Matthew Barker

Cusco Cultural Experience for Free at San Pedro Market

Immerse yourself for free in San Pedro market for a real Peruvian cultural experience in Cusco, Peru explains travel experts from Peru for Less

Cusco is littered with hundreds of great things to do for travelers but many complain that the price tag of Cusco racks up too fast.  If you want a cheap but cultural experience, head to the San Pedro Market for a truly Peruvian experience.

From the main entrance, you will walk by two isles of clothes, fabrics and basic goods before the market opens up into a wall of smells and sounds of market life.  On your left will be a sea of vendors creating awesome concoctions of fresh fruit.   Don´t be bothered by the aggressive calls of these fiery women though, it is all part of the experience and you will certainly not offend them by grabbing a chair at a different stand.  No matter where you sit, you will be next to the pile of papaya, aloe, cherimoya, kiwi, strawberries, pineapple, and mango.   Order a fresh juice through pointing or practice your Spanish.  Some locals throw in Cusqueña Black labeled beer for a more enjoyable experience or if you are also feeling very adventurous, you can try the liquidized frog, a brew said to improve memory and cure hangovers!  

You can get your juice, ‘para llevar’, or ‘to go’, if you would like to walk around the endless aisles of fresh fruits and vegetables while you sip away.  As you wander by the many ‘mamis’ hustling around to get their shopping finished, you will most likely want to avoid the meat section of the market.  Generally only the bravest of tourists adventure into this section to explore the rows of hanging animals (pig, cow, chicken, alpaca and guinea pig) and specialty parts for a full Peruvian experience, but mostly for a few good photos to send home.   

As you continue through the market you will pick up the sweet scent of fresh fruit on the main level.  If you are interested in buying, many of the venders will allow you a small taste before your purchase to ensure that the fruit is ripe.  There is also a row of fresh made cheeses to the right and another dedicated to sea food. To the left is an area for lunch foods where many Peruvians will eat full meals for very cheap prices.  It is delicious, but be aware of cleanliness and freshness of the foods if you want to chance it- remember most ‘gringos’ don’t have the same immunities.  Just before you head down the stairs into the lower part of the market you on your left is an aisle dedicated to CHOCOLATE!  For all of you chocolate lovers out there, beware, and run down the stairs before you can’t say no! 

As you make your way to the lower level you will see an endless sea of potatoes, vegetables and breakfast and ceviche stands.   A personal favorite is an egg sandwich and a glass of hot milk with espresso poured in at one of the breakfast stands for about a dollar!  The most interesting part of this market: the medicine women.  The lower section of the market has many older women selling herbs for illnesses.  If you are sick or suffering from altitude sickness, explain your symptoms and they will give you a few herbs to brew or steam together to ease your discomfort. 

Enjoy wandering the aisles of the market for free for a fully cultural experience in Cusco´s San Pedro market.  But then again, it will be tough to not buy at least a piece of fruit, grab a meal or have a fresh made juice while you are there! 

Article Tags: Cultural Experience, Pedro Market

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