As many can imagine, Cusco is full of lodging options for all kinds of budgets due to the large number of tourists that arrive from all over the world daily. If you need information regarding accommodation options in Cusco, I will make a list by type (eg Backpackers, low, medium and high-cost hotels, lodgings etc). It is also important to mention that there are lodging options in areas such as the Sacred Valley. I will mention some destinations chosen by many people doing volunteer work, internships or simply wanting to enjoy the tranquillity and peace of the area.
Why Cusco?
As I’ve mentioned, Cusco is a cosmopolitan city that receives travellers from all over the world daily. Some arrive intending to do some tours and get to know Machu Picchu, others to get to know a spiritual side (I will dedicate an article about magical plants), others for volunteering work, exchange, internship or job and some others just for wanting to disconnect from the daily routine and fill themselves with that energy that only Cusco can give, that which fills the heart and soul.
Where to stay in Cusco?
Normally it is recommended to stay in areas close to the Plaza de Armas since you can get around walking to various places in the city such as markets, museums, and viewpoints, among others.
Some other people prefer to stay in the San Blas area and enjoy the wonderful views that this neighbourhood offers, and not just views! The San Blas neighborhood has many restaurants, bars, lodging options, and artists, who display their works in various galleries and streets.
You can also find alternatives a little further from the centre, near the Real Plaza Mall for example, or also a little further in the sacred valley
When is the best season in Cusco?
The best season to visit Cusco is from May to August-September, I say this because the amount of rain is minimal and the days are practically sunny all the time, but with low temperatures at night.
Best accomodations in Cusco:
Backpackers:
I think that backpackers are the preferred option for most of the young and not-so-young travelling the world and Cusco is no exception to the rule.
Most of them have common areas to share with other people, game rooms (billiards, foosball table, darts, etc.) and a bar, where you usually have a drink before going out to the various clubs in the centre of Cusco. This area is also used for breakfast in most places.
This environment makes you feel part of a small community since you are always going to meet new people, either in the room or in the common areas. Later I will write a more detailed article regarding backpackers in Cusco, but among the ones that I can personally recommend are: Viajero Kokopelli, Wild Rover, Pariwana and Selina (high-end backpacker).
Low-cost hotels:
Around the city it is possible to find hotels and hostels at comfortable prices for tourists and locals, this varies in many cases from the distance in which it is located, but it is possible to find a very basic room for up to 15 PEN a night, although the most common is 20 to 25 PEN. Some places where you can find these accommodations are on Saphy Street, Choqechaka Street or around the San Blas and Lucrepata neighbourhood.
An incredible option is the Frankenstein hostel, which is located 2 blocks from the Plaza and is a true gem, but I will talk about that place in an article just for this wonderful place.
Medium-cost hotels
Like most types of accommodation, this option can be found in various parts of the city, either in the Plaza de Armas and its surroundings, in the San Blas neighbourhood, on Av. el Sol or in areas surrounding the centre. Among my favourites is Hotel Cusco Plaza Nazarenas which costs about 34 dollars for a comfortable double room with a TV and includes breakfast. Another one that I liked was Cuzco Plaza, which is located right on one of the corners of the Plaza de Armas with prices between 90-95 dollars a night. An option is also Casa Andina
High-cost hotels
Being Cusco a city that receives approximately 1.7M tourists a year, it is obvious that a small part of this group seeks luxury services and that they are at the level of many luxury hotels in the world, it is for this reason that we can find hotels of well-known chains such as Belmont, JW Marriot, Hilton among others of international renown.
For these options, you have to consider that the room rates start at 250-300 dollars, but that is up to each person. I can personally recommend the Hotel Monasterio of the Belmont chain, which, more than selling you a luxurious hotel room, sells you an incredible experience, since it was built on what was formerly the San Antonio Abad Seminary back in the 17th century.
Lodgments
Many of the people who come to Cusco for the purpose of volunteering, internships or work arrive at a previously organized lodging. These are characterized by being of a “long duration” (3, 6 or more months depending on the case), but if you are travelling without the intention of doing any of the things mentioned above and you just want to stay and enjoy, there are many lodging options that vary depending on what they are looking for.
I must mention that from what I could see while living there, most of them are not around the centre. On the other hand, depending on the activity you want to do or the place where you want to be, you have the wonderful Sacred Valley of the Incas to find accommodation options for long periods, either in Pisac, Urubamba, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo or the surrounding areas.
Whether you are going to Cusco for a quick visit, to do specific tours or for a good season, it is important that you find out where you are going to arrive, since in many cases the images we see do not compare at all with the place where that we arrived or the service of this, but if you have any questions, send me a message and I can help you clear up some doubts.