easiest countries to enter, and you don’t always need a visa for entry. Passports from most countries in the Americas and western Europe do not require any form of visa, just a passport valid for six months from the date of entry. The average maximum stay is for 183 days; following that, you are required to apply for a residency permit. Other countries in South America can enter Peru using their national ID cards and do not need a passport to enter. Some countries will need to apply for a tourist visa before they travel. For specific information, visit the official tourism board website at peru.travel or contact your embassy in Peru to find out what type of visa you need for your stay.

If you are planning on working in Peru, then you will need to obtain a working visa, which is generally done by your employer. To be granted a working permit, you need to have a native put their name to your application as they will act as your guarantor. Usually, if you accept a job before your arrival, your employer should apply for you and obtain the correct visa before your arrival. 

Culture and Food in Cusco

Local food

Some of the best restaurants serving up some of the local specialties and some of the best Peruvian cuisine are Piedra & Sal Restaurante, Pachapapa, Limo, and Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse. Some of the specilaities to look for are ceviche, quinoa, Papas a la Huancaína, cuy, Rocoto Relleno and Papas A La Huancaina. 

Fast-food

You will notice some popular fast-food chains in Cusco, and whilst I don’t personally enjoy eating at these, for someone who is missing a familiar taste, this will certainly curb that craving. You will see McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King.

Street Food

Cusco has some wonderful markets offering some of the best street food in Peru. San Pedro Market was my personal favorite as it offered a variety of hearty home-cooked meals for a very low price of around $3 USD. Many of the food stands inside the market will serve a “meal” rather than just one item. You will find the women offer just one set menu, which is usually a soup, followed by the main, which is generally rice, beans, and some sort of meat or fish, all served with a cup of tea. This “set menu” generally costs around $3-4 USD, and you get a very large helping. 

Guinea Pig (Cuy)

Now, this might sound odd as in many places, guinea pigs are seen as pets; however, they are a staple food in Peru. There are many myths and legends in Peru, and there was one I was told when I was in Cusco. The story is that guinea pigs were given to university students across the world for analysis. The species breed like crazy, hence they made a great food source, so some were sent to see if breeding could be optimized to produce larger species by selective breeding. However, the story is that the recipients of the guinea pigs thought they were so cute that they ended up keeping them for pets, and that is how guinea pigs have appeared across the globe! Whether this is true or not, the guinea pig is still eaten in Peru and is often part of a celebratory meal. You will find it on many menus, and it is often served whole on a platter. Personally, I am not a huge fan of eating meat; however, I did try it whilst there, and it was a very dense meat, almost like a cross between pork and chicken. It is often written as El Cuy on the menu, and restaurants that serve it in Cusco charge around $13 USD.

Alpaca and Llama

Another specialty in Peru is alpaca and llama. They are both very lean meats that were a staple for locals and have now become part of cuisine across the country. You can find the meats in many forms, from steaks cooked on a volcanic rock to appearing on a pizza. Again I did try both whilst out there, and it isn’t for everyone; however, I recommend finding a local spot to eat at and giving it a go.

Vegan and Vegetarian

Cusco has a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and many will cater to different dietary needs. You will find restaurants serving both local cuisine and others that offer a variety of cuisines from across the globe that all cater to special dietary needs. Some of the best vegetarian restaurants are Green Point restaurants, Shaman restaurant, Chia Vegan, Govinda Lila, Green falafel, Organika, El Encuentro, PER.UK, Greens, Nuna Raymi and Organic madre tierra.

Cusco Nightlife

Nightclubs

The best nightclubs in Cusco are located around Plaza de Armas, and you have a great variety to choose from. Mama Africa is rated as one of the top nightclubs in Cusco, and it is the party place. With multiple dance floors and drinks offers, this is the place to go for a wild night. Other nightclubs in the area include Ukuskus Bar, which is great for live music, La Chupitería, which is home to the best shots in town, and Chango Club. 

Many of the largest Hostels, such as Loki and Wild Rover, will also put on club nights in their bars, which can make for a fun-filled night of drinking and dancing.

Bars

For a more low-key evening, there are many bars to sit and have a drink at. The thing that is great about Cusco is there is something to suit everyone’s needs, and you will find a huge variety of bars. Some offer a relaxed space for a chilled drink with friends, whilst are higher-end offering some of the best cocktails in some of the most sophisticated bars in Cusco. Some of the best bars are KMO, The Muse, Indigo, El Jardin Secreto, Mushrooms, Los Perros, Nuevo Mundo Craft Beer, and Fallen Angel. Paddy’s is another spot that is popular with tourists, and it resembles a British pub.

