You flew to Cusco for your adventure. You’ve seen the town itself, trekked to Machu Picchu, gone to the top of Rainbow Mountain, and checked everything off your bucket list but what now? This is where you decide to visit smaller towns with a less touristy feel.
Hiring a Private Driver
There are a few ways to get around in the Cusco area. The first option may be hiring a driver if you value convenience over everything, and don’t mind dropping large sums of cash. The main pro of hiring your own driver is you can go exactly where you want, when you need to, without others on board (if that matters to you). If you have tons of luggage that’s hard to fit on a bus, this might be more convenient, not much more useful than a taxi. The cons: costs the most (USD ~$100 as of today) and you wouldn’t get to experience moving about like a local. In any case, here’s a company you can try if that suits your needs:
Avenida Velasco Astete F28A, Wanchaq, Perú
info@cuzcorentacar.com / reservas@cuzcorentacar.com
+51 984-104-874
Taking the Taxi
This is really easy. Wherever you see a taxi, just stick your hand out and ask how much it’ll be to wherever you’re going, in this case Pisac. Avoid scams! Those are normally at airports, but always ask how much it’ll cost to be sure. You should be paying around 40 to 60 Soles to get there from Cusco. Pros: same as hiring a driver, except you aren’t technically guaranteed to find a taxi on the way back (although this is extremely unlikely). Other than that, it’s definitely a cheaper option if you like the benefits of hiring a driver (above).
Taking the Bus
Your third option can be taking public transport. “But wait, no bus routes show up in Google Maps!” Welcome to (parts of) Latin America. You just gotta know where stuff is — ask people. I stayed at a hostel so there were luckily folks to answer my questions. If you’d like to go from Cusco to Pisac, just ask where the bus to that town is. Staff at my hostel told me it’s on Calle Puputi. Walk down that street until you find a bus marked “Pisac” and potentially people shouting “Pisac! Pisac!”. First ask how much it costs (yes, even ask bus drivers) so you aren’t surprised (it cost me 5 Soles at the time), then ride the thing, and give the driver coins that sum to 5 when you arrive in town. Easy, right? It is, especially your subsequent rides! Getting back to Cusco is the same deal, but in reverse. Pros: super cheap — 5 soles is USD $1.31 as of today. You can also live like a local if that’s your jam. Cons: it might take ever so slightly longer (by several minutes) as opposed to using a taxi or private driver, and you’ll be squished in with as many people as the bus will fit which isn’t ideal if you have lots of luggage. You also have to hunt down the street it’s on which can take more time. Overall, this option gets you to where you need to go for pocket change and lets you live like a local. It’s the best option if you ask me.
Bonus points: go to Calle Pavitos for the town of Chincherro and look for busses that say “Chincherro”. Not sure if the bus is right? Just ask “¿Vamos a Chincherro?” You might get responses like “No” (not helpful) or “No, está lo arriba” (helpful) so you can keep climbing the hill.
Hitch Hiking
Your last option could be hitch hiking. This behavior is more common and accepted in Perú than in other countries like the US. While more undefined and unpredictable, it’s still possible. This option can be more thrilling and potentially free (although, I do recommend you throw your driver at least 1 or 2 Soles as a courtesy). If your driver asks for more than 5 Soles, keep in mind that’s more than the bus. You’ll want to stick your hand out horizontally on a street near the edge of town (in this case, somewhere near but not on Calle Puputi so the busses don’t pick you up) and ask “¿Vamos a Pisac?” if a civilian pulls over, but be prepared for a wildcard especially if your Spanish isn’t great. Most of the time (90%) it’ll work out just fine and the people will be friendly.
What Can You Do in Pisac?
That’s the ultimate question. After you get off the bus in Pisac you should start walking around to take in the town has to offer — an odd zen, tranquil and peaceful vibe, and of course dogs. Grab a pot of tea, enjoy the street art, and take in the countryside’s farms.
That’s the ultimate question. After you get off the bus in Pisac you should start walking around to take in the town has to offer — an odd zen, tranquil and peaceful vibe, and of course dogs. Grab a pot of tea, enjoy the street art, and take in the countryside’s farms.
This place was so weird and so fascinating and fun to walk around in.
What about Chincherro? Less interesting in my opinion, but maybe we didn’t come at the best time (Thursday, not a Sunday, more on that here). There is still a really great opportunity to visit this textile place where kind ladies demoed to us how they produce their textiles. More on that here: https://www.discoveringdestinations.com/discovering-centro-textil-acllas-cusco/
Watch my video!