Peru - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget

Travel Reference

In-Depth Information

INFORMATION

Tourist information The friendly and helpful iPerú o ce

is on the eastern side of the main plaza ( T 066 318 305,

E iperuayacucho@promperu.gob.pe). Mon-Sat 9am-6pm,

Sun 9am-1pm.

the late 1990s, the region has become as

safe as the rest of Peru and travellers have

begun to explore the city's treasures and

enjoy the surrounding Andean landscape.

9

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

The heart of the city is the Plaza Mayor,

with its sixteenth- and seventeenth-

century buildings characterized by stone

arches, pillars with balustrades and red

brick clay roofs. The Plaza is home to

the seventeenth-century Catedral , which

combines Renaissance and Baroque

elements. Despite its somewhat sombre

facade, its rich interior is home to ten

beautiful gold-leaf altarpieces.

Visitors should not miss the Museo de

la Memoria (Prolongación Libertad 1229;

Mon-Fri 9am-1pm & 3-6pm, Sun call

in advance; S2; T 066 317 170), which

focuses on the socio-political violence

inflicted by the Shining Path

revolutionary movement in the 1980s

and 90s. The little museum is home

to a number of displays including

photographs of the dead and missing,

as well as artworks on the conflict and

a replica of a torture cell. A wall chart

details the history of ANFASEP, the

non-profit organization that runs the

museum. Mothers and wives of the

deceased and missing meet here regularly

to share their experiences and lend

support to one another. You can purchase

the women's handmade clothes and crafts

in the little shop upstairs.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

By plane The Alfredo Mendivil Duarte airport is a

10-15min taxi ride (S8) east of town. There are major

plans to renovate the runway and to open a larger more

modern airport, but at the time of research, the only

destination was Lima, operated by Star Peru and LC (3

daily; 45min).

By bus The Terrapuerto bus station is at Av Javier Pérez

de Cuellar s/n ( T 066 311 710).

Destinations Lima (8am & 11am, thereafter nightly

services only; 9-10hr); Ica (3 nightly; 6-7hr); Huancayo (3

nightly; 8-9hr). Expreso Turismo Los Chancas ( T 066 401

943) runs daily services to Cusco (18hr) via Andahuaylas,

where you will have to wait an hour or so before boarding

a new bus to Cusco. Note that the road to Cusco is currently

being paved; once this has been completed travel time

should substantially decrease.

ACCOMMODATION

La Colmena Cusco 140 T 066 311 318, E cesarde95

@hotmail.com. Formerly the home of a Spanish General,

La Colmena has clean tiled rooms spread out over three

levels, most giving onto a leafy interior courtyard. All have

private bath and rates include breakfast and wi-fi. There's

also a pleasant outdoor restaurant serving creole dishes.

S50

Tres Máscaras Jr. Tres Máscaras 194 T 066 312 921,

W hoteltresmascaras.galeon.com. Colouful birds tweet in

cages as two little dogs supervise the premises of this

welcoming hostel with a pleasant open courtyard. Ro oms

are spacious and all have TV and private bath. Free wi-fi. S60

EATING

La Miel Portal Constitución 11-12. The toothsome cakes

(S5.50) can be enjoyed with a freshly squeezed juice (S5).

Health buffs can top up their vitamin count with a great

fruit salad. Daily 10am-10pm.

Via Via Portal Constitución 4. This welcoming Belgian-

owned restaurant/café with great views over the square

serves an excellent-value lunch menu (S9). Dishes are

made using local produce - try the tasty quinoa risotto

(S17). Free wi-fi. Daily 7.30am-midnight.