Cusco Boleto Turistico | An Overview of the City’s Popular Ticket
The Cusco Boleto Turistico, gives you access to some of the Imperial City’s most popular sites. This ticket is comprised of 16 different points of interest in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The main highlights are impressive Inca ruins. Discover these in the form of sprawling Archaeological Parks. There are a few small museums in Cusco that are included in the ticket, as well as a nightly theatrical dance show. The ticket is also known as the Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC), or more simply, the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Purchase the Cusco Boleto Turistico as either a full 10 day ticket, or as a partial “circuit” ticket. The complete 10 day ticket includes all 16 sites, whereas there are three different partial “circuit” ticket options. Each circuit has different highlights and validity dates. This can make purchasing a ticket a little complication and confusing.
Below, find an overview of the Cusco Boleto Turistico and a breakdown of each circuit and their respective practical information. Find tips and insights on which ticket to purchase, where to purchase them, and the best ways to utilize the popular ticket.
Here’s a quick, but complete overview of the Cusco Boleto Turistico.
Table of Contents
- Circuit I | Cusco Boleto Turistico
- Circuit II | Cusco Boleto Turistico
- Sacred Valley & Circuit III | Cusco Boleto Turistico
- The Complete 10 Day Cusco Boleto Turistico
- Purchasing Guide for the Cusco Boleto Turistico
- The Best Way to Utilize the Cusco Boleto Turistico
- So, is the Cusco Boleto Turistico Worth it?
- Final Thoughts | Cusco Boleto Turistico
Circuit I | Cusco Boleto Turistico
Circuit I of the Cusco Boleto Turistico highlights four different Archaeological Parks within the city limits of Cusco’s hillside. This is a great introduction to a variety of different Inca sites. Many people purchase this ticket to experience Saqsaywaman, the largest and most popular park on Circuit I. This ticket makes an ideal option for those people with limited time in Cusco, but still want to see Inca ruins besides Machu Picchu.
In my opinion, the most impressive Inca ruins are on Circuit II & III of the Cusco Boleto Turistico
Cusco has even more Inca sites scattered around the city besides those found on the Circuit I ticket. In fact, many of these alternative sites are free and have far less visitors. Visiting these “alternative” sites can make an excellent substitute itinerary for the Circuit I ticket option.
Download the Map | Free hiking tour of Inca Ruins Around Cusco
Logistics | Circuit I Cusco Boleto Turistico
- Cost: 70 PEN ($19.25 USD)
- Valid: 1 Day
- Total Sites: 4
- Overview: All Inca Archaeological Parks
- Saqsaywaman A. P.
- Q’enqo A. P.
- Puka Pukara A. P.
- Tambomachay A. P.
Circuit II | of the Cusco Boleto Turistico
The highlights of Circuit II are the impressive ruin sites of Tipón and Pikillaqta. Tipón is one of the most incredible sites on the entire Cusco Boleto Turistico. Pikillaqta is the only site on the entire Cusco Tourist Ticket that predates the Inca empire.
Besides these two worthwhile Archaeological Parks, circuit II showcases four city museums in Cusco. Museo Histórico Regional is probably the best and most detailed museum on the ticket. It offers an overall comprehensive history of the Cusco region. Find everything from prehistoric animals, information about the Inca empire, and a brief history about the Spanish conquest. In my opinion, the other museums are missing that “wow factor” to justify a visit.
Most of the museums are “skippable.”
This circuit ticket also showcases a nightly theatrical show that highlights the region’s traditional dance. There is also the monument of Pachacuteq.
Important | The interior of Monumento Pachacuteq is temporarily closed. The monument is located near the main bus terminal in Cusco, so there’s a chance you will pass by it frequently. It is definitely a skippable site
This circuit is best for those who want to discover Cusco’s little visited South Valley and explore the sites of Tipón and Pikillaqta. Both parks are impressive, yet have few visitors. Don’t purchase this partial ticket solely for the museums.
There are other museums in Cusco, which not included on this ticket, that are much more worth your time and entrance fee. Try the Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP) and the fascinating site of Qorikancha, which has a separate entrance ticket than the included Museo de Sitio Qorikancha.
