Cusco Tourist Ticket: What Is It and What’s It For?

What is It?

Dear traveler, we can imagine your excitement, gathering information, and preparing for your incredible journey to Peru, headed to the former capital of the Inca Empire: Cusco! 

With high expectations, rest assured Cusco will exceed them all and offer so much more. Count on it! Peru is a fantastic country with biodiversity, varied landscapes, and wonderful people. 

Cusco has become hugely popular among tourists, especially thanks to the New Wonder of the World: the legendary Machu Picchu. However, that’s only part of what the country has to offer. 

Cusco is brimming with other impressive archaeological sites from various cultures. This ancient city is a treasure trove of historical experiences and breathtaking landscapes. Numerous museums and routes around the city should be on your list during your Cusco trip.

What is the Cusco Tourist Ticket For?

The Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) was created to make life easier for tourists, bundling multiple sites into one ticket so you can access many attractions with just one document. This colorful, personal, and non-transferable ticket is valid for a limited time (pay attention to this detail!). 

Each color represents different attractions. For instance, Saqsayhuamán and Q’enqo are in red, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay in dark orange, and the archaeological sites of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo in light orange, and so on. 

Each time you pass through the entrance to one of these attractions, the attendant will punch the location’s name on the ticket. This keeps track of visited and pending sites so you can stay organized.

Types of Cusco Tourist Tickets

Comprehensive Ticket:

Imagine a pass that opens doors to a world of spectacular attractions. The Comprehensive Tourist Ticket does precisely that: it grants access to 16 must-see destinations. This option is valid for 10 days from purchase, offering a generous time frame to explore. Included:

•  City of Cusco
  • Contemporary Art Museum
  • Regional History Museum
  • Museum of Popular Art
  • Pachacutec Monument
  • Qosqo Center of Traditional Music and Dance
  • Qoricancha Museum

• Cusco Surroundings
  
  • Saqsayhuamán
  • Q’enqo
  • Puka Pukara
  • Tambomachay
  • Tipón
  • Pikillacta

• Sacred Valley
  • Pisaq
  • Ollantaytambo
  • Chinchero
  • Moray Agricultural Terraces

Partial Tourist Ticket

The Partial Ticket is ideal for those who want to focus on specific experiences while optimizing their budget. It offers three circuits:

Circuit 1: Saqsayhuamán
Valid for one day, this ticket grants access to the archaeological sites of the Saqsayhuamán Park:

• Saqsayhuamán
• Q’enqo
• Tambomachay
• Puka Pukara

Circuit 2: City and South Valley
Valid for 2 days, it includes attractions in Cusco’s historic center and South Valley:

• Regional History Museum
• Contemporary Art Museum
• Museum of Popular Art
• Qoricancha Museum
• Qosqo Native Art Center
• Pachacutec Monument
• Tipón Archaeological Park
• Pikillacta Archaeological Park

Circuit 3: Sacred Valley
Valid for 2 days, it covers Sacred Valley archaeological centers:

• Pisaq
• Ollantaytambo
• Chinchero
• Moray

Cusco Tourist Ticket Prices

Ticket Type	International Tourist	National Tourist	Validity
Comprehensive Ticket	S/. 130.00	S/. 70.00	10 days
Circuit 1 Ticket	S/. 70.00	S/. 40.00	1 days
Circuit 2 Ticket	S/. 70.00	S/. 40.00	2 days
Circuit 3 Ticket	S/. 70.00	S/. 40.00	2 days

Prices are in Peruvian Soles.

Special Discounts

• University students over 18: Buy your ticket with a physical ISIC card and show a copy of your ID or passport.
• People between 10 and 17 years old: Present valid ID.
• Children 9 years and younger: Free Cusco Tourist Ticket.

Where to Buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket

You can purchase it at:

• COSITUC Office: Located in Galerías Turísticas, Av. El Sol No. 103, Room 101, Cusco, Peru.
  • Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:30 – Saturdays, 08:30 to 12:30.
• All tourist sites are included in the ticket (except the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Pachacutec Monument), providing direct access to the beautiful attractions that await you.

Can I buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket online?

Unfortunately, no. This document can only be purchased in person due to its validity and non-transferability, which begins to count from the time of purchase.

Advantages of the Cusco Tourist Ticket

There are plenty of reasons why you should buy the BTC when visiting Cusco, Peru. Some of them include:

• Savings: By visiting multiple included sites, you make an economical choice.
• Planning: The Tourist Ticket simplifies access by gathering entry fees into one document.
• More attractions: Cusco’s rich cultural and historical sites await you, and this ticket allows you to explore them thoroughly.

