Is Cusco expensive to visit?
Cusco is a frequently visited and budget-friendly place to visit. With a daily average travel cost of $61, it's somewhat less expensive than most other destinations in the world. When compared to the rest of South America, it is a reasonably affordable destination. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in South America for its affordability. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Arequipa and Manaus.
The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin, Plaza del Armas, Cusco, Peru
How expensive is Cusco?
On average, visitors spend about $61 per day when visiting Cusco (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $122 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Cusco here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Cusco?
A weekend trip to Cusco costs about $182 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $365.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Cusco?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Cusco costs around $425 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $851.
Is it expensive to backpack in Cusco?
Cusco is a popular backpacker destination with more than 70 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $13 per night. (See hostel prices in Cusco here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $60 and the cheapest around $3 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Cusco.
- $20 for a dorm bed at Pariwana Hostel Cusco
- $11 for a dorm bed at Hospedaje Turistico Recoleta
- $10 for a dorm bed at Wild Rover Cusco
Are hotels expensive in Cusco?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Cusco, it becomes apparent that they are very affordable in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $40 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 6 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $379 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $48 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $26 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Cusco
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 6 | $379 |
| 4 stars | 16 | $114 |
| 3 stars | 155 | $48 |
| 2 stars | 101 | $26 |
| 1 star | 12 | $24 |
| No rating | 4 | $18 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Cusco?
Activities and things to do in Cusco can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $29 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $23.
- Food and Culture Full day Tour in the Sacred Valley: $200
- Private Full-Day Tour to Ausangate 7 Lakes: $231
- Machu Picchu Private Guided Tour from Aguas Calientes : $169
- Cusco City Tour - Half day: $120
- Tour to the Vinincunca Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley from Cusco: $35
- Private Cusco, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman Full-Day Tour: $130
- Vinincunca Rainbow Mountain Tour and optional visit to Red Valley.: $23
- Cusco City Private Tour: $90
Is food expensive in Cusco?
Food in Cusco can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $23 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $27. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Cusco by Night: Walking tour, Pisco Sour Lesson, Dinner: $99
- Small-Group Virtual Peruvian Cooking Experience: $25
- Market Tour and Gourmet Peruvian Cooking Lesson with a Professional in Urubamba: $140
- Awamaki Cooking Class: $68
- Cusco Tour at Night: Planetarium, Dinner & Pisco Sour: $79
- Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
Is transportation expensive in Cusco?
The prices of local transportation in Cusco can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $10 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $9. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Cusco
If you're planning a trip to Cusco, Peru, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.