Cusco, Peru

Capital City

Living in Cusco has its challenges - the city's population of 428,450 makes it the largest in the Peruvian Andes, but its high elevation of 3,400 meters means persistent bureaucracy and a climate prone to frost and hail. Despite being a top tourist draw with over 2 million visitors annually, the city's location amid the rugged Andes can feel remote and isolated from the rest of Peru. Those drawn to Cusco's rich Inca heritage and colonial architecture may find the tradeoffs worthwhile, but the city is not for the faint of heart.