Comparison · Cusco vs Lima · Peru
Cusco vs Lima
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: tomscoffin, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Cusco for Machu Picchu and Inca stonework; choose Lima for Ceviche, Pisco sour, beaches and a short break. Cusco is generally less expensive, and the two are about 575 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 575 km
- Less expensive
- Cusco
- Best time for Cusco
- May–September
- Best time for Lima
- December–April
Side by side
| Cusco | Lima | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Peru | Peru |
| Known for | Machu Picchu, Inca stonework and Sacred Valley | Ceviche, Pisco sour and Malecón de Miraflores |
| Best time to visit | May–September | December–April |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $80–$160 | $100–$180 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | September, 21°C (70°F) | February, 27°C (81°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | August, 18°C (64°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | Costa Verde, Miraflores |
| Airports | CUZ | LIM |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cusco for…
Machu Picchu and Inca stonework. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and its Spanish colonial churches and mansions still sit on top of finely fitted Inca stonework. At about 3,400 metres, the UNESCO-listed city is the base for the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, about…
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Choose Lima for…
Ceviche, Pisco sour, beaches and a short break. Peru's capital spreads along desert cliffs above the Pacific, and for many visitors it is the gateway to Cusco and Machu Picchu. It deserves more than a stopover: Lima is one of South America's great food cities, from cevicherías and chifa to world-ranked…
Top sights compared
| # | Cusco | Lima |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plaza de Armas | Plaza Mayor |
| 2 | Cusco Cathedral | Cathedral of Lima |
| 3 | Qorikancha and Santo Domingo | Monastery of San Francisco |
| 4 | Sacsayhuamán | Larco Museum |
| 5 | Hatun Rumiyoc and the Twelve-Angled Stone | Huaca Pucllana |
Food compared
| Cusco | Lima |
|---|---|
| Cuy al horno | Ceviche |
| Alpaca | Leche de tigre |
| Chiri uchu | Lomo saltado |
| Rocoto relleno | Ají de gallina |
Which is cheaper?
Cusco is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $80–$160 per person there, against $100–$180 in Lima (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cusco on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cusco and Lima are about 575 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 6 days in Cusco and 3 in Lima.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cusco or Lima cheaper?
Cusco is usually less expensive: about $80–$160 a day mid-range against $100–$180 (estimates).
+Is Cusco or Lima better for a first trip?
Pick Cusco for Machu Picchu and Inca stonework, or Lima for Ceviche, Pisco sour, beaches and a short break.
+How far is Cusco from Lima?
About 575 km in a straight line.