Cusco sits high in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of about 11,000 ft. Making breathing a little more difficult for a sea level dweller or an asthmatic visiting – which I happen to be both. The thinner air was apparent as soon as we walked off the plane dragging all of our bags.
Luckily, after many hours of traveling, we were greeted at the tiny airport to coco leaves – which are used to minimize the effects of altitude sickness. With a mouth full of coco leaves and Peruvian soles in hand, we walked out of the airport and headed to our hostel in the historic center of Cusco.
Being our first time in South America, we were excited to explore a new continent known for their colorful culture, diverse ecosystems, and incredible cuisine. Having only a few days to explore Cusco before and after our trek to Machu Picchu, we had to carefully choose which spots to squeeze in during this visit. With endless amounts of things to see and do around Cusco, it can be quite overwhelming for travelers.
Though we crammed in as much we could, I still feel like we barely scratched the surface on this vast country. We, unfortunately, had to cancel a few things because someone got sick *cough*, me. But one day I hope to return to explore Peru even deeper.
Here are some of the main points to include in any visit to what was once the capital of the Inca Empire.
Plaza de Armas
The main square located in the historic center of Cusco is Plaza de Armas. It is the heart and soul of the city. If you ever travel to Cusco, you’ll most likely stay somewhere within this vicinity.
Walking around you’ll notice many eateries with great views of the square and you’ll probably be approached by numerous people hoping to sell you a tour, some artwork or maybe even a llama sweater.
But if you’re anything like me, you’ll be distracted by all the adorable stray dogs who run the square and adore the attention.
And even if for any reason cute dogs aren’t your thing and you’re more of a history buff, don’t despair. You’ll probably be drawn to the colonial Spanish buildings that line the area once called, Huacaypata (The Great Inca Square). Including the notable Cusco Cathedral and Church of La Compañia de Jesus.
Luckily for us, during our time in Cusco, there were street festivals going on all day, every day. I repeat. ALL DAY, EVERY DAMN DAY. Peruvians sure know how to party!
I clearly remember being awoken early in the morning to the sound of canons for a celebration they were having one day. (So even if you plan on sleeping in one morning as I did, think again) Roadblocks and traffic are also common near the city center for these block parties to continue well into the late evenings.
It seemed like the entire population of locals were involved in the festivals and street performances. Walking around we saw numerous groups of all ages dressed up in their colorful, traditional attire. Practicing their routines before parading down the roads.
Bands accompanying them played upbeat tunes that completed the stories the dancers were telling through their moves.
In addition to the street performers, large Saints were paraded around the city. This celebration is known as, Corpus Christi. One of the most important religious festivals celebrated in Peru, 60 days after Easter.
Looking incredibly heavy, these large statues were carried around by a dozen young boys. While watching them, I thought they were going to drop one on multiple occasions. It was quite a scene.
Sacsayhuaman
Located above the main square in the hills, you can find Sacsayhuaman, or ‘Sexy Woman’ if you’re like me and struggle to pronounce any words in Quechua, the indigenous language.
Can you believe this massive fortress took over 7 decades to build? What’s even wilder is how the Inca’s carved and perfectly placed these large boulders. How they did it still remains mostly unknown. Though there are many theories, skeptics are convinced it was ancient aliens.
Regardless of how this place came to be, I think we can all agree it’s an incredible site with some rad views overlooking Cusco.
Fun Fact: The Inca Empire was built in the shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuaman being the head and the belly around the area of Plaza de Armas.
Moray
While in Cusco, we took a day tour into the Sacred Valley. One of the first stops is at Moray, an Inca archaeological site that was believed to be used for agriculture.
The perfectly aligned stone terraces were such a unique sight to see and resemble crop circles. Another great example of Incan craftmanship.
Salineras de Maras
Another stop on our Sacred Valley tour was, Salineras de Maras or the ‘Salt Mines’, as many travelers call them. This spot has also become quite popular due to social media.
Surrounded by views of snow-capped mountains. This hillside is covered in thousands of strategically placed salt pans, which are filled naturally with the salt water that flows down into the valley.
Eventually, the water will evaporate, leaving behind only the crystallized salt. A practice that has been around in the region for hundreds of years.
You’re even allowed to walk between some of the salt pans, as long as you don’t step in any of them. So make sure you’re mindful of the workers and others when snapping that picture.
In addition, they also sell many salt products from what they collect here, which makes for a great souvenir! We opted for a chocolate bar made from local cocoa beans and salt. It was tasty and definitely helped curve our appetite during the tour.
San Pedro Market
I live for open-air markets! And will never pass up any chance I get to visit one when traveling or even back home in San Francisco, for that matter. Something about walking up and down aisles of vendors and not knowing what I may find excites me.
Best believe the San Pedro market did not disappoint!
Just a short walk from Plaza de Armas you can find this market full of locals and tourists alike, haggling for the best deal.
We visited on Saturday, which happens to be the largest day for the market with many vendors spilling out onto the side streets.
The amount of things you can find here is endless. The aisles range from locally grown produce to intricate textiles, fresh baked goods, natural medicinal remedies and much, much, more.
And you can’t forget to stop and admire the colorful flowers at one of the many floral booths.
Oh, and if you’re looking for something a little more offbeat or bizarre. Head over to the meat section. Though fair warning, I wouldn’t recommend this after a large meal or if you get queasy easily.
Here it’s apparent they do not let any part of the animal go to waste, as you can find any animal limb imaginable for sale and the smell is pretty unpleasant.
But regardless of all that. This is a great spot to eat
So if you’re a cost-conscious traveler, looking to stretch your soles in Cusco, this would be the place for you!
My favorite stop in the market had to be the fresh fruit juice bar. For about 6 soles you can get a juice that serves enough for 2. We didn’t realize this and actually ordered 2 (4 cups). No wonder the lady looked at me a little crazy when I was ordering…whoops!
Good thing we love fruit juice, because we were literally double-fisting them and super full from it after. The fruit combinations you can order are endless and I seriously wanted to try them all!
The lady at the bar was even kind enough to offer us samples of exotic fruit from the region that I had never even heard of before. Highly recommend this if you’re planning a trip to Cusco.
♥ Lo
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