Posted: 1/14/24 | January 14th, 2024
Cusco is the undisputed archaeological hub of South America, and visiting it’s an important 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 or not you’re hiking the Inca Trail or simply passing via, Cusco is value spending just a few days exploring.
Whereas most vacationers go to Cusco due to its location close to Machu Picchu, there’s a lot to see and do right here. Town is common with path walkers and historical past lovers, but additionally partygoers who come to take pleasure in its nightlife and festivals.
Due to all this, most vacationers backpacking South America cross via Cusco and keep an evening or two.
Beneath is my record of one of the best hostels in Cusco that will help you plan your journey and get monetary savings. When you don’t need to learn the longer record, the next are one of the best in every class:
Greatest Hostel for Price range Vacationers:
Greatest Hostel for Solo Feminine Vacationers:
Greatest Hostel for Digital Nomads:
Greatest Hostel for Partying:
Need the specifics? Right here’s my breakdown of one of the best hostels in Cusco and why I really like them:
Value legend (per night time):
- $: Beneath 40 PEN
- $$: 40-60 PEN
- $$$: 60 PEN and above
1. Viajero Kokopelli
That is my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an enormous, enjoyable, and artsy hostel with cool murals painted on the partitions. It’s vigorous with plenty of occasions so keep right here should you’re seeking to meet different vacationers. There’s a bar with a every day glad hour, plenty of actions (dwell music, DJs, cooking lessons), and the widespread areas have billiards, foosball, and beer pong tables. It’s proper close to the principle sq. too, so you’ll be able to stroll to a variety of the town’s sights.
I actually preferred the dorm beds right here, that are pod-style and tremendous comfortable, with particular person studying lights and retailers. The showers at all times have sizzling water and nice strain. There are female-only dorms too. There’s additionally a co-working area if it’s essential 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 plenty of occasions and actions
- Pod beds with particular person studying lights and retailers
- Tons of widespread areas (together with a backyard hammock space)
Beds from 54 PEN, non-public rooms from 270 PEN.
2. Wild Rover Hostel
Wild Rover is enjoyable celebration hostel. There’s at all times one thing happening right here, from events on the bar to cultural experiences like cooking lessons and salsa classes. There are a number of widespread areas too, together with a co-working area. The panoramic views from the bar can’t be beat (although remember that the uphill stroll from the town heart generally is a bit taxing at this altitude).
Most dorm rooms right here have pod-style beds with privateness curtains, retailers, studying lights, and huge lockers to retailer your gear. The dorms are positioned in an space separate from the bar, which means you’ll be able to nonetheless get a good night time’s sleep should you don’t need to take part on the festivities or need to flip in early. It’s undoubtedly your best option for vacationers seeking to benefit from the metropolis’s nightlife.
Wild Rover at a look:
- $
- Celebration ambiance with plenty of organized occasions
- Dorm beds have studying lights, retailers, and lockers (some have privateness curtains)
- Numerous widespread areas make assembly folks a breeze
Beds from 40 PEN, non-public rooms from 185 PEN.
3. Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta
This cozy hostel provides a quieter keep than the 2 above, making it a fantastic possibility when you have an early morning wake-up to go trekking or simply need a extra laid-back keep. The ambiance at this family-run hostel is tremendous welcoming. Plus, in contrast to most hostels in Cusco, Recoleta provides free breakfast and has a visitor kitchen in case you need to prepare dinner. It’s additionally one of the crucial inexpensive hostels within the metropolis.
Dorm beds listed below are a bit fundamental (no privateness curtains), however they’re manufactured from 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 on the lookout for a peaceable stick with a bit extra privateness.
Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta at a look:
- $
- Small hostel with a quiet and homey ambiance
- Free breakfast
- Totally outfitted visitor kitchen
Beds from 38 PEN, non-public rooms from 91 PEN.
4. Casa Tunki
Essentially 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) notably beautiful.
Every room bears a distinct identify in Quechua (the indigenous language of the area). Each non-public rooms and dorms have snug capsule beds with particular person studying lights, curtains, and retailers; insulating noise-reducing materials; and blackout curtains. This is among the greatest hostels in Cusco for getting a stable night time’s relaxation. It’s excellent for vacationers who’re on the lookout 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 retailers
- Central location within the historic heart of the town
Beds from 113 PEN, non-public rooms from 264 PEN.
5. Pariwana Hostel Cusco
Pariwana is a small Peruvian-owned hostel chain, named for the Andean flamingo (the thought being that this fowl, like backpackers, travels throughout South America). Its Cusco location is an establishment and the employees are wonderful and exit of their solution to host enjoyable social occasions.
Within the dorms, you’ll discover particular person studying lights and retailers by every mattress (no privateness curtains although), and lockers with retailers to securely cost your electronics when you’re out exploring. The showers have sizzling water (although generally it takes slightly time to heat up), and there’s free tea obtainable 24/7 (together with coca tea).
Pariwana Hostel Cusco at a look:
- $$
- Central location within the historic heart
- Organizes plenty of occasions so it’s straightforward to satisfy folks
- Lockers have retailers so you’ll be able to cost your stuff whereas its locked up
Beds from 56 PEN, non-public rooms from 220 PEN.
6. Selina Plaza de Armas Cusco / Selina Saphi
Selina is a go-to favourite for digital nomads. In Cusco, they haven’t one however two nice places. Selina Plaza de Armas is positioned within the historic heart just some blocks from Plaza Mayor; Selina Saphi is within the hills.
Whereas their options fluctuate a bit by location, each have all of the facilities you’ll be able to anticipate from Selina properties, which are typically extra like boutique resorts than your traditional backpacker hostel. Each are embellished with curated native art work and supply a co-working area with limitless tea and occasional, a totally outfitted kitchen, and a bar/restaurant the place occasions are held all through the week.
At each hostels, the dorm beds are comfortable, with private studying lights and lockers (the Plaza de Armas location has privateness curtains too), and there are non-public rooms as effectively. When you’re a digital nomad or distant employee, keep right here.
Selina Cusco at a look:
- $$
- Totally outfitted visitor kitchen
- Frequent areas embody a co-working area, wellness heart, and bar/restaurant
- Bunks with private studying lights and lockers
Beds from 55 PEN, non-public rooms from 200 PEN.
Because 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. Because it sits at 3,200 meters (10,500 toes) above sea degree, you’ll need to spend just a few days right here to acclimate to the altitude earlier than doing any mountaineering (plus there’s rather a lot to do and see throughout the metropolis itself). Choose a hostel from the above record for an excellent keep within the metropolis!
E book Your Journey to Peru: Logistical Ideas and Methods
E book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to discover a low cost flight. They’re my favourite search engine as a result of they search web sites and airways across the globe so that you at all times know no stone is left unturned!
E book Your Lodging
You possibly can ebook your hostel with Hostelworld as they’ve the most important stock and greatest offers. If you wish to keep someplace apart from a hostel, use Booking.com as they constantly return the most cost effective charges for guesthouses and low cost resorts.
Don’t Overlook Journey Insurance coverage
Journey insurance coverage will defend you towards sickness, harm, 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 occasions up to now. My favourite firms that provide one of the best service and worth are:
Searching for the Greatest Corporations to Save Cash With?
Try my resource page for one of the best firms to make use of if you journey. I record all those I exploit to economize after I’m on the street. They may prevent cash if you journey too.
Need Extra Info on Peru?
Remember to go to our robust destination guide on Peru for much more planning suggestions!