Boleto Turistico Cusco: The Ultimate Guide you Must NOT Ignore

Peru is a fantastic country with biodiversity, diverse landscapes, and wonderful people. It’s gaining tremendous popularity among tourists, especially in Cusco. This is undoubtedly due to the New Wonder of the World: Machu Picchu.

However, that’s only some of it has to offer. Cusco is filled with other incredible Inca archaeological sites and diverse cultures. This millennia-old city is a treasure trove of historical experiences and breathtaking landscapes. There’s an abundance of museums and numerous hiking trails around the city that you must explore during your trip to Cusco, Peru.

But how can you unlock access to all the treasures that Cusco has to offer? Welcome to the world of the Boleto Turistico Cusco (BTC Cusco Tourist Ticket), your passport to an unparalleled journey through the past and present of this captivating region. In this blog, we invite you to discover this magical pass, explore the treasures that await, and plan your adventure with an ultimate guide to making the most of this unique opportunity. Let’s get started!

What is the Tourist Ticket?

The Boleto Turistico Cusco Peru, commonly abbreviated as BTC, is a unique and non-transferable ticket that grants you access to numerous points of interest in Cusco, its surroundings, and the Sacred Valley.

If purchased separately, each entry would cost the same amount; however, with the acquisition of the tourist ticket, you can enjoy visiting all these places for the price of one, and this is valid for a specific period of days.

Types of Cusco Tourist Ticket

Boleto Turistico Integral / Full Tourist Ticket:

Imagine a ticket that unlocks the door to a world of astonishing attractions. The Boleto Turistico Integral is exactly that: a key to immersing yourself in a variety of 16 must-see destinations. This option is valid for 10 days from the date of purchase, providing you with a generous window to quench your thirst for exploration.

Here’s a list of the included sites:

Cusco City	Museum of Contemporary Art Regional History Museum Popular Art Museum Pachacutec Monument Center for Traditional Music and Dance of Qosqo Qoricancha Museum
Around Cusco	Sacsayhuaman Qenqo Puka Pukara Tambomachay Tipón Pikillacta
Sacred Valley	Pisac Ollantaytambo Chinchero Agricultural Terraces of Moray

Boleto Turistico Parcial / Partial Tourist Ticket:

The Partial Tourist Ticket is for those who wish to immerse themselves in specific experiences and optimize their budget. The Partial Tourist Ticket offers 3 circuits that allow you to experience each site attentively and enjoy the attractions that interest you the most:

Circuito 1 Sacsayhuaman:

This ticket is valid for 1 day and grants you access to the archaeological sites that are part of the Sacsayhuaman archaeological park:

• Sacsayhuaman 
• Qenqo 
• Tambomachay
• Puka Pukara 

Circuito 2 Ciudad y Valle Sur:

This ticket is valid for 2 days and allows you entry to the tourist attractions located in the historic center of the city of Cusco and the South Valley:

• Regional History Museum 
• Museum of Contemporary Art 
• Popular Art Museum 
• Qoricancha Site Museum 
• Qosqo Center of Native Art 
• Pachacutec Monument 
• Tipon Archaeological Park 
• Pikillacta Archaeological Park 

Circuito 3 Valle Sagrado:

This ticket is also valid for 2 days and grants you access to archaeological centers located in the Sacred Valley:

• Pisac 
• Ollantaytambo 
• Chinchero 
• Moray 

How much does the Boleto Turistico Cusco cost?

Ticket Type	Foreign Tourist	National Tourist	Validity
Full Tourist Ticket	S/. 130.00	S/. 70.00	10 days
Ticket Circuit 1	S/. 70.00	S/. 40.00	1 day
Ticket Circuit 2	S/. 70.00	S/. 40.00	2 days
Ticket Circuit 3	S/. 70.00	S/. 40.00	2 days

Special Discounts!

• For university students aged 18 and above:

Students must purchase their ticket with their physical ISIC card and show a copy of their identification document (or passport).

