Tourist Information

By taxi from the airport:

While you are in Peru, it is necessary that you bargain for the price of the taxi ride. You should never pay more than 14 soles ($5.00 - $6.00 US) for a ride from the airport to our hostel. We are located near to the historical center of Cusco. The taxi ride from the airport to our hotel should take around 15 minutes.

Taxi inside Cusco city:

The taxi ride inside of Cusco is cheap and is set at a fixed price (2.5 soles - less that 1 US dollar). We recommend that you do not ask the taxi driver how much it will be because he will assume that you do not know the price and will say something like more than 4 soles. We suggest that you simply tell the taxi driver the address and when you arrive to your destination, hand the driver the exact change (2.5 soles) and say thank you! or in Spanish ("gracias"). After 10 p.m., the price increases to 3 soles. The only time the price should be more than this is if you go to the airport or to another place which is far from the center of Cusco.

Tips about food:

Avoid eating mayonnaise and the traditional green spicy sauce called "uchucuta" (if they are served in little bowls) because some restaurants prepared these things a few days earlier and it could cause you to get sick. Also, avoid eating not boiled vegetables. They are often not cleaned well and can cause travelers to get "Traveler's Diarrhea" (symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, and fever).

Safety Tips:

• Never leave your bags inside of a taxi. Some taxi drivers are not honest.
• Always keep an eye on your camera since pick-pocketers love cameras. They are worth a lot and are easy for them to sell.
• Never take a lot of money with you to crowded places-- such us street parades-- because pick-pocketers can steal your wallet.
• Bring a photocopy of your passport with you when you go out and leave the original in a safe place.