12 Romantic Things to Do in Cusco as a Couple

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Cusco is a dream destination for essentially all types of travelers. With so much to do in and around the city, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that budget backpackers and luxury travelers alike can discover the magic of the city. But this old pre-colonial city has a romantic charm that can be quite intimate for couples. 

We spent over a month in Cusco and just could not get enough of the cobblestone streets and stunning natural scenery. So, if you are planning a trip with your significant other and are looking for some romantic things to do, look no further! Here are the 12 best things to do for couples in Cusco.

1. Stroll Through San Blas

This quickly became our favorite area of Cusco, and we spent lots of time wandering around the neighborhood. San Blas is a beautiful area of Cusco located just north of the Centro Historico. This hillside neighborhood has a Bohemian vibe with tons of cute little coffee shops, restaurants, and clothing boutiques lining the ancient cobblestone streets. San Blas has a completely different atmosphere than the Centro Historico. The area is far less crowded and touristy, with a more romantic and peaceful feel. Just take it slow; there are some seriously steep hills in San Blas!

2. Drink Pisco Sours With a Sunset View

No romantic evening in Cusco is complete without a few pisco sours (or chilcanos de pisco). Pisco is the alcoholic drink of choice for Peruvians, and you’ll find it on essentially every bar menu in the country. Pisco is a strong, distilled liquor that is generally drunk in mixed drinks, the most popular of which is the pisco sour. Cusco has some lovely bars with terraces where you can soak up the mountain views with a cold beverage in your hand. Be careful, though! From our experience, alcohol, and high elevations don’t mix well…  Here are a few of our favorite spots in Cusco for a drink:

• Limbus Restobar: Very nice bar with a spectacular view over the city
• Museo del Pisco: Our favorite cocktail bar in the city
• ViewHouse Restobar: Another excellent bar/restaurant with amazing views

3. Take a Cooking Class

What is more romantic than learning to cook some new dishes together? Peru is famous for its cuisine, which blends European, Asian, and indigenous styles to make something truly delicious. You may be surprised by the number of foods that originated in Peru, for example, potatoes, corn, quinoa, and chili peppers are native to Peru, so it goes without saying that Peruvian cuisine is delicious and unique.

We have always found that the best way to experience and learn about a country’s food is to take a cooking class, and Cusco is a great place to do this! 

Some dishes that you will likely learn to make are:

• Ceviche: Raw fish cooked in lime juice
• Lomo Saltado: Beef (or alpaca) meat stir fry with vegetables and french fries
• Aji de Gallina: Chicken with a creamy chili sauce
• Causa: Potato casserole stuffed with meat and vegetables

You may also learn to make your own pisco sour!

4. Get a Couples Massage

Many of the activities you and your significant other will likely be doing in Peru are going to involve strenuous physical activity such as hiking and paragliding. So, there is nothing better than relaxing with a deep-tissue couples massage after a long day of exercise! 

Luckily, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to massage parlors, as there are literally dozens scattered around the main tourist areas of the city. In fact, it would be hard to miss them as the masseuses are often promoting their businesses out in the street. Always make sure to check the price beforehand, some vendors, especially in the Plaza De Armas will overcharge for a massage.

5. Go on a Once in a Lifetime Hike

One of the main draws to Cusco is the opportunity to get up and close with nature. After all, Cusco is situated at an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters in the heart of the Andes mountains! There is something uniquely romantic about hiking in the towering mountains with your partner, surrounded by breathtaking alpine views. We did several hikes during our time in Cusco (all of which were amazing), and here are our top picks:

• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: If you are up for the challenge of a 5 day hike through the Andes that ends at the legendary Machu Picchu, then this is the hike for you. While no doubt a serious challenge, few experiences will top this one. 
• Rainbow Mountain: This is a large mountain with unique colorful formations that form a rainbow-like pattern orf colors. It isn’t overtly difficult, but the elevation of more than 5,000 meters is not to be taken lightly! You can do this as an organized full day tour from Cusco.
• Humantay Lake Trek: If you don’t have the time to do the full Salkantay trek, you can still hit one of the highlights with the Humantay Lake day trip. Words can’t describe how beautiful this hike is. You’ll climb up to a high-altitude lake surrounded by several glaciated peaks. The views here are beyond words.

6. Visit Hot Springs

The most popular time to visit Cusco is between June and September, which is during the winter season in Peru. So, if you visit during this time, expect it to get pretty cold at night. During our visit, it went down to almost 0°C (32 °F) at night! This is why it is popular for couples travelers in Cusco to head to hot springs to stay warm. While there aren’t any in Cusco City itself, there are a few in the region. The most popular of which is the Aguas Termales Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa.

