Forget About American Politics for a Moment and Look at These Pictures of Cusco
If you've been dreaming of traveling but can't get away, this is the next best thing
This was an article I put together in my first months on Medium. It’s compiled from the various photos I’ve taken at Cusco throughout the years. With all the uncertainty and anxiety in the world today, I thought I’d provide you with a little “virtual vacation.” I used the “full width” option on many of the photos, so if you can look at this on a computer screen, it’s like being there. Please let me know if you’d like more content like this—WR
Hello Friends!
For many people, Cusco is just an afterthought on the way to Machu Picchu. But Cusco is a fantastic place that affords many travelers the opportunity for a profound spiritual awakening. Nestled in the mountains at 11,000 feet of elevation, the city has a unique, positive vibe and the residents welcome all visitors with open arms.
Cusco is a magnificent city, filled with more wonders than you could see in multiple visits. If Machu Picchu didn’t exist, Cusco still boasts enough charms to warrant the world’s attention.
I first went to Cusco in 2003. I lived in Peru for 10 years, and everyone who came to visit always wanted to take the tour of Machu Picchu. Over the decades, I have collected hundreds of photos of Cusco. These images will give you the experience of walking through the streets of the Historical Capital of Peru.
Photo Opportunity
Whenever you visit Cusco, you’ll see a lot of locals dressed in the colorful mountain attire such as what is featured in the above image. These two ladies had a lamb as a photo opportunity, and of course my children couldn’t resist.
The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol, and many of the residents of the country are very poor. A photo opportunity will cost you a couple Soles, which is the equivalent of less than a dollar. It’s important to remember to be generous to the people of the service industry in Cusco.
Santa Clara Arch
Just beyond the Santa Clara Arch is the Mercado San Pedro, where you can buy virtually anything. Cusco is a very safe city, although it’s important to maintain awareness while you walk around any city in South America. This is no different than the attitude you might adopt when walking through the streets of Chicago. The best advice for world travel is to never allow yourself to get caught up in a daydream when you’re out in public.
Markets
Peru is home to a wide variety of ecological zones that include everything from desert to rain forest. As a result, you can sample a tremendous amount of different fruits and vegetables. Until you’ve been to Peru, most people don’t have a concept of how many types of bananas there are in the world.
I recommend spending a day strolling through the market and trying new types of fruit. You’ll be amazed at the tastes and textures you can discover.
Tour Corridor
Tourism is a thriving industry in Cusco, and there are many stores that offer different tourist packages. If you come to Cusco without a prepared itinerary, it’s easy to find a guide on this little street located just off the Plaza de Armas. Prices are reasonable and you’ll find your guide to be friendly.
Plaza Vendors
The steps in the Plaza de Armas are a great place to go and people watch. It seems like there are at least a dozen parades and celebrations every day. You’ll find a lot of locals selling everything from food to handmade trinkets. The lady in the above photo seems to be receiving some aid from her young child.
Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman, or Sacsaywaman as it’s sometimes spelled, is a site of magnificent Incan stonework that overlooks the city. The site is approximately an hour hike from the Plaza de Armas, and provides a beautiful overlook down upon Cusco.
The altitude might make the hike difficult for some, but it is a good way to get acclimated to the area. A viable option is to hire a taxi for a ride up to the ruins, and then to walk back down to the Cusco City center in the evening.
The Patio in the Hostal Amaru Inca
The Hostal Amaru Inca is one of my favorite hotels in all of Cusco. It’s located just a couple blocks from the Plaza de Armas and serves an excellent morning breakfast that consists of eggs, fruit, coffee, and bread. The hostal is also very reasonably priced, and it’s a joy to lounge in the patio with friends at the end of a busy day.
Rooms at the Amaru Inca
This is an example of a hotel room in Cusco. Although it can get warm during the day, it gets cold at night in the mountains. Some rooms have space heaters, but the warm blankets also get the job done.
