One of the most frequent questions is regarding the safety of the destination to which you travel. If we add to this the number of documentaries, news and thousands of stories that are frequently heard regarding South America, it is normal that we want to make sure that we will be safe on our journey.
Cusco is a very safe destination in general, especially in the centre of the city where there are cameras and police or local surveillance (serenazgo) during most of the day. Cusco, like every city in the world, has crime rates, but they are minimal and are not normally seen around the main square or “tourism area”, although some incidents can occur (especially if there is alcohol involved). Something that is heard when this happens is mostly pickpockets or some scam with tourists, that is why I will mention some points that we must keep in mind when we travel to Cusco and any other country that you wish to go to.
What areas to avoid?
I think that to answer this question we must resort to common sense and follow the indications that locals or people who have been living in the city for a long time give us. If they tell you “Don’t go that way”, just don’t go that way or at least avoid it. I am not wanting to say that you will find many places like this in Cusco since the city has a system of cameras and police guarding the area (although mostly only in the square).
Going out in Cusco
The most likely thing is that if you are in Cusco, you will arrive at one of the nightclubs near the main square, what we should know is that it is generally a very quiet area but sometimes problems can arise due to a fight that It is already happening or perhaps due to the effect of the alcohol itself. It is possible to run into fights outside of clubs that tend to get bigger than they should be due to more and more people getting involved in them (because of late nights, alcohol and the odd thing).
As is common during a day in Cusco, you will find countless people offering massages (literally in every corner of the centre) or selling you souvenirs. Well, this is no exception at night, except that, instead of massages and souvenirs, they offer changes to products that some seek when coming to South America (no, it’s not coca leaves or cocoa). In some cases, I have come across people being charged the equivalent of $80 for a bag of powdered sugar or cornstarch. Something that was very common in the past was that they would scrape a wall and sell them plaster, but it all depended on how intoxicated they saw you coming out of the clubs.
The number of stories regarding not knowing how to have returned to the hotel, hostel or where they are staying are incalculable and this also lends itself to pickpockets taking advantage of this opportunity and keeping your wallet or purse.
Another thing that can happen is to fall into the hands of the “bricheras(os)” (locals after tourist money), who can put some substance in your drink, take you to a hotel or room and rob you with your belongings. This unfortunately often happens, mostly when tourists go out alone, which makes them an easy target.
Another case that is seen, but in less quantity, fights between some locals and foreigners when they are intoxicated. My biggest suggestion, if something like this happens, is to avoid physical conflict, since it does not lead to anything and can end up harming your holidays in one way or another because of the bad time.
In the square (scams)
Something that also happens is that, in the square, people kindly approach saying that they have a gift for you, these are usually a key ring, a pin or a bracelet, but this later turns into an argument because they want to charge you either for take it out or because they want to force you to buy it. Another scam to tourists is when they offer tours below the prices and ask for payment in advance without giving a payment receipt saying that they will deliver it later or in your hostel, DON’T BELIEVE THEM!
Festivities
Throughout the year various festivities and parades take place in the main square due to various celebrations. In some of these, the agglomeration of people is so great that it is almost impossible to walk through the crowd, this is taken advantage of by pickpockets who, taking advantage of the tumult, can keep your belongings without you noticing. Some of the celebrations that have these large crowds of people are Easter, New Year’s Eve and Inti Raymi, so if you are visiting the city at this time, it is important to be very attentive. This does not mean that it will happen for sure, but it is better to be safe than sorry, right?
Photos with llamas and alpacas
When you walk through the streets of the city centre you will see many people in typical costumes and carrying llamas and baby alpacas with them with the intention of offering you to take a picture with them if, on the one hand, they look cute, we should also know that the animals are being used for long hours a day, not being fed correctly and that their lifespan is limited, as well as the fact that walking through the streets and in the middle of cars is not their natural habitat.
To this we have to add that the owners take advantage of the tourists by saying “picture, picture!” and at the end of this try to charge “ten dollar” or more, this sometimes works with some tourists and apparently they got used to it.
Finally, we can say that Cusco is a safe city, although it is not exempt from some problems. If you are thinking of visiting Cusco, cheer up! It is a wonderful city, as well as its surroundings, we must not forget that the city centre is only a small part of what Cusco has to offer. Always remember to walk carefully and get ready to enjoy an incredible experience.