Night Tours

As well as guided day tours, there are night tours that offer a great way to see the city in a new light and admire the lights. This is a nice way to spend a quiet evening and a great way to meet like-minded tourists. 

Cocktail Classes

When in Peru, you have to try the local specialty, which is Pisco. Pisco is the famous spirit of Peru, which is made from distilling fermented grape juice, and it is similar to brandy. Pisco sours is the most popular cocktail using the spirit. Cusco offers a variety of cocktail masterclass evenings, with prices starting from around $25 USD. Usually, these will includes tasters and a lesson on how to make cocktails with Pisco.

Things to do in Cusco

Cusco is a beautiful city located in the mountains in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. There are plenty of things to see and do in Cusco itself; however, it is very popular to take excursions from the city to surrounding areas. The Sacred Valley is full of historical sites, and there are many tours running from Cusco to see the rich history of the area. In Cusco you will see many museums, galleries, shops, markets, bars, and cafés, so you certainly won’t be bored if you decide you don’t want to take any trips outside of the city. 

• Museums

  There are many museums in Cusco, showcasing art, crafts, and historical elements of Peru as well as Incan Culture. The best museums for Incan Culture and arts are Museo Inka, Museo de Arte Precolombino, and Museum of Contemporary Art of the Municipality of Cusco. Other historical museums include Museo Casa Concha, Regional Historical Museum of Cusco, Coca Museum, Casa Garcilazo, and Museo de Sitio Puca Marka.

• Markets

  There are many markets in Cusco, selling local produce, food, and crafts. Even if you don’t go to buy something, they are great to just explore for a day and see what is present in local culture. Baratillo Market is held every Saturday, and it is also known as the “smugglers market.” Baratillo Market is not as touristy and is more popular with locals. You will find locally grown produce and antiques in this bustling market. 

• Coffee and Chocolate Museum

  Peru is known for its coffee and chocolate farming, and there are museums that showcase these industries in Cusco. ChocoMuseo is a great place for any foodie or chocolate lover. They have two locations in Cusco, and they offer a variety of tours and workshops. Chocolate-making tours can cost anything from $25 USD up to $50 USD for a day experience.

• Cooking Class

  One of the best ways to get to know a country is through its food; what better way to experience the culinary side of culture than through a cooking class. Cookery classes are very common in Cusco and come in a variety of forms. Most half-day cooking experiences start at around $40 USD. This usually includes a tour of local food markets where you purchase local produce followed by a cookery class, learning how the locals eat.

• Shops/Crafts

  Cusco is full of craft stalls, markets, and shops selling some of the finest Peruvian crafts. From alpaca jumpers to leather goods, tapestries, and friendship bracelets. For true handmade items, visit the official stores as many items found in the markets are produced in Asia on a mass production level for tourism. You can easily find jewelry, clothing stores, and craft shops where you can see the locals at work, creating authentic souvenirs. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, but you enjoy looking at color crafts, then I suggest you spend an afternoon exploring the colorful markets. Peru is known for its colorful textiles, and you will find the textile markets and stores such as The Fair Trade Store and Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco sell authentic goods. Centro Artesanal is also good for looking at local crafts. The King of Maps is another great shop to admire some incredible local talent.

• Festivals

  Across South America, festivals are held on a regular basis, and if you happen to be there whilst one is happening, then you must go and experience it. It is common to celebrate Saint days, and each town has its own saint that they celebrate. Carnivals, processions, and music are common attributes of a festival in Peru.

• Machu Picchu

  This is probably one of the most famous sites in Peru and one of the most popular places to visit from Cusco. This is because before visiting Machu Pichu, it is advised to stay in Cusco for a few days to get used to the altitude, especially if you are planning on hiking up Machu Pichu. Prices vary dramatically, as there are an array of options, some including transport, some including a night’s stay in Aguas Calientes, the town at the bottom of Machu Pichu, etc. I have been lucky enough to visit twice, and each time I took a different trip. My favorite was a tour organized from Cusco, which drove us to the end of the Inca Rail line, from which we followed the tracks hiking to Aguas Calientes. We had accommodation arranged for us here, and we got up at 4 am the following morning to hike up Machu Pichu. After a day up the mountain, we returned back to where the bus had dropped us and returned to Cusco. This was one of the cheapest options available, but there was a lot of hiking in a very short time frame, so it isn’t for everyone. Trips to Machu Pichu will cost around $100 USD upwards.

• Sacred Valley of the Incas

  The Sacred Valley of the Incas spans from Pisac to Ollantaytambo along the Urubamba River. As well as being home to Cusco and Machu Pichu, you will find many incredible sites in this region. Sites include Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, and Chinchero. You can purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistica del Cusco) for $38 USD, which will give you entry to multiple sites in the Sacred Valley.

