Useful Tips

TOURIST TICKET
- Do not forget that in order to visit the tourist places of Cusco city it is indispensable to buy the Tourist Ticket. Otherwise, you will have to pay a higher price to have access to the 16 main places of interest inside the city and the surroundings.

Cusco: The Cathedral, Museum of the Municipal Palace, Site Museum of Qoriqancha, Santa Catalina, San Blas, Regional Historic Museum, Museum of Religious Art, Sacsayhuamán, Quenqo, Tambomachay, Tipón, Pikillaqta.

Sacred Valley: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero.

- The Tourist Ticket can be acquired in the following addresses in Cusco:

Av. El Sol 103 of. 102 (Tourist Galleries)
Phone: 22-737
Opening Hours: 8:00 to 18:00

Calle Mantas (El Cuadro building)
Intersection of Garcilaso street and Heladeros s/n (Casa Garcilaso)
Phone: 22-6919

- The cost of the Tourist Ticket has different categories:

Full Ticket $ 22.00
Partial Ticket** $12.50
Students* $11.00

* Students that have the ISIC carnet and who are under 28 years.
** This only includes tourist visits inside the city.
All the tickets are valid for 5 and 10 days.

- We must highlight that there are important places that are not included in this ticket, such as: the Koricancha Temple, La Merced Temple and the Incan Museum, for which you must pay minimum additional fees:

Koricancha Temple S/.13.00 ó $5
Catedral: S/. 6.00 ó $2

CUSCO MONEY

MONEY EXCHANGE

Money
The official currency in Peru is the "Nuevo sol" and its symbol is S/. We currently have in circulation the following :
Bills of 10,20,50, 100 and 200 nuevos soles
Coins of 1,2 and 5 nuevos soles and of 5,10,20 and 50 cents of nuevo sol.

The US dollar is by far the easiest foreign currency to exchange because it will be difficult to exchange other currencies out of Lima. Despite of being well accepted, in some small sites, you will generally have to exchange it into nuevos soles. The entrance of foreign currency to Peru is limited. The dollar exchange rate may vary every day, but it usually changes between S/.3.40 and 3.60 nuevos soles against each American dollar. One nuevo sol is worth .S/.3.25 against the Euro

Cash
It is better you take small denomination bills or pocket money as vendors, shops and taxis do not often have change. Be careful with bills and examine that they are not old or broken as vendors, banks, street money changers, etc. do not accept damaged bills.

Banks and money exchange offices
All the Bank Branches (situated in provinces) exchange American dollars and travelers cheques. The main offices (situated in Lima) and/or Exchanges money exchange offices accept coins. In Cusco, you can change your American dollars in the parallel market where the street moneychangers located in the Sun avenue generally offer a favourable exchange rate. They previously agreed about the rate among them so you do not need to negotiate.

In general, the exchange rate in these transactions is lower than the official exchange rate or the rate in the parallel market.

However, exchanging money in the streets may be dangerous. Exchanging money in the streets is legal but not suggested. You may be robbed if someone looks at you with money. Be careful about false dollars bills. There have been many swindled tourists.

We suggested you to exchange your dollars or travelers cheques in money exchange offices or banks located in the first two blocks of The Sun avenue. You can also exchange your money at hotels, restaurants and shopping centers but at higher rate.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18.00 hours, and Saturdays until midday. There are street moneychangers in the corners of the Sun avenue as well as many ATMs.

Traveler's checks
The standard of traveler's checks exchange is of 1% in case of nuevos soles and 3% if dollars. Although this rate is not so common in the city (in some banks the exchange means a loss of 2% and 5% of the total to be exchanged), they can may be performed in banks and money exchange offices.

Banco Continental discounts 5% of commission for traveler's checks exchanges. Some travel agencies may exchange dollars and traveler's checks but they could charge 4 and 5% of commission.
Traveler's checks cancellation in Thomas Cook: 241-5566 / 444- 5175
American Express: 001-800-8602908

Money Transfers (money order)
Money transfers may be performed through commercial banks. The transaction for an international transfer may last 3 days at last and for national transfers last a full day or less. It is possible to charge to credit cards in order to obtain cash.

Credit cards
This is not a common way either, though hotels and prestigious restaurants and numerous shops may accept them. The most accepted are American Express, Visa, Diners, Master Card and Cirrus. The most accepted credit card in Peru is Visa. MasterCard is also accepted but Diner's club and American Express are not well accepted.

We recommend Banco de Credito to withdraw your cash with a Visa credit card. If you have a Master card go to Banco Santander Central Hispano and if it is American Express you find its main office in Lima Tours situated in Portal de Arinas 177, Main Square. Telephone 22- 8431.

The disadvantage of using your credit card is that some shops, hotels and restaurants charge an 8% commission to the bill. It is best to withdraw money from the ATMs and pay in cash. It is safe to have traveler´s checks just in case though sometimes you will have difficulties to exchange them. If exchanged, they will offer you lower rates than in cash.

