Things to do in Cuzco, Peru

1. Book a trip to Machu Picchu, or any one of a million other awesome locations.

     The main plaza and Avenida El Sol are littered with tour agencies ready to book you a trip to many amazing things at a moment's notice. Cusco is close to a lot of cool things besides the Inca Trail, you know. Strange and fantastic opportunities such as biking from THE AMAZON JUNGLE to Machu Picchu, staying on an island in Lake Titicaca, touring various nearby ancient ruins on horseback, ziplining, paragliding, and visiting the Colca Canyon are all a lot more affordable than you would think. Check hostels like Loki for low tour prices online.

Paragliding in the Sacred Valley.

2. Walk to White Jesus (Cristo Blanco).

There is an enormous, white,  light-up statue of Jesus on the cross that watches over the city of Cusco. It is impossible to miss at night and pretty easy to see during the day. If you walk toward it uphill from the main plaza you do not need directions to find it. Lots of people hang out and sell corn and horse tours around the statue, and it is a good bit of exercise with a nice view of the city. I saw a llama running amok when I went.

3. Meet some new people and try the local drinks.

     Internationals of many ages gather at Paddy's Irish Pub  and Norton's Tavern  in the Plaza de Armas for a pint of Peruvian beer (Cusqueña) or some excellent shepherds pie. It's a great place to meet globe-trotters and locals alike. Make sure to try a Pisco Sour.

4. Shop at the flea markets.

These places are close to the main plazas and avenues of the city. Go ham on llama sweaters, magic stones, woven blankets, cool hats, rainbow acid-trip machu picchu paintings, ponchos, fossils, and other things that you can't find in the states. All of the prices are negotiable and negotiation is expected.

5. EAT the street corn, DRINK the juice, and go to GREENS.

The bread loves you.

     Old ladies in colorful skirts sell all kinds of interesting products on the street; but you want to find the corn woman. It doesn't even matter what kind of corn or how it is prepared. It will be delicious and it will be cheap.

     Nothing goes better with a bag of salty, tasty street corn than a glass of guanabana, maracuyá (passion fruit), guayaba, mango, chirimoya, or blackberry juice. PeruJuice and similar vendors in town offer delicious, liquefied fruits you have never heard of  and must experiment with. Just try all of them if you aren't sure.

     Greens is one of the best restaurants in Cusco. ALL Peruvian food is delicious, and more authentic places should  be visited on your trip, but Greens is just so damn good. The alpaca salad is amazing; as are the smoothies.

     For traditional flavor, you will want to go to lunch ( dinner is typically small in South America).  Tasty Peruvian dishes I recommend are patatas a la huancaina, lomo saltado, ceviche, and anything with the word "choclo". Avoid the rocoto pepper!It it way too hot, and that is coming from someone who eats whole serrano chiles on the reg. 

     Also of note is the "European Quarter" directly behind the largest Cathedral (there are two Cathedrals in the same damn plaza) in the main square.  Follow a street map from the plaza up to Carmen Alto where Juanito's Sandwich Shop is. Lots of young hipsters from France, Germany, Italy, and other countries own boutiques, hostels, and restaurants here. The prices are higher, but it is a pretty section of town with great food and shopping.

My girls at San Jose Obrero Didascalio

5. Donate to a School or Orphanage.

     The city of Cusco has several orphanages and run-down schools, as well as many homeless beggars. These people depend on volunteer forces and donations to survive. If you have time before your trip, collect items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, children's books (English or Spanish), toys, school supplies, or clothes to give to a school, orphanage, or volunteer organization such as Máximo Nivel (located on Avenida del Sol).

Making bonbons from fresh chocolate.

6. Take a Class and Learn the Culture

     Make sure you read a little  about Peruvian and Andean cultures before you go ( I recommend Turn Right at Machu Picchu). What holidays will take place during your trip? Will you be there for the Andean New Year (beginning of August) or Independence Day? Will you be there during Inti Raymi (winter solstice celebration) ? The people of Cusco celebrate a mixture of Christian, Incan, and Andean holidays. Don't miss out on local events!

     Learn to make chocolate at the Chocolate Museum ( a must ) , visit the Museo de Pisco ( a Peruvian Liquor museum) , sign up for a Spanish or Quechua class, learn to cook traditional dishes, have your fortune read by a shaman, take salsa lessons, or do a guided tour of a traditional textile village.

7. Chew the Coca and Eat the Cocoa

      Peruvians will tell you that the coca leaf will cure your altitude sickness, but I have observed that even 5 cups of coca tea a day does not improve my ability to climb basic stairs in Cusco. There is no real medication you can take either. In extreme cases, oxygen tanks are used to treat altitude-related symptoms, but most of the time your go-to strategy should be maintaining your blood sugar (eating chocolate is the most delicious way),  and drinking lots of water. Caffeine will not help you either.

     Regardless of the medical properties coca leaf may or may not have, you should enjoy chewing it while you are in Peru. It is tasty and so are the coca taffies.