• Salt Mines in Maras

  The Salt mines in Maras, Sacred Valley, are an incredible sight to see. These purpose-built salt mines were formed using an ancient Incan farming technique to harvest salt. They are located about 50 kilometers north of Cusco, and there are many tours running from Cusco. Tours from Cusco start from as little as $20 USD, including transport to and from the site.

Best Time to Visit Cusco

Peru is located in the southern hemisphere, so their summer runs from October to March, and the winter months are from April until September. The coldest month is July, with temperatures getting as low as 9.7 °C (49.5 °F). The summer months are when the rainfall comes, and temperatures will hover around 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in November, which is the warmest month.

The weather can really vary dramatically, and this will have a large impact on your stay, so make sure that you are staying there at a good time of year to suit your needs. It is easy to define the two seasons. Cusco is located in the Andean mountains and sits at 3,400 m (11,200 ft), and has a subtropical highland climate which is generally dry.

The best time of year to visit for outdoor activities is from late April to mid-June and from mid-July to early October. However, saying this, I visited in March and in May, and although I had rain, I still had a great time and managed to get out on many hikes. 

Cusco for Families

Cusco is a great place for families, as it is rich in culture, history, and things to do. Using Facebook groups such as Expats Cusco is a great way to connect with a community that is already on the ground. This is the best way to find out information about local schools, daycares, and facilities in the region that might be useful for you and your family.

Lima is the capital of Peru, and this is better suited for facilities as it is an international hub, whereas although Cusco is still one of the largest cities in Peru, facilities aren’t quite up to the same standard as Lima. It will make integration easier if you and your children speak Spanish.

Some of the best international schools in Cusco are ANDINO Cusco International School,  IBS International British School, and Proyecto Peru Centre. As always advised, it is best to contact schools directly for exact information on the curriculum that is taught and what is on offer. There are also a number of daycares in Cusco, many offered with hotel stays too, so if you book a hotel, make sure to see if this is available. 

For accommodation, the best place to search is online using sites such as Airbnb and booking.com. On Airbnb, you can get a nice apartment that sleeps a family of four, with two bedrooms for around $840 USD, located close to the historic center. 

There are many things to do in and around Cusco to keep the family entertained. This includes visiting the huge selection of museums and galleries in the city, admiring the ancient architecture, and going on excursions in the Sacred Valley. Take them to the ChocoMuseo to make your own chocolate, show them how local crafts are made, and let them experience some traditional methods of weaving and dyeing wool. There is so much to do in Cusco, and it is all very affordable.

Living in Cusco

Cusco Transportation

Bus

There are multiple bus routes in Cusco, running both within the city and also outside the center to other towns. Public buses run in Cusco, and they will cost you around $0.20 USD regardless of where you are going as it is a fixed price per journey. Buses outside of the center to nearby villages and towns cost around $2-3 USD for a single journey, depending on where you are heading to.

Taxi

Official taxis in Cusco will have “Municipalidad del Cusco” written on them, and they will be the ones with the fixed prices. You will see many unmarked, unofficial taxis in Cusco, but it is advised to take the official ones. Always make sure to agree on the price before you get in or the journey begins, as rates can vary. Most taxi rides will cost a few dollars, around $3 USD for a ten-minute ride. Uber and Easy Taxi are the only two taxi apps that can be used in Cusco. A taxi from the Cusco airport to Plaza de Armas will cost around $15 USD.

Train

There is a train station at Cusco, with trains running all over the country from two operators; Inca Rail and Peru Rail. Tickets can be bought on their websites and will often be considerably cheaper this way. For example for a return ticket to Aguas Calientes (the base of Machu Pichu) will cost $68 USD per person; however, their websites show tickets for half price if booked in a certain time frame.

Car Rentals

There is also the other option of renting a car from Cusco, and this is a great way to see the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You can find cars for as little as $30 USD per day. You will find lots of rental companies in Cusco, so just have a look online to see which has the best offer for you. As well as cars, you can hire mopeds and even trucks!

Fitness and Health

There is a good selection of gyms and fitness centers in Cusco, all offering a variety of packages and memberships. As well as gyms, there is also the option of hiking and running for the lower-end budget. One thing to be careful with is the altitude; although you might be a runner at sea level, being at high altitude can really affect your performance, and if you push your body, you can experience serious health implications. So always remember to take it easy and don’t push yourself until you are acclimatized. Most gym memberships cost around $50 USD per month, but they can vary depending on what access you need. Some of the best-rated gyms in Cusco are Smartfit, Crossfit Cusco, Premier The Cusco Gym, and Titanium Fitness. Most gyms are English and Spanish speaking, so you should find it easy to integrate. 

