Cusco is full of surprises: a cathedral painting where Jesus eats guinea pig, a stone with twelve perfect angles, a city shaped like a puma and a rainbow flag that has nothing to do with Pride. These fun facts about Cusco will help you understand the old Inca capital, and the everyday curiosities (taxis, toilet paper, coins and street food) will make your first days much easier.
Fun facts about Cusco’s history
Its name means “navel”
The first of our fun facts about Cusco is its name. In Quechua, the city was called Qosqo, usually translated as “navel” or “center”. For the Incas, it was the center of the world, the capital of the Tahuantinsuyo, an empire that stretched from today’s Colombia to Chile and Argentina.
The city was designed in the shape of a puma
According to tradition, the Inca Pachacuti laid out Cusco in the shape of a puma, a sacred animal. Saqsayhuaman, on the hill above the city, would be the head, and the old center the body.
A stone with twelve angles
On Hatun Rumiyoc street, a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas, an Inca wall includes a famous stone with twelve angles, fitted perfectly to the stones around it without mortar. It is one of the most photographed stones in Peru.
Churches built on Inca temples
The Spanish built many churches on top of Inca palaces and temples. The most striking example is Qorikancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where the Santo Domingo convent stands on top of perfect Inca walls. Many of those walls survived earthquakes that damaged the colonial buildings.
Cusco is the Historical Capital of Peru
Peru’s constitution recognizes Cusco as the country’s Historical Capital, and its center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. See UNESCO’s page on the City of Cuzco.
Fun facts about Cusco’s culture
Jesus eats guinea pig in the Cathedral
In the Cathedral of Cusco, a colonial painting of the Last Supper, attributed to the local artist Marcos Zapata, shows Jesus and the apostles with a roasted guinea pig, or cuy, on the table, plus Andean fruits and chicha. It is a perfect example of how Andean and Catholic traditions mixed.
The rainbow flag of Cusco
The seven-colored flag flying on the Plaza de Armas is the flag of the city of Cusco, inspired by the Inca Empire. It looks like the LGBT Pride flag but has a different origin and meaning.
Cuy is a delicacy
In many countries the guinea pig is a pet; in the Andes it is a traditional dish for celebrations, often roasted whole (cuy al horno). It is high in protein and low in fat. Try it in a traditional restaurant or on our Cusco Food Tour (from USD 30).
Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun
Every June 24, Cusco celebrates Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the winter solstice, with a huge reenactment at Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas and Saqsayhuaman. Read our guide to Inti Raymi in Cusco.
Photos with llamas
Women and children in colorful traditional dress walk with baby llamas and alpacas around the center. They are happy to pose for photos, but expect to give a small tip.
Everyday fun facts about Cusco
Taxis honk to find passengers
One of the first fun facts about Cusco you will notice: if a car honks and slows down next to you, it is probably a taxi looking for passengers. Taxis do not have meters: agree on the price before you get in. For safety, use registered taxis with a sign and company name, or a ride-hailing app, especially at night.
Buses with funny names
Local buses and combis are run by private companies with names like “Batman”, “Zorro” or “Satélite”. They compete for passengers on the same routes, so they do not always stop where you expect. Shout “¡baja!” when you want to get off.
Toilet paper goes in the bin
In most bathrooms, you put used toilet paper in the small bin, not in the toilet, because the old pipes clog easily. Public bathrooms often charge a small fee and may not have paper, so carry your own.
Green light does not mean safe
Even when the pedestrian light is green, cars may still turn into your path. Look both ways and cross carefully, especially on Avenida El Sol and around the plaza.
Painted ads and political slogans
Instead of billboards, many brands paint their ads directly on walls in villages and on the outskirts, and political campaigns paint names and logos that stay on the walls for years after the elections.
No 1 or 5 céntimo coins
Prices like S/ 9.99 are common in supermarkets, but 1 and 5 céntimo coins are no longer used, so totals are rounded to the nearest 10 céntimos at the till. Read about the exchange rate in Peru.
“Pollo” is not “carne”
If you are vegetarian, say clearly that you do not eat meat, chicken or fish: “no como carne, pollo ni pescado“. For many people, “carne” means only red meat, so you may be offered chicken instead.
Anticuchos and street food
In the evenings, street stalls grill anticuchos, skewers of marinated beef heart, served with potatoes and spicy sauce. Choose busy stalls with high turnover.
Kiosks on every corner
Small kiosks and shops sell water, snacks, sweets and Inca Kola, the bright yellow Peruvian soda, almost everywhere.
Beyond the fun facts about Cusco: practical tips
- Cusco is at 3,400 m: take the first day easy. Read about altitude sickness in Cusco.
- Carry small notes and coins for taxis, markets, bathrooms and tips.
- Buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket if you plan to visit several Inca sites.
- Start with our Cusco City Tour (from USD 13) to see Qorikancha and Saqsayhuaman with a guide.
See all our tours in Cusco and Machu Picchu tours.
Frequently asked questions: fun facts about Cusco
What does Cusco mean?
The Quechua name Qosqo is usually translated as “navel” or “center”, because it was the center of the Inca world.
Why is there a guinea pig in the Last Supper painting in Cusco?
Colonial artists painted Andean foods, such as cuy, to make Christian scenes familiar to local people.
Is the Cusco flag the same as the Pride flag?
No. The rainbow flag of Cusco is the city’s flag, inspired by the Inca Empire, and has a different origin.
Are there taxi meters in Cusco?
No. Agree on the price before getting in, or use a registered taxi company or a ride-hailing app.
Where is the twelve-angled stone?
On Hatun Rumiyoc street, about two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, near the San Blas neighborhood.
