City, Peru
Cusco for solo travelers
Is Cusco good for solo travel?
Former Inca capital at 3,400 m and the base for Machu Picchu: stone lanes, markets, treks and a big traveler scene. Altitude, cold nights, touts and a long season of crowds are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here widely. Catcalling and unwanted attention happen; use app taxis at night and book tours with registered operators. |
How to meet people in Cusco
Hostels with tours and bar nights, group treks to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, Spanish schools, cooking classes and language exchanges in San Blas.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán at dawn
- Eat at the San Pedro market
- Day trip to Rainbow Mountain
- Take a Spanish or cooking class
- Trek the Salkantay or Inca Trail with a group
Where to stay in Cusco
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| San Blas | Artsy hillside lanes, cafés, boutique stays, steep walks |
| Plaza de Armas and Historic Center | First nights: tours, restaurants, hostels, noisy |
| San Cristóbal | Quieter hillside views, local feel, a short walk uphill |
| Santa Ana and Av. El Sol | Cheaper, near the market and bus stops |
Solo travel across Peru
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lima | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Machu Picchu | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Arequipa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sacred Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Máncora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huaraz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huacachina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puno | 3/5 | Limited |
| Paracas | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Iquitos | 3/5 | Limited |
| Puerto Maldonado | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nazca | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Cusco good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). Former Inca capital at 3,400 m and the base for Machu Picchu: stone lanes, markets, treks and a big traveler scene.
How do you meet people in Cusco?
Hostels with tours and bar nights, group treks to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, Spanish schools, cooking classes and language exchanges in San Blas. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Cusco?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Cusco safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here widely. Catcalling and unwanted attention happen; use app taxis at night and book tours with registered operators.
More about Cusco
Going to Cusco solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Cusco meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.