Logistics | Circuit II Cusco Boleto Turistico
- Cost: 70 PEN ($19.25)
- Valid: 2 CONSECUTIVE Days
- Total Sites: 8
- Overview: 4 city museums, one monument (temporarily closed), one nightly show, and 2 massive Archaeological Parks.
- Museo Histórico Regional
- Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
- Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo
- Museo de Arte Popular
- Museo de Sitio Qorikancha
- Monumento Pachacuteq
- Tipón A. P.
- Pikillaqta A. P.
Sacred Valley & Circuit III | Cusco Boleto Turistico
The Sacred Valley should not be missed when visiting Peru! The circuit III partial ticket of the Cusco Boleto Turistico is an overall excellent sampling of the incredible Sacred Valley. This ticket includes four grand and fairly intact sacred Inca sites.
The Pisac Archaeological Park is always a tourist favorite, with its boasting views of the valley and the sheer size. The Moray Archaeological Park has interesting, circular terraces, which could have been used for agricultural purposes. Chinchero was likely the palace to the most famous Inca ruler, Túpac Yupanqui, and now has an iconic colonial church built around the plaza. Finally, in Ollantaytambo, the main hillside ruins are impressive, and the picturesque village is the ultimate gateway to Machu Picchu and other hidden gem hikes.
These Archaeological Parks match expectations of the vast Inca Empire with reality.
Logistics | Circuit III | Cusco Boleto Turistico
- Cost: 70 PEN ($19.25 USD)
- Valid: 2 CONSECUTIVE Days
- Total Sites: 4
- Overview: 4 Monumental Archaeological Parks
- Pisac A.P.
- Ollantaytambo A. P.
- Moray A. P.
- Chinchero A. P.
Helpful Tips to Explore Circuit III of Cusco Boleto Turistico
The Sacred Valley warrants at least a few days to explore. To make the most of this circuit of the Cusco Boleto Turistco, stay in the centrally village of Urubamba. This allows you to arrive early and beat the tourist groups coming from Cusco. It also helps to save money and time on buses to and from Cusco.
Travel Planning | All the Highlights of the Sacred Valley
Those who love hiking will love all the different hiking options to reach these parks. There’s an option to hike to the Maras Salt Flats and continue onto the Moray Archaeological Park. From Chinchero, take the downhill and scenic old Inca road to the Sacred Valley.
The Complete 10 Day Cusco Boleto Turistico
If you plan on visiting more than one site on more than one of the circuits the of the Cusco Boleto Turistico, than purchase the complete 10 day ticket! This ticket option provides a pretty solid introduction to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It is a worthwhile investment for exploring all of the impressive Archeological Parks.
The 10 day Cusco Boleto Turistico offers the most bang for your buck!
| Points of Interest | Circuit I Valid: 1 Day | Circuit II Valid: 2 Days | Circuit III Valid: 2 Days |
| Saqsaywaman A.P. | X | ||
| Q’enqo A.P. | X | ||
| Puka Pukara A.P. | X | ||
| Tambomachay A.P. | X | ||
| Museo Histórico Regional | X | ||
| Museo de Arte Contemporáneo | X | ||
| Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo | X | ||
| Museo de Arte Popular | X | ||
| Museo de Sitio Qorikancha | X | ||
| Monumento Pachacutec | X | ||
| Tipón A.P. | X | ||
| Pikillaqta A.P | X | ||
| Pisac A.P. | X | ||
| Ollantaytambo A.P. | X | ||
| Moray A.P. | X | ||
| Chinchero A.P. | X |
Logistics Complete 10 Day Cusco Boleto Turistico
- Cost: 130 PEN ($35.75)
- Valid: 10 CONSECUTIVE DAYS
- Total Sites: 16
- Enjoy all of the above 16 sites of the entire Cusco Boleto Turistico!
Purchasing Guide for the Cusco Boleto Turistico
So, what Cusco Boleto Turistico should you buy? That is all up to you! Here are some factors to consider when deciding which ticket to purchase.