In case of lost or theft of your Visa credit card, you are able to cancel it calling to 0-800-1-3333.
If any enquires about MasterCard, you may call to 0-800-49510 or to the 24- 4946. If your credit card has been issued abroad, contact with Master Global Service to 0-800-505-87.

ATMs
The best way to obtain your money is through ATMs. Most of them work with Plus system but there are also some that accept Star, Cirrus and Interlink.

Most of the banks have ATMs from where you can withdraw money with international credit cards. They deliver large bills. We suggested asking for small denomination bills. In Cusco, Banco Santander ATMs (former Banco Continental) is situated in the second block of The Sun Avenue. Despite of the fact you will have to walk some blocks, it delivers small denomination bills so you won't have problems while paying. Banco Santander ATMs is located inside the building so it is comfortable and safer for clients especially for users of Visa credit cards.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Telephone
The telephones system is the most used in Cusco. Public telephones are easy to find and they enable the access to local, national and international dialing and through the operator. It works with coins (céntimos and nuevos soles) and with 147 cards. You can purchase them at Av. El Sol or in the offices of Telefónica.

The Central Office of Telefónica presents the advantage of making direct international calls without time limits. You only need to request the assistance of the person in charge and you will be able to talk comfortably from your private cabin.

How to use a public telephone?
Pick up the phone and wait for the tone. In the upper part of the telephone there will appear letters on a digital screen indicating that you have to insert the coins. In order to call abroad you need 5 soles minimum, the coins of two or five soles do not work. Calls inside the city of Cusco cost 50 céntimos. So as to call to a cell phone you will need one Nuevo Sol.

In the case of 147 Cards, pick up the phone and dial the number 147; the operator will indicate you to dial the 12 secret numbers of your card. Then, the country code, the area and the number.

Telephone Codes
- For international long distance dial 00 + the country code + the city code + the telephone number.
- In the case of direct dialing, dial 0 + the city code + the telephone number
- If you require an operator for national long distance, dial 109 and request the call.
- To call to Peru from abroad, dial the access international code + 51 (Peru code) + area code (for Cusco it is 084) + the number.

POST SERVICE
- The post service is reasonably efficient. USA and Europe letters arrive in one or two weeks. The stamps for letters addressed to USA, Europe, New Zealand and Australia cost between $ 0.80 and $ 1.
- USA and Europe letters arrive in one or two weeks. The stamps for letters addressed to USA, Europe, New Zealand and Australia cost between $ 0.80 and $ 1.

TRANSPORTATION
To move within the perimeter of the city of Cusco, the visitor may choose the public transportation, which uses buses and minibuses with a fixed route and which tariff is quite economic.

Regarding taxis, tariffs are agreed before getting on the vehicle, due to the lack of taximeters.

If you want to go to Machu Picchu, the visitor must take the train directly to Aguas Calientes. From there, take the buses going uphill until the citadel.

The usual way of reaching Machu Picchu is by train. There are 112 kilometers between Cusco and the Puente Ruinas station in Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu.

From the San Pedro Cusco station (next to the Huánchac market) three train services are offered daily to join this city with the Machu Picchu station. This is an incredible travel. You have to be careful with the things you carry with you. Services start at 6:00 in the morning.

If you buy the tickets through an agency travel, you will be picked up from your hotel to go to the station, and after the visit you will be taken back to your hotel at dusk.

One of the peculiarities of the travel is that during the first half hour, the train passes by the Picchu Mountain through the zigzagging way until reaching the highest point called "El Arco" in the northeastern part of the city.

Going on, you go down by the Poroy, Cachimatyo and Izcuchaca towns towards the Pampa de Anta, a wide cattle raising area. Running by the narrow ravine of Pomatales, it glides towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the Pachar station. You cross the Urubamba River towards the right bank to reach the Ollantaytambo station and go ahead to Puente Ruinas, the final destination.

There are three types of services: tourism train or backpacker, railcar or Vista Dome and the Hiram Bingham service. They depart very early in the morning and return in the evening.

Cusco - Aguas Calientes - Cusco Trains:
- Backpacker: Exclusively designed for passengers who like adventure, who, in turn, look for comfort and safety.

The Backpacker service has remodeled the seats with Inca design upholstery, giving them a very local and indigenous touch, as well as the comfort to have a wide space for the passengers' backpacks.

- Vistadome: The fastest and most comfortable way of visiting Machu Picchu. During the trip, you may taste delicious snacks and hot and cold drinks. Coaches recently renewed, which are supplied with panoramic windows that will allow you enjoying a spectacular sight and take wonderful pictures.

- Hiram Bingham: It has 02 coaches and 42 places for passengers and a bar wagon. It additionally has a kitchen wagon to prepare the food.

