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Cusco
In addition to serving as a gateway to nearby attractions like Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Cusco offers travelers a host of culturally enticing museums, cathedrals and markets that make this city an excellent addition to any itinerary. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Cusco area presents a number of spectacular trekking opportunities. And for those who want to stretch their legs a bit but aren't up for a week-long adventure over mountainous terrain, the nearby Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, Tambo Machay, Tipón, and Pikillacta and Rumicolca make excellent day trips.
In Quechua its name translates to "belly button of the world," and at its height Cusco truly was the center of the great Inca Empire, which stretched across parts of South America from Northern Chile to Colombia. In terms of
architectural prowess and political importance, Cusco paralleled the well-known Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán as one of the great imperial capitals of America.
Today, Cusco is known for its inviting and intriguing blend of Spanish and Inca culture, most evident where Spanish churches and convents had been built squarely on top of perfectly laid Inca walls. While the Spanish did their best to pillage and plunder the city, they failed to completely destroy the massive network of Inca stonework, which continues to withstand both time and the elements while the Spanish buildings crack and crumble. The Quechua people, the present-day ancestors of the Incas, are also a foundation for the city and bring the charm, humility and beauty that keep tourism booming in Cusco.
Because the city is a popular destination along the Gringo Trail, it has a variety of hotels and restaurants to accommodate any traveler's tastes, from five-star, world-class hotels to hostels the most miserly of backpackers will find affordable. It is an extremely visitor-friendly city, with tour agencies on every block and very helpful locals. Most of the major Cusco activities are within walking distance of one another and can be covered in about half a day, though you may want to devote a little more time to browse the various shops and markets you may encounter along the way.
Altitude: 3536m (11,600 ft) Population: 358,935 Phone Code: 84
Neighborhoods in Cusco: San Blas,
Other places nearby Cusco: Pisac, Cusco: South of the Plaza de Armas, Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Andahuaylillas and San Pedro, Yucay, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Urubamba.
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| Spanish in Cusco, Peru All levels. The most effective methods. University credit through New Mexico State University. Reasonable rates & more www.latinoschool.com |
Cusco Highlights
Qoricancha Templo del Sol and Santo Domingo
Incan Qoricancha Of the numerous attractions in Cusco, this should be on the top of your list. Once home to nearly 4,000 of the Empire’s highest ranking priests and their attendants, Qoricancha was ...Cusco, Peru
Museo de Arte Religioso
For art aficionados and architecture fiends alike, the Museo de Arte Religioso is one of the most interesting addresses in the city. Like many other attractions in Cusco, the museum sports a rich ...Cusco, Peru
Cusco Cathedral
Located on the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s massive stone cathedral is well worth a visit. Construction began in 1560; much of the stone used to build the cathedral was brought from Sachsayhuamán and ...Cusco, Peru
Iglesia San Blas
Iglesia San Blas is just one of the Cusco attractions located in the bustling artisan neighborhood of San Blas. Built in 1563, Iglesia San Blas is thought to be one of the oldest parishes in Cusco. ...Cusco, Peru
Museo de Arte y Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Built by the Spanish between 1601 and 1610 on top of Acllahuasi-where the Inca emperor once housed his chosen Virgins of the Sun-this convent and museum houses an interesting collection of colonial ...Cusco, Peru
Museo de Sitio Qoricancha
Located under the garden below Santo Domingo, the Museo de Sitio Qoricancha consists of three small rooms, which contain a pre-Columbian collection, Spanish paintings from the 18th century and photos ...Cusco, Peru
Museo HistĂłrico Regional
Formerly the residence of one of Peru’s most famous writers and Inca historians, Garcilaso de la Vega, the Museo Histórico Regional now offers an excellent review of Peruvian history, from ...Cusco, Peru
Raqchi
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Raqchi ruins is the line of nearly 200 round stone houses that parallels the gigantic adobe Inca wall. At one time each one of the houses was filled to the ...Cusco, Peru
The Stone Puma
North of Cusco’s Plaza de Armas towards Cuesta San Blas, you will come upon one of the most haunting tokens of a civilization: the foundation for the one-time palace of 14th century Incan ruler
...Cusco, Peru
Cusco Hotels
Hostal Santa MarĂa
Located a half block from the Catedral on the Plaza de Armas, amongst churches and Inca walls, Hostal Santa Maria is in a privileged location. Particularly pleasant is the second floor dining room
