The sprawling Plaza de Armas with rolling mountains in the background in the historic center of Cusco, Peru
Posted: 1/14/24 | January 14th, 2024


Cusco is the undisputed archaeological hub of South America, and visiting it's a necessary a part of any journey to Peru. The capital of the Inca Empire for hundreds of years, the town lies not removed from the famed Machu Picchu, one of many iconic Wonders of the World. Whether you’re hiking the Inca Trail or simply passing via, Cusco is price spending just a few days exploring.


While most vacationers go to Cusco due to its location close to Machu Picchu, there's a lot to see and do right here. The metropolis is common with path walkers and historical past lovers, but additionally partygoers who come to take pleasure in its nightlife and festivals.


Because of all this, most vacationers backpacking South America go via Cusco and keep an evening or two.


Below is my record of the very best hostels in Cusco that can assist you plan your journey and get monetary savings. If you don’t wish to learn the longer record, the next are the very best in every class:





Best Hostel for Budget Travelers:






Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers:






Best Hostel for Digital Nomads:






Best Hostel for Partying:






Want the specifics? Here’s my breakdown of the very best hostels in Cusco and why I really like them:


Price legend (per night time):



  • $: Under 40 PEN

  • $$: 40-60 PEN

  • $$$: 60 PEN and above


1. Viajero Kokopelli


A vibrant mural on the wall next to wooden dorm beds with red curtains at Viajero Kokopelli, a hostel in Cusco, Peru



This is my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an enormous, enjoyable, and artsy hostel with cool murals painted on the partitions. It’s full of life with a lot of occasions so keep right here when you’re trying to meet different vacationers. There’s a bar with a every day comfortable hour, a lot of actions (reside music, DJs, cooking courses), and the frequent areas have billiards, foosball, and beer pong tables. It’s proper close to the principle sq. too, so you may stroll to a number of the town’s sights.

I actually favored the dorm beds right here, that are pod-style and tremendous comfortable, with particular person studying lights and shops. The showers all the time have sizzling water and nice strain. There are female-only dorms too. There’s additionally a co-working house if it's worthwhile to get some work executed and free tea all day (together with coca tea, which helps with acclimatizing to the altitude).


Viajero Kokopelli at a look:



  • $$

  • Social hostel with a lot of occasions and actions

  • Pod beds with particular person studying lights and shops

  • Tons of frequent areas (together with a backyard hammock space)


Beds from 54 PEN, non-public rooms from 270 PEN.


Book here!


 

2. Wild Rover Hostel


Expansive garden area with people playing yard games and lounging at Wild Rover, a hostel in Cusco, Peru



Wild Rover is enjoyable get together hostel. There’s all the time one thing happening right here, from events on the bar to cultural experiences like cooking courses and salsa classes. There are a number of frequent areas too, together with a co-working house. The panoramic views from the bar can’t be beat (although understand that the uphill stroll from the town middle generally is a bit taxing at this altitude).

Most dorm rooms right here have pod-style beds with privateness curtains, shops, studying lights, and enormous lockers to retailer your gear. The dorms are positioned in an space separate from the bar, that means you may nonetheless get a good night time’s sleep when you don’t wish to take part on the festivities or wish to flip in early. It’s undoubtedly the only option for vacationers trying to benefit from the metropolis’s nightlife.


Wild Rover at a look:



  • $

  • Party environment with a lot of organized occasions

  • Dorm beds have studying lights, shops, and lockers (some have privateness curtains)

  • Lots of frequent areas make assembly folks a breeze


Beds from 40 PEN, non-public rooms from 185 PEN.


Book here!


 

3. Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta


Twin Beds in a simple yellow room at Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta, a hostel in Cusco, Peru



This cozy hostel gives a quieter keep than the 2 above, making it a fantastic possibility in case you have an early morning wake-up to go trekking or simply need a extra laid-back keep. The environment at this family-run hostel is tremendous welcoming. Plus, in contrast to most hostels in Cusco, Recoleta gives free breakfast and has a visitor kitchen in case you wish to cook dinner. It’s additionally probably the most inexpensive hostels within the metropolis.

Dorm beds listed below are a bit primary (no privateness curtains), however they're product of wooden, so that they don’t squeak and shake like steel bunks (an enormous plus in my ebook). The hostel has non-public rooms too, together with some with only a twin mattress, making this an excellent possibility for solo vacationers who're searching for a peaceable stick with a bit extra privateness.


Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta at a look:



  • $

  • Small hostel with a quiet and homey environment

  • Free breakfast

  • Fully outfitted visitor kitchen


Beds from 38 PEN, non-public rooms from 91 PEN.


