Posted: 1/14/24 | January 14th, 2024
Cusco is the undisputed archaeological hub of South America, and visiting it’s a vital a part of any journey to Peru. The capital of the Inca Empire for hundreds of years, town lies not removed from the famed Machu Picchu, one of many iconic Wonders of the World. Whether you’re climbing the Inca Trail or simply passing by means of, Cusco is price spending a number of 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 widespread with path walkers and historical past lovers, but in addition partygoers who come to take pleasure in its nightlife and festivals.
Because of all this, most vacationers backpacking South America go by means of Cusco and keep an evening or two.
Below is my listing of the most effective hostels in Cusco that will help you plan your journey and get monetary savings. If you don’t need to learn the longer listing, the next are the most effective 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 most effective 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
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 energetic with plenty of occasions so keep right here in the event you’re trying to meet different vacationers. There’s a bar with a day by day completely happy hour, plenty of actions (stay 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’ll be able to stroll to lots of town’s sights.
I actually favored the dorm beds right here, that are pod-style and tremendous cozy, with particular person studying lights and retailers. The showers at all times have scorching water and nice strain. There are female-only dorms too. There’s additionally a co-working area if you have to get some work completed 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 frequent 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 get together hostel. There’s at all times 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 area. The panoramic views from the bar can’t be beat (although remember that the uphill stroll from town heart could be a bit taxing at this altitude).
Most dorm rooms right here have pod-style beds with privateness curtains, retailers, studying lights, and enormous 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 an honest night time’s sleep in the event you don’t need to take part on the festivities or need to flip in early. It’s undoubtedly your best option for vacationers trying to benefit from the metropolis’s nightlife.
Wild Rover at a look:
- $
- Party ambiance with plenty of organized occasions
- Dorm beds have studying lights, retailers, 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.
3. Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta
This cozy hostel provides a quieter keep than the 2 above, making it an excellent choice you probably 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 cook dinner. It’s additionally probably the most reasonably priced hostels within the metropolis.
Dorm beds listed here are a bit fundamental (no privateness curtains), however they’re product of wooden, in order that they don’t squeak and shake like steel bunks (an enormous plus in my e-book). The hostel has non-public rooms too, together with some with only a twin mattress, making this an excellent choice 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
- Fully outfitted visitor kitchen
Beds from 38 PEN, non-public rooms from 91 PEN.
4. Casa Tunki
The most luxurious hostel in Cusco, Casa Tunki feels extra like a boutique lodge than a hostel. It’s positioned in a colonial-era constructing restored in a mixture of modern and historic types. I discovered the inside atrium (the place you’ll discover the cool fusion restaurant/bar) significantly beautiful.
Each room bears a unique title in Quechua (the indigenous language of the area). Both 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 without doubt one of the finest hostels in Cusco for getting a stable night time’s relaxation. It’s good 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 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 concept being that this fowl, like backpackers, travels throughout South America). Its Cusco location is an establishment and the workers are wonderful and exit of their approach to host enjoyable social occasions.
In 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 whilst you’re out exploring. The showers have scorching water (although typically 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:
- $$
- Central location within the historic heart
- Organizes plenty of occasions so it’s straightforward to satisfy folks
- Lockers have retailers so you’ll be able to cost your stuff whereas its locked up
Beds from 56 PEN, non-public rooms from 220 PEN.
6. Selina Plaza de Armas Cusco / Selina Saphi
Selina is a go-to favourite for digital nomads. In Cusco, they haven’t one however two nice places. Selina Plaza de Armas is positioned within the historic heart only a few blocks from Plaza Mayor; Selina Saphi is within the hills.
While their options differ a bit by location, each have all of the facilities you’ll be able to count on from Selina properties, which are typically extra like boutique accommodations than your traditional backpacker hostel. Both are embellished with curated native paintings and provide a co-working area with limitless tea and occasional, a totally outfitted kitchen, and a bar/restaurant the place occasions are held all through the week.
At each hostels, the dorm beds are cozy, with private studying lights and lockers (the Plaza de Armas location has privateness curtains too), and there are non-public rooms as properly. If you’re a digital nomad or distant employee, keep right here.
Selina Cusco at a look:
- $$
- Fully outfitted visitor kitchen
- Common areas embrace a co-working area, wellness heart, and bar/restaurant
- Bunks with private studying lights and lockers
Beds from 55 PEN, non-public rooms from 200 PEN.
As the jumping-off level for trekking by means of the jungle, exploring the close by ruins, and naturally, heading out to Machu Picchu, visiting Cusco is a should for anybody touring by means of Peru. Since it sits at 3,200 meters (10,500 ft) above sea degree, you’ll need to spend a number of days right here to acclimate to the altitude earlier than doing any climbing (plus there’s rather a lot to do and see inside the metropolis itself). Pick a hostel from the above listing 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 at all times know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can e-book your hostel with Hostelworld as they’ve the largest stock and finest offers. If you need to keep someplace apart from a hostel, use Booking.com as they constantly return the most affordable charges for guesthouses and low cost accommodations.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will shield you towards sickness, damage, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes mistaken. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many occasions previously. My favourite firms that provide the most effective service and worth are:
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my useful resource web page for the most effective firms to make use of if you journey. I listing all those I exploit to economize once I’m on the highway. They will prevent cash if you journey too.
Want More Information on Peru?
Be positive to go to our strong vacation spot information on Peru for much more planning ideas!