Cooking classes in Cusco
A cooking class is one of the best ways to take Cusco home with you. Classes run all year, so the weather matters more for the rest of your day: Cusco is warmest in November at about 72°F (22°C).
Photo: gertrudis2010, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top cooking classes in Cusco
Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in CuscoFrom $65View 
Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in CuscoFrom $57View 
Group Cooking Class in Cusco with Pisco TastingFrom $99View
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What to eat and drink in Cusco
Classes here usually build the menu around local dishes. Ones to look for:
- Cuy
- Roasted guinea pig, a traditional Andean dish for celebrations.
- Alpaca
- Lean, mild red meat from the Andes, often grilled as steaks or skewers.
- Lomo saltado
- Beef stir-fried with onion, tomato and soy sauce, served with chips and rice.
- Chicha
- A traditional Andean drink of fermented corn; the purple chicha morada is non-alcoholic.
- Pisco sour
- A cocktail of pisco (grape brandy), lime, sugar and egg white.
How to pick a good cooking class
- Check whether you cook every dish yourself or watch a demonstration. Hands-on classes usually cap groups at 10 to 12.
- Morning classes often start with a market walk to buy ingredients; afternoon ones go straight to the kitchen.
- Tell the host about allergies or a vegetarian diet when you book, not on the day.
- Look for a class that sends the recipes home with you, so you can cook them again.
Cusco month by month
Averages for Cusco, 1991–1920.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 69 (21) | 69 (20) | 69 (21) | 70 (21) | 70 (21) | 69 (21) | 69 (21) | 71 (22) | 71 (22) | 71 (22) | 72 (22) | 70 (21) |
| Low °F (°C) | 46 (8) | 46 (8) | 46 (8) | 43 (6) | 38 (4) | 35 (2) | 34 (1) | 37 (3) | 41 (5) | 44 (7) | 46 (8) | 46 (8) |
| Rainy days | 20 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 17 |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:22 pm | 6:18 pm | 6:02 pm | 5:42 pm | 5:29 pm | 5:28 pm | 5:36 pm | 5:42 pm | 5:44 pm | 5:45 pm | 5:54 pm | 6:10 pm |
Questions
What food is Cusco known for?
Cuy: roasted guinea pig, a traditional Andean dish for celebrations. Alpaca: lean, mild red meat from the Andes, often grilled as steaks or skewers. Lomo saltado: beef stir-fried with onion, tomato and soy sauce, served with chips and rice.
How long does a cooking class take?
Most classes run three to four hours including the meal; ones that start with a market visit take closer to five.
Where can I book cooking classes in Cusco?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
