When is the best time to visit Cusco?

Cusco can be visited throughout the year. Most visitors will use climate as a criterion but others may be attracted by any one of numerous fiestas: Inti Raymi, Easter, Corpus Christi, Christmas. The dry season when sunny days can be expected runs May-Oct but in Jun-Jul it can be below freezing at night.  Rain falls Jan-Mar.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What language is spoken in Cusco?

The main language spoken in Cusco is Spanish.

What currency do I need in Cusco?

The Peruvian Nuevo Sol is the main currency used in Cusco. Notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Numerous money exchanges (casas de cambio) change US dollars cash (few accept euros or sterling and the rate may be poor).

What is the time difference between Cusco and the UK?

The time difference between Cusco and the UK is GMT -5 hours.

What does a visit to Cusco combine with?

Cusco can be used as base to explore the following places: the Sacred Valley of the Incas olnly 53 km by road; Machu Picchu is 75km by road and rail from Cusco; Tambopata and the lodges of the southern Amazon, 1 hour by air; Lake Titicaca, 6-9 hours by road or 10 hours by train; Colca Canyon, 236km by road.

How do I get to Cusco?

Cusco is just a 1 hour flight from Lima

What key events are there in Cusco?

Inti Raymi:  24 Jun. Inca festival of the winter solstice celebrated at the temple of Sacsayhuamán.

El Señor de los Temblores:  Variable. Vast Easter Monday religious procession.

Corpus Christi: Jun. Statues of the Virgin Mary and saints have a day out from their churches and are paraded to the Cathedral.