- First, how much time you have to explore the Cusco Region?
- Second, which points of interest of the Cusco Boleto Turistico intrigue you the most?
- Finally, how do you want to discover these sites? Will you take a tour, or visit them at your own leisure?
All of these decisions will help weigh which ticket option works best for you! If planning to explore at least one site on each circuit, the 10 day ticket makes the most sense.
In My Opinion… The Sacred Valley Circuit III ticket is an excellent standalone ticket, but the Archaeological Parks of Circuit II in Tipón and Pikillaqta were two of my favorites. Circuit I is nice, but didn’t blow my mind as much as Circuit II & III, or as a standalone ticket.
Where to Purchase the Cusco Boleto Turistico?
Here’s where to purchase tickets in Cusco.
Cusco Tourist Information Center | Hours: Mon – Saturday: 8:00 – 12:00 & 14:00 – 18:00, closed Sun | Find them here: Calle Mantas 116, Cusco
Cusco Boleto Turistico Main Office | Hours: Daily, 8:00 – 18:00 | Find them here: Av. El Sol 185, Cusco
The Cusco Boleto Turistico is available for purchase at 14 of the 16 points of interest locations. Tickets are NOT available for purchase at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo or the Monumento Pachacuteq. Reminder, the inside of the monument is temporarily closed.
☛ Here’s the official website of the Boleto Turístico
Important Info When Purchasing
In order to purchase a ticket, it’s essential to have your passport with you. Upon purchase, the ticket immediately is valid. For this reason, tickets can not be purchased online. The paper tickets will be stamped with the correct validity dates. It is only possible to visit each site once, as each site will be “paper-punched” upon entrance.
Once you get your ticket, make sure to write your name on it! There is always someone at each site checking or scanning the validity of your ticket. So, carry your passport with you. No one checked my passport, but it’s still a good idea to bring it just incase.
The Best Way to Utilize the Cusco Boleto Turistico
Many agencies in Cusco offer up daily guided tours to visit each circuit of the Cusco Boleto Turistico. Remember, each circuit is usually a one day tour from Cusco. Tour sizes usually include 20-40 people. These tours are convenient; however, tours only visit the main areas of a few select sites.
Most tour companies exclude the cost of the Cusco Boleto Turistico from their tour cost. In addition to the guided tour, you will need to purchase the ticket separately.
On the other hand, it’s possible to visit all sites without a tour company. Oftentimes, many of the real treasures are found buried in the far outlying corners of each of the Archaeological Parks. In fact, it’s possible to reach all the sites via public transportation, by taxi, or even by hiking.
Complete Guide | Explore All 16 Sites of the Cusco Tourist Ticket Without a Tour
More Tips
If visiting independently, the ticket does not include guide services. Many of the Archaeological Parks have guides available onsite who offer informative tours. Before purchasing a guide, verify they have valid documents and badges.
So, is the Cusco Boleto Turistico Worth it?
YES! Absolutely! The Cusco Boleto Turistico is a highlight of any visitors time in Cusco. While most visitors only use Cusco as a gateway to discover Machu Picchu, the sprawling Inca sites near Cusco are beautiful and help give insight into the enormity that was the Inca empire.
Psst.. Tickets to Machu Picchu are NOT included on the Cusco Boleto Turistico
☛ Travel Deeper | 35 + Inca Sites in Peru that you have to Visit
Final Thoughts | Cusco Boleto Turistico
In conclusion, the Cusco Boleto Turistico is the best ticket to explore all the highlights of the Imperial City of Cusco and the picturesque Sacred Valley. This complete guides explains the different ticket options, which ticket to purchase, and where to purchase them. When deciding which ticket is right for you, consider your interests, budget, and your time frame. Explore the highlights of this ticket with a tour, or at your own leisure. The Cusco Boleto Turistico is so worth it and provides the perfect introduction to the amazing city of Cusco and the significance of these sites to the Inca empire.
Have you visited Cusco and purchased the Cusco Boleto Turistico? Was this overview useful in helping you purchase your ticket? What did you think of the sites on the Cusco Boleto Turistico? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.
