Useful Information

Cusco Map
(Click to enlarge)

Embassies & Visas

Climate During the dry season, from April to October, the weather is generally sunny. Temperatures are hot during the day and cold at night. The rainy season in Cusco occurs from November through March. It is recommended that students bring a wet weather coat as well as a warm one for the nights and inside buildings, as they don't have heating systems.

Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Peru is anytime of year. However the dry season in Peru is from May to September, This is good if going to on jungle treks. The rainy season is from the middle of November to March and can make activities such as jungle treks difficult. Some of these activities can be suspended if the weather gets to bad. This however is extremely rare.

Altitude sickness Some people experience some discomfort at this altitude (around 3'300 meters above sea level). We recommend resting at least for a few hours prior to the start of any other activity. The symptoms of "soroche" are headaches, dizziness, stomach upset and tiredness. These symptoms can be managed by drinking lots of fluids (especially coca tea!), eating light meals and getting plenty of rest.

Communication It'll be no problem to contact home, either by phone or email. There are lots of cybercafes in Cusco, the price for an hour of internet is less than 6 US-cents per hour. Students can check their emails at school free of charge, use skype, messenger or internet wifi. Long distance phone calls are getting cheaper, with some calling cards you can make international calls for less than 10 US-cents per minute.

Safe Always carry your passport and tourist card (or a photocopy) when walking by the street or using a public transport in a city.

Money The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol; it is useful to arrive with US-Dollar. There are AMT's around the city centre that take mayor credit cards. Traveller's Checks can be cashed in "casa de cambios". USD 1.00 = S./2.85, EUR 1.00 = S./3.84

Journey International flights take you into Lima, the capital city. You may spend a few days there or come over directly to Cusco. The domestic flight lasts for about 55 minutes. It is as well possible to get to Cusco by bus (20 hours aprox).

Health There is no need to have an international vaccination certificate, but if you travel to some areas where a disease is present (i.e. malaria, yellow fever). You will need to be vaccinated before going. You can have this done in most of the major cities.

Expenses Less than USD 1.00 for transportation, up to USD 3.00 for a complete meal, less than USD 1.00 for a coffe in a trendy café, 1.50 USD for laundry service. It is advisable to bring a student card (i.e. ISIC) to save money in places and services like museums, archaeological sites, buses, hotels and hostels.

City Tour:
From Monday to Sunday.
Begins at 2:00 p.m. and finish around 6:00 p.m.
We visit the Cathedral, Coricancha, and the Inca remains of Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Puca Pucaka and Tambomachay.

Price: US$ 8 (includes transportation and guide, does not include entrances).

Airport taxes.
Local flights: US$ 6.82.
International flights: US$ 31.00