The vast majority of visitors to Peru will stay at least a few days in the city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and a major tourist hub in South America. As the gateway to the famous Lost City of the Incas at Machu Picchu, the incredible heritage of the Sacred Valley, and the magical dreamscapes of Rainbow Mountain, there are no shortage of things to do and see in the area.
The entrance fee to many of Cusco’s sights and attractions are covered under what is known as the Boleto Turístico, or tourist ticket. Information about this is somewhat scarce online and it can be a little confusing to find out what exactly it entails. Keep reading below to find out more about the Cusco Tourist Ticket, where to buy it, and what sites you can access with it.
What is the Cusco Boleto Turístico?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket, or Boleto Turístico, is a pass granting entry to various sites of historical and cultural importance in Cusco and the nearby Sacred Valley. This ticket was created by the Ministry of Culture in 2014 in order to eliminate confusion about overlapping entry passes and other problems. Currently, a Boleto Turístico is required to enter any of the sites listed below, there are no day-passes for single sites.
Attractions Included
There are a total of 16 sites included under the umbrella of the Boleto Turístico. They are as follows:
- Saqsayhuamán
- Qenko
- Pucapucara
- Tambomachay
- Museum of Popular Art
- Museum of Regional History
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Korikancha Museum
- Native Music and Dance Center
- Pachacutec Monument
- Tipón
- Pikillacta
- Pisac
- Ollantaytambo
- Chinchero
- Moray
What it Doesn’t Include
There are some notable places missing from the Boleto Turístico. The following sites are not included, and entry must be purchased separately:
- Machu Picchu
- Korikancha Sun Temple
- Pre-Columbian Art Museum
- Museum and Convent of San Francisco
Types of Tickets
The Full Ticket (Price: S/130)
The full Boleto Turístico includes entrance to all 16 of the sites listed above and is valid for 10 days. If you’re planning to make the most of your time in Cusco and see as many things as possible, this is definitely the way to go.
Circuit 1 (Price: S/70)
This circuit includes the sites of Saqsayhuamán, Q’enko, Tambomachay and Pucapucara. The ticket is valid for only one day.
Circuit 2 (Price: S/70)
This circuit includes entry to the Museum of Popular Art, the Korikancha Museum, the Museum of Regional History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Native Music and Dance Center, the Pachacutec Monument, Pikillacta and Tipón. The ticket is valid for two days.
Circuit 3 (Price: S/70)
This circuit includes the sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray. The ticket is valid for two days.
Religious Ticket
Visitors who are particularly interested in religious sites can also purchase a separate Religious Ticket, or Boleto Religioso, for the price of S/50. The following locations are included with the Religious Ticket (note that none of these sites are included in the normal Boleto Turístico):
- Cusco Cathedral
- La Companía
- San Blas Church
- Museo de Arte Religioso del Arzobispado
- San Cristóbal Church
Where to Buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket
The Boleto Turístico is distributed by the Comite de Servicios Integrados Turístico Culturales Cusco (COSITUC). You can buy your ticket at the COSITUC offices located at Avenida El Sol 103 in Cusco as well as at many tourist agencies and offices. It’s also possible to purchase the ticket at all of the sites included on the ticket. Unlike passes for Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail, there are not a limited number of Cusco Tourist Tickets available, so there’s no need to rush or buy your ticket ahead of time. If you’re visiting some of these sites with a guide, the cost of the Boleto Turistico may be included in your tour price. Make sure to check this with your guide or booking agent in order to clarify.
Tours in Cusco
Many of the places included in the Boleto Turístico are possible to visit easily on your own, especially the Museums and other sites in the walkable historical center of Cusco. However, you’ll be able to understand a lot more about these sites if you are accompanied by a qualified guide who can explain in detail what exactly you are looking at. For more distant sites such as Ollantaytambo and Moray, it’s also a good idea to to book a tour to take you there since these are located away from Cusco’s city center.
Visiting some of the attractions included in the Boleto Turistico is one of the best ways to begin your experience in Cusco before heading off to Machu Picchu or doing a trek in the area. The Land of the Incas is full of incredible sites to discover. Start planning your journey today!
Header Image: Modified from Flickr / m.n.81