Among many of the exquisite design details of coaches there are the big and comfortable seats and extra wide tables. Almost 3 meters long and 30 cm wider than the others in the same route. These coaches are considered among the widest and most comfortable around the world. This service includes: 1 ticket in train, 1 Brunch, 1 Afternoon tea, 1 Cocktail and Gastronomic Dinner, Water, Coffee and Tea and 1 Tour including the entrance to Machu Picchu, 1 round trip bus ticket to the ruins.

Those who have traveled by land the Sacred Valley and do not want to lose time going back to Cusco can also take the train to Machu Picchu at the Ollantaytambo station.

If you have a very short time to visit Peru, the best way of traveling is by plane. The International Airport Jorge Chávez in Lima is the main hub for the local connections of flights. From Lima to Cusco, there are 1,165 Km (724 miles) and you need 20 hours by land and 1 hour by plane. The Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco has received 366,325 foreign tourists in the year 2002.

HEALTH TIPS

Be careful with the altitude sickness or "Soroche"
The "soroche", also known as the Monge sickness, occurs for the lack of oxygen to people who are not acclimatized and go up to 2,000 m.a.s.l. in less than 1 or 2 days.

The tourist who arrives at Cusco by planes is the most prone to this sickness. The symptoms appear the first 48 hours after going up (though they also appear much more later). They can be: insomnia, headache, nausea, vomits, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, sleeping problems, pain in the lumbar area, giddiness, palpitations and concentration problems, even severe edema lung, deficiency TIROIDEA or infections.
Women may have amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea.

Although altitude is of the local people as it empower the heart, strength the lungs and fill the blood with red cells, for some people it can mean a disgusting way of ruining their joy.


Prevention
Previous acclimatization is very important to enjoy the rest of the trip completely. Getting prepared during some days will avoid suffering of "soroche" or altitude sickness. This may cause little pains but also severe problems such as lung or brain edemas.

For a better acclimatization you will need about 72 hours. It is necessary to rest the whole first day, eat little and drink lot of liquid especially the coca tea. It has medicinal and digestive properties. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and fat food.


Treatment
To prevent but always taking counter indications into account, we may have acetazolamida (125-250mg 2 or 3 times a day orally) 48 hours before ascending and 48 hours after arriving at the high area. Taking desametasona ( 4mg every 6 hours orally during 48 hours before ascending and during the time you are at high altitude) is also effective.

In case you have the symtoms despite of the precautions, take lot of liquid. Paracetamol is ideal against headache and coramina avoids nauseas.

Acetazolamida (250 mg, 2 .4 times a day orally, maximum dose: 1,000mg/day)is very effective against soroche and increase acclimatization. In all cases it is better to ask a doctor and observe the counter indications of the medicines.

¿How to acclimatize easily?
- Remember Cusco is at 3,350 m.a.s.l. It is best to rest some hours after landing, walk slowly and do not make hard physic effort.

- Visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas helps us to avoid the disgusting Soroche as it has a higher temperature than Cusco.

- If you feel short of breath on your arrival, you can ask for it at the airport or in some hotels, drugstores and hospitals. If you need one, ask for the oxygen in a flow of 2-3 l/min.

- If you even have headache, nausea or vomits, it is possible you suffer from AMS (Spanish abbreviation for Severe Mountainous Sickness), look for medical assistance at the nearest medical assistance office.

- It is recommended to take many lemon candies as they avoid dehydration and the problems for altitude.

EMERGENCIES

Policía Nacional del Perú (National Police)
Túpac Amaru square P - 15.
Telephone: 24-6088 / 25-2222 - anexo 208.

Policía de Turismo (Police of Tourism)
Address: Calle Saphy N° 510.
Telephone: 249654.

Emergencias Policiales (Police emergencies)
Unidad de desactivación de explosivos (UDEX) Unity of explosive desactivation.
Central de emergencia policial (105.) Police central emergencies

Escuadrón de emergencia (team of emergency)
Telf. 24-6088 / 25-2222 - anexo 208

DIROVE
Address: Esq. Av. 28 de Julio s/n
Address: Av. Tío, third bus stop.
Telephone: 24-9641 anexo 245

Radio Patrulla
Address: Calle Shapy N° 510
Telephone: 105.

Firefighters
Address: Central Av. Garcilaso de la Vega N° 313, Cusco.
Telephone: 221392 / 22-7211.
In San Sebastián: Telephone: 27-1452.
In San Jerónimo: Telephone: 27-7483.

Defensa Civil (Civil Defense)
Address: Av. Pedro Vilcapaza B- 9.
Telephone: 24-0658.

AIRPORTS
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Address: Av. Velasco Astete s/n.
Information: Telephone: 22-2611.
Airport chieftainship: Telephone: 22-2601 / 23-7364.

TRAIN STATIONS
Train to Machu Picchu
Address: San Pedro station s/n.
Telephone: 238722.

Train Puno - Arequipa
Address: Estación de Huanchac s/n.
Telephone: 232671.

TAXI COMPANIES
Central 239
Telephone: 23-9969.

Radio Taxi Telemovil
Telephone: 22-3383 / 25-2944.