Why Learn Spanish In Cusco, Peru

A few of my thoughts over my experience in Cusco to learn Spanish.

When you first arrive to this amazing city you’re initially blown away with the colonial and Quechua architecture, some of the best examples of the two cultures mixing (or should I say colliding?) in all of Latin America. Of course, it’s a Latin American city and like any good Latin America city there’s the incessant honking from the taxis and the exhaust fumes that can make you want to head for the hills but…good thing you can do just that!

I had arrived to Cursco to learn Spanish for 4 weeks and from the first day I knew there were lots of other things to do besides learn Spanish. On my walk to school in the morning I gazed down at the Plaza de Armas, over the tops of the buildings saying to myself that this city is breathtaking (literally! especially considering the altitude and the fumes from cars). Then as I turned to the corner I purchased for about .30 cents, two glasses of fresh-squeezed orange juice. I get it “to go,” meaning in a plastic baggie with a straw.

When I arrived to the school every morning ready to learn spanish, I would always find something new and interesting. The colorful textiles and the way the city is nestled into the surrounding mountains. Probably the most remarkable aspect of Cusco is its setting. You can easily escape the city and be on top of the world at Sacsayhuaman, pronounced Sexy Woman by gringo and local alike, in a mere 5 minutes. Up there you step back hundreds of years. You can take a horseback ride near the ruins or just stroll around taking in the impressive sites.

It takes a while to learn Spanish, after a week I was surprised to meet with students that had supposedly left Cusco but had fallen in love with the city and ended up staying much longer than just to learn Spanish. They said they’ve tried to leave several times but the city has seeped into their bones. This place is not just all alpacas and cuy (the delicacy of Cusco – fried guinea pig). This place is just plain old fun. With a nightlife that rivals the major capitals of Latin America, there is always something happening at night. Many of the bars and clubs stay open until 12:00…in the afternoon that is; great to learn Spanish, not! The relaxing couch bars offer jazz, some bars offer live music, most clubs have DJs and sweaty dance floors. On most nights in Cusco you can meet people from all over the world that are there to learn Spanish, tour and even Peruvians making our experience to learn Spanish much richer.

I would like to focus on some issue, even though I went to learn Spanish, that where completely different than in my home country. Forget culture shock, how about showers that shock! Not bad shocks, just quick nips. I learned to only touch the electrical tape after a few showers since they use electrical heating devices to warm the water. Also, don’t flush the toilet paper or in the case of the apartment I was in, you can’t flush the toilet …at least not without it making horrible shrieking whirly noises. The person in charge of my appartment had spent waiting for the plumber since last week to fix the toilet. He said the plumber had promised to come at 7pm. I guess they had meant 7pm some time in November after my deadline to learn Spanish in Cusco!!

At the same time, there is a lack of change in this city. I’ve been denied movie tickets when I tried to pay for a 10 sol flick with a 100 sol note. You can’t even think about getting into the taxi, which costs 2 soles, with anything bigger than a 5 sol coin. Even then you sometimes have to wait around while the taxi driver finds someone kind enough to change his coin. Having a 100 sol bill is usually like having no money at all. One time, having gone out with my classmates after we learn Spanish at the language school, I was buying a hat, and gave the señora a 50 sol note and then waited around for 15 minutes while she ran all over town to get my change. Other customers had come into the store and started asking me questions about merchandise. She had left me all alone to run her business, it was great to learn Spanish!

So…I drink my OJ from a plastic bag, I get into a shower that shocks me, still waiting to flush my toilet properly. All this you ask and I can still recommend this place with a smile? ABSOLUTELY, I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to learn Spanish here for anything!!!

Just remember, when you arrive to Peru and your first impressions are of Lima, this is NOT indicative of the rest of Peru. – Happy traveling and make sure you learn Spanish, it comes quite handy!

History and experience of the Inti Raymi festival – Part 3

Well worth the trip is the week-long festival of Peru’s Inti Raymi, located at Cusco’s main square in front of the huge archeological site of Sacsayhuaman with Cusco known as the capital of the Inca Empire. It has more than attracted thousands of spectators and dedicated travelers from nearby and all over the world, so be prepared to be amongst a large crowd. To the Incas who worshiped the beloved Fiesta del Sol in the past, the historical rites of Inti Raymi always played a major part in their lives. For those of us today who also find good reason to celebrate the bountiful seasons and the winter solstice, I have found this to be a beautiful recreation of the historical event held entirely in the Quechua language.

According to the early Peruvians, the winter solstice represented the beginning of a new yearly cycle of rebirth, along with their return to the source of it all by giving tribute to the honorable Sun God Apu Inti Tayta. An animal was always sacrificed to celebrate the new beginning while also paying homage to the Incas, considered the first born Sons of the Sun with many festivities. Fearful the sun would never come back and a future of famine, the celebration was held to plead for the Sun God’s return. For us animal lovers of today, instead of real sacrifices held to appease Apu Inti Tayta, the white llama is part of the sacrifice reenactment of the historical celebration:

“Thousands of actors recreate this epic ceremony, held entirely in the Quechua language. The festivities can be observed from the stones of the Sacsayhuaman in areas that have been set aside for viewing.”

