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Cusco is a city focused on its long history as the capital of the mysterious Incan empire and subsequent Spanish colonization. It’s a place where the most popular tourist attractions are hundreds of years old. Impressive remnants of a foregone era of empires, conquest, and conflic. This is what the thousands of tourists come to Cusco to see every year.
But, while understanding and exploring this unique history is necessary to appreciate the full cultural beauty of Cusco. It’s just as important to understand what the city is like today. There is no better place to take a glimpse into the beating heart of Cusco than the San Pedro Market.
San Pedro Market is a must see on any visit to Cusco. The oldest market in Cusco there is much to see and do. An assault on the senses you will not know where to start. The market is filled with color, smells and full of locals and tourists. Give yourself a few hours to explore and ask questions of the locals. Ask the people who sell the weird and wonderful mix of products at San Pedro Market.
The Central Market of Cusco or Mercado de San Pedro was built in 1925 and is the oldest in the city. The construction was designed and directed by Gustav Eiffel, the same person who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Originally located in the Plaza de San Francisco. It was later moved to a new building located in the Plaza San Pedro, in front of the temple of the same name, south of the Plaza de Armas. With a single rectangular floor plan, this colonial-style building occupies a city block. The building features signature Gustav Eiffel’s columns and metal roofing designs.
Starting at the main entrance, you will encounter the souvenir section of the market. You will be blown away at the color of the stalls. The locals sell locally produced souvenirs, from t shirts to jewelry to jumpers to small pencils with a llama on top. Browse the different stalls that sell homewares like cushions and tapestries. Here is the place to bargain and come away with something beautiful at a great price.
You can’t visit San Pedro without trying some of the delicious juices offered by the local ladies. Made from fresh fruit with many varieties, the great value juices will fill your belly and help you on your way. Design your own juice with either milk or water, you decide.
For an explosion of color, visit the flower section, every flower in every color is on offer at great prices. This is a great place for taking photos as the color is spectacular.
Every fruit imaginable is on offer, the variety is astounding, all fresh and waiting to eat. The varieties of potatoes are incredible and see vegetables that you never knew existed. Local farmers proudly display their bountiful harvest of colorful fruits and vegetables. You can find an impressive variety of seasonal produce, including tropical fruits like pineapple, mangoes, and papaya, as well as Andean staples like quinoa, potatoes, and corn. The vibrant displays and fragrant aromas make this section an inviting feast for the senses.
At some booths inside the market, you can see rarities like llama or alpaca dried fetus, alpaca grease, llama grease, old coins, incense, etc., which are used by locals to offer to the Pachamama (mother earth). There is a booth, that specializes in making frog soup, or a mixture of soup whose ingredients are frogs, bull’s genitals, crabs, cow’s gut, local herbs, etc. it is said to boost the brain and sexual life.
There is a food hall at the bottom of the market, filled with food stalls offering a Menu, which is normally a soup, a second and a drink. See the locals having lunch, around 1pm the place is full to bursting. On offer are local Peruvian specialties like Lomo Saltado, Bisteck de la Olla, Tallarin Verde to name a few. The soup will either be with chicken or beef and with quinoa or trigo. Receive a drink, normally a tea or Chicha Morada. If you have a strong stomach and are brave you may want to try something for lunch at San Pedro. Try and stay away from the stall selling things like Caldo de Cabasa (head soup) or foods with intestines, these may not be good for the gringo stomach.
You will also see stalls selling nuts, cheese, all sorts of grains, lotions and potions and many other weird and wonderful things that you will have no idea. There is also a large section selling traditional Peruvian costumes, bright and colorful from different regions of Peru. Ask the stall holder if you have any questions, they are only too happy to help.
San Pedro Market is located just 10 minutes to the southeast of the Plaza de Armes in Cusco. There are some tours that include this typical market, but if you prefer to go on your own, it is an easy walk. From the plaza head towards the convent of La Merced, then continue straight on the same street, cross the San Francisco square, through the arch and in one block more you will be at the main door of San Pedro Market. The other option is to take a taxi, from the Plaza de Armes it will only cost you a few soles to get to the San Pedro Market.
Some agencies offer a guided tour to San Pedro Market. If you feel this is an option for you do your research before purchasing a guided City Tour, here you will also receive a tour of Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay the ruins just outside of Cusco.
Alternatively, you can take a cooking class that includes a trip to the market to gather all the ingredients for your meal, in Cusco there are many different cooking classes to choose from.
The San Pedro Market is open every day of the week. From Monday through Saturday, it’s open from 6:30am to 6:30pm. On Sundays, it’s open from 6:30am to noon.
As in anywhere in the world you will need to be careful at San Pedro market. It is a great idea to leave your important papers, jewelry, phones at the hotel. Do not flash around your expensive cameras and be mindful of where you are. The San Pedro market is a wonderful experience but be aware of your surroundings.
If you plan to buy lots of souvenirs you will need to soles with you, in small denominations as the stall holders will not have change and will be angry that you have no small change.
Right in front of the market is the San Pedro Train station and ticket office. Here you can purchase tickets to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. Limited services depart from the station daily, most depart from Poroy or Ollantaytambo station.
The Church of San Pedro is a colonial building built around the year of 1572. The church has 2 towers, a semicircular arch, niches and ornaments in gold and silver leaf. Inside there are painting by artists from the Cusco School. As it is located in the historic center of Cusco, it is part of the Cutural Heritage of Humanity.
There are many colonial buildings on the plaza. The church of San Francisco is also a colonial church built in the Spanish colonial style. The plaza has many restaurants and a souvenir market, in case you haven’t had enough shopping at San Pedro Market.
The San Pedro market is just a few steps away from the Plaza de Armes in Cusco, the oldest operating market in Cusco it is a great place spend a few hours. Explore the different sections, buy some souvenirs, drink a delicious juice and take as many photos as possible, don’t forget to ask before the locals taking photos. San Pedro Market is a great day out.