Book here!


 

4. Casa Tunki


Capsule-style beds at Casa Tunki, an upscale hostel in Cusco, Peru



The most luxurious hostel in Cusco, Casa Tunki feels extra like a boutique resort than a hostel. It’s positioned in a colonial-era constructing restored in a mixture of up to date and historic kinds. I discovered the internal atrium (the place you’ll discover the cool fusion restaurant/bar) significantly gorgeous.

Each room bears a special identify in Quechua (the indigenous language of the area). Both non-public rooms and dorms have comfy capsule beds with particular person studying lights, curtains, and shops; insulating noise-reducing materials; and blackout curtains. This is likely one of the greatest hostels in Cusco for getting a strong night time’s relaxation. It’s good for vacationers who're searching for a quiet place to recharge earlier than or after a trek.


Casa Tunki at a look:



  • $$$

  • Upscale boutique hostel

  • Capsule dorm beds with particular person studying lights, curtains, and shops

  • Central location within the historic middle of the town


Beds from 113 PEN, non-public rooms from 264 PEN.

Book here!


 

5. Pariwana Hostel Cusco


View of the colonial-style inner courtyard at Pariwana, a hostel in Cusco, Peru



Pariwana is a small Peruvian-owned hostel chain, named for the Andean flamingo (the concept being that this chook, like backpackers, travels throughout South America). Its Cusco location is an establishment and the employees are superb and exit of their approach to host enjoyable social occasions.

In the dorms, you’ll discover particular person studying lights and shops by every mattress (no privateness curtains although), and lockers with shops to securely cost your electronics when you’re out exploring. The showers have sizzling water (although generally it takes a little bit time to heat up), and there’s free tea accessible 24/7 (together with coca tea).


Pariwana Hostel Cusco at a look:



  • $$

  • Central location within the historic middle

  • Organizes a lot of occasions so it’s simple to fulfill folks

  • Lockers have shops so you may cost your stuff whereas its locked up


Beds from 56 PEN, non-public rooms from 220 PEN.


Book here!


 

6. Selina Plaza de Armas Cusco / Selina Saphi


Individual A-frame houses lined up in two rows with green space and a large mural in the middle at Selina Plaza de Armas Cusco, a hostel in Cusco, Peru



Selina is a go-to favourite for digital nomads. In Cusco, they haven't one however two nice areas. Selina Plaza de Armas is positioned within the historic middle just some blocks from Plaza Mayor; Selina Saphi is within the hills.

While their options range a bit by location, each have all of the facilities you may count on from Selina properties, which are usually extra like boutique motels than your basic backpacker hostel. Both are embellished with curated native art work and supply a co-working house with limitless tea and low, a totally outfitted kitchen, and a bar/restaurant the place occasions are held all through the week.


At each hostels, the dorm beds are comfortable, with private studying lights and lockers (the Plaza de Armas location has privateness curtains too), and there are non-public rooms as properly. If you’re a digital nomad or distant employee, keep right here.


Selina Cusco at a look:



  • $$

  • Fully outfitted visitor kitchen

  • Common areas embrace a co-working house, wellness middle, and bar/restaurant

  • Bunks with private studying lights and lockers


Beds from 55 PEN, non-public rooms from 200 PEN.


Book here!


 

***

As the jumping-off level for trekking via the jungle, exploring the close by ruins, and naturally, heading out to Machu Picchu, visiting Cusco is a should for anybody touring via Peru. Since it sits at 3,200 meters (10,500 ft) above sea stage, you’ll wish to spend just a few days right here to acclimate to the altitude earlier than doing any mountain climbing (plus there’s lots to do and see inside the metropolis itself). Pick a hostel from the above record for an excellent keep within the metropolis!



Book Your Trip to Peru: Logistical Tips and Tricks


Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to discover a low cost flight. They are my favourite search engine as a result of they search web sites and airways across the globe so that you all the time know no stone is left unturned!


Book Your Accommodation
You can ebook your hostel with Hostelworld as they've the most important stock and greatest offers. If you wish to keep someplace aside from a hostel, use Booking.com as they persistently return the most affordable charges for guesthouses and low cost motels.


Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will defend you towards sickness, damage, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes improper. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many instances previously. My favourite corporations that provide the very best service and worth are:



Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the very best corporations to make use of once you journey. I record all those I take advantage of to save cash after I’m on the street. They will prevent cash once you journey too.


Want More Information on Peru?
Be certain to go to our robust destination guide on Peru for much more planning ideas!






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