Solo travel in Cusco: a complete guide
Cusco is one of the best cities in South America to travel alone. It is compact and walkable, full of fellow travellers, and almost every highlight — Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, the Sacred Valley — is done on shared group tours that give you company when you want it and freedom when you do not. Here is how to make the most of Cusco on your own, safely and sociably.
Why Cusco is great for solo travellers
- A traveller hub: you are never the only person exploring alone.
- Compact centre: the Plaza de Armas, San Blas and the markets are all within walking distance.
- Group tours by default: shared day trips and treks make it easy to meet people.
- Affordable: group tours, set lunches and hostel beds keep costs low.
How to meet people
- Group day tours: Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and the Sacred Valley are sociable by nature — long bus rides, shared breakfasts and lunches.
- Multi-day treks: the Inca Trail, Salkantay and Lares create real friendships over a few days on the trail.
- Social hostels: common areas, shared kitchens and organised activities.
- Classes: Spanish or cooking classes are easy, low-pressure ways to connect.
- Cafés in San Blas and the benches of the Plaza de Armas, where conversations start easily.
Travelling solo? Join a group
Our shared tours include hotel pickup and a bilingual guide — company without the hassle.
Staying safe on your own
Cusco is one of Peru’s safest cities for visitors, and the risks are the everyday ones — petty theft and the occasional taxi overcharge — rather than anything aimed at solo travellers. Keep valuables out of sight in crowds, use an app taxi at night, keep your drink in sight and share your plans with someone before a trek. The most common problem is actually the altitude: read our altitude guide and our full guide to safety in Cusco.
Tips for solo female travellers
Cusco is a popular and comfortable destination for women travelling alone, with a large international community and well-organised tours. The usual precautions apply: choose well-reviewed accommodation and operators, avoid walking alone through quiet streets late at night, use trusted taxis and trust your instincts. Group tours and treks add both company and security.
Saving money as a solo traveller
Travelling alone can cost a little more — single rooms, no one to share a taxi or a private tour with — but Cusco remains very affordable. Shared group tours are much cheaper than private ones, the lunchtime menú del día is excellent value and dorm beds keep accommodation costs down. Carry soles in small notes: see money in Peru.
The best solo-friendly trips from Cusco
| Trip | Why it suits solo travellers |
|---|---|
| Cusco City Tour | An easy first day and a good way to meet people |
| Sacred Valley | A full day with lunch together and plenty to talk about |
| Rainbow Mountain | An early start and a shared challenge |
| Machu Picchu day tour | Guide, tickets and logistics handled for you |
| Salkantay trek | Four days on the trail with a small group |
Practical tips
- Book the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tickets early — they sell out.
- Build in rest days: travelling alone is more tiring than it seems.
- Keep a digital copy of your passport and insurance.
- Plan your stay with our Cusco travel guide and where to stay in Cusco.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. It is compact, safe by Peruvian standards, full of fellow travellers and built around group tours and treks that make meeting people easy.
Generally yes, with normal precautions: reputable accommodation and tours, trusted taxis at night and avoiding quiet streets late at night.
Yes. Most day trips and treks run as shared group tours, so solo travellers simply join a group and pay the per-person price.
Join group day tours and treks, stay in a social hostel, take a Spanish or cooking class, or spend time in the cafés of San Blas.
Not really. Single rooms cost more, but group tours, set lunches and hostel beds keep Cusco affordable for solo travellers.
