Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 07:30 to 19:30, Monday to Saturday; 07:30 to 14:00, Sundays
Government Offices: 08:30 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:30 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 20:00, daily

Cusco is not a particularly safe city, so visitors need to be on their guard when travelling around. Things are particularly dangerous after dark, when violent crimes can occur. Avoid empty dark streets, especially in San Blas, around the Central Market, along the Plaza de Armas and at transport terminals. Taxis are highly recommended for travelling after dark in the city. 

Police: 105

220V, 60Hz with two-prong outlets that take both round and flat plugs.

One of the unique health concerns in Cusco is the altitude. It is one of the world’s highest cities, with an elevation over 3,350 metres. Be sure and take it slow and easy when you first arrive. It can take a couple of days to acclimatise to the altitude, so if you try and push yourself too early you will get pounding headaches, shortness of breath and nausea. Drinking the local mate de coca beverage helps tremendously. Pharmacies also sell Sorojchi pills, which can help with breathing difficulties.

With high elevation comes intense sun. From 11.00 to 14.00 the radiation from the brilliant blue sky can fry you to a crisp in short time. Even if it feels cold, wear lots of sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to protect your skin. When travelling anywhere around Cusco, drink only bottled water. Carry some with you at all times to stay hydrated. For a minor illness, there are pharmacies all over Cusco. If anything serious happens contact the Tourist Medical Assistance (TMA) centre, which is open 24 hours.

Tourism Medical Assistance: +51 84 260 101
Emergency services: 105

Spanish is the language spoken in Cusco and throughout Peru.

Peru uses the nuevo sol (S/) as its official currency. One nuevo sol can be divided into 100 centavos. Notes come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 soles. Coins come in denominations of 50, 20, 10 and 5 centavos. The US dollar is Peru’s second currency and is widely accepted throughout the country. Carry small bills, as making change is always an issue in Cusco.

All visitors to Peru are allowed to bring 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars, three litres of alcohol, and even new items such as cameras, kayaks and bikes as long as they are for personal use. It’s best to remove new expensive items from their original packaging, however, to avoid arousing the suspicions of the customs inspectors.

You can dress virtually any way you like in Cusco, as long as you don’t reveal too much skin. A formal handshake is the common form of greeting and leaving, almost to the point of excess. It is considered polite to ask about one’s marital status or if someone has children, but discussing personal income is bad form. Also be careful when discussing politics or religion.

Whenever you enter and exit a shop always say something to the shopkeeper to be polite. If you invite a Peruvian to eat or drink with you, they will expect you to pay the bill. Punctuality is not a Peruvian trait, so try and get used to the slower pace of life. Cusco is a photographer’s dream, but many locals make a small income by charging tourists to snap their photo. Be prepared to pay for the privilege. Airports, police or military installations, however, are strictly off-limits to photography, and many churches and museums don’t allow photos.

Any citizen of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa can enter Peru without a visa as long as their passport is valid. Travellers from all other countries should check with their local Peruvian consulate to see if there are special visa regulations. A tourist card will be given to you upon arrival that is valid for a stay of up to 90 days. You need to show this card upon departure from Peru, so keep it safe.

Oficina de Información Turística
Mantas 117-A
Phone: +51 84 222 032