Balcony at Tunupa Restaurant
Cusco and Peru in general is known for its balconies. Many restaurants have seating areas that overlook city centers. The restaurants in Cusco offer tremendous dining experiences at very affordable prices. After you’ve hiked up to Sacsahuaman, there are few pleasures in life greater than relaxing with a Pisco Sour and a fine meal as you watch the sun set over the Plaza de Armas.
Chicken Dinner at Tunupa
Here is an example of the plate of food you will receive at Tunupa. I’ve been to Cusco dozens of times, and these days I look forward to the food more than anything else.
Cusco City Streets
Cusco is a modern city that is laid out like an ancient one. Many of the streets are too narrow for modern vehicles and you have to be careful as you walk along the sidewalks. As the sun sets, the stone reflects the fading light in a way that’s truly mesmerizing.
Walking Through Cusco
You can have many delightful days simply walking through the streets of Cusco and enjoying what you see. Be careful, the stones can be slippery.
Market Shopping
The markets are a great way to procure inexpensive gifts for your friends and family back home. Beautiful Alpaca blankets and clothing are available at a fraction of the price that you will get back home.
Cusco Stairway
This set of stairs leads off the Plaza de Armas and if you keep going up, you’ll eventually arrive at Sacsayhuaman.
Red Door
This is just a random red door on a private property in Cusco. As you walk through the streets, you’ll find a variety of beautiful entryways, each of them fitted perfectly into unique stonework.
The Street With the Twelve Point Stone
The twelve point stone is a famous landmark of Cusco. The stone is featured prominently on the bottles of Cusquena, one of the most popular beers of Peru. There are often a few unobtrusive guards stationed near the stone to protect it.
Choclo Con Queso
This is an example of the street food that’s available in Cusco. Choclo con Queso is corn with cheese. The corn is local, and has large, white kernels with a taste that’s very agreeable. The dish is served with a slab of white cheese that softens but doesn’t quite melt over the corn. It’s delicious.
Flyer Advertising Absinth
I took this picture walking back from Sacsayhuaman with my family. There was a time when I would have followed up on an opportunity like this. Now that I have a wife and kids, I stick to the fine dining.
Colorful Cafe
The entrepreneurs have a tremendous flare for color. Keep in mind that the city flag for Cusco is the rainbow flag, so you’ll see it flying everywhere. The long shadows of the evening make for some highly photogenic opportunities.
Girl Making a Note
Many businesses hire individuals to stand outside and call out to passers-by to advertise the goods they have for sale. This young lady stopped to write herself a note as I was walking by.
Markets Through Archways
As you walk through the streets, you’ll come across plenty of archways that expand into larger patios. Strolling through these areas is a delightful way to pass the time.
Amaru Inca Entry Door
This is the doorway just inside the Amaru Inca. There is another door that is closed and locked in the evening for the security of the guests. If you arrive back at your hotel late, you’ll have to wait for the desk clerk to let you in.
Post Advertising
Telephone poles are one of the chief areas of advertising in Cusco. If you follow the flyers and the post recommendations, you can have a completely different type of trip. It’s a good way to experience the true vibe of the city.
Street Graffiti
Peru has some very talented graffiti artists and the ones in Cusco also produce noteworthy work. Graffiti is fun to capture on film because you never know if it is going to be there a year, or even a week, later.
Riot Police
You don’t often see the riot police in Cusco, but I happened to be there one year when there was a teacher’s strike. Peru is highly protective of its tourism industry, and even protesters are unlikely to harass tourists in any way. These riot police were there only as a security measure, but there were no issues. They are very approachable and were happy to explain the situation to me when I asked them.
Psychedelic Flyer
I’m always impressed by the color choices and the overall graphic design of the flyers in Cusco. They are always so very different than the kind of advertising I’m used to seeing anywhere else in the world.
Taking a Break at the Cathedral
Here the riot police looking for a bit of shade near the cathedral. It gets very hot during the day and these guys must have been a little uncomfortable toting around all that gear.
Cables and Flyers
You’ll often see telephone poles with a spidery network of cables that doesn’t seem especially safe. It’s common for people to pirate cable television in Peru, and every couple months trucks go around and pull down all the cables.
