San Blas

If Lima has Barranco, Cusco has San Blas. The bohemian and artsy neighbourhood is definitely the coolest area of Cusco. Despite its proximity to Plaza de Armas, a lot of tourists don’t make it to San Blas because it takes a steep climb to get there. Don’t let this deter you. We highly recommending walking up to San Blas—it’s the perfect way to take in the charms of Cusco’s most enchanting neighbourhood. Once you are there, you will see just why it’s so special. The streets are populated with cafes, restaurants, and artist’s studios. Of course, there is no dearth of shopping opportunities in the area. Independent boutiques dilly-dally with artisans’ studios. Every now and then, you will come across a shop selling traditional Peruvian handicrafts. There are also tons of jewellers selling semi-precious jewellery inspired by Incan designs. It is also possible to find a variety of bohemian garments, made entirely from traditional Peruvian weave. Most of these shops are fixed-price ones, so you won’t have to worry about exercising your bargaining skills. Instead, you can concentrate on enjoying the bohemian atmosphere. San Blas offers incredibly photogenic shops and studios, so make sure you take your camera along when you visit the neighbourhood.