Yes, it is. Absolutely. So forget your worries when traveling to the “navel of the Andean world.” After all, Cusco is safe for tourists who arrive in the legendary Inca capital hoping and looking forward to getting closer to Andean culture and exploring the streets of a city that will impress you with its monumental architecture, mountainous landscape, and mystical atmosphere.
This is the ancestral Cusco waiting for you to discover, step by step, on your next vacation. To help ensure your experience is completely safe in the Historic Center and the surrounding areas of this high-altitude city, we’ll share a series of recommendations, tips, and advice to help you avoid unpleasant situations during your stay in the “Historic Capital of Peru.”
Despite the acceptable levels of safety in the so-called “Imperial City,” be cautious and stay alert to minimize the risk of an unpleasant experience. Caution is an excellent travel companion. A little distrust can also be helpful. Don’t believe everything you’re told, and don’t assume that everyone who approaches you to chat or offer you something has good intentions.
As a popular tourist destination, Cusco attracts individuals who try to take advantage of travelers’ good faith. Be careful, as there are several common scams in Cusco, including misleading offers, services that are only partially delivered, unlicensed tour operators, and fake tour guides. Be just as cautious with taxi drivers. They often raise their fares when the customer is a foreigner.
If your plans include going out at night, head to the nightclubs, bars, and pubs in the Historic Center, the safest area of the city. Housed in old buildings, these venues attract local and international travelers. If you want more recommendations and advice, keep reading. We’ll guide you toward the safest routes around Cusco.
Cusco: A Safe City
The Historic Center is the most attractive, safest, and best-protected area of the city. Its streets and squares, Inca and colonial buildings, art galleries, and restaurants are true treasures of humanity that attract people from all over the world. For this reason, officers from the Peruvian National Police (PNP) and Serenazgo, a municipal urban security and patrol service, are a constant presence in the area.
Keep in mind that the PNP also has a specialized unit dedicated to providing security, protection, and guidance to tourists. If you encounter any problem or have questions, approach them for the assistance you need (you can identify them by their white shirts or blouses). In general, officers are stationed at or near the main attractions. You should have no trouble finding them.
Despite the presence of the police and Serenazgo, don’t let your guard down completely. Stay reasonably alert and cautious. We recommend keeping an eye on your belongings at all times. If you enter a place, don’t let your bag or backpack out of your sight. Keep them close and watch them at all times. Do the same with your camera or cell phone. Once you’re back on the street, pay attention to whether anyone is following you or acting suspiciously. If so, seek help.
Most likely, you won’t experience any incident that threatens your safety. Plaza de Armas, the San Blas neighborhood, the area around Qoricancha, the Saqsaywaman archaeological park, the city’s viewpoints, and the main areas of the old town and its surroundings are not dangerous for tourists. Still, it never hurts to be cautious, without overdoing it and spoiling your experience.
Be cautious, but don’t be afraid. Now that you know this, get ready to enjoy wonderful moments in the city founded by order of the Sun God. That same sun will light your way through temples and Inca palaces transformed into churches and colonial mansions, workshops and galleries where artisans create and display their finest work, and archaeological parks that reveal the grandeur of Andean civilization.
How to Avoid Scams and Tourist Traps
Be suspicious if someone offers you a dream tour at an unbelievably low price while you’re relaxing in Plaza de Armas or shopping in the San Blas artisan neighborhood, to mention just two must-see places. These seemingly amazing and unbeatable “deals” are often scams, tricks, or frauds that catch many unsuspecting travelers off guard. You won’t be one of them.
There are various risks involved in falling into these scammers’ traps. In general, the tours are operated by informal (illegal) agencies. The guides are not authorized to work, and the vehicles lack the required permits. One common practice is that the advertised itineraries are not followed and, if problems arise along the way, passengers are often left behind.
Avoid these complications by booking with a legitimate tour agency—there are many in the Historic Center. You can also ask for recommendations at official tourist information offices and check whether the company has good references and positive reviews online. Finally, try not to make price your only or main criterion when choosing a tour.
Drivers are a different matter. They don’t lower their prices when the passenger is a foreigner. Quite the opposite: they raise them. In Cusco, as throughout Peru, taxis don’t have meters, so the fare is negotiated before you get into the vehicle. Taxi drivers take advantage of this situation to charge excessively high fares at the airport and in the city center.
What should you do in these situations? Use a ride-hailing app (the international services Uber and InDrive, or local options Chaski Driver and Taxi Turismo Cusco) so that you don’t have to negotiate directly with the driver. Another option is to ask a local resident of Cusco—your guide or hotel staff, for example—about the approximate fare for the trip you’re planning. This will help you get a fair price.
Safety Tips for Enjoying Cusco at Night
If you’re going out at night to fully enjoy Cusco’s nightlife, follow these tips:
° Stay close to the Historic Center and choose venues on busy streets with good online reviews.
° Keep an eye on your belongings while you’re at the venue, and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
° Check your change when you pay your bill. You don’t want to end up with counterfeit bills or coins.
° During Cusco’s nightlife, you may be offered shamanic ceremonies involving San Pedro and Ayahuasca. Don’t accept these offers. If you want to experience both sacred plants, do so responsibly and with proper preparation.
° When your night out is over, return to your hotel in a licensed taxi or one booked through an app. If you’re walking, avoid deserted or poorly lit streets.
° If you need to withdraw money from an ATM at night, pay attention to whether anyone is watching or following you. As a precaution, cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
If you follow these tips and recommendations, your stay in Cusco will be extraordinary. However, if you want even greater safety on your urban excursions, join our Cusco Free Walking Tours. With us, you’ll explore the “navel of the world” alongside a specialized local guide who, in addition to sharing the city’s historical facts, will help you avoid any problems in Peru’s leading tourist destination. See you soon!
