Písac City
Peruvian town with Inca ruins and artisan market
Písac perches above the Sacred Valley with Inca terraces and a well-preserved archaeological complex. Travelers come for the Sunday artisan market, steep valley hikes, colonial churches in town and guided treks that link to Pisac’s agricultural terraces and Andean viewpoints.
Písac at a Glance#
Costs: Moderate Sacred Valley budget - plan on $50-100 per day for markets, transport, and basic tours.
Safety: Generally safe; petty theft risk - generally safe for tourists; watch markets for pickpockets.
Best Time: May to September (dry season) - dry season is ideal for ruins, markets, and trekking.
Why Visit Písac?#
Perched at the eastern edge of the Sacred Valley, Písac is known for its large artisan market and the dramatic Inca terraces and ruins perched above town. Shoppers and culture seekers come for Quechua weaving traditions, hand‑woven textiles and silverwork at the Sunday market, while photographers and hikers head to the archaeological park for terraced landscapes and Andean panoramas. Close ties to Cusco and nearby Urubamba make Písac an authentic gateway to Sacred Valley life and craft.
Best Things to Do in Písac#
Písac Bucket List#
Pisac Archaeological Park - Extensive Inca terraces and ruins perched above town with panoramic valley views.
Pisac Market (Plaza de Armas) - Colorful market specializing in textiles, silverwork, and traditional Andean crafts.
Pisac San Pedro Church and cemetery - Hilltop church offering cultural history and sweeping views over the Sacred Valley.
Calvario viewpoint and cemetery - Quiet hilltop cemetery with carved tombs and wide vistas of surrounding farmland.
Pisac artisan workshops - Small studios where weavers and silversmiths demonstrate traditional Andean craft techniques.
Urubamba River walks - Riverside paths through farmland and small villages, ideal for peaceful strolls.
Ollantaytambo - Incan fortress town with terraces, ruins, and direct train access to Machu Picchu.
Cusco city center - Historic capital with colonial architecture, museums, and lively Plaza de Armas.
Best Time to Visit Písac#
Písac is at its best in the dry months (May-September) for reliable sunshine, clear views, and hiking. The wet season yields verdant scenery but regular afternoon rain and muddier trails.
May - September
6 - 20°C (43 - 68°F)
Clear skies and cool nights make hiking, ruins visits, and Sacred Valley day trips reliable and much less muddy-bring warm layers for evenings.
October - April
8 - 23°C (46 - 73°F)
Lush, dramatic landscapes and fewer tourists, but afternoons bring frequent rain showers-pack a waterproof layer and expect muddier trails.
June - August
2 - 18°C (36 - 64°F)
Colder nights near freezing with very pleasant daytime sunshine-excellent for early starts at archaeological sites, but nights require a warm jacket.
Písac's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 2°C to 22°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 82 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 4°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 2°C. The driest month with just 2 mm.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 2°C. Almost no rain.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 3°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Písac#
Písac is in the Sacred Valley east of Cusco and is most commonly reached from Cusco city. Fly into Cusco (CUZ), then take a colectivo, tourist bus or arranged transfer to Písac for a 45-60 minute road journey.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Cusco (CUZ): CUZ is the main airport for the Sacred Valley. From the airport to Cusco city centre taxis cost around S/.10-20 (≈€2.50-5) and take 10-20 minutes; from Cusco you can continue to Písac by colectivo or tourist bus (45-60 minutes).
Velazco Astete is the primary air access for visitors to Písac; there is no dedicated airport for the Sacred Valley towns.
Train: There is no regular passenger rail service to Písac; trains run from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and further via PeruRail for the rail-accessible parts of the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo is useful for reaching other valley towns by road but not Písac directly.
Bus / Colectivo: Shared colectivos and minivans run from Cusco (Plazoleta Limatambo / Avenida El Sol area) to Písac in about 45-60 minutes; single fares commonly range S/.5-10. Tour buses that include Písac as part of a Sacred Valley circuit cost more (S/.25-60) but include guided stops and return transfers.
How to Get Around Písac#
Most visitors arrive via Cusco airport then take a colectivo, tour bus or private transfer to Písac. Shared minivans are cheapest; tours save planning time but are more expensive.
- Colectivo / Minivan (S/.5-10) - Shared minivans leave from several pickup points in Cusco and are the most common way to reach Písac-affordable and frequent. They drop you near the town centre and the market; expect modest comfort and variable schedules.
- Tour Bus / Day Tour (S/.25-60) - Many agencies run Sacred Valley tours that include Písac (archaeological site and market). These organized tours include transport, a guide and usually several stops-useful if you prefer a structured visit.
- Taxi / Private Transfer (S/.40-80) - Private taxis from Cusco to Písac take around 45-60 minutes and are convenient if travelling with luggage or on a tighter schedule-negotiate the fare in advance or ask for the meter.
- Train (to nearby towns) - PeruRail operates services between Cusco and Ollantaytambo/Urubamba; these trains serve other parts of the Sacred Valley but not Písac directly. Use train services when your itinerary includes Ollantaytambo and combine with road transfers to visit Písac.
- Walking - Písac town and its market are compact and best explored on foot. The archaeological site above the town involves steep paths and stone terraces-bring sun protection and water for the climb.
Where to Stay in Písac#
Pisac town centre - PEN 20-60/night
Písac has many small guesthouses and budget hosterías-simple, locally run, and close to the market. Book ahead in high season.
Pisac budget guesthouses (listings) - Small hosterías and family rooms listed online
Pisac travel & lodging guide - Local lodging overview and casas
Pisac / Urubamba Valley - PEN 80-180/night
Several comfortable mid-range guesthouses and boutique hotels are in town or nearby Urubamba valley. Good base for Pisac ruins and market.
Hotel Taypikala Pisac (regional chain) - Comfortable mid-range hotel near Pisac market
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba (nearby valley) - High-quality valley hotel, short drive from Pisac
Urubamba / Sacred Valley (near Pisac) - PEN 200+/night
Luxury resorts are not in Pisac village but several excellent high-end hotels are a short drive away in the Sacred Valley.
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa (Urubamba) - Upscale resort, short drive from Pisac
Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado (Urubamba) - Luxury riverside resort in Sacred Valley
Where to Eat in Písac#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Písac’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Písac#
Písac is best known for its artisan market at the Plaza de Armas where vendors sell traditional textiles, alpaca garments, jewelry and handicrafts. The market is a major reason visitors come here, especially on market days. Besides the market you’ll find small shops and stalls selling local foods, artwork and souvenirs; for more variety head to Cusco’s markets.
Nightlife in Písac#
Nightlife in Písac is low-key and focused on relaxed dinners and occasional live music in restaurants. The town doesn’t have a club scene; most social life happens in bars and eateries around the main square. High season brings more evening events, but for a livelier night out you’ll need to return to Cusco.
