Cuzco

About Cusco

Cusco is one hour away from Urubamba by car, and is easily reached for weekends away. Cusco is now a major tourist attraction, and you will find almost more “gringos” than locals. It has a fantastic selection of restaurants, bars, clubs and markets for souvenir shopping, ranging from cheap to very expensive. Cusco has something for everyone, from spectacularly preserved inca ruins, beautiful scenery, a bustling nightlife and some great shopping. Cusco is surrounded by stunning countryside and is the base for most of the tours in the area, and also the terminal for long distance travel, so you will never be short for something to do.

Money

The Nuevo Sol is the official currency. You will find you can’t get it in the UK, so bring US dollars or travelers checks. There are around 5.5 soles to the pound and 2.8 soles to the dollar. It is advisable to bring a credit card with you for emergencies. Money can be drawn out on these in addition to using them for transactions in travel agencies, restaurants etc. We have found Visa to be the most widely usable, especially if traveling out of the tourist areas. Although American express, MasterCard, Masta and switch are accepted in Cusco and the bigger cities.

Altitude

Cusco is at 3300 m above sea level, and for most the altitude can take some getting used to. It is advisable to spend two to three days minimum acclimatizing before embarking on any treks or strenuous exercise. It is common to feel short of breath, dizzy, tired, and nauseous and to suffer head aches or vomiting in the first few days. The best thing to do is rest, stay away from alcohol and heavy foods, and drink lots of coca tea.

The beautiful main square in the Inca capital of Cusco