Digital Nomad in Cusco, Peru: A Complete Guide
Being a digital nomad in Cusco had been on our bucket list since day one, but during the pandemic, Peru closed their borders to all outsiders for about 1.5 years.
I was overjoyed when they finally reopened!
Cusco is such a dream to visit and it’s a place I hope to return to again some day. I absolutely fell in love with the food, the drinks, the culture, the music, the animals, and the natural landscapes.
Keep reading to discover all you need to know before you digital nomad in Cusco, Peru. A magical remote workers dream!
Interested in working remote from Peru? Discover the Best Cities to Digital Nomad in Peru!
*This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Why Cusco?
Cusco is iconic. It’s as simple as that.
If I had to break it down, I would say the best parts of Cusco, and why you should make it your next digital nomad destination, are the culture, the food, and all the amazing things to do there.
There is almost too much to do in Cusco. From epic treks and hikes, to wandering around town trying local beers, Cusco will keep you entertained and busy nonstop.
Not only is Cusco close to so many magnificent sites, but the city itself is a quaint Peruvian dream. Little old ladies waddle through the streets draped in brightly colored, traditional Andean clothing. And you’ll probably see several alpacas.
Although not nearly as robust as Lima, the culinary scene in Cusco still boasts extraordinary restaurants. Without even trying, we would wander into a restaurant and have a gastronomic experience. Peru in general has some of the best restaurants in the world, so the standards for eating out are high.
A Digital Nomad’s Guide to Cusco, Peru
Things to Do in Cusco
The best part of being a digital nomad in Cusco? So much to do! Cusco is a place you could make your home-base for a while and still not run out of things to do.
From epic day trips to iconic locations such as Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Sacred Valley, Humantay Lake, Maras salt mines… to amazing restaurants, cute shops, and archaeologic sights in your own backyard.
Your Cusco Bucket List:
How to Get to Cusco
Of course you get can to Cusco a number of ways, but there are two ways that definitely stick out.
Fly from Lima
The easiest way, and most common, is to fly from Lima to Cusco. The flight is quick, painless and inexpensive, with many departure times to choose from each day.
Since the Lima airport is small enough, you can even stack your flights and fly into Lima and then on to Cusco in the same day. For example, booking a flight from Miami to Cusco is around $500. However, when booked separately (Miami-Lima, Lima-Cusco), you could save $100-200.
Cusco airport transportation: get a ride from the airport!
Lima can be so much more than just a stopover on your way to Cusco. If you plan to spend any time there, be sure to read A Digital Nomad’s Guide to Lima, Peru.
Overland through Southern Peru
Another popular way to get to Cusco, especially among backpackers, is to travel to Cusco the long way.
Again, starting in Lima, you can arrange buses and shuttles that take you through Southern Peru with potential stops like Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, and Puno.
One big bonus to this option is that traveling slowly to Cusco allows your body to acclimate to the altitude.
>> 3,399 meters / 11,152 feet above sea level is no joke!
Read more: The Perfect Southern Peru Itinerary for Digital Nomads
Where to Stay in Cusco
Cusco is kind of a long and skinny shaped city, following one of Peru’s major highways. However, most everything you want to see is located in the North-West part of the city. Centro Historico is the heart of the action.
Pretty much anywhere is this overall neighborhood will be great, but let’s break it down even further.
Within Centro Historico are several sub-sections…
Plaza de Armas
You cant miss by staying near the main square in Cusco. There are tons of restaurants, shops, bars, museums, and historic sights. But that means it is also the most touristic.
Closest to the square, you wont find many Airbnb’s or apartment rentals, it is mostly hotels and hostels.
San Blas
Located just to the East of the main tourist area around Plaza de Armas, is the small neighborhood of San Blas. I would describe it as a more youthful and artsy neighborhood with small craft breweries, trendy coffee shops, and vegan restaurants.
Artisans gather in the San Blas square to sell their handicrafts, or visit Cta. de San Blas for the best handmade souvenirs. The quaint streets are perfect for getting lost and taking pictures.
This neighborhood is also a bit more residential and therefore, quieter. And has a lot more options for long-term rentals like Airbnb.
The main con: walking up hill every time you come home. Did I mention the 3,399 m / 11,152 ft elevation?
Where to Work as a Digital Nomad in Cusco
Cusco is a relatively small city, but there are still a few coworking spaces. Although there are others, the two mentioned below are the only ones that really meet my personal standards.
Coworking Spaces
Selina
If you’re working remote from Central or South America, Selina is a classic. If you aren’t familiar, Selina is a hostel geared towards digital nomads. It is usually pricier than other hostels, but comes with great perks like reliable internet, coworking spaces, yoga classes, and coffee stations.
