The Cultural Playlist: Cusco
¡Sumaqllapa! Welcome back to The Cultural Playlist. This week’s stop? Today, we’re hitting new highs and heading 11,000 feet above sea level to the ancient capital of the Inca Empire: Cusco, Peru.
Set high in the Andes, Cusco’s cobblestone streets will lead you past ancient Inca walls and centuries-old cathedrals. The air smells of woodsmoke and earth, especially in the mornings when the mountains are still wrapped in clouds.
Every year, June 24th marks the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere — when Cusco celebrates Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. (More on that below.)
In this playlist, we’ll explore Cusco through:
A fun music playlist featuring Peruvian artists
A traditional recipe that’s cozy and flavorful
Books that illuminate Peru’s culture and past
Films that bring the Andes to life
One unforgettable experience to have if you visit
If you missed the last playlist (Mexico City!), catch up here, or if you’re new and curious how this all started, here’s the backstory.
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What is Inti Raymi?
Ok, back to the party. Inti Raymi is one of Peru’s most important celebrations. It’s a colorful festival that reenacts an ancient Incan solstice ritual.
Men in colorful costumes celebrating Inti Raymi in Cusco, Peru
What to Know About Peru’s Festival of the Sun
In Inca mythology, Inti was the sun god and ancestor of the emperors. On the winter solstice, the Inca held ceremonies asking for the sun’s return. The festival began at Qorikancha (The Temple of the Sun) and moved to the main plaza with processions, performances, and offerings (yes, sacrifices too) to restore cosmic balance.
Spanish colonizers banned Inti Raymi in the 16th century, but it was revived in the 1940s as a theatrical, cultural, and spiritual celebration. Today, Cusco bursts to life with music, dance, elaborate costumes, and a dramatic retelling of ancient rituals, offering travelers a rare glimpse of living tradition on a grand scale.
Ready to jump down a cultural rabbit hole with me? ¡Vamos a Cusco!
The Culture of Cusco
Cusco is layered in history, in culture, in everyday life. The city wears its past like a second skin. Inca stonework props up Spanish cathedrals, Quechua flows as naturally as Spanish through busy markets, and traditional clothing is layered with bright, handwoven designs passed down for generations.
Of course, Machu Picchu is just down the trail — but Cusco is its own cultural treasure. From traditional weaving in the highlands to the geometrically perfect terraces of the Sacred Valley, the region around Cusco is alive with culture and stunning landscapes.
Built on the foundations of an empire, Cusco’s streets still follow the sacred Puma-shaped layout designed by the Incas. Massive stones were miraculously cut with such precision that the city is held together without mortar.
A Perfect Day in Cusco
Mornings belong to San Pedro Market. Make your way through colorful stalls, grab breakfast, try local Andean fruits, and admire the artistry woven into all the colorful textiles you’ll see. If you’re feeling the altitude, locals swear by coca leaf remedies to ease the effects.
From there, make your way to San Blas, a charming neighborhood where narrow cobblestone lanes lead to art galleries, shops, and cozy cafés serving strong coffee with incredible views. Try crispy chicharrón, fluffy pan de queso, and ají de gallina… or be adventurous with cuy (read: guinea pig), a traditional Andean delicacy often enjoyed during special occasions.
As the sun sets, fireworks might crackle in the distance (they love a parade here), and dancers in full regalia might spin through the square. Whether it’s a holiday or just a Tuesday, Cusco always feels like it’s on the edge of celebration.
Listen to a Cusco-inspired music playlist
In Cusco, music is a living expression of ancestry, resistance, celebration, and soul. Traditional huaynos — often played with charangos, pan flutes, and drums — and ceremonial songs still shape the emotional core of the Andes, but today, they’re layered with synths, guitars, and bold reinterpretations by a new generation of artists reclaiming culture through sound.
This playlist travels through time and terrain. From sacred valleys to city streets, to ancient festivals to late-night dance floors. While creating it, I discovered Andean folk, Afro-Peruvian soul, psychedelic cumbia, and what felt like allll the fusions. In short, this playlist is a blast.
I use Apple Music, but if you prefer Spotify, let me know — if there’s enough interest, I’ll start building these out there, too!
The Flavors of Peru
Peruvian cuisine is a delicious collision of worlds, and ají de gallina is one of its most comforting dishes. Creamy, savory, and subtly spicy, it’s a shredded chicken stew made with ají amarillo (Peruvian yellow peppers), milk, cheese, and crushed nuts. It’s traditionally served over rice and potatoes, topped with black olives and hard-boiled eggs.
Like Cusco itself, ají de gallina is a blend of cultures. The Incas contributed native staples like potatoes and ají amarillo — key ingredients in this dish — while corn, quinoa, and other Andean crops round out the region’s rich culinary heritage. The Spanish brought dairy and European cooking methods. The result is a dish that warms you from the inside out, and is perfect after wandering Cusco’s high-altitude streets or as a way to bring a bit of Peru into your kitchen.
Ají de gallina is a popular Peruvian comfort food dish
Make ají de gallina
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2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 *ají amarillo peppers (if you can’t find these in your area, I’ve linked some options below)
2 slices white bread (crusts removed)
1 cup evaporated milk (or regular milk)
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup crumbled *queso fresco or queso blanco
¼ cup walnuts or pecans (optional, but traditional for texture and flavor)
3 tbsp oil (a neutral oil like avocado or light olive oil) or lard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For Serving:
Steamed white rice
Boiled yellow potatoes
Black olives and sliced hard-boiled eggs (optional but classic garnishes)
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Soak and blend the base:
Soak the bread slices in evaporated milk until soft, about 5 minutes. Then blend the soaked bread, ají amarillo peppers (fresh or rehydrated), and nuts (if using) into a smooth paste. Set aside.Sauté aromatics:
Heat the oil or lard in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.Cook the pepper paste:
Add the ají-yellow pepper paste to the pan and cook gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking or burning.Combine and simmer:
Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine. Add the shredded chicken and crumbled queso fresco. Stir gently and let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.Season and serve:
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. To serve, arrange boiled yellow potatoes on plates, spoon ají de gallina over the potatoes, and add a side of steamed white rice. Garnish with black olives and sliced hard-boiled eggs.
