Boleto Turistico: A Guide to Cusco's Tourist Ticket
Boleto Turistico, known as Cusco Tourist Ticket, includes all the top ruins, sites, and museums in Cusco, Peru, and its surroundings. Our travel guide features tips on how and where to buy, a list of covered sites, a ticket description, and an answer to a question, whether it is worth it to buy Boleto Turistico?
If you plan a trip to Cusco in Peru, there are a few things you should know first.
Cusco is one of the country's top travel destinations thanks to the beautiful landscape and a number of top attractions, some of which are the world's most famous ruins.
Knowing as much as possible about visiting these attractions is only a part of the success and creating unforgettable travel memories.
Before you start your trip, you need to learn a new term that travelers often use in the Cusco area, Boleto Turistico (BCT).
In a nutshell, Cusco Tourist Ticket is the term that almost every visitor to this area comes in contact with sooner or later.
Why is Boleto Turistico so important? Simply put, it allows you to visit the best ruins in Cusco and Sacred Valley, and in some cases, it's the only ticket option you have. But first things first.
For starters, Cusco is the former capital of the Inca empire and a gateway to Machu Picchu. Second, before heading out to the Inca citadel, you might want to take things slowly and acclimate first.
As you see, Cusco sits at 3400 meters above sea level, and the altitude presents some obstacles.
Some of the top sights in this region are at even higher altitudes, and you need some time to adjust your body to the thinner air.
Finally, the city is home to some incredible Inca ruins, museums, and sites. And you can explore them on day trips from Cusco.
This place offers so much that before you start creating your ultimate Peru itinerary, make sure you allocate enough time for exploring the city because, during a day or two, you will hardly scratch the surface.
Our guide to Cusco will help you plan your trip better. Once you decide on where to go, the next step is to focus on details.
In our case, it is time to answer the question, whether it is worth it to invest in Boleto Turistico, what's included, and which advantages you get by purchasing this special tourist ticket.
We believe you need the answer, especially if you travel on a budget, but this Boleto Turistico travel guide is designed for all travelers. Let's dive into it.
WHAT IS BOLETO TURISTICO
Cusco Tourist Ticket is the ultimate sightseeing pass. However, there are four different variants, valid for different periods and with different price tags.
Choosing the right ticket might be more challenging than you think, so we've put together all the info that will make the deciding process easier for you.
Hopefully, you will make an informed decision by the time you reach the end of our blog post.
If you wonder why Boleto Turistico Ticket (BTC) is so important, note that some of the best sites on the list don't have an individual ticket.
For example, if you want to visit only Pisac ruins in the Sacred Valley, you still have to buy the partial ticket for the full price that includes the rest of the sites as well.
At first sight, this might seem like an inconvenience. By looking more closely into Cusco's map and tours descriptions, you realize that there is some logic after all.
Most of the tours are designated to allow you to visit most of the sites on each circuit.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN BOLETO TURISTICO
There are sixteen sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. All of them are included in the Boleto Turistico Integral.
Additionally, there are three tickets that include only specific circuits. These are also known as partial Boleto Turistico tickets.
Keep in mind that not every ticket is valid for the same period. Also, if you are a student under 25 years, bring an ISIC to get a discount.
Let's have a closer look at the ticket options.
INTEGRAL TOURIST TICKET
If your Cusco itinerary is longer than a day or two, you really should consider purchasing the Cusco general tourist ticket.
It's valid for ten days, which is longer than the rest of the tickets combined. Cusco ticket costs S/.130 and includes all sixteen major sites in the city and its surroundings, except for Machu Picchu.
It would be awesome if the ticket was valid for the entire month, but to be honest, most of the tourists don't have that much time. In best-case scenarios, they have a month for the whole trip to Peru.
Here is the list of sites the Boleto Turistico includes:
Sacsayhuaman - A large Inca fortress high above Cusco featuring massive stones perfectly stacked up and weighing more than 100 tons.
Qenqo - A place of worship near Cusco where Incas sacrificed animals. There are also some natural rock caves at the site.
Puca Pucara - A small site of Inca military ruins on the way to Pisac about eight kilometers north of Cusco. There is not much left though the views of the Peruvian Andes are incredible.
Tambomachay - Just across the road from Puca Pucara, historians and archaeologists still can't agree on the purpose of the structures, though it's believed that these were Inca baths.
Qorikancha Museum - One of the unique structures in the heart of Cusco, Qorikancha is a former Inca sun temple dedicated to Inti. Spaniards destroyed the temple in the 16th century, and on its foundations was built Santo Domingo Church.
Regional History Museum - Archaeological artifacts from pre-Inca and Inca cultures are displayed in this museum.
Contemporary Art Museum - A small museum with some interesting exhibitions only a short walk from Plaza de Armas.
Popular Art Museum - Another small museum which is not very interesting, you might give it a pass.
Qosqo Native Art Center - This is, in fact, a small theater and the only place from the ticket that includes a cultural show of native dances and music.
Inca Pachacutec Monument - Located near the main bus terminal, Inca Pachacutec Monument is one of the first tourist attractions you might see in Cusco. If you haven't arrived by bus, it's two kilometers south of Plaza de Armas.
Tipon - This site is slightly different from the rest. Tipon is one of the best examples of Inca engineering featuring a unique irrigation system.
Pikillacta - Usually visited together with Tipon, Pikillacta is one of the less-visited and unique pre-Inca sites in the area.
Pisac - Parque Arqueologico de Pisaq is one of our favorite sites in the Urubamba Valley. The views over the deep valley from the agricultural terraces will take your breath away.
Ollantaytambo - The fact that the Inca laborers moved the massive stones from the quarry on the opposite side of the valley should be more than enough for you to want to visit this archaeological park. Enjoy the Inca elevator on the way up!
Chinchero - This picturesque small village with a colonial church and Incan terraces is also know for artisan markets.
Moray - Although the site resembles a giant amphitheater, scholars believe that it used to be a giant Inca agriculture laboratory for cultivating plants.
CIRCUIT 1 - CUSCO RUINS - PARTIAL TICKET
Some of the most beautiful ruins are located in Cusco or in the area above Cusco, to be exact. The sites this ticket covers are Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
And even though three out of the four ruins are relatively small, the Sacsayhuaman is worth a visit on its own.
All sites are only a stone's throw from Cusco. In fact, you can walk to Sacsayhuaman in about half an hour from Plaza de Armas.
We believe that this is the reason why this ticket is valid only for one day. If you want to visit the rest of the sites independently, you can walk there (good for acclimatization), wait for the colectivo, or take a cab in order to get there.
The price is S./70 and remember, this ticket is valid only for a day.
CIRCUIT 2 - CUSCO MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS - PARTIAL TICKET
Even though this ticket includes most sites from the list, we must admit that this particular ticket was, at least for us, the least exciting one.
Half of the sites are museums in Cusco - Qorikancha Museum, Regional History Museum, Contemporary Art Museum, and Popular Art Museum.
Qosqo Native Art Center is a dance show, and the viewpoint from the Pachacutec statue is nothing to write home about. Additionally, there are only two Inca sites.
However, due to their location in the south part of the Sacred Valley, these two archaeological sites are not that popular and are a great way to escape the crowds in Cusco.
Tipon and Pikillacta (the structures at this site were built by pre-Inca culture) are worth visiting if you have spare time, as the sites at the Sacred Valley are more impressive.
This ticket costs S./70 and is valid for two days.
CIRCUIT 3 - SACRED VALLEY RUINS - PARTIAL TICKET
The Urubamba Valley, known as the Sacred Valley, is home to the best ruins you can visit on a day trip from Cusco.
The ticket covers these four sites - Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray.
We spent the whole day hiking to Pisac Ruins and then visited the rest of the ruins in the valley the next day on a separate trip.
Sacred Valley is one of the top places to visit in Peru, and it would be a huge mistake to miss it.
This ticket doesn't allow admission to Maras Salt Mines, another must-visit place in the valley.
Same as the previous ticket, this one costs S./70 and is valid for two days.
IS MACHU PICCHU INCLUDED?
Sadly, Machu Picchu is not included in Boleto Turistico. Before visiting the Lost City of Incas, you have to purchase a separate Machu Picchu ticket. Machu Picchu solo ticket costs 65 USD.
The other two tickets cost 80 USD each and include a climb to Huayna Picchu or alternatively to Machu Picchu Mountain.
It is wise to book them in advance as demand is high throughout the year.
By the way, our blog post Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Machu Picchu is full of useful tips, so make sure you read it!
If you decide on hiking the Salkantay Trek or Inca Trail, tickets are usually included in the package.
On top of that, there are some smaller attractions in Cusco that are not part of the Boleto Turistico, and you have to buy a separate admission to each site.
Some of these attractions are the Cusco's Cathedral, Temple of the Sun, Museo Inka, or San Blas Church. The entrance tickets to these sites usually cost between five to twenty-five soles.
Outside the city limits, the ancient salt pans of Maras Salt Mines have a separate ticket for S./10.
Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake are not included too.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHERE TO BUY BOLETO TURISTICO
You can buy Cusco Tourist Ticket at (almost) every site from the list, making it very convenient. The only exception is The Museum of Contemporary Art and The Monument of Pachacutec.
Bring enough cash, usually small notes work better.
You can also purchase the ticket at the office on Av. El Sol 10 or at the DIRCETUR office on Calle Mantas. Both are only a short walk from the Plaza de Armas.
In our opinion, this is an unnecessary extra step, not worth the effort.
Keep in mind that you should bring a passport or some form of ID in order to purchase the ticket.
Do not buy the ticket in advance as it is valid from the time you purchase it. This is especially important if you opt for the one or two-day Boleto Turistico.
IS CUSCO TOURIST TICKET WORTH IT?
Boleto Turistico makes your life in Cusco easier. On top of that, the general ticket saves you money. We believe that despite its steep initial price, Boleto Turistico is worth every penny.
If you still keep asking do I really need Boleto Turistico, then know that the best sites and ruins in Cusco are included in the ticket.
The only time we would consider not buying the ticket is if you are on some super strict itinerary and have a very limited time.
In this case, we would buy the Circuit 3 - Sacred Valley ticket. For its stunning ruins and beautiful scenery, Sacred Valley is the best choice.
Another reason not to buy the ticket would be if you were not a fan of history and ruins. But why would you want to visit Cusco in that case, right?
TOURS
Boleto Turistico is not included in the tour package, and you always have to buy it separately. This is an important thing to know to prevent some unpleasant surprises in the future.
There are plenty of Cusco tours to choose from.
The historical area around Plaza de Armas is packed with touts, and there is a travel agency on every corner. The quality of tours varies, though.
The common problem that happened to us more than once was that we were the only western looking people on the bilingual tour (though we asked for an English tour).
So the English-Spanish tour was more like a Spanish tour with two gringos hanging around waiting for their short time of explanation.
We usually don't mind, though, but if you are thirsty for some history knowledge, choose carefully.
Some of the best tours with positive reviews are available online.
These two tours - Sacred Valley Day Tour and South Valley of the Incas Day Tour - are well-rated and offer all top landmarks in Cusco.
WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO
Cusco is a lively city in the Peruvian Andes with a wide selection of accommodation ranging from cheap hostels to fancy hotels.
Some cities in South America are quite challenging when it comes to choosing the right district for your stay, but Cusco is not one of them.
We would recommend you to stick with the proven area of Centro Historico. It's easily covered on foot, features the biggest selection of hotels, restaurants, stores, historical sites, and travel agencies.
Here is our pick of the best hotels in Cusco.
Budget | Cusco Bed and Breakfast - Spacious and clean rooms, comfortable beds, very quiet at night, excellent location.
Mid-range | Tierra Viva Cusco Centro - Providing a tranquil environment, beautiful rooms, and also has one of the top-rated locations in Cusco.
Luxury | JW Marriott El Convento Cusco - The hotel features impressive interiors, has a charming colonial courtyard, luxury rooms, and Cusco’s cathedral or main square are only three blocks away.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