Atracciones incluidas en el BTC – Boleto Turístico de Cusco

• Sacsayhuaman
  Two locations are included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket and Circuit 1; this is the largest and most impressive to include in your visit. In Sacsayhuaman, enormous stones formed the base of many Inca constructions in the region. Some of these stones weigh between 100 and 200 tons, raising the question of how they arrived there. Besides admiring this fantastic site, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city of Cusco.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Qenqo
  The Qenqo Archaeological Site is right next to Sacsayhuaman. It’s a small but impressive site that is well-preserved. The sacrificial table is the main attraction here; you can also explore its small caves.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Puka Pukara
  The name of this site in Quechua means “Red Fortress,” leading scholars to believe it may have been a military structure. It’s one of the smaller sites in the region but offers a beautiful view of surrounding mountains, valleys, and hills.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Tambomachay
  This small and pleasant archaeological site features many water channels that create a lovely waterfall sound, with short trails leading in various directions. It’s interesting to visit, as it was historically a place for water worship. It may also have served as a spa due to its water channels and proximity to Puka Pukara.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Museum of Contemporary Art
  Most of the art is on the second floor of this museum. It’s a small place but has some interesting pieces. The building is fascinating and has a beautiful courtyard that is perfect for photos.
  
  Hours: Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Sundays).

• Regional History Museum
  As its name suggests, the museum focuses on the region’s entire history. You’ll find a wealth of information, including prehistoric animals, the Inca Empire, and items related to the Spanish conquest. It’s fascinating and offers a vast amount of knowledge.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Pachacutec Monument
  This small museum and viewpoint is located at the end of El Sol Avenue in a tower visible to those passing by. It has a few exciting pieces on each floor, and at the top, you can enjoy a good view of planes taking off from the runway and see Cusco’s bus station nearby.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Tipón
  This is one of the most significant archaeological parks in the region, and it could take a full day to explore. Many terraces and Inca channels carried water, which was the best place to see how their water systems worked. You’ll also find small places on the sides that you can explore.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Qoricancha Museum
  Located in the green area of Qoricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo on El Sol Avenue, you can access its beautiful gardens and fountains via a staircase and enjoy walking through its green areas. However, entry to the museum does not grant access to Qoricancha or the Convent. Entry to Qoricancha is sold separately and is not part of the BTC. The museum presents exciting artifacts and mummies.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Museum of Popular Art
  It is a small, simple art museum with exciting ceramics and paintings, including masks and religious displays. Look for the image of Jesus eating cuy (guinea pig) with his disciples! They drink chicha instead of traditional wine, a fermented corn drink consumed since Inca times.
  
  Hours: Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Sundays).

• Qosqo Center of Native Art
  Every evening, the Qosqo Center of Native Art presents a traditional Andean show in its theater, showcasing various folk dances from the region. The BTC – Cusco Tourist Ticket grants you access to this must-see show, a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas on El Sol Avenue. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience local customs and learn about different dances.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Pikillacta
  The Wari culture built this exclusive archaeological park in Cusco, predating the Incas. The Wari’s influence on the Incas was substantial, as you’ll see in how its structures differ from Inca sites found elsewhere. You can explore this extensive archaeological site peacefully, as it’s rarely crowded.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Pisac
  This is a trendy village among tourists in Cusco and home to the Pisac Archaeological Site, the first stop on the Sacred Valley of the Incas tour. It features stunning Inca architecture, tombs on the hillside, and circular terraces, perfect for photos. You’ll enjoy the most spectacular view of the valley below from here.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Ollantaytambo
  Another prominent town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Ollantaytambo, is considered the last living Inca town, with preserved water canals, houses, and alleyways. At the base of this town lies the entrance to the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site, which is divided into a lower and upper section. In the lower section, even visitors with limited mobility can enjoy close views of water canals, structures, ruins, terraces, and friendly llamas. Visitors can climb the ancient Inca stairs to the upper ruins of Ollantaytambo, where majestic, well-preserved terraces and buildings await. This site is beautiful due to the surrounding hills and its dramatic location on a steep slope.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Chinchero
  The Chinchero Archaeological Site may have been the residence of the prominent Inca conqueror Tupac Inca Yupanqui, who is believed to have died at age 85. After the Spanish invasion, a church was built on the hilltop, now a park highlight. You’ll also see other ruins and circular terraces around the area.
  
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Moray
  This is a unique archaeological park. Moray consists of three large terraces formed by circular structures believed to have served as agricultural laboratories. The landscape is otherworldly!
  Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What are the tourist attractions that are not included in the ticket?

The following places are NOT included in the BTC:

• Machu Picchu Archaeological Site
• Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
• Humantay Lagoon
• Maras Salt Mines
• Cusco Cathedral
• Qoricancha Santo Domingo Convent
• Other museums, including the Inka Museum.

How to Access BTC Sites – Cusco Tourist Ticket

There are several ways to reach the attractions included in the BTC. The first option would be to walk to those within the city, such as the museums, which are all nearby. Some other attractions are located in the surroundings but in areas difficult to access for people with limited mobility, like Saqsayhuamán and Qenqo.