What fascinated me is recognizing that the Inti Raymi Festival is considered the second largest festival in South America, with over 3,000 Peru festivals held annually. With many motives, the majority are held to honor religious celebrations while others focus on the harvests, carnivals and spring seasons. Regardless, I have found the Peruvians to be joyful communities and as long as celebrations are going on throughout the year for one reason or another, the spirits seem to be live and well! Held all week-long with June 24th the centerpiece of the festival, the festival’s main purpose is to ensure the fertility of the earth, combined with light and warmth from the sun to provide a bountiful crop. Dancing, plenty of food, and all kinds of festival activity makes the trip not only a historical adventure but lots of fun.

A region which attracts those of us who are very interested in the area’s historical and cultural significance, Cusco is the hub of tourism for many areas such as the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River, Pisac, Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman, and Ollytantambo. I have found that there were many things to do and see, in addition to the excitement of the week-long celebration of Inti Raymi. Free admittance is provided with rental chairs provided around the main square while reserved seats can be purchased in advance, with positive reviews from its many visitors:

“The Sun was considered by the Incas a divinity, to whom temples were built in his honor in the most important places of the Empire. This celebration is a symbol of the deep bondage between the Sun and his children, the human beings.”

Hotel Cusco, Good Service And Cheap Prices

If you like winter sports, you must travel to Huaraz, at the north of Lima. Here, it is located the valley of Callejon de Huaylas where tourists can enjoy of White Mountains and more 35 peaks over 6,000 meters high. Huascaran, with its 6,768 meters over sea, is the highest mountain in Peru and the second highest in America after Aconcagua in Chile. Another famous mountain of the Huaylas Valley is the Alpamayo with 6,210 meters. This destination is one of the favorites for school trips. Peru has a large list of good hotels like Hotel Cusco.





Ayacucho is another touristic destination with high demand during the Semana Santa. In these days, local visitors and foreign arrive to Huamanga, Ayacucho’s capital. Perhaps, you don’t believe that, but the small city of Ayacucho has more than thirty three churches, it is a very religious town. Pampa de la Quinua is another excellent place to visit and take pictures; it is situated in the district of Quinua, one hour from Ayacucho.





Cusco is an obligatory stop if you visit Peru. As first step, book a room in Hotel Cusco then continue with your exploration in the heart of the Inca Empire. The fortress of Sacsayhuaman is located 30 minutes from the city, all the building is made of stone, don’t forget to visit it. Traveling by train you can arrive to Machu Picchu, it is the only way to visit this citadel. The landscape is majestic during the journey. Tourists of the entire world choose Machu Picchu as destination because the last year, Machu Picchu was named as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.





Now you know where begin your exploration in Peru, obviously there are more destinations in the country but you will need unless a week to explore more places. Save money booking a room in Hotel Cusco.

History and experience of the Inti Raymi festival – Part 1

The Inti Raymi: Festival of the Sun is the second largest annual celebration held in South America. People swarm to Peru for this event during every winter solstice. Vibrant colors, traditional flute music, and waves of energy fill Cusco. Small girls line up for choreographed dances in the streets. Weathered men perform for eager onlookers. The spirit of South America is everywhere; you can hear it in the melodies, and feel it in your bones.

Ancient Origins

The sun is farthest from Earth during the winter solstice each year. The Ancient Incas were worshippers of the Sun, and fearing the loss of their God, they held the Inti Raymi. The Sun-God provided warmth and sunlight to help their crops flourish. They believed their very survival depended on keeping ‘him’ around. The Inca traditionally fasted for days prior to the event, abstained from worldly pleasures, offered gifts to each other, and sacrificed llamas – at least until 1542. Then it was outlawed by Catholic Spaniard Viceroy Toledo, who was against Paganism.

Modern Resurrection

The Inti Raymi was finally resurrected in 1944 by Faustino Espinoza Navarro and local actors, This theatrical recreation was based on the works of Garcilaso de la Vega, and the Festival of the Sun has been held every year since. Though the official day of Inti Raymi is June 24th, the festival lasts seven days – the grandest New Year celebration in South America. Expositions, Peruvian fairs, free concerts by local musicians, the foods of Cusco, and hypnotic performances draw visitors by the hundreds of thousands. Everyone eagerly awaits the main events.

June 24th Events

The elaborate main events of Inti Raymi are always held on June 24th. The ‘Sapa Inca’ begins by chanting, standing atop the Qorikancha, which was built over the Temple of the Sun. The actor is then carried – upon a golden throne – to an altar in Sacsayhuaman. He and others from his grand procession offer dramatic speeches to all who can hear. An ersatz llama sacrifice takes place afterward, and you’d never know it was just part of the show – especially when the high priest pulls the llama’s heart from its chest. Believe it or not, that’s just the beginning.

Planning Ahead

Guests need to prepare early for the Inti Raymi. Even people who book 6 months in advance might have trouble finding lodging that suits their needs. While planning ahead, remember that you can reserve seats; the Inti Raymi begins in the morning and ends after dark! On the other hand, you should have absolutely no trouble finding remarkable restaurants, and the foreign culture will be nothing short of intoxicating. So long as you’re careful not to topple down the ruins, the Inti Raymi: Festival of the Sun will forever hold a special place in your heart.