• People between 10 and 17 years old:

People between the ages of 10 and 17 must acquire their ticket by presenting their valid identification document (or passport).

• The Cusco Tourist Ticket is free for children aged 9 or younger.

Boleto Turistico Cusco: Where to buy?

The Cusco Tourist Ticket is within your reach in various ways:

• COSITUC Office: Located at Galerías Turísticas, Av. El Sol No. 103, Office 101, Cusco, Peru.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00 am to 05:30 pm – Saturdays from 08:30 am to 12:30 pm

• All tourist sites included in the ticket (except for the Museum of Contemporary Art and Monument Pachacutec), providing you with direct access to the wonders that await you. 

Can I Buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket Online?

Unfortunately, the Boleto Turistico Cusco (Cusco Tourist Ticket) is only available for in-person purchase at authorized offices in the city. 

Benefits of Buying a Tourist Ticket

In reality, there are plenty of reasons to buy a tourist ticket when visit Cusco, Peru. Let’s take a closer look at some of them:

• Smart Savings: If you plan to explore multiple sites included in the ticket, you’re making a savvy financial move. Imagine, for example, visiting 4 sites for just 70 soles instead of 70 soles each. That’s a striking saving. 
• Stress-Free Planning: You can relax once you secure your Boleto Turistico Cusco. No more worrying about buying individual tickets for each place. Instead, you can design your vacation easily, focusing on the exciting attractions the tourist ticket covers. 
• Unparalleled Variety: In a city as rich in history and culture as Cusco, it’s only natural to want to explore a wide range of sites. Why not seize the opportunity to access all of them at once?

Sites Included in the Boleto Turistico Cusco

Sacsayhuaman 

Of the sites in the Boleto Turistico General Cusco and Circuit 1, this is definitely the largest and most impressive to visit. At Sacsayhuaman, you’ll find enormous stones that formed the base of many Inca buildings in the region. Some of these stones weigh between 100 and 200 tons, raising the question of how they got there. In addition to enjoying the fantastic site, you’ll get an excellent panoramic view of the entire city of Cusco.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 07:00 am to 05:30 pm 

Qenqo

The archaeological site of Qenqo, is located right next to Sacsayhuaman. It’s a small yet impressive park. It’s still in excellent condition, and the focal point here is the sacrificial table. You can also explore small caves.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 07:00 am to 05:30 pm 

Puka Pukara

The name of this site means “Red Fortress” in Quechua, leading many to believe it was some sort of military stronghold. It’s one of the smaller sites, but from the ruins’ entrance, you get a wonderful view of the mountains and hills.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 07:00 am to 05:30 pm

Tambomachay

This is a pleasant small archaeological site with many water channels to observe, as well as short walks in different directions. It’s interesting to see, although its exact purpose is still unknown. Many speculate that it was a spa due to the water channels and its proximity to Puka Pukara.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm 

Museum of Contemporary Art

Most of the art is located on the second floor. It’s a small museum but has some interesting pieces. The building itself is fascinating and has a beautiful courtyard in the center.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm (closed on Sundays) 

Regional Historical Museum

As you can imagine from the name, the museum focuses on the region’s entire history. You’ll find all kinds of information, including prehistoric animals, the Inca Empire, and pieces about the Spanish conquest. It’s fascinating and provides a wealth of knowledge.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm 

Pachacutec Monument

This is a small museum and viewpoint at the bottom of Av. El Sol. There are some interesting pieces on the way up, and you get a decent view at the top, where you can watch planes take off from the runway.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm 

Tipon

This is one of the largest archaeological parks and it’s easy to spend an entire day here. There are many terraces to observe, as well as many Inca canals that carried water. It’s possibly the best site to see how their water systems worked. There are also many small places on the sides that you can climb up to.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 07:00 am to 06:00 pm 