To make visiting BTC sites easier, speed up your tour, and add comfort along with the company of a guide who will provide valuable and essential information, we recommend the half-day Salkantay Trekking City Tour, which includes all sites of BTC Circuit 1. For BTC Circuit 3 sites, we offer a full-day tour through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Another alternative for reaching each attraction is to go alone, using a taxi or researching bus/combi services departing from the city. There are collective services with boarding points a bit farther from the center, but locals are friendly and can help you find these places.

Take Note

To ensure your trip to Cusco, Peru, goes as planned, remember the following recommendations:

• Keep your Cusco Tourist Ticket in a safe place, and don’t lose it! No duplicates are issued, and it is non-transferable, so it’s essential to protect it. Otherwise, you may need to purchase a new one.
• If you’re traveling on a budget, consider choosing one of the partial ticket options. However, plan your time to maximize each place within the designated period.
• Please note that the ticket cost is NOT included in the travel packages tourism agencies offer. So, be prepared to pay a small additional fee for this convenience.

BTC: Your Passport to an Extraordinary Adventure

The Cusco Tourist Ticket is much more than a simple document; it’s the key that will awaken your senses and lead you to an experience that will touch your soul. Whether you choose the entire ticket to explore every corner or one of the partial tickets for a more focused experience, this pass will guide you to discover a world of wonders and charms.

The BTC: Cusco Tourist Ticket opens doors to the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Andean region, which continues to attract and captivate thousands of travelers worldwide.

Are you ready to join Salkantay Trekking on this extraordinary adventure?

Cusco Tourist Ticket, as the 10-day validity period starts from that date. Plan your days well to ensure every attraction is noticed and enjoyed!

And What to Do in the City Without a Tourist Ticket?

Friend, don’t worry: if for some reason you’re unable to acquire the BTC during your trip to Cusco, it’s good to know that some essential places in the Inca Capital and the Sacred Valley of the Incas are not part of the Tourist Ticket and can be visited by paying for entry separately. Below are the most important ones:

Cusco

• Cusco Cathedral: Whether or not you enjoy visiting churches, we recommend not missing the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square. It’s a colonial architectural gem with ten chapels, a magnificent main altar with pure silver sheets, around 400 works from the Cusco School, and much more—entry: 40 soles for foreigners, children, and international students, 20 soles.
• Santo Domingo Convent: While the Qoricancha Museum is included in the BTC, the Santo Domingo Church, part of the Qoricancha Complex, is not—entry: 15 soles.
• San Pedro Market: This is Cusco’s most important market and a must-visit for food lovers. It’s an opportunity to discover local products, including numerous varieties of potatoes and quinoa.
• Cristo Blanco Viewpoint: An 8-meter-tall statue of Christ located on Red Hill (Cerro Pukamoqo), 5 km from Cusco.
• San Cristóbal Church: A Cusco church located in the upper part of the city. Built-in the 15th century, it was declared a Cultural Heritage of the nation. Its main attraction is the impressive view of Cusco, which you can enjoy from San Cristóbal Plaza or climbing the bell tower. Entry: 10 soles, five soles for the bell tower.
• Cusco’s Plazas: Plaza de Armas, Plaza Nazarenas, Plaza San Francisco, Plaza de Regocijo.

Sacred Valley

• The Artisan Market, textile workshops.
• Ollantaytambo: Several free attractions, such as Pinkuylluna and Ñaupa Iglesia.
• Pisac: Pisac market, Potato Park, Botanical Garden, Community Museum, etc.
• In the rest of the Valley: Urubamba, Yucay, Andahuaylillas, Huchuy Qosqo, Calca, the Inkariy Museum (35 soles), activities like rafting, zip-lining, ATVs, and a Humantay Lagoon tour.

Maras Sal Mines

• Maras Salt Mines: One of the most amazing places in the Sacred Valley. These are 3,000 saltwater pools managed by cooperatives, totaling around 300 families in the region. Here, you can buy natural salt-based products and, most importantly, take spectacular photos! Entry: 10 soles.

You May Also Be Interested In:

• Top Things to Do in Cusco, Peru
• Where to eat in Cusco, the best of Cusco
• Where to stay in Cusco?
• Hiking in Cusco: Short Routes to Conquer in Less than a Day
• Season of Rain in Cusco: Everything You Need to Know
• Everything you need to know about the dry season in Cusco, Peru.
• Tips for Choosing the Perfect Accommodation in Cusco.
• 12 Romantic Things to Do in Cusco as a Couple
• Best time to visit Cusco, Peru
• Museums not to be missed during your visit to Cusco
• What to do in Cusco?
• How to Acclimate in Cusco: Everything You Need to Know
• How to get to Cusco?
• Festivities & Holidays in Cusco

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