Solo Travel in Cusco
🦙 The honest guide for going alone
Cusco works well for solo travellers — fewer pushy tourists than peers and plenty to do solo without feeling lonely. Here's everything you actually need to know: safety realities, where to base yourself, solo-dining culture, and how to meet people without trying too hard.
Why Cusco works for solo travellers
- ✦Fewer pushy tourists than peers
- ✦Plenty to do solo without feeling lonely
- ✦Low single-supplement cost burden
Is Cusco safe for solo travellers?
Cusco is generally safe for solo travellers — including solo female travellers — provided you follow the usual urban precautions. The main thing to watch out for is this:
Machu Picchu sells out months ahead. Don't buy "skip the line" tickets — there's no skipping, just pre-booking.
General solo safety tips that apply here: keep your phone in a zipped pocket, don't flash valuables, take Uber/Bolt/Grab over street taxis at night, and let someone know your rough plans for each day.
Where to stay solo in Cusco
For solo travellers, base yourself somewhere central enough to walk to dinner safely after dark. Avoid pure-residential areas — you want a neighbourhood with restaurants, cafés, and street life. A boutique hostel with private rooms gives you the best of both worlds — privacy at night, social hub during the day.
Eating alone (and not feeling weird about it)
Cusco isn't traditionally a solo-dining city, but markets, food courts, and casual spots work great alone. Try alpaca steak (lean, healthy, ethical) at Cicciolina. Cuy (guinea pig) is traditional but acquired taste.
How to meet people in Cusco
- ✦Walking tours on day 1 — free or cheap, and the best way to meet other solo travellers in your first 24 hours.
- ✦Group day tours to nearby sights — built-in icebreakers.
- ✦Co-working cafés and digital nomad meetups (Nomad List has the local Slack).
- ✦Travel apps: BumbleBFF, Travello, and Backpackr work in most cities for finding meetup buddies.
Getting around solo
Arrive 2 days before any trek to acclimatise. Locals chew coca leaves and drink tea — works.
Best time to visit Cusco solo
May and June are the best months — good weather and lots of other travellers around (which means easier to meet people). If you want fewer crowds, try shoulder months: April, October.