Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks

Cusco’s pub crawl trades the usual night-out guesswork for a host, a ready-made group, and entry arranged at several venues. Over four hours, you visit three bars and a club, starting at a restobar with a view over the historic center. The route changes by day, so each night has some room for surprise.

I like two things in particular: the included drinks and waived cover charges make the $20 price easy to assess, and the group format gives you a friendly way to meet people without having to plan each stop yourself. Guides have also taken care to keep groups together and include people who speak different languages.

One consideration: the exact venues and drink distribution can vary, and the route involves walking on Cusco’s hills and stairs. Go in comfortable shoes, pace yourself with the alcohol, and remember that extra drinks, food, and any taxi fare are not included.

At a glance: what the $20 covers

• Four hours out: The crawl includes three bars and a club, with about an hour at each bar.
• A scenic first stop: The opening restobar looks over Cusco’s historic center and is where the group gets acquainted.
• Drinks and entry: The package lists one cocktail or beer, three shots, promotions, and skip-the-line entry at the bars and club.
• A changing route: Venues depend on the day. Stops may include a craft brewery, a hostel party, and one or two clubs.
• Mostly on foot: The venues are close together, but Cusco’s hills mean some stairs and steep walking. On Saturdays, the group may take a taxi to avoid a particularly tough climb.
• A social night out: English, Spanish, and French-speaking hosts help bring people together, though the mix of languages in your group can vary.

Start above the fountain in San Blas

The meeting point is at the top of the large, wide fountain with stairs in San Blas square. There are two fountains, so look for the larger one rather than the small fountain in the middle. Your guides wear orange clothing marked Cusco Pub Crawl.

This is a useful detail to get right before you head out. San Blas has two fountains, and meeting at the wrong one can make an awkward start to a night that is meant to be easy. If you cannot find the group, you can contact the organizers on WhatsApp and ask for their live location, or go directly to the first bar and message them.

The host is more than a person who points out the next door. The evening depends on keeping a moving group together, making introductions, and helping people feel included. David has been praised for those basics, including encouraging a group to switch to English so a non-Spanish speaker could join the conversation. Guides vary, so do not book on the assumption that he will lead your departure. The host language options are English, Spanish, and French.

Ease into the night at the first restobar

The first stop is described as Cusco’s best-known restobar, with a privileged view of the historic center. It is also the evening’s icebreaker stop. Expect simple games and time to learn a few names before the group moves on.

That first hour matters. A pub crawl can feel like being marched from one loud room to another if introductions are rushed. Here, the opening stop gives you a chance to settle in, take in the view, and get a sense of the group before the night picks up. If you are arriving alone, this is likely the easiest point to start a conversation.

The view is a notable feature, but this is still a social bar visit, not a guided city walk. The host is there to lead the night out, not provide a detailed history of the buildings below. If you want a quiet evening or a long meal, this is not the right format.

Follow a route that changes by day

After the first bar, the route varies according to the day you book. The plan is three bars and one club, with roughly an hour at each bar, but the venues can differ. The possible stops include a craft brewery, a hostel known for its party atmosphere, and one or even two clubs.

That variety is a practical strength. If one place is not your scene, the next stop may suit you better. A brewery offers a different feel from a hostel party, and a club changes the pace again. The trade-off is that you cannot plan around a specific venue or assume every stop will match your taste. Ask about that day’s route if a particular kind of bar matters to you.

The crawl is designed to keep you from having to scout Cusco’s nightlife on your own. Your host leads the group between venues and helps with entry. That can be especially helpful when you are new to the city or unsure which places are worth trying. It does not mean every night will follow the same script: expect the broad structure to stay consistent, while the stops and order may change.

Understand the drinks before you order more

The package includes one cocktail or beer, plus one alcoholic shot, one pisco shot, and one Machu Pichu shot. Promotions and discounts are also offered on food and drinks. The description of the crawl refers to a complimentary drink at each bar, but the included-items list specifies one cocktail or beer and three shots in total. Since those details do not match neatly, check with the host about how the included drinks are distributed on your night.

That distinction helps you judge the price fairly. At $20 per person, the package combines a host, arranged entry, several included drinks or shots, and discounts. If you would otherwise pay cover charges and buy drinks at each stop, it can represent good value. Your total will rise if you order extra drinks or food, neither of which is included.

