ATMs/Banks -- Most banks with ATMs are located along Avenida El Sol. Banks include Banco Santander Central Hispano, Av. El Sol 459; Banco de Crédito, Av. El Sol 189; and Banco Continental, Av. El Sol 366. The external ATMs nearest the Plaza de Armas are at Banco de la Nacion, Av. El Sol 226; Banco del Sur, Av. El Sol 457; and Banco Latino, Av. El Sol 395. A few ATMs are also located at the entrances to stores and restaurants on the Plaza de Armas and Plaza Regocijo.
Doctors & Hospitals -- English-speaking personnel are available at Hospital EsSalud, Av. Anselmo Álvarez s/n (tel. 084/237-341); Clínica Pardo, Av. de la Cultura 710 (tel. 084/624-186); MacSalud, Av. de la Cultura 1410 (www.macsalud.com; tel. 084/582-060); Hospital Regional, Av. de la Cultura s/n (tel. 084/223-691); and Clínica Paredes, Lechugal 405 (tel. 084/225-265). For yellow-fever vaccinations, go to Hospital Antonio Loren on Tuesday or Hospital Regional on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
Embassies & Consulates -- The U.S. consulate is located at Av. El Sol 449 #201 (CuscoACS@state.gov; tel. 984/621-369).
Emergencies -- For general emergencies and police, call tel. 105. For tourist police, call tel. 084/249-654. For fire, call tel. 103. In a medical emergency, go to Hospital EsSalud, Av. Anselmo Álvarez s/n (tel. 084/223-030), or contact Tourist Medical Assistance (tel. 084/260-101).
Internet Access -- Internet cabinas, once everywhere, are fading in the old section of Cusco as free Wi-Fi is everywhere. Rates are generally S/3–S/5 per hour.
Language Schools -- For intensive Spanish courses, try Academia Latinoamericana de Español, Av. El Sol 580 (www.latinoschools.com; tel. 084/243-364); Amauta, Suecia 480 (www.amautaspanish.com; tel. 084/262-345); Amigos, Zaguan del Cielo B-23 (www.spanishcusco.com; tel. 084/242-292); or San Blas Spanish School, Tandapata 688 (tel. 084/247-898).
Mail -- Cusco’s main post office, Serpost, is at Av. El Sol 800 (tel. 084/224-212). A DHL/Western Union office is at Av. El Sol 627-A (tel. 084/244-167).
Massage -- The in-house masseurs at fancy hotel spas, such as the Palacio del Inka, Monasterio, and the Inca Spa, within the Hotel Eco Inn, Av. El Sol 1010 (www.incaspa.com.pe; tel. 084/581-280), are usually your best option for a full-body massage and a clean setting. Among the independent options, the most highly recommended is Ying Yang Massage, Av. El Sol 106 (Galerías La Merced) (yinyang_masajes@hotmail.com; tel. 084/243-592 or cell 084/984-939717), where the rooms are nice and a 1-hr. full-body massage is S/80; hotel visits are also possible for a small supplement. Young women advertising “massage, massage” for as little as $10 (sometimes of dubious quality or intent) are on virtually every street in the old town.
Pharmacies -- Find InkaFarma locations at Av. El Sol 210 and Ayacucho 175; Botica Fasa locations at Ayacucho 220 and Av. El Sol 130.
Police -- The Policía Nacional de Turismo, or National Tourism Police (Saphy 510; tel. 084/249-654) has an English-speaking staff trained to handle the needs of foreign visitors. Or contact iPerú/INDECOPI (Servicio de Protección al Turista, or Tourist Protection Bureau), Portal Carrizos 250, Plaza de Armas (tel. 084/252-974).
Telephone -- Cusco’s area code is 084. The principal Movistar Perú office, where you can make long-distance and international calls, is at Av. El Sol 382–6 (tel. 084/241-114). It’s open Mon–Sat 8am–10pm..
Tour Operators & Travel Agencies -- Cusco is swimming in travel agencies -- several hundred of all sizes, and many that offer almost the exact same packages compete for your attention. Only a few dozen have solid reputations, however, and many should be flat-out avoided. Do not contract any would-be travel agent on the street, and do not hand over money for a trip or package without visiting the outfit in its office. If you have any questions about an agency, particularly one not listed by name and recommended in this guide, do not hesitate to inquire about its reputation in the Tourist Information Office.
Laundry -- Laundromats offering good, rapid service include: Easy Wash, Avenida 28 de Julio (tel. 974/749 188) and Lavandería Inka, Ruinas 493 (tel. 084/223-421).
Maps -- The main tourist information office gives out free maps, and, for most visitors, these should be sufficient. (Cusco is easy to manage and a joy to wander around and even get lost in.) More detailed maps, and maps of the Inca Trail and other hiking trails in the Cusco region, are available at bookstores.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
