We are not saying that the Mercado San Pedro is the most authentic market you will ever see, but it still retains its charm, and we consider it as one of the cheap activities to do in Cusco.

When we reflect on our visit, we actually need to change our statement a bit. When we were in Cusco, we really enjoyed the market, but we met a lot of tourists there.

However, after a year traveling in South America, we must say that the Mercado San Pedro was truly unique, as it still has its essence (and smell), despite its popularity and the size of the city.

Whether you want to buy fresh meat (no refrigerators, get there early!), fruit or vegetables, pick up a llama wool sweater as a souvenir, or just grab a quick lunch, you can find it all at Mercado San Pedro.

Since we spent quite a bit of time in Cusco, some days just waiting for our excursion, it became our habit to stop by the market and buy vegetables for dinner.

You might also be surprised to find that you can buy perfectly ripe watermelons or delicious grapes in Cusco.