RECOMMENDATIONS

Cusco, you can visit throughout the year, however you have to take into account the two seasons: high season (May to October) and low season (November to April).

In low season you will find better prices and greater availability in all services (accommodation, entrance ticket, train and transport). But you must be prepared for rainy days.

During the high season in Cusco there are clear skies, bright sun with low probabilities of lush mountain rains.

The higher priced counterpart. According to our experience, the best month to visit Cusco is APRIL, where nature is greener and in full bloom and the climate is very pleasant with little rain.

In any season it is better to be prepared for the change of the bright sun of the day and cold nights.

Be it summer or winter, in the City of Cusco at some point of the day it is cold. For this reason, he always wears a coat, waterproof clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. It is common that in sunny places you feel hot and in shady places you feel cold. The sun is radiant, and with the climate of the place it can damage your skin. For skin care, it is recommended to bring sunscreen and / or buy cocoa paste tablets in pharmacies.

As in all countries in the world, the most important thing is to carry your passport with you, which is valid for a minimum of 6 months when you enter Peru. However, if you are from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, only your National Identity Document will be necessary. As of June 15, 2019, Venezuelan citizens who wish to enter Peru must do so with a passport and with a humanitarian visa that must be previously processed at the Peruvian consulates in Venezuela.

The time of permanence in Peru as a tourist is 183 days. And the visa is mandatory for tourists who are not from these countries: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Argentina, Bolivia Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico , Panama, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Brunei, China, South Korea, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Russian Federation, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Serbian Republic, Romania and Ukraine.

If you are a student, it will also be necessary to carry your updated student card with you to benefit from some discounts, especially on entrance tickets.

Although Cusco is a fairly safe city, if you come during the high festive season (June – July), you will see that the Plaza de Armas gets crowded to the point that it is quite difficult to get around. But if you have to move through this huge crowd of people, try to put your wallet and documents in a safe place. If you have things of value or money, it is best to leave them in the hotel safe or another safe place; Take only what you need with you. Take care of your passport, without it you will not be able to enter Machu Picchu or return to its origin, it could lead you to have to waste time to get a new passport.

Cusco is located in southern Peru, between the inter-Andean valleys of the Great Andes mountain range. Its altitude is above 3399 meters above sea level.

Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, which affects the bioavailability of oxygen, since the pulmonary alveoli are not capable of transporting the same amount of oxygen to the blood as in a situation of higher pressure.

This disease is generally suffered by travelers who are not adapted to the altitude. But, there is no need to be alarmed. Since this problem is only momentary until your body manages to adapt to the Cusco climate.

The main symptoms of altitude sickness are: dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, physical exhaustion and difficulty in breathing.

• To counteract altitude sickness we recommend:
  Rest.
• Eat lightly and avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Stay hydrated, drink coca tea and also chew coca.
• The muña, a native plant that helps in digestion. It is enough to breathe in the aroma of the fresh muña or prepare an infusion of muña leaves.
• Do not do long walking excursions if you are not yet adapted to the altitude.

When it comes to money, it is best to always carry dollars and change to soles , in the exchange houses that abound around the Plaza de Armas in Cusco and Avenida El Sol. make changes at the airports, as you will not find good prices. Do not change money on the street, this will avoid all kinds of fraud and the attention of unwanted people. You may also consider bringing credit or debit cards . Since in Cusco there are endless ATMs and banks that are located within the historic center of Cusco.

Cusco, in general, is a fairly quiet place with very friendly and hard-working people. However, as in all places, there is never a lack of opportunists and people of bad life. Keep the following tips in mind:

• Do not go far from the Historic Center of the city, as it is the only place that is monitored with security cameras.
• Take tourist services only with duly authorized Travel Agencies.
• Verify that the taxi service vehicle you take is from an authorized company and that it has its respective license plate or vehicle plate as well as hexagonal ones on the windshield. Also, before the race, agree with the driver the price you will have to pay.
• Cusco, has one of the best nightlife in Latin America, if you decide to go out dancing, don’t go out alone and with other drinks.

The Historic Center of Cusco and its main tourist attractions are protected by the Tourism Police. In case of need, these are the emergency numbers:

• Tourism Police: 084 – 223701
• Patrol radio : 105
• Firefighters : 22-1392 / 22-7211

During your visit to Cusco they will not require any vaccination. However; Consult your doctor who will surely recommend a vaccine against yellow fever, influenza, typhoid and hepatitis A. Also, always carry your sunscreen, mosquito repellent and your sunglasses with you. Also, do not forget to bring your personal medications and a small first aid kit. Be careful where you eat, if you do not keep adequate hygienic conditions, it is preferable to abstain and consume packaged products. It is not advisable to drink water directly from the taps or pipes, to avoid stomach infections and derived bulls. Drink bottled water. On the other hand, the city of Cusco also has: 2 hospitals, several clinics, many health centers and countless pharmacies and drugstores.

The best way to get around the city of Cusco is in taxis or tourist transport services. The prices of the taxis vary from 5 soles to more, depending on where you want to go. On the other hand, to explore the surroundings of Cusco or to leave the city, it is best to take the interurban transport services or the tourist services of a Tour Operator

In Cusco you will not have communication problems, as this city has all the communication services that large cities have: internet, landlines, mobile phones and others. Therefore, for the comfort of your family and friends, always keep in touch . Inform them of where you are and where in Cusco you are going.