Cusco travel guide

If you need a denuncia (a report for insurance purposes, available from the Banco de la Nación), the tourist policeIC Saphi 510, T084-249665/221961, or Ovalo de Pachacútec , T084-249654, will type it out. Always go to the police when robbed, even though it will take a bit of time. Police patrol the streets, trains and stations, but one should still be vigilant. On no account walk back to your hotel after dark from a bar or club, as muggings do occur. For safetys sake, pay the US$1 taxi fare, but not just any taxi. Ask the clubs doorman to get a licensed taxi for you (see Taxis, page ). Other areas in which to take care include Santa Ana market, the San Cristóbal area and at out-of-the-way ruins. Indecopi (Consumer Protection Bureau)IAv Manco Inca 209, T084-252987, mmarroquin@indecopi.gob.pe, toll free T0800-44040 (24-hr hotline, not available from pay phones), protects the consumer rights of all tourists and helps with any problems or complaints. They can be helpful in dealing with tour agencies, hotels or restaurants.

The centre of Cuzco is small and is easily explored on foot. Bear in mind, however, that at this altitude walking up some of the citys steep cobbled streets may leave you out of breath, so youll need to take your time. It is even possible to walk up to Sacsayhuaman, but a better idea is to take a combi to Tambo Machay and walk back downhill to town via Qenqo and Sacsayhuaman. Combis are the main form of public transport in the city: well- organized, cheap and safe. Taxis are also cheap and recommended when arriving by air, train or bus. If you wish to explore this area on your own, Road Map (Hoja de ruta) No 10 is excellent. You can get it from the Touring y Automóvil Club del Perú, see page. There are very few good maps of Cuzco available. CSee Transport, page .

Most travellers arriving from Lima will do so by air. No flights arrive in Cuzco at night. The airport is at Quispiquilla, near the bus terminal, 1.6 km southeast of the centre. For airport information T084-222611/601. You can book a hotel at the airport through a travel agency, but this is not really necessary. Many representatives of hotels and travel agencies operate at the airport, offering transport to the hotel with which they are associated. Take your time to choose your hotel, at the price you can afford. There is a post office, phone booths, restaurant and cafeteria at the airport. There is also a Tourist Protection Bureau desk, which can be very helpful if your flight has not been reconfirmed (not an uncommon problem). Do not forget to pay the airport tax at the appropriate desk before departure. A taxi to and from the airport costs US$2 (US$4.50 by radio taxi). Colectivos to the centre cost US$0.30 from outside the airport car park. All long-distance buses arrive and leave from the Terminal Terrestre, Avenida Vallejo Santoni, block 2 (Prolongación Pachacútec), in Ttio district. Colectivo from centre US$0.30, taxi US$1. Platform tax US$0.35. Transport to your hotel is not a problem as bus company representatives are often on hand. There are two train stations in Cuzco. To Juliaca and Puno, trains leave from the Estación Wanchac IC Pachacútec, T084-581414. The office here offers direct information and ticket sales for all PerúRail services. Look out for special promotional offers. When arriving in Cuzco, a tourist bus meets the train to take visitors to hotels. Machu Picchu trains leave from Estación San Pedro Iopposite the Santa Ana market. CSee Transport, page . For trains to Machu Picchu, see page .