There is no need to treat every included shot as a challenge. Cusco’s elevation makes it sensible to pace yourself, drink water, and stop when you have had enough. The tour rules do not allow intoxication, and the host can help keep the group moving safely. The goal is a good night, not seeing how much you can drink before the club.

Walking between bars takes more effort than the map suggests

Most of the crawl is on foot because the venues are close to one another. In Cusco, close together does not always mean flat and effortless. The city has plenty of slopes and stairs, and the tour warns that some climbs can be steep. Comfortable shoes are a better choice than dress shoes you will regret halfway through the route.

On Saturdays, the group may take a taxi to avoid one especially difficult climb. A local taxi can also be arranged with assistance if you cannot manage a stretch of the walk. Transportation is not included, so plan to pay separately if you use a cab. The stated distances between venues are generally no more than a ten-minute walk, but the hills can make a short walk feel longer.

The tour runs rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions that could affect safety. Bring a change of clothes if that suits your plans, and be ready for an evening outdoors between venues. Bare feet are not allowed, and you need a passport or ID card; a copy is accepted.

Why the social side can be worth the price

A pub crawl is partly about the bars, but the group can make or break the evening. This one is designed for meeting people, with icebreakers at the first stop and a host guiding the group as it moves around. A solo visitor can join without having to invent a plan for the whole night, while a couple or a small group can add a structured night out to a Cusco stay.

The strongest reason to book is the combination of organized entry and a host who manages the group. A past departure led by David was noted for making sure no one was left behind, matching the pace of a slower walker, and helping a non-Spanish speaker take part. Those are useful qualities in a walking group, especially when you are moving between busy venues. A month-long visitor went on the crawl three times with different guides, which suggests the experience can work as more than a one-off outing, though the route and host may change.

The format will not suit everyone. If you prefer a quiet drink, want full control over the music and venue, or would rather spend four hours at one place, you will have more fun making your own plan. This is a social night with a set group and multiple stops. The venues may be close, but the evening is still active and includes alcohol, stairs, and a late club stop.

Make the meeting and booking details work for you

The activity lasts four hours, and starting times depend on availability. It is for adults aged 18 and over; unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The host speaks English, Spanish, or French, though the language mix among people in the group can vary.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms are handy if your Cusco plans are still shifting. Extra food and drinks are paid separately, and transportation is not included.

If you have a friend who has not booked, the organizers say they may be able to accommodate an extra person. Do not treat that as guaranteed, especially if the night is full. The simplest plan is to reserve your own spot, arrive at the large fountain in San Blas, and message the host if you need help finding the group.

Should you book the Cusco pub crawl?

Book it if you want a hosted night out, like meeting new people, and value having venue entry arranged rather than choosing each stop yourself. The $20 price is attractive for the included drinks, shots, host, and no-cover entry, particularly if you would otherwise pay to get into several places. The changing route gives the evening variety, while the first stop’s view and icebreakers make it easier to join in.

Skip it if you want a quiet evening, dislike group outings, or need a fixed list of venues before you commit. You should also be comfortable with some uphill walking and should not plan to drink beyond your limits. For an easy-going introduction to Cusco’s nightlife, with a host and a ready-made group, it is a sensible option. Just ask how the included drinks are allocated, wear good shoes, and keep a little extra money for food, additional drinks, or a taxi.

FAQ

How long does the pub crawl last?

The activity lasts four hours.

How many venues does the crawl visit?

The planned route includes three bars and a club. The venues and route can vary by day.

What drinks are included?

The included items are one cocktail or beer, one alcoholic shot, one pisco shot, and one Machu Pichu shot. Ask the host how these are distributed during your departure.

Is entry to the bars and club included?

Yes. Skip-the-line entry to the bars and club is included.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the top of the large fountain with stairs in San Blas square. Guides wear orange Cusco Pub Crawl clothing.

Which languages do the hosts speak?

Hosts or greeters speak English, Spanish, and French.

Is transportation included?

No. The crawl is mostly on foot. A taxi may be used on some Saturdays or arranged with assistance, but transportation is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and a passport or ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted. A change of clothes is also listed as something to bring.

Is the activity suitable for children?

No. Children under 18 are not suitable for this activity, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.