Traveling to Cusco with kids is one of the most rewarding family trips you can take. Between the history, culture, mountain scenery, markets, ruins, and access to Machu Picchu, it’s unforgettable for both children and parents.

My children have been traveling internationally since they were babies, and after many trips, I’ve learned what actually matters when packing for Cusco: comfort, practicality, and keeping everyone happy while moving all day.

The best part? Cusco is a real, thriving city with stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and modern conveniences, so you do not need to overpack. But bringing the right essentials makes everything easier.

1. Give Every Child a Real Backpack

Since my kids were little, they’ve always carried their own backpacks (I might have carried it for them when they were tired).

I skip tiny toddler backpacks and use real backpacks because they’re much more useful. They fit:

Water bottle
Jacket
Snacks
Headphones
Tablet
Books
Small toys

It also teaches independence, helps parents avoid carrying multiple tiny bags and if your luggage is overweight, you can fill those backpacks up!

Choose one that is:

Lightweight
Comfortable
Not oversized
Easy for them to open

2. Bring Plane Snacks They’ll Actually Eat

Airplane food can be unpredictable, especially with tired kids.

I always bring foods I know they’ll eat:

Sandwiches
Cheese
Crackers
Fruit
Boiled eggs in a lunchbox
Favorite snacks

After security, I usually buy milk or water.

I avoid too much sugar on long flights because overtired kids + candy + red-eye flights = regret

3. Dress for Comfort, Not Fashion

Cusco is a walking city. Think adventure travel style.

Most people are dressed in:

Layers
Sneakers
Puffers
Fleeces
Joggers
Backpacks

You do not need fancy outfits.

Nice Dinner Outfit (Optional)

If you want one nicer evening out:

Nice jeans + sweater
Casual dress + leggings
Clean sneakers or boots
Collared shirt for boys

That’s more than enough.

4. Bring Great Walking Shoes

This is one of the most important things to pack.

Cusco has:

Cobblestone streets
Narrow sidewalks
Hills
Uneven pathways
Stairs
Long sightseeing days

Bring supportive sneakers with grip.

5. Baby Carrier Over Stroller

If traveling with toddlers, I’d personally choose a carrier over a stroller.

Historic streets and very narrow sidewalks can make strollers tricky.

A carrier gives you much more flexibility.

6. AirTags + Safety Plan + WhatsApp

My children don’t have phones, so we use Apple AirTag.

We also teach them:

Parents’ phone numbers
Stay in one place if separated
Go into a busy restaurant or shop and ask an employee for help

Holder: https://amzn.to/4vNOElJ
AirTag: https://amzn.to/4eFAKvP

Download WhatsApp Before You Go

This is extremely helpful in Peru.

Many locals, hotels, drivers, guides, and tour companies communicate through WhatsApp instead of international texting.

If you ever become separated from family members, many people are also comfortable calling internationally through WhatsApp.

It’s one of the most useful travel apps for Peru.

7. Sun Protection Is Essential

Even when it feels cool, mountain sun can be strong.

Pack:

Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Lip balm with SPF
Aloe just in case

Especially important for kids outdoors all day.

Sunscreen https://amzn.to/3Qq7QWG
Sun hat: https://amzn.to/4mRYteC

8. Layers for Changing Weather

Weather can shift quickly in the Andes.

Bring:

T-shirts
Long sleeves
Fleece
Lightweight puffer
Rain layer
Leggings or cargo pants
Extra socks

Morning may feel chilly, midday warm, evening cool again.

9. Bring a Thermos

One of my favorite travel tips!

I bring a thermos for warm drinks during our day trips.

Many people in Cusco enjoy muña tea (pronounced moon-ya) or coca leaf tea, a traditional Andean herbal tea commonly enjoyed in mountain regions.

I personally prefer muña tea over coca leaf tea because it feels more soothing, gentle, and calming, especially after a long travel day or when adjusting to the altitude.

Muña has a fresh herbal taste and is something I enjoy throughout the day without feeling overstimulated. Some travelers do prefer coca leaf tea, especially when they want a more energizing boost while acclimating. If you choose coca tea, I’d recommend drinking it earlier in the day rather than at night, since some people find it stimulating and it may make it harder to sleep.

10. Medicines Stay With You

Never pack important medications in checked luggage.

As a retired registered nurse, I always keep these in my backpack:

Prescription medications
Fever reducer
Motion sickness medicine
Bandages
Electrolytes
Stomach medicine
Any child-specific essentials

Cusco is a major city, so if you need anything, you’re covered. Pharmacies like Inkafarma, Mifarma, and Arcángel are easy to find throughout the city, along with little shops for band-aids, snacks, and basics. There are also clinics and hospitals nearby if needed.

My favorite first aid kit for any adventure:
https://amzn.to/4u3kfhJ

11. Books About Peru + Cusco

One of my favorite parenting travel habits is preparing kids before the trip. We read books about the places we will visit.

Then when they arrive, they connect what they learned with what they see.

Get the Books:
https://amzn.to/42n4ZQT
https://amzn.to/4toHMJX
https://amzn.to/4ctOVD0

12. Cameras + Binoculars

Kids love having their own perspective.

