Is Cusco Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Solo travel

I visited Cusco using a local travelers agency. The service was wonderful. Cusco is a beautiful city, with lots of historical interesting places to visit. The local food is one of the best in the world if you like experimenting new things. I personally felt safe because I made a few new friends along the trip, so I never was alone.

Group travel

Cusco was a blast! This city is so cute and has so much to offer. I felt very safe and even walked after dark. The hostels are very comfortable and all the businesses are very welcoming. There are hidden gems everywhere and would definitely go back. Be cautious of the altitude change!

Solo travel

Solo travel to Cusco was the best decision I’ve made. The city is warm and welcoming i didn’t feel uncomfortable the time spent there. I will definitely go back someday. You can expect a diverse and unique food in Cusco and its budget friendly.

Solo travel

I had a very good time there and I felt safe. I spent two days there, acclimatizing to my hikes on the Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain. I went to the Plaza de Armas, saw the Cathedral in Cuzco and took a tour inside it. I also liked walking around the San Blas area. I also went to Saqsaywaman. It's amazing how the whole city can be seen from the top. It's a beautiful city. I was bothered by people selling souvenirs on the street, but I just ignored them.

Solo travel

I loved Cusco. I went to the San Pedro market, it was incredible, lots of cheap food stalls. I stayed at the Niños Fierro hotel, which was very friendly and had great service. I also got medicine for altitude sickness from my doctor, so I didn't have to worry about acclimatizing.

Solo travel

I felt very safe walking around the city and loved their "made from scratch" meals, even while trekking to Machu Picchu and the Choquequirao ruins. Everything was very cheap, and the buses seemed safe. I did not rent a car and I would not recommend it, as their driving habits are quite different. People were incredibly helpful and courteous at every step.

Group travel

We went to Peru in May and we felt incredibly safe in Cusco, to the extent that we were talking to each other about how relaxed we felt. It's a great, wonderful place to spend a few days. We did a small group hike with Salkantay Trekking to Machu Picchu and we found it to be very well organized. We had no language problems at any of these places, as so many tourists now visit Peru. We even took a night bus and didn't feel unsafe at the station or on the bus at all, though I've heard you have to be careful which routes you choose.

Solo travel

Visit the Sacred Valley, Arequipa and Puno (these two cities are easily accessible from Cuzco and are worth visiting).

Solo travel

Do not visit Machu Picchu from Cusco. First, go to the Sacred Valley, then to Machu Picchu, and then to Cusco. You want to start from low and then go higher. If you go to Cusco first, there is a much greater risk that you will experience altitude sickness.

Cusco is a beautiful city, but be careful as a woman solo traveler. The men catcall and can be a bit inappropriate in clubs or social settings. My friend got her phone stolen on public transportation, so be sure to keep your valuables in a bag on the front of your body. The public transportation felt way safer than taxi/Uber for me as I don’t like riding alone with a man. If I was going to the center of the city(plaza de Armas) at night alone I was always sure to have a friend meet me there or be waiting for me so I don’t have to be alone.