Spanish Classes, Housing, Volunteering
I couldn’t recommend FairServices Cusco enough. It is a non-profit located in Cusco on Confraternidad Ave that is strongly involved in helping the community. It was through this organization that I had my homestay ($90 a week to live in the guest bedroom of a local family), Spanish classes ($8 an hour for one on one instruction from local single mothers that only speak Spanish), and volunteering will the poorest kids in a nearby neighborhood to support them with school work ($33 per week, minimum of four weeks). I will probably have another post specifically about FairServices later!
Transportation
The minimum cost of a taxi around Cusco is 3 soles (approx. 1 US dollar), but you usually spend 4 or 5 to get anywhere. Taxis will try to scam you at the airport for 30 soles or more, but even from the airport you should only be spending about 5. Walk to the taxis a bit further away from the exit.
Autobuses are an even cheaper form of transportation, and for 70 centimos (25 cents) you can get almost anywhere in the city and a true Cuscanean experience to boot. However, it is very difficult to understand bus routes, and beware of thieves on these super packed busses!
Local Fruits
Cherrimoya is a must try fruit – very sweet and unique to the region. It can be found at most markets, but I recommend San Pedro Market. Even the Starbucks on the Plaza de Armas had Cherrimoya Frappachinos when I was there
Lukuma seems like more of a squash than a fruit, but Lukuma and milk at the smoothie stands in San Pedro or in ice cream at Cucharita’s Ice Cream Parlor are delicious.
Free Walking Tour of Cusco
I highly recommend the free walking tour offered in Cusco! The guide appreciates tips at the end, but it is an affordable way to get fantastic insights about the city that you wouldn’t otherwise know about. To find a guide, look up on the internet what time a free guide will be available to lead a group from the Plaza del Armas.
Macchu Picchu
If you want to take the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, you must book it six months or so in advance! I missed that deadline, but no worries!
There are a lot of ways to get to Macchu Picchu, and all are expensive. Most are less expensive if you wait to book until you are actually in the city. Plus, you may find friends that you want to travel with!
I opted for the Salcantay Trail, a 5 day hike to Aguas Calientes and Macchu Picchu. It was a great experience to end my adventure in Cusco. There are endless local agencies you can go through, and they will handle all of the details!
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