For yoga classes, there are a number of studios based in Cusco, such as Evergreen, holistic healing, and Healing House. Classes start from around $7 USD for drop-ins, but many centers offer packages. One of the best in Cusco is Evergreen, offering a 10 class package for $50 USD.

If you are on a lower budget, then look out for offers with your accommodation, as places like Selina coworking offer wellness classes that are included with your membership. Many hostels will also run yoga sessions, and some hotels have gyms too. There is also the option of hiking and walking around the city. As Cusco is located right next to the Sacred Valley, you will find many hikes, only a short bus ride away.

Cusco People

Peru is home to the Incas, who were at one point the rulers of this area of South America. Most Peruvians are Spanish-speaking and Catholic; however, in the more mountainous and rural regions, Peruvians differ quite dramatically. Due to colonization by the Spanish, many Peruvians follow Spanish culture; however, there are still remnants of Incan culture within daily life. This can be seen in the way they dress, some dress in modern styles of clothing while others wear brightly colored traditional clothing.

The people of Peru are incredibly proud of their heritage; pre-Inca, Spanish, and Inca culture make daily life in Peru wonderful, and the people are full of joy.

The magical atmosphere of Cusco is often seen through the people that live there and the festivals and traditional celebrations that happen. Across Peru, festivals, carnivals, and events are always happening, and this is a great way to experience the true culture of Peru. One of the most important festivals celebrated in Cusco is Inti Raymi, to mark the solstice.

You will feel very welcome in Cusco as the people there are always smiling and are very friendly. I found that many locals are firm believers of pachamama (mother earth) and are well connected to the planet and nature. This mentality makes for a very grounded and spiritual society, and this was something I really admired in the people in Cusco.

Cusco Insurance and Medical Care

As when visiting anywhere outside of your home country, it is always advised to take out medical and gadget insurance as incidents can occur anywhere in the world. There are a variety of companies that will cover various aspects, so have a look online to see what packages will suit your needs. Cusco and Peru as a whole is a relatively safe place; I personally never had any issues whilst in the country; however, there are some areas that are poorer, and you may find that if there is an opportunity, then it is taken.

As for medical, Peru is a developing country, so medical care varies across the country. In the capital, Lima, healthcare is readily available and is at a high standard; however, once you start getting out into the mountains into some of the more remote places, access to medical help and supplies becomes more difficult.

Cusco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru, so the standard of healthcare is almost up there with Lima. There is both public and private healthcare in Peru. Public healthcare in Peru is seriously underfunded, and it can take months to get an appointment for a minor health issue. You will also find that there is a huge lack of access to preventative care, so it is highly recommended to use private healthcare whilst in Peru. Public healthcare facilities will most likely not speak English, and the level of service offered is poor.

Private healthcare in Cusco is the best option for digital nomads, as there is more modern equipment and a higher standard of care is offered. Even if you have insurance, you will most likely need to pay for treatment upfront in cash, but it is very affordable when compared with other parts of the world. There are many pharmacies across Peru offering a good selection of over-the-counter medication, some even being 24 hours. The biggest issue in Cusco is altitude sickness, so it is advised to treat this with caution and carry relevant medication.

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Travel Insurance guide.

Jobs in Cusco

Finding a job in Cusco may prove difficult unless you carry certain skills. Although Cusco is a large tourist destination attracting millions from across the world, it is difficult to find a paid job in this sector. This is mainly because the tourism industry tries to employ locals to help the economy. Jobs in Cusco will be mostly in the tourism or outdoors industry. This is because any tech-related jobs will most likely be based in the capital, Lima, and many jobs in the Cusco are related to the tourism industry, employing mostly locals and only a handful of foreigners. However, certain qualifications and skills are desired in Cusco, so it is worth seeing if you have something to offer to the community. Without a working visa, it will also be difficult to find a job. It is advised to look online and apply before you go, then that way, you know that all the correct visas will be in place.

Paid Jobs

The specific industries that you will find offering jobs to foreigners in Cusco are teaching, in particular teaching languages, focusing mostly on English. If you are an adventure guide or mountain leader, then it might be possible to find a role as a tour leader. Many jobs exist within hospitality and tourism, and the best place to find these are on websites such as jobs.goabroad.com/search/peru/cusco/jobs-abroad-1, Indeed Peru, CompuTrabajo Peru, Laborum Peru, and Aptitus.

Volunteering

You will find lots of volunteering opportunities in Peru set up by organizations that bring extra help to the local communities and the environment. Websites such as volunteerworld.com offer a variety of opportunities where you can help by teaching, caring, and helping out conservation projects. This is a  great way to experience a country whilst not having to worry about visas, etc. Some volunteer opportunities are part-time; others offer more of a long-term experience.

Check out our Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.