Is Cusco Safe? Your 2026 Comprehensive Guide

Is Cusco Safe To Visit?

Quick Answer: Yes Cusco is a very safe city to visit, and it’s also the same case for the surrounding Sacred Valley and Andes regions which are home to countless top destinations.

Within the city itself, the historic centre is one of the overall safest areas – which is ideal as it’s also the most touristy area. Here you can safely walk around the different plazas as you marvel at local architecture and enjoy local foods. It’s also the same in the neighbouring district of San Blas, where there are many narrow, pedestrian-only streets as well as lots of nice restaurants and hotels.

However, like anywhere else in the world, there are of course risks and things you need to be mindful of during your trip to Cusco. This includes carefully crossing roads as the driving culture is different here, and also taking care of belongings when heading into busy local markets. Later in this guide we’ll explore these in more detail, and how to avoid any mishaps.

Full Breakdown Of Is Cusco Safe: Your 101 Safety Guide

Below we’ll now take a look at different specific scenarios that you’re most likely to find yourselves in when in Cusco, and how to safely prepare and navigate each one.

Step 1: Get Travel Insurance Booked Before You Leave Home

Whilst Cusco is a very safe city and it’s highly unlikely anything will happen, there’s of course always cases or issues wherever you go – so getting a travel insurance policy booked beforehand is very important. Be sure to browse through different providers online to find the one that’s best for you, where you should compare several vital factors such as medical coverage, excess policy and how much you are insured for any stolen items. If you’re planning on heading on high altitude hikes and taking part in extreme activities, then also make sure to choose a policy which includes these as not all of them do.

Step 2: Plan Properly By Choosing A Nice Area For A Stay Before You Arrive In Cusco

Good preparation can really make or break your trip in a number of ways, and it’s even more true here in Cusco. Before you arrive, you’ll want to choose a safe area and nice accommodation to stay in such as around the Historic Centre and San Blas districts (which are the safest areas of Cusco city). If you don’t know how to speak Spanish, then it would also be wise to learn a few basic phrases, as well as having Google Maps handy to help you navigate both the city and when trying to find your way back to your accommodation after a long day out.

Step 3: Understand The Day To Day Life In Cusco

Of course as soon as you arrive in Cusco, you’ll want to get out and explore which you certainly must do! However it’s good to be aware of how things work here culturally, so you’re prepared and can take measured steps to reduce any risks or incidents. Poverty can be a big issue in many parts, so it’s wise to dress-down in these areas (and especially in markets – both to avoid becoming a target for pickpocketing but also to show respect for locals here). Cusco is also a true bustling Peruvian city – so be careful when crossing roads as cars can move quickly around here.

Step 4: Prepare For High Altitude On Trips and Treks Around The Cusco Region

One of the biggest reasons travelers come to explore Cusco is due to the fact that the city is the gateway to both the incredible Sacred Valley and Peruvian Andes regions. Now whilst the former does have many sites that are actually below Cusco’s 3399m altitude (for example Pisac at 2972m, Machu Picchu at 2430m), it’s common for others to be much higher. Altitude sickness can be an issue over 3000m, so we highly suggest doing little during your first two days whilst getting acclimated. You can also take Coca Leaves and Soroche Pills too for relief. These tips are especially important when heading on higher altitude treks like Rainbow Mountain (5036m) and Lake Humantay (4200m).

Step 5: Eat Well And Avoid Food Sickness

Peruvian cuisine as a whole is rich with many mouth-watering dishes worth trying, and here in the Peruvian Andes there’s even more (such as Lomo Saltado and Cuy). However, as always, choosing where you eat is just as important. Of course higher-end restaurants and hotel restaurants will always be safer in terms of food hygiene, so you will be fine in these contexts. Now if you decide to eat in markets or local restaurants, then be sure to pick ones that are busy with locals – as reputation is a key indicator of a well looked-after establishment. It’s also wise to avoid getting ice in your drink or eating raw salads – both of which are usual culprits for food or water illnesses amongst travellers.

