Blog

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, town lies not removed from the famed Machu Picchu, one of many iconic Wonders of the World. Whether or not you’re mountaineering the Inca Path or simply passing by way of, Cusco is value spending a number of 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 widespread with path walkers and historical past lovers, but additionally partygoers who come to get pleasure from its nightlife and festivals.

Due to all this, most vacationers backpacking South America cross by way of Cusco and keep an evening or two.

Beneath is my listing of one of the best hostels in Cusco that will help you plan your journey and lower your expenses. In the event you don’t wish to learn the longer listing, the next are one of the best in every class:

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 evening):

• $: Underneath 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 full of life with numerous occasions so keep right here in the event you’re trying to meet different vacationers. There’s a bar with a day by day pleased hour, numerous actions (stay music, DJs, cooking lessons), and the widespread areas have billiards, foosball, and beer pong tables. It’s proper close to the primary sq. too, so you’ll be able to stroll to a number 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 sizzling water and nice stress. There are female-only dorms too. There’s additionally a co-working area if it’s essential to get some work accomplished and free tea all day (together with coca tea, which helps with acclimatizing to the altitude).

Viajero Kokopelli at a look:

• $$
• Social hostel with numerous 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 get together 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 town middle 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 situated in an space separate from the bar, which means you’ll be able to nonetheless get a good evening’s sleep in the event you don’t wish to take part on the festivities or wish to flip in early. It’s positively your best option for vacationers trying to benefit from the metropolis’s nightlife.

Wild Rover at a look:

• $
• Celebration environment with numerous 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 gives a quieter keep than the 2 above, making it an incredible possibility when you’ve got an early morning wake-up to go trekking or simply desire a extra laid-back keep. The environment at this family-run hostel is tremendous welcoming. Plus, not like most hostels in Cusco, Recoleta gives free breakfast and has a visitor kitchen in case you wish to cook dinner. It’s additionally one of the vital reasonably priced hostels within the metropolis.

Dorm beds listed here 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 a great 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 environment
• Free breakfast
• Absolutely geared up visitor kitchen

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

4. Casa Tunki

Probably the most luxurious hostel in Cusco, Casa Tunki feels extra like a boutique resort than a hostel. It’s situated 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) notably gorgeous.

Every room bears a unique 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 evening’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 middle 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 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.

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 whilst 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 numerous 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 areas. Selina Plaza de Armas is situated within the historic middle just some blocks from Plaza Mayor; Selina Saphi is within the hills.

Whereas their options range 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 resorts than your traditional backpacker hostel. Each are adorned with curated native art work and provide a co-working area with limitless tea and low, a totally geared up 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. In the event you’re a digital nomad or distant employee, keep right here.

Selina Cusco at a look:

• $$
• Absolutely geared up visitor kitchen
• Frequent areas embody a co-working area, wellness middle, 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 by way of the jungle, exploring the close by ruins, and naturally, heading out to Machu Picchu, visiting Cusco is a should for anybody touring by way of Peru. Because it sits at 3,200 meters (10,500 toes) above sea stage, you’ll wish to spend a number of days right here to acclimate to the altitude earlier than doing any mountaineering (plus there’s quite a bit to do and see throughout the metropolis itself). Choose a hostel from the above listing for a great keep within the metropolis!