7 Free things to do in Cusco

Cusco has many of the most amazing places in South America and some of the most impressive in the world; archaeological and historical sites, amazing natural landscapes, culture everywhere and its streets, shared by people from all over the world. There are many places you can and will want to visit while in Cusco. Machu Picchu will need you to book tickets in advance, especially the one that includes the Huayna Picchu mountain. For places like Sacsayhuaman or Pisac you will not need to book tickets in advance, but you will need to know how to buy the Cusco tourist ticket. But there are also very interesting free activities, which will allow you to immerse yourself more in the culture and get to know the city of Cusco from the inside. These are the free activities you can enjoy in Cusco.

The streets of the city of Cusco are one of the best examples that borders only exist in people's heads; you can meet people from all over the world in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, have breakfast with them in Mercado de San Pedro or enjoy art in the artists' quarter of San Blas.

Visit the main square of Cusco

The Plaza de Armas is the center of the huge "open air museum" known as the historical center of Cusco; the nearby streets are flooded with historical sites, museums, churches and thousands of people from all over the world enjoying and contributing to the culture. In it you can see some of the most impressive churches of the city, the Cathedral and La Compañia de Jesus decorate the northeast of the square, the other side is decorated by colonial mansions built over Inca residences and temples.

Visit the Churches of Cusco

Cusco has 13 churches, most of them are true works of art, and although they are not free (completely), there is a way in which you can enter without paying a single cent and don't worry, it is legal; you will only have to visit them between 05:30 am and 09:00 am. During these hours "the churches are free"; however, if you want to visit the churches outside these hours, you will have to purchase the Cusco religious circuit ticket.

Visit Hatun Rumiyoc Street

The Hatun Rumiyoc street is known around the globe, because it houses the world famous stone of the 12 angles, it is really impressive and as you should know, it is one of the great enigmas behind the Inca civilization; the fact that they were not carved with hammers and bronze chisels (as they say), will be very present in your head, and along with it the question that all people ask themselves when they are in places like this, could the Incas mold the stones? But if you investigate a little more about this, you will come across amazing revelations, which could even lead you to conspiracy theories.

Visit the Historic Center of Cusco

As we told you before, touring the historic center of Cusco is like touring a huge open-air museum. In addition to the incredible Plaza de Armas, you can see others like Plaza Regocijo, Plaza San Francisco, structures like the Santa Clara arch, etc. Each of Cusco's streets can tell you an incredible story. With heroes, invaders, traitors, rebellions, traitors, deslamados and many, many stories of the "navel of the world". We recommend you to see the streets of Cusco.

Visit San Pedro Market

It is one of the places you have to go if you want to get into the day to day life of the people of Cusco. The old Central Market is one of the places where you can have a full-fledged experience. It is located 3 blocks from Cusco's main square and you can enjoy many of Cusco's native dishes, see how they are prepared and also the ingredients; although if you decide to try the "cuy al horno" (guinea pig prepared in a wood-fired oven) it is better to eat it before you see it as an ingredient (in the meat section). You can also find handicrafts and garments woven from alpaca wool, sold by people in typical costumes, who bring them from their native communities to show them to people from all over the world, who decide, like you, to visit the >San Pedro Market.

Visit the neighborhood of San Blas

It is known as the neighborhood of artists and it is because in it you can find many "artists" and artisans from the families of "artists and artisans" who shaped some of the best works of art in the city of Cusco, since colonial times; so we are not just talking about artists, but in many cases, people who have inherited the art for generations and carry it in their veins. There are dozens of craft dealers and small art museums where you can enjoy the best of Cusco art, we recommend visiting the art exhibition of the Mendivil family, this will tell stories and leave you pleasantly impressed. The neighborhood of San Blas inevitably ends up being one of the favorite places for people visiting Cusco.

Typical dance shows

On Sundays, in the main square of Cusco there are fairs and presentations in which you can appreciate some of the typical dances of the region of Cusco, and although some were born only a few decades ago, others are representations that were made since the time of the Incas; you just have to find a place and enjoy the show. Without a doubt, this is one of the best ways to soak up the culture of Cusco and the people of Cusco. While doing this, you can enjoy a "Cusqueña beer" and although you can find it in some countries in Europe, North America and Central America, you must necessarily do so if you come from Asian countries or the African continent.

"Cusco is one of the best examples that "real borders" only exist in people's heads."