"Historic Cusco" Cusco by JessieLang

Cusco Travel Guide: 1,054 reviews and 2,252 photos

Cusco was the Inca’s capitol. It was a spiritual center, the center of government for the Inca Empire, and the “navel of the world.” After the Spanish conquest in 1532, it became an important colonial city. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Legend says that when the first Inca, Manco Capac, and his wife, Mama Occla, rose from Lake Titicaca, the sun god gave them a golden stick and told them to settle where the stick went into the ground. That place was Cusco, at the spot where the Sun Temple was built.

From Plaza de Armas

Pros and Cons

Pros:Much to see and enjoy
Cons:Altitude slows you down
In a nutshell:Nice mix of the two cultures

Last visit to Cusco: Nov 2010
Intro Updated Mar 11, 2011
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Reviews (16)

Sacsayhuaman Things to Do (6)

Sacsayhuaman was the main Inca fortress and the headquarters of their empire. Much of the site is gone, because the... more travel advice

An excellent lunch Restaurants (1)

Excellent food, Andean music, good service, and even a view. Try the alpaca steak more travel advice

Inca Streets Things to Do (6)

If you walk from the Plaza de Armas to Qorikancha & Convento de Santo Domingo, by way of an old street (Loreto, I think)... more travel advice

Raqchi Archaeological Site--Church - Cusco

Raqchi Archaeological Site--Church Off The Beaten Path (2)

There is a nice little Catholic Church just outside the archaeological site. It is still in use, serving the small... more travel advice

Local Customs (5)
See All Bulls on the roof
Nightlife (1)
Folkdance

Hotels (1)
Convenient & Comfortable
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Comments (4)

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balhannah Mar 24, 2012 at 10:47 PM

Local custom tips were interesting, and I love all your photos of the locals in the bright clothing!
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Mikebb Sep 21, 2011 at 2:36 AM

Nice page Jessie, excellent photo to support your narrative. Expect to visit May/June 2012. Did you take a tour or do it by yourself?
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SLLiew Feb 15, 2011 at 8:35 AM

Wow amazing pictures. Did not realize how large some of those intricately fitting stones are. Cheers, SL :)
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hunterV Dec 15, 2010 at 11:39 AM

Thanx for your tip!