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Machu Picchu, Cusco

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Peru

Things to see in Cusco

Tourist information: 

Direccíon Regional de Industria y Turismo (DRIT)
Portal de Mantas 117-A
Tel: (84) 222 032.

Alternatively, iPeru (www.peru.info) have information offices in the main hall at Aeropuerto Velasco Astete.

Passes: 

An essential purchase is the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico) (www.cosituc.gob.pe) which is the only way to get into most of the city's and region's main attractions, including those in the Sacred Valley. It is available from the tourist office, iPeru office, the OFEC office on the corner of Garcilaso and Plaza Regocijo or from the attractions themselves. A separate ticket is required to access the Cathedral, San Blas and Museo de Arte Religioso though.

Coca Museum

For a break from Cusco’s usual historical sights, visit the Cocoa Museum to learn more about the Inca’s sacred leaf. The museum introduces visitors to the history of the coca plant and explains exactly why it is so important to the Peruvian identity, today and in times past. It also covers the botanical and medicinal properties of the plant and tackles the more recent issues of drug trafficking and cocaine addiction.

Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Suyt’uqhatu 705, San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Telephone: (84) 708 573 or 727 597.
Coricancha and Santo Domingo

The Inca Sun Temple, Coricancha, was the centre of the Inca religion. The building was once lavishly decorated with gold plates and precious stones, but the Spanish conquistadors pillaged the site and gave the temple to the Dominicans, who built the monastery of Santo Domingo on top of it. In 1950 an earthquake destroyed the monastery, but left the Inca stonework, some of the finest masonry in Peru, undamaged.

Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0800-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Plazoleta Santo Domingo, Cusco, Peru
Iglesia de San Blas

This simple adobe church contains a breathtakingly intricate carved cedar-wood pulpit, the detail of which includes a cherub, a sun-disc, faces and bunches of grapes. At the top stands St Paul, his foot resting on a skull believed to belong to the craftsman responsible for the carving. The church also has a baroque gold-leafed altar.

Opening Times: Mon-Sat 10-11.30 and 1400-1730.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Plaza San Blas, Cusco, Peru
La Catedral

Built between 1556 and 1669 on the site of the Inca Viracocha's palace, the monolithic cathedral dominates one side of Plaza de Armas. Full of treasures, it is one of the city's best repositories of colonial art and includes detailed carved altars and a sacristy full of portraits of priests from the past, as well as the blackened crucifix that was paraded around Cusco in 1650 to stop a giant earthquake. There's also a very famous painting of the Last Supper by Marcos Zapata, at which Christ and his disciples are pictured feasting on Andean fruits and, instead of the usual Paschal lamb, a vizcacha (a kind of wild chinchilla), commonly mistaken for a cuy (guinea pig).

Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
La Compañía

This Jesuit church is the other massive building on the Plaza de Armas. Built on the ruins of the palace of the Inca Huayna Capac, it is a grand building complete with decorative baroque facade. Work began in 1578 but a giant earthquake in 1650 practically demolished the building and it wasn't finished until 1668. Interesting paintings of local weddings show plenty of period detail, whilst the catacombs beneath the church are worth exploring and the view from the second floor choir area worth climbing a set of rickety steps to see.

Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
Museo de Arte Precolombino

This small yet fascinating museum is set within the grand, spacious confines of the Earl of Cabrera's colonial mansion. It is dedicated to the artistic achievements of the various ancient Peruvian cultures and houses a superb collection of artefacts from the Moche, Chimú, Paracas, Nazca and Inca cultures. Dating from 1250 to 1532, these archaeological treasures include carvings, ceramics, and gold- and silver-work.

Opening Times: Mon-Sun 0900-2200.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Plazoleta Nazarenas 231, Cusco, Peru
Telephone: (84) 233 210.
Website: www.map.org.pe
Museo Inka

This impressive colonial house stands on Inca foundations. Inside is a massive stairway guarded by sculptures of mythical creatures, and an attractive courtyard. Most importantly, the museum houses the finest collection of Inca artefacts in the city. Metal- and gold-work, jewellery, pottery, ceramics, textiles and paintings are all on display. There is also a reconstructed burial chamber containing several mummies.

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0900-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Corner of Ataud and Tucumán, Cusco, Peru
Telephone: (84) 237 380.
Sacsayhuaman and other ruins

Pronounced ‘sexy woman’, this massive Inca ruin lies within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas. There are colossal zigzag walls made from massive, perfectly fitting stones to explore and one of the best views of Cusco to admire. A later addition to the site is the statue of Jesus Christ (similar to Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer), visible from most of Cusco.

Sacsayhuaman is the largest of a number of small but interesting sites within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas, including the outlying Inca ruin of Tambo Machay (whose name translates as ‘the Inca's Baths'), the hunting lodge of Puca Pucara (‘Red Fort'), the carved limestone monolith of Salapunco and the intricately sculpted sacred site of Qenko. You could also join a tour or take a taxi. Entry to each of the sites is with the Boleto Turistico.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Cusco, Peru
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