These hot pools are very well kept and clean, and have a beautiful natural backdrop of the surrounding mountains and forests. They are quite far from Cusco (around 5 hours driving), but nearby to Machu Picchu. So if you are visiting the ruins, you can easily add a trip to these hot springs into your itinerary.

7. Go Shopping for Clothing and Jewelry

Another cute activity to add to your couple’s itinerary in Cusco is to shop for matching Alpaca sweaters or jewelry! Cusco is a melting pot of traditional Andean culture and a great place to buy unique artisan crafts. Alpaca wool is very popular here and is a softer, stronger alternative to standard sheep wool. Additionally, you’ll find individual sellers and boutique shops selling beautiful handmade jewelry with intricate Incan designs.

Here are a few things to be aware of when shopping for handicrafts in Cusco:

• Baby alpaca is the most sought-after (and expensive) type of alpaca wool. Many sellers in the market will claim there sweaters are made from baby alpaca, but 90% are NOT.
• While many products are handmade, there are also a lot that are factory-produced. If you are looking for authentic, good-quality alpaca clothing, you should check out the boutique shops over the market. Just be prepared to pay much more!

8. Eat Some Delicious Peruvian Food

Food is the way many cultures express their love and Peru is no exception. So, one simple thing to do as a couple in Cusco is to enjoy some of Peru’s many amazing dishes. While Lima leans into its proximity to the ocean and serves up tons of local seafood, Cusco food is rooted in the mountains and is quite different than the coastal Peruvian cuisine. Here are some dishes that you CANNOT leave Cusco without trying:

• Cuy: Guinea pig, generally prepared either fried or roasted in an oven. Don’t knock it till you try it!
• Alpaca meat: Another protein that is exotic to foreigners. Alpaca meat is super delicious, kind of like beef with less fat or a less gamey version of mutton. 
• Trucha: Cusco doesn’t have much seafood, but there is plenty of river fish. Fried trout is a regular menu item in Cusco and it is so tasty!
• Lechon al Horno: Delicious, juicy, and roasted suckling pig.
• Quinoa Soup: Quinoa originates from Peru, and quinoa soup is one of the most popular ways to eat the local grain. This soup is super tasty and nutritious.
• Mate de Coca: It is almost inevitable that you will end up having mate de coca during your trip to Cusco. The leaves from the coca plant are one of the best ways to counter the effects of altitude sickness.

9. Take a Dance Class

It is no secret that in Latin America, dancing is very popular. And if you are in Cusco, one of the best things you and your partner can do together is learn how to dance. There are several popular forms of dance in Peru, though the most popular are Salsa and Bachata. Pretty much every dance studio in Cusco will teach these two dances.

While incredibly popular in Peru, salsa and bachata are not actually from the country. If you want to learn a local dance in Cusco, we recommend trying La Marinara, an interesting couples dance that blends elements of indigenous, African, and Spanish cultures.

10. Take a Chocolate-Making Class

Did you know that chocolate originated in Latin America? That’s right! The Cacao from your “Swiss” or “Belgian” chocolate likely came from somewhere in the Western Hemisphere.

Cusco is very close to the Amazon jungle, which is where a lot of the country’s chocolate is grown. So, Cusco is a great place to sample and learn about the sweet treat. If you want a fully immersive chocolate experience, we recommend heading to the Chocomuseo, where you can take a bean-to-bar chocolate-making class!

11. Horseback Riding in the Sacred Valley

One of the most magical things you can do with your partner in Cusco is take a horseriding tour through the Sacred Valley. This is a great way to soak in the natural beauty of the region as well as see several different archeological sites without having to walk much. This horseback tour will take you to some of the lesser-known Inca sites near Cusco and will allow you to experience some of the beautiful scenery without the crowds. If you are looking for a unique and romantic couples activity in Cusco, we highly recommend checking out a horseback riding tour!

12. Have a Luxury Picnic at Huaypo Lake

When traveling, it is easy to get caught up in the fast pace of activities and tours, but sometimes, all you need is a little R&R (rest and relaxation. Huapo is the perfect place for a private and romantic afternoon with your significant other.

Lake Huaypo is a spectacular mountain lake located between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. The lake is a bit off the beaten tourist path, so you won’t see large tour groups here like you will in other popular destinations in and around Cusco. One of the coolest things you can do at Lake Huaypo is book a luxury picnic where you and your partner can enjoy some water activities, eat some delicious food, and relax on the lake for the day!