I think the video explains all the chaos and excitement of the New Year’s celebration in Cusco, Peru better than I ever could in words.
Cusco is one of the two most popular places to celebrate New Years in Peru (the other being Mancora) and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
The city grew in anticipation from before christmas leading up to the big night. Tourists from all over Peru, Argentina and the world flooded Cusco and filled up the hostels and hotels. So much so that I had to walk the streets of Cusco on the 30th to find a place to sleep after finding the hotel I booked a reservation through boarded up and shut down, no notice necessary I guess.
Street vendors lined the streets, while natives came in from outside the city to sell their wares and experience the festivities.
As mentioned in the video, one of the most interesting things about cruising around the open street markets were seeing all the superstitious tokens Peruvians purchased for the New Years celebration.
Yellow was the color of choice, everything from yellow hats, confetti, flowers and underwear. From there it was fake stacks of US dollars on sticks, incense, wine, grapes, panetón (like fruit cake) and fireworks.
Also, like you see in the video, fireworks were everywhere. Kids sold them on the streets, families lit them off as they walked and crazy bastards shot them at each other and lit them off themselves.
The most amazing thing about the fireworks though was watching the sky fill with multiple colors and explosions for hours from the main square out into the surrounding hills of Cusco.
Once midnight hit everyone starts running around Plaza de Armas for good luck. I even saw some locals carry around suitcases as they ran, which I was told meant good luck for traveling in the New Year.
It was one of the most incredible festivals I have ever been a apart of and would love to return one day (with earplugs).
Here are some photos from New Year’s Eve in Cusco, Peru…
The Calm Before The Storm: The Streets of Cusco, Peru pre New Years Celebration
Selling good luck trinkets at the central market on New Years Eve in Cusco, Peru
Yuca and Yellow Flowers on the streets of Cusco
Lucky Money Sticks for Wealth in the New Year from Cusco, Peru
"Yes, I'll take the rocket launcher and just a few Punishers for my little sister"
A bustling Plaza de Armas before all the New Years Action
Celebrate Life - New Years Eve in Cusco Peru
This is the point where I should have turned off the camera.
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What a blast, I was in Cusco 10 years ago and funny enough was just talking about it yesterday when we went out to eat at a peruvian resturant!
We’re moving to Chile soon and I’m soo returning with my family there – maybe for a new year celebration – it looks like too much fun.
Marina K. Villatoro recently posted..Santiago de Atitlan, Guatemala – Photo Essay