You are planning a trip to Peru and you are wondering which are the best areas to stay in, and which areas and neighborhoods are dangerous to avoid in Cuzco.

Tourists know that some Latin American cities are dangerous, particularly in Brazil , Colombia , and Mexico , so they inquire about Cuzco.

I too, when I did my 15-day tour in Peru , had questions about the safety of the city.

Here is a study on the dangerous neighborhoods of Cuzco but also on the best neighborhoods for tourists.

Is Cuzco a dangerous city in 2025?

Peru is not among the safest countries in the world. Indeed, there are cities and areas in Peru known for their high crime rates, largely due to the presence of armed groups and drug traffickers. This is particularly true in the VRAEM area (Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers) in central Peru, in the Amazon region bordering Colombia , in the city of Abancay, in the Huanuco region, and even in certain neighborhoods of Lima.

Yes, but what about Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas?

According to Numbeo's ranking , Cuzco is not a crime-ridden city. In fact, it has a crime index of only 42,79 , which is quite low. This means that, comparatively, Cuzco is less dangerous than cities like Berlin , Stockholm , New York , or Bordeaux in France.

On the contrary, just like Buenos Aires , Cuzco is among the safest cities in South America (see article on travelsafe-abroad.com or on worldlyadventurer.com ).

Is Cuzco safe for tourists?

While it is true that the city does present some security problems in certain areas (see details below and article on qosqotimes-pe ), these are no different from those that can be encountered in any other major tourist city in the world.

Cuzco is one of the most visited cities in Peru because of its beauty but also because it is the base point for visiting the Sacred Valley with Pisac , Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Maras, Morayles and of course the iconic Machu Picchu!

These magnificent sites attract millions of tourists each year and the government has taken steps to ensure their safety. The city has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, which means there are plenty of hotels, restaurants, taxis and travel agencies to make your stay comfortable.

By taking care to stay in the tourist places of Cusco, you can enjoy its museums, local cuisine, shops and traditional dances without taking risks for your safety.

So, if you want to visit this beautiful city, stick to well-traveled areas and avoid walking alone at night, especially in the less touristy parts of the city and in the areas listed below.

Here is what the British Government states :

"Street crime, including assaults and robberies, is a significant problem in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa , and other major cities. Be vigilant in public places and when withdrawing cash from ATMs. There have been a number of robbery and rape cases, primarily in the Cusco and Arequipa areas."

Areas to avoid in Cusco

Cuzco has 116 districts, a complete list of which can be found on the website: distrito.pe . And, to help you identify the neighborhoods of Cuzco to avoid, here is the Google Map.

According to newspaper articles from rpp.pe , larepublica.pe and traveler forums, here are the areas to avoid in Cuzco, especially at night:

• Zarzuela,
• Almudena
• Neighborhood San Cristobal
• St Geronimo
• Freedom
• San Sebastián
• Poroy
• Santiago
• Wanchaq is also a neighborhood where you have to be careful because it has a bad reputation.
• Areas to avoid in the historic center of Cusco: Suecia, Huaynapata and Resbalosa streets

See also the article on the official website of the Peruvian Government.

Dangerous neighborhoods in Cuzco?

No, there are no truly dangerous neighborhoods in Cuzco like those in Cape Town , Fortaleza or Los Cabos.

The only places tourists should not go in Cusco and around Cusco are the favelas. Indeed, there are several marginalized neighborhoods in Cuzco where communities live in extreme poverty, where there is no access to basic services such as health care, education, transport. The largest are located outside the city: Lares in the province of Calca and Omacha in the province of Paruro.

Safe neighborhoods in Cusco

As indicated at the beginning of the article, Cuzco is not a dangerous city. Apart from the areas to avoid in Cusco listed above, all parts of the city are safe. You will therefore have a wide choice to find a hotel depending on the type of stay you want to spend in Cuzco.

If it's a tourist stay, then here are the best places to stay in Cusco below.

Best area to stay in Cusco

The best area to stay in for a tourist trip is the historic center of Cuzco : A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it features stunning colonial architecture and narrow streets lined with traditional craft shops, numerous restaurants, and entertainment.

From this area, you can easily visit Cuzco on foot.

And in the historic center, the two favorite areas for tourists are:

• La Plaza de Armas which is an unmissable place in Cuzco. This central square is the heart of the city, surrounded by Cusco's most impressive monuments. You can admire the astonishing Santo Domingo Cathedral, one of the most important religious sites in Peru.
• Le San Blas neighborhood which is a bohemian and artistic district on the heights of the center of Cuzco. This very old district is picturesque with narrow streets, white houses, small shops and typical bars.

Which hotel in Cuzco?

If you're looking for one of the best-located hotels for a tourist stay, then I recommend the following: Inkaterra La Casona

This is a magnificent 5-star hotel located in Plaza de las Nazarenas, surrounded by busy cobbled streets and just 250 meters from Plaza de Armas. It is a true historical monument dating from the 16th century which has been transformed into a luxury hotel.

And if your budget doesn't allow for a luxury hotel, then here's a very nice hotel well located in the historic center of Cusco with good value for money: Nao Victoria Hostel