9 Things to Do in Cusco at Night

Among the plans that Cuzco offers, undoubtedly, the night activities stand out. Although many of them can also be done during the day, the night gives them a mystical and magical touch that is worth living. From walking its streets to entering museums or exploring the viewpoints, Cuzco has many surprises for you.

Nightlife is very active in this city. You can visit bars and discos and have a great night out. These places offer a variety of drinks and food that you will surely love. If you prefer to cook yourself, a night cooking class will be the best option for you.

Booking a tour in Cuzco at night is one of the must-do experiences during your visit to this mythical Peruvian city. You will have the opportunity to explore the main tourist attractions and most famous sites. In addition, at night you will see a different perspective than during the day, it will be like getting to know a different place.

Generally, the tour starts in the historic center of the city. You will pass by the Plaza de San Francisco, the botanical garden, the National College of Sciences and Arts and the Arch of Santa Clara. Other points usually included are the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Jesus. These last two will impress you. In fact, I recommend that you reserve your ticket for the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus.

Finally, you will pass through the Calle del Sol, the Palace of the Inca Pachaquteq, the Church of Santo Domingo and the Temple of Qoricancha. The whole tour lasts approximately two hours and is always on foot, so you should wear good shoes.

The Plaza de Armas of Cuzco is one of the most emblematic sites of the city. Although it is usually a frequent destination during the day, exploring it at night has a more special touch. After dark, the square is illuminated and everything around it, including the Cathedral. It is an incredible postcard. This square is usually included if you book the Cuzco tourist bus.

The colonial architecture of this site has the power to transport visitors to a bygone era. Near the square you will also find a variety of activities and places worth visiting, especially restaurants. You can take advantage of the occasion and try a delicious Peruvian style dinner. Some of the places offer a lively atmosphere with live music. Others are handicraft stores.

It is worth noting that this square is often included in city tours, so you can save time and money by booking one of these tours. If you don't feel like taking a tour of the entire city, stopping by the plaza during sunset is a great way to cap off your day. The best experience may be to simply sit on one of the benches and enjoy the atmosphere and watch the locals stroll around.

Booking an excursion to Rainbow Mountain is a must. This famous tourist destination is located a few hours from Cuzco and is an ideal place for camping.

If you book an excursion with camping, the guide will give you all kinds of details about this site and the reason for its impressive colors. Before sunset, you will be able to make different stops along the way to appreciate the scenery and take as many pictures as you want! Finally, you will arrive at the specific camping area. Enjoy the sunset and watch the starry night sky.

The next morning, get up early to see the sunrise. It will certainly be an unforgettable experience! After breakfast, you will start your journey back to the city. Before arriving, there is always a stop for lunch. The best thing about doing these tours from Cuzco is that the organizers include everything you need to make sure you are always comfortable.

Among the best museums in Cuzco is the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, which closes its doors at 10 pm. If you are looking for things to do at night in Cuzco, it is one of the best options. The cost of a visit to this museum is approximately 5 €.

In the Pre-Columbian Art Museum you can see an impressive collection of Peruvian pre-Hispanic art. Among the objects you will see are jewelry, textiles, metal and ceramic articles, among others. All were meticulously crafted by the ancient peoples of this country.

In addition to seeing the vast collection of art, you can learn about Peruvian history and culture. The museum guides are in charge of explaining all the details and important facts of the history. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn and have a very enriching experience. One of the most outstanding advantages of visiting this museum at night is that you will find less people than during the day and your visit will be calmer and more relaxed.

Details of interest

• Price: about 5 €.
• Hours: daily from 8 am to 10 pm. The maximum entry time is 21:30 h.
• Location: Plaza de las Nazarenas 231, Cuzco, Peru.

Among the best activities you can enjoy in Cuzco are the night tours through the Barrio de San Blas. This place has a charming bohemian atmosphere full of magic and music. You can walk through its streets illuminated by lanterns and colonial facades.

