Hotels near San Pedro Market

Mercado Central de San Pedro has operated on this site since 1925, housed under an iron-frame roof designed by Gustave Eiffel's engineering firm. The market fills a full city block with over 1,000 stalls organized loosely by product: fresh fruit juices on the south side, cooked food stalls (comedores) in the centre, meats and cheeses along the back wall, and textiles, crafts, and herbal remedies toward the north and east entrances. This is where Cusco residents buy their daily groceries, and prices reflect that - a full lunch plate of soup and a main course at a comedor costs 5-8 PEN (1.20-1.90 EUR).

The juice stands are a highlight. Fresh-squeezed orange, papaya, lucuma, and mixed tropical blends cost 3-5 PEN per large glass. For something more unusual, try emoliente - a hot herbal drink made with toasted barley, flaxseed, lime, and medicinal herbs. The market opens early (around 06:00) and closes by 18:00, but the best energy and selection are between 07:00 and 12:00. Entry is free. Keep valuables secure, as the market gets crowded and pickpocketing is not unheard of.

Pro Tip: Ask for a fruit you do not recognize. Vendors are usually happy to let you taste before buying. Cherimoya (called chirimoya locally) and tumbo (banana passionfruit) are two Andean fruits worth seeking out that are difficult to find outside Peru.