Cusco Things to Do Tips by cruisingbug

The ruins of Koricancha, the Incan Temple of the Sun in Cusco, serve as the foundation for the Spanish colonial Santo Domingo convent.

The museum of Koricancha on Avenida Sol is included in the Boleto Turistico, but not the actual temple/convent, which cost an additional 6 soles per person. Inside, you can compare the colonial architecture to the perfect formations of the Inca stonemasons. The quality was the best of all the ruins we'd visited, I think, with not enough space to slip even a piece of paper between the perfectly cut stones.

The rounded rock formation served as the site for the actual worship of the sun - although we couldn't find a way to access it from inside.

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Directions: Santo Domingo and Avenida Sol

This little, underground museum just around the corner from Koricancha is worth a visit - and is included in the Boleto Turistico. There are some interesting exhibits about the artifacts uncovered at the site, including these gold Inca (maybe pre-Inca?) llamas. At the very least, they gave an idea for a souvenir, and now I have my own gold-colored llama here at home!

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Directions: Avenida Sol

Not far above Cusco are the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, which, like every tour guide at each ruin will say, are the most important ruins in the region. Our tour guide approached us halfway through, and only asked for a donation for his time. He explained how the massive stones were carved using pre-formed wooden molds and how they were put into place, using dirt planes. He also pointed out various animal formations in the rocks: the condor, the snake, the llama, etc., and took us to the "eye".

The ruins themselves are impressive - even more so if you're still acclimating and are struggling up to the top of the "eye." Cusco was supposedly laid out in the shape of a puma, Sacsayhuaman being the head, and in the middle of the head is the "eye" - currently cordoned off for excavations, but still very visible. From the top is a stunning view of the red tile roofs of Cusco as well.

The site is still used by locals - every year in June, the Inti Raymi festival is celebrated here.

Entry is with the $10 Boleto Turistico, or $6 separate admission. We hired a taxi for the day, or you can walk up from Cusco (looked pretty steep).

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Directions: north of Cusco, uphill