...Cusco, Peru
Hotel Monasterio
Owned and operated by the prestigious Orient Express Hotels group, the Monasterio is the most luxurious hotel in Cusco. Two blocks north of the Plaza de Armas, the hotel complex was formerly the San
...Cusco, Peru
Hostal Rumi Punku
HotelRumi Punku is an attractive hotel in old Cusco.Rumi Punku means “stone door” in Quechua: the entrance to the hotel leads through an ancient stone door, obviously of Inca design. The doorway ...Cusco, Peru
Sumac Wasi
Sumac Wasi (Beautiful House) is in a large, 400-year-old colonial house located 50 meters from the main square, in the heart of the Cusco city. It has comfortable and pleasant rooms with private ...Cusco, Peru
Hotel Libertador Palacio del Inka, Cusco
Hotel Libertador Palacio del Inka is located within the ancient city of Cusco, facing the impressive Qoricancha, or Temple of the Sun. Its 254 rooms have been especially designed to make your stay ...Cusco, Peru
Sonesta Posada del Inca
Owned and operated by the international Sonesta chain, Posada del Inca is strategically located right in the center of old Cusco. The rooms are bright and airy, there is a relaxing lounge with a ...Cusco, Peru
Hostal Posada del Corrigedor
This place offers great value for money. The management of Hostal Posada del Corrigedor has invested more creativity and care in this hostel than at many of the other hostels you will find in this
...Cusco, Peru
Hostal Hatun Wasi
This hostel is managed by the Mendivil family, whose religious and indigenous-themed folk art has gained recognition beyond Peru. This hotel has a great location and offer rooms designed with an ...San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Amaru Hostal
Many hostels just north of the Plaza de Armas in the “artist community” of San Blas are a little bit more expensive, but the Amaru Hostel is the only one that includes “American breakfast,” ...San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Hospedaje TurĂstico San Blas
Located on the steep and busy hill leading up to the Plaza San Blas, Hospedaje TurĂstico San Blas has high quality rooms and friendly staff in a very convenient location. The hotel\'s interiors are ...San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Rey Antares Mystic Hotel
The more expensive room prices at the Rey Antares Mystic Hotel means a little bit extra, spiritually speaking. For interested guests, manager Yarly la Torre offers access to local shamans who will ...Cusco, Peru
Cusco Restaurants
Paddy Flaherty's
Paddy Flaherty’s calls itself “the highest Irish pub in the world.” And at Cusco’s altitude, who wouldn’t want to treat themselves to a Guinness or English draft beer? Fill up on hearty,
...Cusco, Peru
Jack's Café Bar
Manager Jane Berthelsen said she wanted “the sort of food from back home that you miss” when she came up with the idea of Jack’s. Her vision includes huge all-day breakfasts, pancakes and
...Cusco, Peru
Govinda's
Govinda’s has what is most likely the healthiest food in all of Cusco. Managed by local affiliates of Hare Krishna, and with a slant towards Indian-style cooking, the all-vegetarian, heavy on soy ...Cusco, Peru
Macondo
This bar and restaurant provides a chic, art-gallery ambience, with contemporary artwork displayed on its walls and candles on each table providing a mellow glow. The menu items include chicken with
...San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Restaurant Narguila
Head to Narguila if you want to try shakshuka, a spiced egg and tomato specialty served with jahnun, the pride of Yemen’s bakeries. Or perhaps with a malawach puffed pastry. The eatery also serves
...Cusco, Peru
Truco Restaurant
You will definitely not soon forget dining at the Truco Restaurant on the south end of the charming Plaza Regocijo, the latter a smaller and more tranquil compliment to the Plaza de Armas. El Truco ...Cusco, Peru
Khipus Restaurant
One of the main reasons people may want to visit Khipus is that it is the restaurant of choice of Edilberto Mérida, one of Peru’s most famous painters and sculptors. Merida first
...San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Kintaro Japanese Restaurant
One of the very few Japanese restaurants in Cusco, Kintaro is run by Moriya Daisuke, a native of Japan, who offers his customers as authentic an experience as possible, complete with a second floor ...Cusco, Peru
Granja Heidi Restaurant
Owner Karl Heinz-Horner grew up in Germany, but proudly considers himself Peruvian after settling here and starting his own dairy farm, where he sells his own milk, yogurt and cheese. He is also the ...San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Le Nomade
Le Nomade offers a relaxed Bohemian ambience of couches and hookah pipes, the latter with a variety of tobaccos. The menu has more of an emphasis on French cuisine, with plates such as bistec con ...Cusco, Peru
Map Cafe
A short walk from the main square, MAP Cafe and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum provides one with an evening of combined fine dining and culture. Housed in a striking colonial mansion (Casa Cabrera), ...Cusco, Peru
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