In addition to its picturesque atmosphere, the neighborhood of San Blas has a history that dates back to the times of the Inca Empire. Back then its name was T'oqokachi, which means "salt cave". Just like today, important families dedicated to craftsmanship and architecture lived there.

As you go through the San Blas neighborhood, you will see different stores and workshops that stay open until late at night. There you will find handmade products made of textile or metallic materials, and even multiple works of art, so don't hesitate to buy one and take it home! Among the specific sites you can visit is the Church of San Blas. Then you can choose one of the surrounding restaurants to enjoy a good dinner.

In the surroundings of Cuzco there are a variety of hills that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You can visit the viewpoints at night to see Cuzco fully illuminated and admire the scenery.

• Mirador de San Blas: This is one of the most popular viewpoints and is located in a large square with fountains and benches from where you can appreciate the sunset. It is also located a few kilometers from the popular stone of the 12 angles, very popular in the city.
• Mirador de San Cristobal: Located near the main square. Thanks to the height of its location you can get an excellent panoramic view. You can reach it from Cuesta Suecia and Don Bosco Street. Other famous viewpoints are the Santa Ana, Cristo Blanco and Pachacutec viewpoints.

Exploring these sites you will appreciate some of the best views of Peru. I recommend going at sunrise or sunset to enjoy the best colors in the sky.

Peruvian folkloric dances are a must see show when you visit Cuzco. It is an activity that you can enjoy during the day or at night. During the presentations, you will be able to see the colorful costumes of the dancers and their varied choreographies. Everything you will see has a deeper meaning in the culture of this country.

The average cost of these shows is around 15 € and they have a maximum duration of two hours. You will usually find these dance performances in restaurants near the Plaza de Armas and the price quoted includes dinner and drinks. This way, you can enjoy a delicious dinner, good music and dancing.

Usually these presentations include six dances and 10 songs. Each one of them is performed with Andean instruments. Some presentations tell stories of the region, so in addition to being entertained, you can learn a little more about Cuzco. Some of the dances you are likely to see are:

• The scissors dance: It is full of color and the "Danzaq" dances with two scissors in his hands.
• The huayno: It is the most popular and is usually performed in various festivities and carnivals. It is considered a dance of courtship or falling in love.

There are numerous things to do in Cuzco. In fact, it is a city known for its scenery. In addition to the mountains and beautiful panoramic views, it offers beautiful night skies. For this reason, I recommend you to take an astronomical tour to explore the stars that illuminate the night of this corner of planet Earth.

Being located in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco has a privileged location for stargazing. You can find areas with little light pollution that allow you to observe the stars more clearly. To do this astronomical tour, you must book the experience at Planetarium Cuzco. It usually includes transportation, an informative talk, a projection and the observation of the stars through special telescopes.

While you do this observation, the guides will tell you the history and curious facts behind each star or constellation. In addition, you will love being in this planetarium, as it is surrounded by natural landscapes. You will enjoy a quiet night, far from the noise of the city and full of the magic of the night sky of Cuzco.

Details of interest

• Price: around 25 €.
• Hours: from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Location: Fundo Llaullipata, Road to Sacsayhuamán Km2.

In Cuzco you can also visit different discotheques and night clubs ideal to spend the night with friends. There is a plan for everyone. Depending on whether you like to dance, sing or just drink, in this city you will find the ideal plan for you.

• One of the places I recommend is La Chupitería: the shot bar, where you can enjoy small shots of liquor and good music to dance until late at night. You can also order food to accompany your drinks and have a better night.
• If you prefer a more relaxed and quiet place, ideal for eating and drinking, I recommend you to visit Mollys Irish Bar Cusco. This place stays open until one in the morning, so you will have to go back to your hotel at that time.
• Finally, you can take into account the offer of karaoke places in the city. There are really a lot of places you can visit. For example, Vocé Karaoke, Woodstock Karaoke and My Way Club Karaoke. Most of these bars close their doors at three in the morning.