We stayed at a Selina in Nicaragua and it was so dreamy.
If you are staying elsewhere and just need a place to work, fear not. Most Selina’s allow you to use their coworking space for a fee. We have done this method in a couple locations as we like to have our own space since there’s two of us.
Selina is located just a couple blocks from Plaza de Armas.
Ayni Center
Ayni is located a bit far from the historic center, but it is one of the only decent coworking spaces in Cusco. They offer desking, conference rooms, and even have a kitchen and patio.
Check the latest Ayni Center pricing.
What to Eat in Cusco
Not to be dramatic, but the food in Peru is some of the best I’ve ever had. If you just waltz into to a random restaurant with no prior knowledge or expectations, nine times out of ten your taste buds will be taken on a magic carpet ride.
Here are some of my favorite restaurants:
There are so many more I could mention… but I’ll stop here.
Coca Leaves
Another important thing to ‘eat’ is coca leaves. Yes, like the plant cocaine comes from. Peruvians chew on these leaves all day while they work for various health benefits and energy. But you’ll need it for the altitude sickness.
Some people travel overland which helps with acclimating, but we came in hot from Lima. So when we first got to Cusco, I bought a bag of leaves and brewed coca tea all day every day. I wish we could use it in the US but I think its illegal…
Peruvians really know their medicinal herbs and natural remedies.
One day I was really hungover, like violently puking and laying in the shower hungover. I went to the market near our apartment for a juice since I couldn’t really keep food down.
However, when the little old juice lady found out I was hungover she refused to serve me juice because it was cold, and instead made me hot tea with coca and muña and possibly other things. And I was cured! I mean still not 100% of course, but I didn’t throw up again and could actually do things the rest of the day.
She was the real MVP… I think of her often.
Cuy
If you are feeling adventurous, you can try cuy. Its a traditional meat dish usually served for special occasions in Peru and Ecuador. And the meat is… guinea pig. You can get a whole or half one, and it looks like a mini rotisserie pig.
I did not eat it, but Jack had to try. His review was that the meat tasted ok, but its little bones were off-putting. And he kept thinking about his childhood pet guinea pig. RIP Patches.
Pisco Sour
I would be remise if I did not mention my favorite Peruvian drink, pisco sour. It is an alcoholic drink made of pisco (made from grapes), egg whites, lime juice and bitters.
They have surprisingly good specialty pisco sours at Mister DA Restaurante (and they have live music occasionally); I had one mixed with muña that I still think about sometimes.
As Jack would always say “listo para pisco!“
Best Time to Work Remote in Cusco
Peru is located in the southern hemisphere, which means the seasons are flip-flopped from the USA. For example, December is the middle of summer. However, in Peru the seasonal swing isn’t too dramatic.
Summer
‘Summer’ in Cusco is October to February (ish). But don’t expect to be sunbathing in your bikini. The hottest days only reach around 76 °F (25 °C). Unfortunately, the summer months are also the wet season.
The temperatures outside were really not too terrible, even when it got chilly at night.
But what got to me is that many places do not have central heat and only rely on tiny space heaters for warmth. And that was not cutting it for me (plus occasionally they are gas powered and I’m not trying to breath in gas). I don’t mind being cold, but I do mind not ever being able to get warm.
Winter
April through September receives little to no rain fall. The average temperature during the day is only a few degrees lower than the summer months. But winter becomes very apparent during the night, when temps can drop below freezing.
So when is the best time to visit Cusco?
I think it is best to travel during the in-between seasons when you start to get warmer temperatures, but the wet season hasn’t quite started yet. We stayed in Cusco in early October and although it was the coldest I had been in almost two years, it wasn’t that bad and didn’t really rain on us.
What to Wear in Cusco
Whether you come to Cusco in the winter or summer, dry or wet season; the most important thing is layers! Especially if you plan to do any of the typical bucket list trips.
Rainbow Mountain is COLD, especially the very top. Machu Picchu was surprisingly hot and humid; but a friend went a week later and it rained on her the whole time.
It is also common to not have heat inside your Airbnb or apartment, so make sure to bring items you can layer inside as well.
We mostly travel to warm climates, but with all my layering I was able to remain pretty warm overall. Anything you might be missing, can be easily attained in Cusco, and might even be better suited to the local climate. I bought an alpaca scarf that was extremely warm.
Some easily packable warm layers are:
Make Cusco Your Next Digital Nomad Destination
I hope you are now ready to digital nomad in Cusco, Peru! I had such a blast living here and working remote, and I hope you do to now that you’re armed with the right knowledge.
Super useful article on Cusco, thank you!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy your time there!