Is Street Food Safe in Cusco? Advice From a Local Guide

The Short Answer

Most stomach problems in Cusco come from the same few things: raw vegetables or fruit washed in tap water, ice, sauces left out for hours, and heavy meals on the first day at altitude. Food that is grilled, fried or boiled to order and eaten straight away is usually the safest food in the city, because nothing has had time to sit.

Choose the Stall, Not the Dish

Before you order, look at the stall for a minute.

• A line of locals: people in Cusco know which vendors are good and which are not.
• Cooked to order: anticuchos on the grill and picarones going into the oil, not trays kept warm for hours.
• Fast turnover: busy stalls sell out of ingredients every day, so nothing is old.
• Clean habits: separate hands or tongs for money and food, and covered ingredients.

What to Be Careful With

Some foods carry more risk for visitors, especially in the first days of a trip.

• Tap water: do not drink it. Use bottled or filtered water, also for brushing your teeth if your stomach is sensitive.
• Ice and blended drinks: ask for “sin hielo” until you have been in Peru a few days.
• Raw salads and fruit you cannot peel: eat them at good restaurants rather than on the street.
• Ceviche: Cusco is far from the sea, so eat ceviche at well-known restaurants, or try the local trout version.
• Shared sauce bowls: ask for your ají in a separate cup.

Altitude and Your Stomach

Cusco sits at 3,399 meters (11,152 feet). For the first day or two your body digests more slowly, and a heavy meal or a few drinks can feel much worse than at home. Eat lightly on arrival day, drink plenty of water, go easy on fried food and alcohol, and try muña (Andean mint) tea after meals, the way people in Cusco do.

Most guests who feel ill in Cusco did not eat bad food. They ate too much, too soon, at 3,400 meters.

Simple Habits That Help

A few small habits prevent most problems.

• Carry hand sanitizer and use it before eating.
• Start with small portions and share plates, so you can taste more without overloading your stomach.
• Take a food tour early in your trip, so a guide shows you which stalls to trust for the rest of your stay.
• Buy travel insurance that covers medical care.

If Your Stomach Gets Upset

Rest, drink oral rehydration salts or clear fluids, and eat plain food such as rice, toast and broth for a day. Most mild cases pass within a day or two. See a doctor if you have a high fever, blood in your stool, signs of dehydration, or symptoms that last more than two days. Cusco has private clinics used to treating visitors, and your hotel can call one for you.