Frequently Asked Questions
ELECTRICITY
The main voltage is 220 volt, and sockets in Cusco have the same design as North American Models. Local adapters are widelyavailable.
SAFETY
Cusco is a very safe city when you are alert and take sensible precautions, such as taking care of valuables and not walking alone at night. Take particular care of your possessions when using collectivos (public minibuses) as opportunistic thefts do occur, especially when the buses are busy, and tourists are of course a target in this respect.
The FairServices office is located near Cusco city centre, homestays are situated in the suburbs (mainly in Santa Ursula).
The FairServices office is located near Cusco city centre, homestays are situated in the suburbs (mainly in Santa Ursula).
ALTITUDE (SICKNESS) IN CUSCO
Cusco is situated at an altitude of 3,400 meters (just over 11,000 feet), which means thinner air than most people are used to. Although the majority of young, healthy people don't experience problems with altitude sickness, we recommend not over-exerting yourself and not consuming too much rich food or alcohol in the first couple of days. This will ensure that your body can become acclimatized to the height. Cusco’s altitude also means that when the sun shines, it can be very strong, while at night it can get very cold.
WITHDRAWING MONEY
There are a number of shops and banks in central Cusco that house ATMs. These dispense both US$ and Peruvian Nuevos Soles. Most things in Cusco are paid for in Soles. Make sure to check with your bank at home about their policies concerning international travel and withdrawing money abroad.
WARNING: When using some ATMs you will get your money before your card is returned to you. Ten seconds later, the machine will ask whether you would like to complete another transaction. If you answer NO, the machine will then return your card. Sometimes people will take their money and walk away. Be sure to not forget your card as this means that the next person can take money out of your account.
WARNING: When using some ATMs you will get your money before your card is returned to you. Ten seconds later, the machine will ask whether you would like to complete another transaction. If you answer NO, the machine will then return your card. Sometimes people will take their money and walk away. Be sure to not forget your card as this means that the next person can take money out of your account.
BUDGET NEEDED
Tourists in Cusco are presented with an enormous range of options for accommodation and eating out, and so it is difficult to specify the amount of money you will need to live here. For those on a tight budget, a double room in a basic but clean and safe hostel can be found for around 40 soles, and a simple two-course set menu in San Pedro market costs from 5 soles. For those with more cash to spare, hotels and restaurants go all the way up to five-star standard, with prices to match!
TRAVELLING FROM LIMA TO CUSCO
International flights arrive in Lima, from where it is possible to take a connecting domestic flight (approximately one hour) to Cusco. Airlines which fly this route daily include LAN Peru, TACA and Star Peru.
It is also possible to take the bus, which will take approximately 22 hours. Cruz del Sur is most recommended since they always have 2 drivers on a bus, changing places every 4 hours. The seats are huge and recline and there are toilets on the buses.
It is also possible to take the bus, which will take approximately 22 hours. Cruz del Sur is most recommended since they always have 2 drivers on a bus, changing places every 4 hours. The seats are huge and recline and there are toilets on the buses.
VACCINATIONS
Before you come to Peru, you should make sure that you have sought expert medical advice. In general, you the following vaccinations are strongly recommended before coming to South America:
- -Yellow fever
- -Hepetitis A
- -DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Polio)
CUSCO AND MALARIA
If you are coming only to Cusco, you won’t have to worry about malaria, because at this altitude there are no malaria-carrying mosquitoes. However, if you are planning to visit other areas such as the jungle, it is recommended you consult your doctor about malaria pills.
INCATRAIL - MACCHUPICCHU
The best months for walking the Inca Trail or visiting Machu Picchu are from May through October as this is the dry season. Be sure to plan your trip in good time, as you will require a permit to walk the official Inca Trail and in the dry season particularly, these limited spaces are fully booked months in advance.
MOBILE PHONES
If you own a tri-band phone, you can use it in Peru. In Cusco you can purchase a SIM card for around 15 soles and a cheap phone with a SIM for 60 Soles.
VISAS
Citizens from the following countries may obtain a visa upon arrival in Peru:
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brunei, Bolivia, Brazil, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Micronesia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Saint Kitts and Nevis, North Korea, Saint Lucia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Marshall Islands, Malta, Mexico, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Norway, Nauru, Niue, New Zealand, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Palau, Paraguay, Solomon Islands, Singapore, San Marino, El Salvador, Swaziland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Taiwan, United States, Vatican City, Venezuela, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, South Africa
Generally, the visa issued is for a period of 183 days. However, you might sometimes be issued a visa for only 30 or 60 days. If you are planning to stay longer than 30 days, make sure you check how long your visa is valid for. If you want to stay longer than your visa permits, it is possible to extend your visa by one month in Cusco itself. Alternatively, you could travel to and cross the Bolivian border. On re-entering Peru, you will be issued with another 183 day visa.
Be sure to confirm these details with your local embassy before making travel arrangements.
Vaccinations and Malaria
Before you come to Peru, you should make sure that you have sought expert medical advice. In general, you the following vaccinations are strongly recommended before coming to South America:
Yellow fever
Hepetitis A
DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Polio)
If you are coming only to Cusco, you won’t have to worry about malaria, because at this altitude there are no malaria-carrying mosquitoes. However, if you are planning to visit other areas such as the jungle, it is recommended you consult your doctor about malaria pills.
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brunei, Bolivia, Brazil, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Micronesia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Saint Kitts and Nevis, North Korea, Saint Lucia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Marshall Islands, Malta, Mexico, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Norway, Nauru, Niue, New Zealand, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Palau, Paraguay, Solomon Islands, Singapore, San Marino, El Salvador, Swaziland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Taiwan, United States, Vatican City, Venezuela, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, South Africa
Generally, the visa issued is for a period of 183 days. However, you might sometimes be issued a visa for only 30 or 60 days. If you are planning to stay longer than 30 days, make sure you check how long your visa is valid for. If you want to stay longer than your visa permits, it is possible to extend your visa by one month in Cusco itself. Alternatively, you could travel to and cross the Bolivian border. On re-entering Peru, you will be issued with another 183 day visa.
Be sure to confirm these details with your local embassy before making travel arrangements.
Vaccinations and Malaria
Before you come to Peru, you should make sure that you have sought expert medical advice. In general, you the following vaccinations are strongly recommended before coming to South America:
Yellow fever
Hepetitis A
DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Polio)
If you are coming only to Cusco, you won’t have to worry about malaria, because at this altitude there are no malaria-carrying mosquitoes. However, if you are planning to visit other areas such as the jungle, it is recommended you consult your doctor about malaria pills.
THE WEATHER IN CUSCO
The dry period in this region is from April through November. This is the wintertime in Peru, which usually means bright and clear days with very cold nights, and is the period when most tourists come to Cusco. December through April is the rainy season where short, heavy showers are quite frequent with occasional sunny spells.