Bring:

Kid camera or small digital camera
Binoculars for ruins and wildlife

Their photos are always different from mine…and often better.

13. Don’t Overpack

This is important:

Cusco is a modern city where people live everyday life.

You’ll find:

Grocery stores
Pharmacies
Snacks
Restaurants
Clothing basics
Toiletries

Pack smart, not excessive.

14.Teach Kids a Few Words in Quechua and/or Spanish

Before visiting Cusco, I love teaching my kids a few simple words in Quechua and Spanish. Most people in Cusco speak Spanish, and in some areas Quechua is still widely spoken. Learning even one or two words shows respect, appreciation, and that you recognize you are visiting someone else’s home and culture. Even a small effort is usually received warmly…especially from children.

Easy Quechua Words

Rimaykullayki (ree-my-kool-YAH-kee) — Hello
Añay (ah-NYAI) — Thank you
Maypin baño? (my-pin BAN-yo) — Where is the bathroom?

Easy Spanish Words

Hola (OH-lah) — Hello
Gracias (GRAH-see-ahs) — Thank you
Chao (CHOW) — Bye

Even one kind word can create a beautiful connection

My Family’s Non-Negotiables for Cusco

Comfortable sneakers
Layers
Sunglasses, hat + sunscreen
Snacks + water
Lightweight backpack
Medications
Thermos
WhatsApp
Good attitude

Final Mom Advice

Nobody cares if your child wears the same fleece three days in a row.

Nobody cares if you wear sneakers to dinner.

Everyone is busy exploring one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Choose comfort, bring snacks, stay flexible, and enjoy the adventure.

That’s what your kids will remember.

Practical Tips for Traveling with Kids (Things I Never Skip)

One thing I almost forgot to mention (and it’s a big one when traveling with kids) is bathrooms. They can be a little hit or miss depending on where you are. You’ll usually find them, but most public restrooms require a small fee (typically a few soles), so always carry coins.

A few things I always have in my backpack (non-negotiables):

Travel-size tissues or toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Baby wipes
Travel soap sheets (those little dissolvable films—so useful!)
A compact towel (the kind that expands with water) – these have come in handy with my middle son who tends to get nosebleed unexpectedly!

These are lifesavers, especially when you’re out all day at ruins or markets.

As a former nurse, and after traveling here with kids, I also always carry an emesis (vomit) bag, especially for that first day at altitude. Altitude sickness can hit unexpectedly, and having one on hand can make a stressful moment much easier to manage.

I am also the mom that likes to bring travel detergent on trips, because small kids + chicha morada= ruined clothes if you don’t wash it the same day!

I try to keep everything small and compact because you’re constantly on the move. Most sites aren’t “loop” experiences (you enter in one place and exit in another) so you don’t want to be carrying a heavy bag all day.

Bathroom Reality (Especially with Kids)

There are bathrooms… you just need to plan a little:

Most sites, markets, and towns have paid public restrooms
Restaurants will usually let you use theirs if you buy something small
At places like Machu Picchu, there are bathrooms at the entrance (not inside), but visits are usually short enough that it’s manageable

With kids, you just get creative. Traveling with three boys, I always keep an empty bottle in my backpack 😅… it’s come in handy more than once when bathrooms weren’t immediately nearby.

Food & Staying Healthy

If you’re not used to the local bacteria, it’s normal for your stomach to need time to adjust, I’ve gotten sick in multiple countries, including in Europe and South America.

A few tips that work for us:

Be cautious with raw vegetables (like lettuce) unless you’re at a reputable restaurant
Stick to places that look clean and well-reviewed
Ceviche and juices are fine at good restaurants (they use clean water and ice)
Avoid street-made drinks unless you’re comfortable with the source

The good news:
In Peru, most restaurants use filtered or boiled water, and ice is typically store-bought, so hygiene standards are better than many people expect.

Fruit = Don’t Skip It

Peru has some of the best fruit in the world.

If buying from a market, choose fruits you can peel yourself
Even better: buy and enjoy them back at your hotel
Don’t miss the blueberries! Peru is one of the largest exporters, and they are incredible

What I Pack “Just in Case”

Probiotics
Anti-diarrheal medication
Basic meds for kids

You’re still in a major city, so pharmacies are everywhere. If you need something stronger, it’s easy and inexpensive to see a doctor and get a prescription.

Quick Packing Checklist

✔ Backpack
✔ Layers
✔ Sneakers
✔ Sunglasses
✔ Sun hat
✔ Sunscreen
✔ Snacks
✔ Water bottle
✔ Thermos
✔ Medications
✔ Camera
✔ Books
✔ Carrier for toddlers
✔ AirTags
✔ WhatsApp
✔ One nicer outfit (optional)

✔ Cash (small bills + coins)
✔ Travel-size toilet paper / tissues
✔ Hand sanitizer
✔ Baby wipes
✔ Travel soap sheets
✔ Compact towel (expandable)
✔ Electrolyte packets
✔ Probiotics + anti-diarrheal
✔ Emesis (vomit) bag
✔ Lip balm (very dry at altitude)
✔ Portable phone charger
✔ Lightweight rain jacket / windbreaker

Thanks for reading!