Are you excited about going to Peru and starting to think about what you want to do when you arrive in Cusco? There are so many nice spots to visit and capture with your camera. On the internet you probably already found information about Machu Picchu with cloudless photos. But there are so many more things to do. So where do you start?
When you are travelling to Peru and preparing your trips, you must have seen the “Boleto Turístico” at some point of your search. Doesn’t ring a bell? Keep reading and we will explain you all you need to know about the “Boleto Turístico”. 😀
What is the “Boleto Turístico”?
Boleto Turístico is Spanish for tourist ticket. With the Boleto Turístico you can get access to various archaeological sites, museums and other attractions in the Cusco region. It is an ideal and cheap way to explore for travellers who don’t have that much time on their hands. There are different variations on the tickets so you can always find something that suits your plans.
There are four different types of tickets: Boleto Turístico – General, Boleto Turístico – Circuito 1, Boleto Turístico – Circuito 2 and Boleto Turístico – Circuito 3. You can buy the Boleto Turístico at the Gallerias Turísticas in Avenida del Sol 103, a two minute walk from the central plaza.
Below, we will list them all for you so you can see which one fits your travel plans best.
Ollantaytambo was the theatre of the Incas because of the great victories they made here against the Spaniards. In the past it was used as a fortress, a ceremonial centre, a celestial centre and a site for agricultural experimentation. In the centre of the citadel, you will find the Temple of the Sun. This temple is built with gigantic blocks of stone who came from a quarry 6 kilometres from the citadel.
Boleto Turístico – General
The Boleto Turístico General is the most complete ticket you can get. It is also the most popular ticket for travellers and backpackers. This ticket is valid for 10 consecutive days starting the day of purchase. This tickets gives you access to all 16 different sites which we will describe for you below. 😉
The price of the Boleto Turístico – General is 130 Soles, around 40 US Dollars.
Pisac is a Peruvian village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas situated next to the Vilcanota River. On the top of the hill you can find the Incan ruins which are located at the entrance to the valley. On this hill, the Incas constructed agricultural terraces which are still in use today.
Boleto Turístico – Circuito 1
The Boleto Turístico – Circuito 1 is the smallest package you can get and this one is only valid for one day. This ticket covers the archaeological sites you visit during the Cusco City Tour. With this ticket you will get access to Saqsaywaman, Q’Enqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay. No worries, you can easily visit all these place in a single day.
The price of the Boleto Turístico – Circuito 1 is 70 Soles, around 22 US Dollars.
The Incas called this structure in Saqsaywaman: “the House of the Sun”. The construction, which was made up of three platforms on top of each other, was one of the most important religious complexes of its time for the Incas.
Boleto Turístico – Circuito 2
The Boleto Turístico – Circuito 2 is a package that offers you access to most of the popular museums in Cusco. So if you want to go to a historical museum or a dancing show, this is your ticket. The different museums you get access to are: the Contemporary Art Museum, Museo Historical Regional, Museo de Arte Popular, Museo de Quoricancha, Centro Quosqo de Arte Nativo and the Monumento Pachacuteq.
For over 50 years, the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo offers the public a spectacle of dance and tradition from all the different regions in Peru. It is located in the heart of Cusco, close to the Plaza de Armas and the Coricancha. There are more than 70 artists active in the centre, including dancers, musicians and actors.
It is also the ideal ticket if you want to do a one-day trip in the Valle Sur to the historical sites of Tipón and Pikillaqta, as these sites are also included.
The price of the Boleto Turístico – Circuito 2 is 70 Soles, around 22 US Dollars and is valid for two consecutive days.
The classic symbol of the hydraulic wisdom of the Incas is Tipón. A city at 3,560 meters above sea level, where the Incas worshipped water. The Incas were one of the first who created a system of hydraulic engineering with respect for the natural environment. The ruins are even distinguished as a wonder of civil engineering by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Boleto Turístico – Circuito 3
The Boleto Turístico – Circuito 3 is a package of two days in which you can visit several archaeological sites in the Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley). It also offers access to the Maras-Moray tour. Please pay attention that if you wish to visit both of them that the ticket is only valid for two consecutive days.
With this ticket you get access to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chincheros and Moray. The price of the Boleto Turístico – Circuito 3 is 70 Soles, around 22 US Dollars.
Moray is one of the mysteries of the Inca Empire. Because what was the purpose? Moray is constructed like a bowl, with a series of concentric terraces that look like an amphitheatre. Don’t be fooled by the size, the largest platform descends to a depth of 150 meter. And for some mysterious reason the circular bottom never floods… And it can rain a lot here.
What sites can I visit?
The Boleto Turístico – General gives you access to all 16 sites, the partial tickets give access to several categories of them. Here’s an overview of all the museums, archaeological sites and other attractions you can visit with the Boleto Turístico in the Cusco Region.
Archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley (Valle Sagrado):
- Pisac
- Chincheros
- Moray
- Ollantaytambo
Museums in the city of Cusco:
- Museo Muncipal de Arte Contemporáneo
- Museo Histórico regionale
- Museo de Sitio del Qoricancha
- Museo de Arte Popular
- Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo
- Monumento de Machacuteq
Find out more about our tours in the region.
Archaeological sites around Cusco:
- Saqsaywaman
- Q’Enqo
- Pukapukara
- Tambomachay
Sites south of Cusco:
- Tipón
- Pikillaqta
Q’Enqo is a unique ruin of the Incas, as it is entirely carved out of monolith. The name “Q’Enqo” means labyrinth in Quechua and it could not describe the place more perfectly. The zigzagging channels are believed to have been used for the sacrificial chichi – the pouring of llama blood – during religious rituals. On the walls of these temple you can still see carved drawings of pumas and condors.
Can I get a discount?
Yes, if you are a student who possesses a valid ISIC card (International Student ID Card) and you are younger than 25 years old, you can get a discount. In that case the general ticket will cost you 70 Soles instead of 130. The partial tickets will cost 40 Soles instead of 70. If you are a student but you don’t have a ISIC card, you can request one in Cusco. The costs of requesting one will be around 35 Soles, but it will also give you 20 US Dollar discount on your ticket to Machu Picchu, as well as the Boleto Turístico for Cusco itself. 💸
Get to know more about our volunteering projects in Cusco.
Article edited and translated from Learning Spanish in Peru.