This is a great chance for those who plan to visit Cusco in February! Our traditional, wonderful celebration takes place in the capital city and every town around the region. Cusco Carnival 2024 is a great attraction travelers can enjoy on the side!
People all over the department join to celebrate this traditional event, which goes back to our colonial times, starting in the 16th century. It is also a way to collectively enjoy euphoria and to somehow experience a religious connection with Mother Earth (Pachamama, in Quechua, the Inca language).
The Fantastic Cusco City Celebrations
In Cusco City, the central day is the last Sunday in February, when in the daytime there is a magnificent parade at the Plaza de Armas -Main Square-, for typical marching band music, dancers in multi-colored Andean costumes, while the city’s authorities are watching from a special platform. All around the square, amazed people from many places of the world are watching too. Afterward, many persons stay there and on the adjacent streets, for the famous urban Carnival, where everybody socializes, listening to music, dancing, and drinking. Take note of our insider tips for your arrival in Cusco town.
Traditional Countryside Carnival in 2024
This event is also held in great style outside the capital, for example in places like Pisac, Urubamba, Anta, Sicuani, and so on.
It is undoubtedly a quite joyful and pleasant gathering, where visitors will delight with marching bands, the full scope of our artistic folklore, gastronomy, street partying, and also a lot of shared euphoria with the hospitality Andean people. All those small towns are nested, so to speak, in a wonderful rural, highlands setting, where magical landscapes and relaxing natural energies are a major plus for tourists who cherish the countryside.
How Can You Enjoy Cusco Carnival 2024?
First of all, schedule the trip for late February. Naturally, being at the Cusco Carnival is a side attraction you can add to a City Tour, a classic Machu Picchu trip (for example, the great Machu Picchu 2-day package), and so on. Also, there is the need to have travel documents ready (check our article about passport and visa policies for visiting Peru).
Finally, as an insider tip, don’t forget to try the most classic Andean drinks and foods of the season! On the beverages side, our Peruvian beer is top and also there are other typical options like pisco sour, frutillada, chicha, and more. (You should read about Peru’s thousand drinking flavors!). Now the very dish of the time is the puchero, a delicious mix of lamb and bovine meat chunks with other ingredients such as potato, onion, corn, cabbage, and more. It’s not the real vacation if you miss it!
This is one more traditional folkloric attraction for visitors to also experience! Our spectacular Cusco Carnival 2024 is a perfect side activity you can add to a regular tour!
