Hello, history and art lovers! If you are planning your trip to the majestic city of Cusco, the archaeological capital of the Americas, you cannot miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in its vibrant culture through its fascinating museums and archaeological sites. With the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), also known as the General Tourist Ticket, you gain access to some of the city’s most important cultural and historical attractions. Below, we highlight four must-see museums included in this ticket, and at the end we will share other treasures you can discover.
Cusco Museum of Popular Art: The Artistic Soul of the City
Located on Avenida El Sol, inside the Cusco Municipal building, this museum captures the essence of Cusco’s artistic spirit.
What will you find here?
The museum is divided into three main areas that take you on a cultural journey:
- Video Library: Short films that give you an overview of Cusco and help you plan what to visit next.
- Photo Archive: Historical photographs of Cusco, its stone-paved streets, and the daily lives of its inhabitants. You will also see a bust of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
- Crafts Hall: Miniatures and examples of Cusco’s folk art, from traditional clothing to wooden altarpieces and masks. You can even admire a scale model of the famous 12-Angle Stone.
A bit of history
This museum was created by Cusqueño intellectuals of the indigenist movement in the 1920s, such as Uriel García Ochoa. It is also linked to the American Institute of Art of Cusco, founded in 1937, which promoted the Cusco Anthem and the modern Inti Raymi Festival.
Coricancha Site Museum with the Cusco Tourist Ticket
Located on Avenida El Sol, this museum takes you deep into Inca history.
What to see?
Here you will find an extraordinary collection of archaeological pieces:
- Inca ceramics and textiles.
- Pre-Hispanic tools.
- Mummies that reveal ancient rituals.
- Gold and silver artifacts that showcase Inca artisanship.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Regional Historical Museum: A Highlight of the Cusco Tourist Ticket
Located at the corner of Garcilaso and Heladeros streets, this museum is also known as the House of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, the first mestizo writer of the Americas.
What will you learn?
The museum narrates Cusco history through several periods:
- Pre-Hispanic era.
- Colonial era.
- Republican era.
- The invaluable legacy of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
Opening hours: Daily, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Contemporary Art Museum: Innovation and Tradition
Just one block from the Plaza de Armas, in Regocijo Square, lies the Contemporary Art Museum. Its exterior with arches already captivates visitors, while inside you will find works that reflect Peru’s rich cultural past and present.
Highlights
- Paintings by outstanding Peruvian artists.
- A peaceful courtyard with a fountain and even a serpent design on the ceiling.
- Inca-themed artworks, including references to Tupac Amaru.
- Displays of Cusqueño handicrafts and ceramics.
Beyond the Museums: What Else Does the Cusco Tourist Ticket Include?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) is a personal and non-transferable document issued by COSITUC(Committee of Integrated Cultural Tourist Services of Cusco). It grants temporary access to monuments, archaeological sites, museums, and cultural centers that are part of Peru’s national heritage.
With this ticket, you can visit world-renowned sites such as Saqsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Chinchero, Tipón, and Pikillaqta, as well as monuments like the Inca Pachacutec Statue and the Qosqo Center of Native Art.
By purchasing the ticket, you are also contributing to the conservation of Cusco’s heritage and the preservation of its living culture.
And if you want to go even further, complement your cultural journey with breathtaking natural wonders near Cusco:
- The turquoise Humantay Lake.
- The dazzling Rainbow Mountain.
- And of course, Machu Picchu, Peru’s crown jewel.
Karen Pamela Riveros Rojas