Peaceful City Street
There is a wide variety of stonework in Cusco. Some, like at Sacsayhuman, is very precise. Other examples, like what you see in the photo above, is less refined, but still beautiful.
Sacsayhuman Stonework
The stonework at Sacsayhuaman is some of the best in the world. These are massive boulders with not enough space between them to insert a piece of paper.
Playing on the Gate at Sacsayhuaman
This is the entry gate to Sacsayhuaman. As you can see, it’s not very secure since you can easily scramble around it.
Kaypi Advertisement
It was a little too dark when I snapped this shot, but I still like this image. The photo for the advertisement makes me laugh.
The Plaza de Armas at Night
As you walk back from Sacsayhuman, you are treated to a variety of overlooks that show off the Plaza de Armas. The structure in the center of this photo is the Church of the Society of Jesus.
Strolling Through Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman is a great place to take the kids because it allows them a huge area where they can run around and stretch their legs. Make sure they don’t play too hard though, they’ll find they get winded fast at the high altitude.
Brewery of the Sacred Valley
Craft beer is not huge in Peru like it is in the United States and elsewhere, but there are a few places you can go. Incanto restaurant has Sacred Valley beer on tap, and it’s the perfect thing after a long day of hiking.
Craft Beer Mugs
Enough said.
Gateway to San Pedro Market
You could spend a week in Cusco and do nothing but peruse the wares available for sale at the San Pedro Market and still not see everything. It’s a little bit chaotic, but it’s a fun place to visit.
Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
Juice vendors like this are common, but take note that the oranges of Peru do not have the sweet taste that you’re used to.
Market Necklaces
The markets have more jewelry than you can imagine. My wife’s favorite part of the trip is looking for earrings and bracelets. She didn’t buy this necklace though.
Rings at the Market
Here’s a photo of my daughter sifting through the rings that are available for sale at a stall in the San Pedro market.
Fountain at Plaza San Blas
The Plaza San Blas is a nice little park just up the hill from the Plaza de Armas. There are some great hotels in the area, and there’s this nice, relaxing fountain.
Patio at Antigua Casona San Blas
The Antigua Casona San Blas is a great hotel near the Plaza San Blas. It is a little more expensive, but the rooms are beautiful and the breakfast is fantastic.
Room at Antigua Casona San Blas
My wife and I discovered this hotel when we received an upgrade at a hotel where we’d booked a reservation. They were out of rooms, so they arranged for us to stay here. I’ve gone back several times since then.
Night Walking Through Cusco
The reflection of brake lights on reflective stone can provide you with some dynamic images as you walk through Cusco in the evening.
The Hills of Cusco
It can be very tiring to walk up and down the hills to return to your hotel after a busy day. You’ll find yourself short of breath due to the altitude, but the views make it all worthwhile.
Mural at the Bagdad Cafe
The Bagdad Cafe is a nice little restaurant that overlooks Cusco. This mural is on the back wall.
Pizza at the Bagdad Cafe
The Pizza throughout the Sacred Valley is very good with a distinctive flavor unlike what you’d find in the United States. Many of the restaurants have brick ovens and as it gets cool in the evening, it’s relaxing to sit next to the fire and watch your pizza get made.
Pisco Sour
The Pisco Sour is Peru’s national drink, and it’s absolutely delicious. The sugar in the drink is actually beneficial in driving off the effects of altitude sickness, provided you don’t overdo it.
The Plaza de Armas from Beneath the Arches
This image provides another angle on Cusco’s primary gathering place.
I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of Cusco. As I went through this article, I came to the conclusion that 50 photos isn’t enough! Please respond in the comments if you’d like me to post another 50 photos from beautiful Cusco, Peru!
Enjoy your travels and be safe!
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I'll admit I'm right in the middle of your group, "dreaming of traveling but can't get away," and applaud your mild-mannered "this is the next best thing." For me, it's just what the doctor ordered! What an escape, gorgeous pictures... with full screen, I was THERE. Profound thanks for transporting me (without equipment while waiting for hip replacement surgery) so I could walk, and walk, and walk while enjoying the sights, food, and people. Loved it!
This is exactly what I needed this afternoon! Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos!