The Imperial City
Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, is a city of 430,000 inhabitants located at 3,399 meters above sea level in the Peruvian Andes. This extraordinary city combines spectacular Inca ruins, Spanish colonial architecture, living Andean culture, and a vibrant international tourism and volunteering scene.
As a volunteer, you’ll live in one of Latin America’s most fascinating cities – where Inca cobblestone streets support colonial buildings, where Quechua is spoken alongside Spanish, and where ancestral traditions coexist with modern cafes and cosmopolitan life.
Why Cusco is Peru’s Volunteering Hub
Cusco has become Peru’s primary volunteering destination for several reasons: well-developed infrastructure for receiving foreigners, communities that genuinely need volunteer support, proximity to Machu Picchu and other attractions allowing you to balance work with exploration, established community of volunteers and organizations, and clearly spoken Spanish (without difficult accents from coastal regions).
The Altitude Challenge
The first thing you need to know: Cusco sits at 3,399 meters altitude. This is NOT a trivial fact. Altitude affects everyone, without exception, during the first days.
Typical effects in first 48-72 hours:
Essential strategies: Take the first 24-48 hours very easy – no intense tourism or physical work. Massive hydration: 3-4 liters of water daily. Coca tea genuinely helps (available everywhere). Avoid alcohol the first 2-3 days. Eat carbohydrates which are easier to metabolize. Consider Diamox (altitude sickness pills) if you have history of altitude problems.
The good news: Most people adapt in 3-5 days. By day 7, you’ll feel normal. After 2-3 weeks, you’ll be completely acclimated.
Cusco’s Climate
Cusco has two marked seasons:
Dry Season (May-September):
Rainy Season (November-March):
What this means for volunteers: Bring layers – cold mornings, warm middays, freezing nights. Sunscreen essential (intense UV radiation at altitude). Lip balm and moisturizer (dry air). Rain jacket if coming during rainy season.
Cusco Culture
Cusco is profoundly mestizo – a blend of Inca/Quechua traditions, Spanish colonial heritage, and Peruvian modernity. As a volunteer, you’ll navigate this cultural richness constantly.
Language: Spanish is the primary language, but Quechua is widely spoken, especially in rural communities and among older people. Many Cusqueños are bilingual. English is spoken by people in tourism but uncommon in volunteering contexts.
Important cultural values:
Festivities: Cusco celebrates festivals constantly – from Inti Raymi (June) to Corpus Christi, Holy Week, New Year, and patron saint celebrations. These festivals mix Catholicism with pre-Columbian Andean traditions.
Safety in Cusco
Cusco is relatively safe by Latin American standards, but requires basic precautions:
Petty theft: The biggest risk is pickpockets and opportunistic theft in tourist areas. Be careful with open backpacks, phones in back pockets, and distractions in markets and buses.
Areas to avoid: Some peripheral zones are unsafe at night. Your host family and coordinators will tell you which areas to avoid. The historic center is generally safe until late.
Taxis: Use registered taxis or apps like Uber/Cabify. Don’t take informal street taxis at night.
For female volunteers: Street harassment (whistles, comments) is common and annoying. The best response is to ignore completely. Dressing conservatively reduces (but doesn’t eliminate) unwanted attention. Traveling in groups at night is safer.
Tourist scams: Aggressive vendors, money changers with fake bills, “police” asking to see money. Be skeptical of offers that are too good.
Cusco offers the widest variety of volunteer programs in Peru:
Teaching English
Public and private schools in Cusco city and Sacred Valley. Ages 6-17, classes of 25-40 students.
Typical schedule: afternoons 2:30-6:00 PM. Requires intermediate Spanish and minimum 1-week commitment for real impact.
Social Work with Children
Community centers in low-income neighborhoods. Homework help, recreational activities, educational workshops. Flexible schedule, generally afternoons. Requires patience, basic-intermediate Spanish, minimum 1 week.
Medical Volunteering
Public clinics and rural health posts. Only for medical/nursing students (3rd year+) or licensed professionals. Advanced Spanish MANDATORY. Minimum 4 weeks, ideally 1-12 weeks. Observation and supervised assistance, not independent practice.
Psychology
Mental health centers, women’s shelters, at-risk youth programs. Only for advanced psychology students or professionals. Advanced Spanish MANDATORY. Minimum 1 week. Therapeutic group work, psycho education, assessments under supervision.
Street Dog Rescue
Daily care of 40-60 rescued dogs. Physically DEMANDING work: cleaning, feeding, walks, socialization, basic medical care. Doesn’t require advanced Spanish. Minimum 1 week, ideal 1-8 weeks. Prepare for hard, dirty, emotionally heavy work.
Orphanages and Children’s Homes
Care for institutionalized children (ages 3-17). STRICT REQUIREMENTS: minimum 1 week (preferable 8+), minimum age 21, mandatory background check. Intermediate Spanish minimum. Emotionally intense work requiring appropriate boundaries.
Young Mothers Shelter
Support for teenage and young mothers in crisis. Childcare, life skills workshops, educational support. Minimum age 21, minimum 1 week, intermediate-advanced Spanish. Mandatory background check.
Community Construction
Building classrooms, community centers, infrastructure in rural communities. Physically BRUTAL work at 3,400 meters. Requires materials donation ($200-500+ per volunteer). Ideal for groups. Minimum 1 week, but 2+ weeks allows completing projects.
Environmental Programs
Reforestation, trail maintenance, conservation projects in areas near Cusco. Physical outdoor work. Basic Spanish sufficient. Flexible 1-6+ weeks.
All programs include:
Additional options:
Cusco offers perfect balance: work meaningfully during the week, explore intensely on weekends.
Must-See in Cusco City
Plaza de Armas: Historic center surrounded by colonial churches, restaurants, shops. Perfect place to get oriented. Visit the Cathedral (entrance 25 soles) and La Compañía de Jesús.
San Blas: Bohemian neighborhood with art galleries, charming cafes, narrow cobblestone streets. Steep climb but worth it. Explore during day, enjoy nightlife there.
San Pedro Market: Authentic local market (not touristy). Cheap food, fresh fruits, juices, local crafts, and fascinating cultural observation. Go in morning for maximum activity.
Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): Inca ruins with colonial church on top – perfect symbol of mestizo Cusco. Entrance 15 soles. Don’t miss it.
Sacsayhuamán: Enormous Inca ruins with spectacular view of Cusco. 20-30 minute walk from center or cheap taxi. Tourist ticket (130 soles, valid 10 days, includes many sites).
Cristo Blanco: Statue with incredible panoramic view of entire city. Visit at sunset for spectacular photos.
Day Trips from Cusco
Sacred Valley: Pisac (ruins and artisan market), Ollantaytambo (impressive Inca fortress), Chinchero (traditional weaving). Guided tour ~$25-40 or explore independently taking combis.
Moray and Salineras: Circular Inca agricultural laboratory and pre-Inca salt mines still operating. Combined tour ~$30-50.
Humantay Lagoon: Turquoise glacial lake at 4,200 meters. Challenging hike (2 hours uphill) but spectacular view. Full-day tour ~$30-40.
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): Colored mountain at 5,200 meters. Very difficult hike (extreme altitude). Only if you’re well acclimated. Full-day tour ~$35-50.
The Essential Trip: Machu Picchu
Main options:
Classic train route (most common):
Hidroeléctrica route (economical):
Inca Trail (4-day trekking):
Best time during your volunteering: Weeks 3-4 when you’re completely acclimated and settled. Don’t go first week.
Nightlife and Socializing
Bars and clubs concentrated in:
Volunteer favorites:
Warning: Cusco has problem with drink spiking (putting drugs in drinks). Never leave your drink unattended. Go with friends. Foreigners are primary targets.
Restaurants and Food
Budget (menú del día: $2-4):
Mid-range ($5-15):
Special occasion ($20-40):
Absolutely try:
Host Families
Most volunteers live with Peruvian families – an experience that defines your time in Cusco.
What to expect:
Advantages of host families:
Potential challenges:
Crucial tip: Communicate openly with your family from the start. If something makes you uncomfortable, talk about it respectfully. Families appreciate honesty about small problems rather than silent resentment.
Cost of Living
Cusco is economical by international standards but more expensive than other Peruvian cities (tourism economy):
Typical weekly expenses (besides program that includes accommodation/breakfasts/dinners):
Add for excursions:
Realistic monthly budget for volunteer: $500-800 beyond program costs, depending on lifestyle and travel.
Transportation in Cusco
Combis (shared vans): Main public transport. Cost 1-2 soles per trip. They shout destinations out the window (“Wanchaq!”, “Ttio!”). Initially confusing but you learn quickly. Can be very crowded. Watch for pickpockets.
Taxis: Abundant and cheap. Trips within Cusco: 5-10 soles. ALWAYS negotiate price BEFORE getting in (they don’t have meters). Use Uber/Cabify when available for fixed prices and safety.
Walking: Historic center is compact and walkable. Cusco is a city of uphills – you’ll be panting on the slopes. Good exercise but exhausting at altitude.
Intercity transport: Buses to other Peruvian cities leave from Terminal Terrestre. For Sacred Valley, take combis from Pavitos.
Communication
Internet: WiFi available in most places (host families, cafes, restaurants, coordinators). Variable quality but functional.
Phone: Buy local SIM card (Claro, Movistar, Entel) in your first week. Costs ~10-20 soles. Prepaid recharges available everywhere (5-20 soles). Much cheaper than international roaming.
WhatsApp: Essential communication app in Peru. Everyone uses it – host family, coordinators, other volunteers, taxi services.
Learning Spanish: Forced immersion is the best method. Speak Spanish with host family, at placements, shopping. Formal classes dramatically accelerate the process.
Health and Safety
Recommended clinics for foreigners:
Pharmacies: Abundant (InkaFarma, MiFarma, Boticas). Many medications available without prescription that would require prescription in developed countries.
Common health problems:
Water: DON’T drink tap water. Buy bottled water (1-2 soles per large bottle). Host families have boiled or filtered water.
Travel insurance: MANDATORY. Must cover medical emergencies, evacuation, and activities you plan to do (trekking, etc.). Don’t come without appropriate insurance.
Socialization and Volunteer Community
Cusco has large, active community of international volunteers. You’ll make friends easily:
Orientation: You’ll meet other volunteers starting same dates.
At placements: You’ll work with other volunteers in programs.
Spanish classes: If taking classes, you’ll meet classmates.
Weekend activities: Organized or self-organized excursions create friendships.
Nightlife: Volunteers congregate at same bars/clubs.
Facebook groups: “Expats in Cusco”, “Cusco Volunteer Network” to connect.
Warning about “volunteer bubble”: Easy to spend all your time with other foreigners speaking English. This limits cultural immersion and Spanish learning. Intentionally balance international socializing with Peruvian immersion.
International Flights
Cusco does NOT have direct international flights. You must connect through Lima, Peru’s capital.
Typical route: Your country → Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport) → Cusco (Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport)
Main airlines flying to Lima: From North America: LATAM, Avianca, United, Delta, American From Europe: Iberia (Madrid), KLM (Amsterdam), Air France (Paris), LATAM From other South American countries: Multiple options
Lima → Cusco: 1.5-hour domestic flight. Airlines: LATAM, Avianca, Sky Airline, Viva Air. Typical price: $100-250 round trip depending on advance booking and season.
IMPORTANT: Leave minimum 3-4 hours between your international arrival in Lima and domestic flight to Cusco. Lima has terrible traffic and potential delays. Some volunteers opt to spend night in Lima between flights to avoid stress.
Arrival Timing
We recommend arriving Friday or Saturday to have weekend to recover from trip, adapt to altitude, and do orientation before starting volunteering on Monday.
If arriving weekday, program will begin according to coordination with us.
From Cusco Airport to Your Host Family
We include airport pickup: Our team will wait for you with sign with your name, welcome you, and take you directly to your host family. You don’t need to arrange transport.
If for some reason you need independent taxi:
Peru Entry Requirements
Passport: Must be valid for minimum 6 months from your entry date.
Visa: Most nationalities (USA, Canada, EU, Australia, etc.) DO NOT need advance visa for tourist stays of 90-183 days. You receive tourist stamp automatically upon arrival.
Allowed duration: Immigration officers can give 30, 60, 90, 183 days. Specifically ask for the duration you need (“ninety days, please”) when passing immigration. If they give less than you need, you can extend later at Migraciones but it’s annoying.
Exit ticket: Technically require evidence of exit ticket from Peru within allowed period. Don’t always check but can ask for it.
Insurance: Not officially required at immigration but ESSENTIAL to have. Never travel without appropriate insurance.
Vaccines: No vaccines officially mandatory to enter Peru. But we strongly recommend: Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, and yellow fever if visiting jungle zones.
What to Bring in Luggage
Essential documents:
Clothing for Cusco weather:
Health:
Technology:
DON’T bring:
First Steps Upon Arrival
Day 1-2:
Days 3-4:
Day 5-7:
Week 2 onwards:
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Ready for your volunteering adventure in Cusco?
Cusco awaits you with its imposing mountains, millennial culture, communities needing support, and experiences that will transform your life. It’s not easy – altitude challenges, work is real, cultural immersion is intense. But if you’re prepared for the challenge, Cusco will offer you one of the most meaningful experiences of your life.
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My Peru Destinations – Local Peruvian operators with 10+ years facilitating ethical and meaningful volunteer experiences in Cusco and Peru.
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