Nightlife · Cusco · Peru
Cusco nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Cusco, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Cusco's nightlife centres on the streets around the Plaza de Armas, with pubs, live music and late-night clubs popular with travellers. The main areas are Plaza de Armas and San Blas.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 2
- Stay near the action
- Historic Centre
- Local drink
- Coca tea
Where to go out
Plaza de Armas
Clubs and pubs around the plaza and on Calle Plateros and Calle Tecsecocha, busy late into the night.
San Blas
Smaller bars with live Andean and folk music and a quieter atmosphere.
Nightlife tips
- Alcohol hits harder at altitude; drink slowly and stay hydrated.
- Take a registered taxi back to your hotel late at night.
- Keep an eye on drinks in busy clubs.
Evening sights
Landmark · Historic Centre
Plaza de Armas
Climb to a café balcony overlooking the plaza for views of the churches at night when they are lit.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
Experience · Cusco hills
Planetarium Cusco
Book a spot for the evening session and dress warmly; nights are very cold.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- After dark
- History
What to drink
- Coca tea — An infusion of coca leaves, traditionally drunk in the Andes to help with altitude. Hotels offer it free on arrival.
- Chicha de jora — A fermented corn beer, mildly alcoholic, brewed in villages and sold in houses that hang a red flag or flowers on a pole outside.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. September has the warmest evenings, with lows around 4°C (39°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 18:22 | 7°C (45°F) | 18 |
| April | About 17:42 | 5°C (41°F) | 8 |
| July | About 17:36 | 0°C (32°F) | 1 |
| October | About 17:45 | 5°C (41°F) | 8 |
Getting home late
- Walking — The centre, San Blas and San Cristóbal are walkable, but the altitude and steep streets make walking tiring at first; take it slowly.
- Taxi — Use registered taxis or apps, especially at night and from the bus terminal.
- Bus — Ask your hotel for the current departure points; they can change.
Late-night bites
- Choclo con queso — Street vendors and roadside stalls, especially between Cusco and Pisac.
Staying safe at night
Altitude sickness is the most common problem: rest on arrival, drink water and avoid alcohol at first. Pickpocketing occurs in markets and crowded areas; keep valuables secure and use registered taxis at night.
- Emergency number
- 105 (police), 116 (fire), 106 (ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, luxury and nightlife
Historic Centre
The historic centre around the Plaza de Armas holds the Cathedral, the Compañía de Jesús church, Qorikancha and the Inca-walled streets of Loreto and Hatun Rumiyoc. It has the widest range of hotels, from converted colonial mansions to hostels, and every sight is within a short walk. Streets around the plaza are busy with tour touts and traffic.
- Good
- Walk to everything; Atmospheric colonial hotels; Restaurants and bars on every street
- Watch out
- Busy and noisy around the plaza; Touts selling tours and massages; Hotels at the higher end of prices
- Nearby
- Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, Qorikancha, Calle Hatun Rumiyoc
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Cusco?
Plaza de Armas and San Blas. Clubs and pubs around the plaza and on Calle Plateros and Calle Tecsecocha, busy late into the night.
+Which area of Cusco is best for nightlife?
Historic Centre: Plaza de Armas, Inca walls, churches and the busiest streets for restaurants and agencies.