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These ingredients are widely available in Latin markets — or we’ve linked online ordering options below.
Dried ají amarillo peppers: If you can’t find fresh ají amarillo, dried ones work well — just soak them in warm water for about 20 minutes to rehydrate before using. These bright yellow peppers have a medium heat and a fruity, almost tropical flavor.
Queso fresco: A fresh, mild, crumbly cheese common in Latin American cooking. It doesn’t melt much, which makes it perfect for adding texture and richness to dishes.
Read the best books about Peru
The Andes are full of stories, and the books below bring them vividly to life. From high-altitude villages to jungle rivers, Incan legends to modern-day resistance, these reads offer deeper context to what you’ll see, feel, and taste if you visit Peru. Whether you’re into history, memoir, mystery, or magical realism, there’s something here to pack in your carry-on or queue up before your trip.
The Last Days of the Incas by Kim MacQuarrie
A cinematic nonfiction account of the Spanish conquest and Incan resistance. Grounded in Cusco, where the empire fell, it gives vital context to the city’s sacred stones and colonial layers.
Death in the Andes by Mario Vargas Llosa
A haunting novel set in the Andean highlands that blends folklore, violence, and Indigenous myth. It explores the eerie energy of isolated mountain villages, tapping into deeper tensions that still shape rural Peru.
Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams
A relatable travelogue that retraces Inca history with wit. Great for travelers curious about what it feels like to explore Cusco, trek the Inca Trail, and confront ancient ruins with fresh eyes.
More Great Books About Peru
Silver, Sword, and Stone by Marie Arana: A sweeping look at Latin America’s past and present, told through three powerful lives — including one in Cusco.
The Boiling River by Andrés Ruzo: A real-life adventure that blends science and myth through the Amazon in search of a legendary river.
The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley: An atmospheric historical fantasy novel set in the Peruvian highlands.
Lost City of the Incas by Hiram Bingham: The original expedition tale that brought Machu Picchu to global attention. An artifact of its time.
Andean Lives by Valderrama & Escalante: The humble, powerful life stories of two Quechua-speaking Andeans.
When Rains Became Floods by Lurgio Gavilán Sánchez: Memoir of a child soldier turned monk. A firsthand account of Peru’s internal conflict and human resilience.
Watch the best movies set in Peru
Peru’s cinema is small but mighty, with films that showcase the Andean spirit, elevate Indigenous voices, and explore the country’s layered history. Below is the trailer for Wiñaypacha — an unforgettable film that beautifully weaves these themes together in frames that feel like paintings, a testament to both the cinematography and the raw beauty of the region.
Directed by Peruvian filmmaker Óscar Catacora
Wiñaypacha (Eternity) (2017)
A quiet, poetic film spoken entirely in Aymara. It follows an elderly couple living in the high Andes, holding fast to tradition as the world changes around them. A rare and beautiful glimpse into Indigenous life and landscape.
More Great Movies About Peru
The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada) (2009): Critically acclaimed and deeply emotional, this film highlights Peru’s painful past and its effects on a young woman in Lima.
Magical Andes (2020): A slow-travel doc series exploring the Andes from Argentina to Colombia. The episode on Cusco and the Sacred Valley features moving personal stories.
Daughter of the Lake (Hija de la Laguna) (2015): A powerful documentary about a Quechua woman who speaks to mountain spirits and stands up to a gold mining corporation threatening her community’s sacred lake.
Greet the Sun at Machu Picchu
Sunrise at Machu Picchu offers breathtaking views and a spiritual connection to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
There’s iconic — and then there’s this. Watching the sun rise over Machu Picchu is a spiritual experience. Whether you’ve hiked for days on the Inca Trail or taken the first bus from Aguas Calientes, stepping through the misty Sun Gate as golden light spills over the terraces feels like traveling through time.
It’s much more than a photo op (although if you’re anything like me, you’ll take hundreds). The air is crisp, the light soft, the clouds are accessories and not the main event (fingers crossed), and every stone silently holds the answers to the mysterious genius of Inca design. If you arrive early enough, the crowds are hushed, letting the moment land in full.
Extra Credit? Explore the Sacred Valley and Beyond
Cusco isn’t just a gateway to Machu Picchu; it’s a cultural hub surrounded by an incredible array of archaeological sites and natural wonders. The Sacred Valley, just a short drive from the city, is sprinkled with Inca ruins like Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Moray — often paired with the striking Maras Salt Mines on day tours. Each offers a new glimpse into Inca ingenuity.
Many travelers opt for guided tours that bundle these highlights into full-day or multi-day adventures, adding layers of meaning to a Cusco experience. Along the way, you’ll encounter colorful markets, Quechua traditions, Andean farming techniques, and breathtaking mountain vistas. Add in the rainbow-striped peaks of Vinicunca or the turquoise waters of Lake Humantay, and you’ll realize: if Machu Picchu is the headline, the surrounding Andes are the full story.
How lucky we are to live in a world that’s filled with mystery, and is this much fun to explore.
Thank you for reading The Cultural Playlist: Cusco!
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