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 climbing the Inca Path or simply passing by means 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. The town is common with path walkers and historical past lovers, but in addition partygoers who come to take pleasure in its nightlife and festivals.

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

Under is my checklist of the perfect hostels in Cusco that can assist you plan your journey and get monetary savings. In the event you don’t wish to learn the longer checklist, the next are the perfect in every class:

Need the specifics? Right here’s my breakdown of the perfect hostels in Cusco and why I really like them:

Value legend (per evening):

• $: Below 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 seeking to meet different vacationers. There’s a bar with a every day completely happy hour, numerous actions (stay music, DJs, cooking courses), 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 lots 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 scorching water and nice stress. There are female-only dorms too. There’s additionally a co-working area if you have to get some work finished 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 shops
• Tons of widespread areas (together with a backyard hammock space)

Beds from 54 PEN, personal rooms from 270 PEN.

2. Wild Rover Hostel

Wild Rover is enjoyable get together hostel. There’s all the time one thing occurring right here, from events on the bar to cultural experiences like cooking courses 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 take into account 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, shops, studying lights, and enormous lockers to retailer your gear. The dorms are situated in an space separate from the bar, that 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 the only option for vacationers seeking to benefit from the metropolis’s nightlife.

Wild Rover at a look:

• $
• Social gathering ambiance with numerous organized occasions
• Dorm beds have studying lights, shops, and lockers (some have privateness curtains)
• Plenty of widespread areas make assembly individuals a breeze

Beds from 40 PEN, personal rooms from 185 PEN.

3. Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta

This cozy hostel gives a quieter keep than the 2 above, making it an amazing choice you probably have an early morning wake-up to go trekking or simply desire a extra laid-back keep. The ambiance 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 prepare dinner. It’s additionally some of the reasonably priced hostels within the metropolis.

Dorm beds listed below are a bit fundamental (no privateness curtains), however they’re product of wooden, in order that they don’t squeak and shake like metallic bunks (an enormous plus in my guide). The hostel has personal 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
• Absolutely geared up visitor kitchen

Beds from 38 PEN, personal 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 situated in a colonial-era constructing restored in a mixture of modern and historic kinds. I discovered the internal atrium (the place you’ll discover the cool fusion restaurant/bar) significantly beautiful.

Every room bears a special identify in Quechua (the indigenous language of the area). Each personal rooms and dorms have snug 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 stable evening’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 shops
• Central location within the historic heart of the town

Beds from 113 PEN, personal 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 chook, like backpackers, travels throughout South America). Its Cusco location is an establishment and the employees are wonderful and exit of their method to host enjoyable social occasions.

Within 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 whilst you’re out exploring. The showers have scorching water (although typically it takes a bit time to heat up), and there’s free tea out there 24/7 (together with coca tea).

Pariwana Hostel Cusco at a look:

• $$
• Central location within the historic heart
• Organizes numerous occasions so it’s simple to satisfy individuals
• Lockers have shops so you’ll be able to cost your stuff whereas its locked up

Beds from 56 PEN, personal 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 situated 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 count on from Selina properties, which are typically extra like boutique motels than your traditional backpacker hostel. Each are adorned with curated native paintings and supply a co-working area with limitless tea and occasional, a completely geared up 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 personal rooms as nicely. 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 embrace a co-working area, wellness heart, and bar/restaurant
• Bunks with private studying lights and lockers

Beds from 55 PEN, personal rooms from 200 PEN.

Because 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. Because it sits at 3,200 meters (10,500 ft) above sea stage, you’ll wish 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 throughout the metropolis itself). Choose a hostel from the above checklist for an excellent keep within the metropolis!