Qoricancha Museum

This museum is located beneath the grassy area in front of Qoricancha and the Santo Domingo Convent on Av. El Sol. However, it doesn’t include entry to those parts. It includes some interesting artifacts and mummies; you can stroll through the green grassy area afterward.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm 

Museum of Popular Art

This is a small and basic art museum, but it has some interesting clay pieces and paintings on display, including masks and religious exhibits. Look for Jesus eating cuy (guinea pig) with his disciples! They’re also not drinking wine but chicha, a fermented corn drink consumed since Inca times.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 08:00 am to 06:00 pm (closed on Sundays) 

Qosqo Center of Native Art

Every night, there’s a show featuring traditional dances of the region. It’s an excellent experience to witness local customs and learn about the different dances.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 06:30 pm to 08:00 pm 

Pikillacta

This is a very unique archaeological park in Cusco, as it was built by the Wari culture that predates the Incas. They significantly influenced the Incas, and this site is massive. You’ll see how it differs from Inca structures and enjoy it in peace and tranquility, as it’s rarely visited.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:30 am to 04:30 pm 

Pisac

This is a highly popular spot for tourists in Cusco. It’s the first site on the journey through the Sacred Valley and features wonderful Inca architecture. You’ll also see some tombs on the side of a hill and enjoy a spectacular view over the valley below.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 am to 04:30 pm}

Read More / About Pisac

Ollantaytambo

The ruins of Ollantaytambo are in excellent condition and look quite majestic, dominating the small plaza below. There are some fantastic terraces and other places to explore. It’s one of the most attractive sites due to the surrounding hills and how it’s situated on a steep slope.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Chinchero

This site might have been the home of the critical Inca conqueror Tupac Inca Yupanqui. It’s believed that he died here at the respectable age of 85. After the Spanish invasion, they built a church on the top, now the park’s main focal point. You’ll see other ruins around.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 07:00 am to 6:00 pm 

Read More / About Chinchero 

Moray

This is a very unique archaeological park. Moray consists of three large terraces in a circular structure that’s often believed to have been some kind of agricultural laboratory. It almost looks otherworldly!

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 07:00 am to 5:00 pm 

Which Tourist Attractions are NOT Included in the Ticket?

The following sites are NOT included in the tourist ticket:

• Visit to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Site 
• Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) 
• Humantay Lake 
• Maras Salt Mines 
• Cusco Cathedral 
• Santo Domingo Convent 
• Other museums, including the Inka Museum 

How to Reach the Sites Included in the Tourist Ticket?

There are several ways to reach the included sites. The first would be to walk to those within and around the city. All the museums are in Cusco, and you can quickly get to Saqsayhuaman and Qenqo.

A city tour includes all the sites from Circuit 1 and takes half a day. All the sites from Circuit 3 are included in the full-day Sacred Valley tour.

Alternatively, you can independently reach each site by taking a private taxi or researching bus/combis services from the city. All are easy to get to, and many locals will be willing to help.

Things to Keep in Mind

To ensure your trip to Cusco, Peru goes smoothly as planned, keep the following in mind:

• Keep the Boleto Turistico Cusco in a safe place, don’t lose it! Duplicates won’t be issued, so safeguarding it is crucial, or you might need to purchase a new one. 
• If traveling on a tight budget, consider opting for one of the partial tickets. However, plan your time carefully to make the most of each site within the designated period. 
• It’s important to note that the ticket price is NOT included in travel packages offered by travel agencies. Therefore, it’s advisable to be prepared to pay an additional cost for this privileged access. 

Your Passport to an Extraordinary Adventure

The Boleto Turistico Cusco is not just a piece of paper; it’s the key that awakens your senses and invites you to live an experience that will touch your soul. Whether you choose the full ticket to explore all corners or one of the partial tickets for a more focused experience, this pass allows you to unlock a world of discovery and wonder.

This ticket opens the doors to the region’s history, culture, and natural beauty that continues to captivate thousands of travelers worldwide.

Are you ready to join this extraordinary journey?