The 6 Best Hostels in Cusco

Cusco is the undisputed archaeological hub of South America, and visiting it is an essential part of any trip to Peru. The wanted of the Inca Empire for centuries, the municipality lies not far from the famed Machu Picchu, one of the iconic Wonders of the World. Whether you’re hiking the Inca Trail or just passing through, Cusco is worth spending a few days exploring.

While most travelers visit Cusco considering of its location near Machu Picchu, there is a lot to see and do here. The municipality is popular with trail walkers and history lovers, but moreover partygoers who come to enjoy its nightlife and festivals.

Because of all this, most travelers backpacking South America pass through Cusco and stay a night or two.

Below is my list of the weightier hostels in Cusco to help you plan your trip and save money. If you don’t want to read the longer list, the pursuit are the weightier in each category:

Want the specifics? Here’s my dispersal of the weightier hostels in Cusco and why I love them:

Price legend (per night):

• $: Under 40 PEN
• $$: 40-60 PEN
• $$$: 60 PEN and whilom

1. Viajero Kokopelli

This is my favorite hostel in the city. It’s a huge, fun, and ungifted hostel with tomfool murals painted on the walls. It’s lively with lots of events so stay here if you’re looking to meet other travelers. There’s a bar with a daily happy hour, lots of activities (live music, DJs, cooking classes), and the worldwide areas have billiards, foosball, and beer pong tables. It’s right near the main square too, so you can walk to a lot of the city’s sights.

I really liked the dorm beds here, which are pod-style and super comfy, with individual reading lights and outlets. The showers unchangingly have hot water and unconfined pressure. There are female-only dorms too. There’s moreover a co-working space if you need to get some work washed-up and self-ruling tea all day (including coca tea, which helps with acclimatizing to the altitude).

Viajero Kokopelli at a glance:

• $$
• Social hostel with lots of events and activities
• Pod beds with individual reading lights and outlets
• Tons of worldwide areas (including a garden hammock area)

Beds from 54 PEN, private rooms from 270 PEN.

2. Wild Rover Hostel

Wild Rover is fun party hostel. There’s unchangingly something going on here, from parties at the bar to cultural experiences like cooking classes and salsa lessons. There are several worldwide areas too, including a co-working space. The panoramic views from the bar can’t be write-up (though alimony in mind that the uphill walk from the municipality part-way can be a bit taxing at this altitude).

Most dorm rooms here have pod-style beds with privacy curtains, outlets, reading lights, and large lockers to store your gear. The dorms are located in an zone separate from the bar, meaning you can still get a decent night’s sleep if you don’t want to join in on the festivities or want to turn in early. It’s definitely the weightier nomination for travelers looking to enjoy the city’s nightlife.

Wild Rover at a glance:

• $
• Party undercurrent with lots of organized events
• Dorm beds have reading lights, outlets, and lockers (some have privacy curtains)
• Lots of worldwide areas make meeting people a breeze

Beds from 40 PEN, private rooms from 185 PEN.

3. Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta

This cozy hostel offers a quieter stay than the two above, making it a unconfined option if you have an early morning wake-up to go trekking or just want a increasingly laid-back stay. The undercurrent at this family-run hostel is super welcoming. Plus, unlike most hostels in Cusco, Recoleta offers self-ruling breakfast and has a guest kitchen in specimen you want to cook. It’s moreover one of the most affordable hostels in the city.

Dorm beds here are a bit vital (no privacy curtains), but they are made of wood, so they don’t squeak and shake like metal bunks (a big plus in my book). The hostel has private rooms too, including some with just a twin bed, making this a good option for solo travelers who are looking for a peaceful stay with a bit increasingly privacy.

Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta at a glance:

• $
• Small hostel with a quiet and homey undercurrent
• Free breakfast
• Fully equipped guest kitchen

Beds from 38 PEN, private rooms from 91 PEN.

4. Casa Tunki

The most luxurious hostel in Cusco, Casa Tunki feels increasingly like a shop hotel than a hostel. It’s located in a colonial-era towers restored in a mix of trendy and historic styles. I found the inner socket (where you’ll find the tomfool fusion restaurant/bar) particularly stunning.

Each room bears a variegated name in Quechua (the ethnic language of the region). Both private rooms and dorms have well-appointed sheathing beds with individual reading lights, curtains, and outlets; insulating noise-reducing material; and vertigo curtains. This is one of the weightier hostels in Cusco for getting a solid night’s rest. It’s perfect for travelers who are looking for a quiet place to recharge surpassing or without a trek.

Casa Tunki at a glance:

• $$$
• Upscale shop hostel
• Capsule dorm beds with individual reading lights, curtains, and outlets
• Central location in the historic part-way of the municipality

Beds from 113 PEN, private rooms from 264 PEN.

5. Pariwana Hostel Cusco

Pariwana is a small Peruvian-owned hostel chain, named for the Andean flamingo (the idea stuff that this bird, like backpackers, travels all over South America). Its Cusco location is an institution and the staff are wondrous and go out of their way to host fun social events.

In the dorms, you’ll find individual reading lights and outlets by each bed (no privacy taps though), and lockers with outlets to safely tuition your electronics while you’re out exploring. The showers have hot water (though sometimes it takes a little time to warm up), and there’s self-ruling tea misogynist 24/7 (including coca tea).

Pariwana Hostel Cusco at a glance:

• $$
• Central location in the historic part-way
• Organizes lots of events so it’s easy to meet people
• Lockers have outlets so you can tuition your stuff while its locked up

Beds from 56 PEN, private rooms from 220 PEN.

6. Selina Plaza de Armas Cusco / Selina Saphi

Selina is a go-to favorite for digital nomads. In Cusco, they have not one but two unconfined locations. Selina Plaza de Armas is located in the historic part-way just a few blocks from Plaza Mayor; Selina Saphi is in the hills.

While their features vary a bit by location, both have all the suavities you can expect from Selina properties, which tend to be increasingly like shop hotels than your archetype backpacker hostel. Both are decorated with curated local artwork and offer a co-working space with unlimited tea and coffee, a fully equipped kitchen, and a bar/restaurant where events are held throughout the week.

At both hostels, the dorm beds are comfy, with personal reading lights and lockers (the Plaza de Armas location has privacy taps too), and there are private rooms as well. If you’re a digital nomad or remote worker, stay here.

Selina Cusco at a glance:

• $$
• Fully equipped guest kitchen
• Common areas include a co-working space, wellness center, and bar/restaurant
• Bunks with personal reading lights and lockers

Beds from 55 PEN, private rooms from 200 PEN.

As the jumping-off point for trekking through the jungle, exploring the nearby ruins, and of course, heading out to Machu Picchu, visiting Cusco is a must for anyone traveling through Peru. Since it sits at 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) whilom sea level, you’ll want to spend a few days here to weather to the upland surpassing doing any hiking (plus there’s a lot to do and see within the municipality itself). Pick a hostel from the whilom list for a good stay in the city!