Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park (often pronounced “sexy woman” by locals and guides to help visitors remember it) is an architectural marvel perched on a hill overlooking the city of Cusco, Peru. It is famous for its massive stone constructions and zigzagging forms that showcase the pinnacle of Inca engineering.
The Megalithic Walls: The most striking feature is the three-tiered zigzag walls. Some of the individual stones weigh over 120 tons and are so perfectly fitted together that you cannot slip a piece of paper between them.
The Rodadero (The Slide): A natural diorite rock formation that the Incas smoothed out. Today, visitors (and kids!) still use it as a natural stone slide.
The Throne of the Inca: A series of finely carved stone seats where the Sapa Inca (the Emperor) supposedly sat to watch ceremonies and military drills. Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park
The Chincanas: Underground tunnels or labyrinths. While some are closed for safety, the smaller ones offer a fun, slightly eerie experience of moving through the bedrock.
Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park – Essential Visitor Info (2026)
To enter Sacsayhuaman, you need the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico). There is generally no “individual” ticket sold just for this site. Sacsayhuaman archeological park
Ticket Type
Price (approx.)
Validity
General Ticket (BTCI)
S/ 130 ($35 US)
10 Days (includes 16 sites)
Partial Ticket (Circuit I)
S/ 70 ($19 US)
1 Day (Sacsayhuaman & nearby ruins)
Opening Hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
How to Get There: * Walk: A steep 30-minute uphill hike from the Plaza de Armas via Calle Resbalosa.
Taxi: A 10-minute drive from the city center (roughly S/ 10–15).
Altitude: The site sits at 3,700 meters (12,140 ft). It’s significantly higher than Cusco, so take it slow to avoid altitude sickness. Sacsayhuaman Archeological Park.
Expert Tips.
The “Cristo Blanco”: Right next to the park is the white statue of Christ. It is free to visit and offers the best panoramic view of the entire city of Cusco.
Avoid the Crowds: Arrive right at 7:00 AM. You’ll have the massive esplanade almost to yourself and the morning light is perfect for photos.
Inti Raymi: If you are visiting on June 24th, the park hosts the Festival of the Sun. It is the busiest day of the year, and you need tickets months in advance to sit in the stands.
Note: Much of the site was dismantled by the Spanish to build the colonial houses and cathedrals in Cusco. What you see today is only about 20% to 40% of the original structure—which makes the remaining scale even more mind-blowing. Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park.