Step 6: Only Head On Tours With A Reputable, Licensed Operator

Having just covered some of the most famous sites in the last paragraph, it’s important to consider your safety and how you will get to each destination. There are many operators all over Cusco who operate tours, however safety standards can widely vary. Here at AB Expeditions our team are 100% locally based And have decades of tour experience, so our guides and crew are experts for the region. This is important when heading on a Rainbow Mountain tour as conditions can sometimes be tough. We are also an official licensed operator for many of the multi-day treks – such as the unforgettable Four Day Inca Trail Hike.

Our Top Cusco Safety Tips From Experience 

Whilst we have covered the basics well in the last section, now we’ll dive into some of our best tried-and-tested tips that have kept both us and our past clients safe in and around Cusco!

Gradually Increase Physical Activity When Arriving Into Cusco

With Cusco sitting up at 3399m in altitude, it’s likely that you may have not been in such conditions before. This can often cause unwanted symptoms like headaches and nausea, however there are many ways of preventing altitude sickness altogether. Using Coca Leaves and Soroche Pills is a good start, however also be mindful of how much you are doing. Given your body needs 48 hours to properly acclimate, keep physical activity light for the first couple of days. After this you can then attempt some more moderate hikes like up to the Cristo Blanco Status, head on a Sacred Valley Tour or hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Don’t Make Yourself A Clear Target For Theft

Generally speaking, Cusco is a pretty safe city when compared with other cities around Peru and South America. However petty theft can still be an issue, and especially in busy streets or local markets. You can remove this risk altogether by preparing properly before going out exploring. For example, avoid walking with your phone and wallet out in your hand, and keep them in your front pockets rather than your back pockets. Also leave expensive jewellery and fancy clothes at home (unless taking a taxi or heading to a nearby nice restaurant or hotel). This way you’ll stand out much less, and not be a target for opportunistic thieves.

Is Cusco Safe Frequently Asked Questions 

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about is Cusco safe, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

Is Cusco, Peru Safe Right Now?

As of right now, Cusco remains a very safe city to visit in Peru – and it’s the same for all months of the year here. Of course the heavier rains in the wet season (between November and March) can make transport a little more complicated in the rural regions, however it’s still pretty safe. As always, be sure to check any local news before heading there for the most up to date information, given things can sometimes vary due to climate or political reasons.

Is It Safe To Walk Around In Cusco?

Yes it’s very safe to walk around Cusco, and especially in the historic centre and San Blas areas which are more frequented by tourists (and also have pedestrian-only streets). It’s similar with many other areas of Cusco, although it’s best to do extra research on these before heading there. The only things to be mindful of are being careful when crossing roads, and also not to bring valuables or flashy accessories with you into markets (where petty theft could happen).

Which Is Safer, Lima Or Cusco?

Both Peruvian cities certainly have their very safe areas (think historic centre and San Blas in Cusco, Miraflores and Barranco in Lima), however overall Cusco is the safer city of the two for tourists to walk around and explore. Crime can be common in many non-touristy parts of Lima, although there’s no real reason why tourists should or would usually want to visit these areas. Again it’s relative to the area of the city where you are, so always research up on where you’re going beforehand.

Overview Of Is Cusco Safe

And that’s all for this guide on is Cusco safe.

The most visited and popular destination in all of Peru (and a strong contender for the entire South American continent), Cusco is a must-visit for any traveller given its abundance of iconic streets, ancient ruins and beautiful scenery. The city itself is very safe for tourists – and especially for those who stay around the historic centre – where we’ll also find the Sacred Valley region safe to explore too.

Still worried about safety, or perhaps wondering how you can fit in all of the must-see destinations within Cusco? Join our unforgettable Cusco Day Tour now, where our expert local guides will show you all of the very best spots and hidden secrets here!