The undisputed archaeological hub of the Americas, Cusco in Peru has always been a bucket list destination for us. The former centuries-old Inca Empire capital is also the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent and the gateway to the famed citadel ruins of Machu Picchu. Since we were hiking the Inca trail, we stayed for a few days in the city to catch up on rest and explore this wonderful city too. That’s why we decided to stay in some of the most wonderful hostels in Cusco, Peru. It not only allowed us to save money, but also stay in a fun way, explore the vibe of the city, and meet lots of travelers from all around the world. Plus, it was the best way to explore Cusco, as we had lots of great company too.
What was even better was that the hostels were excellent, immaculate, and came with tons of amenities. So, what could be better? Here’s a lowdown on the best hostel stays in Cusco, a.k.a. “La Ciudad Imperial.”
Table of contents
- Intro Hostels Cusco
- Tucan Hostel Cusco
- Cusco Packers
- Casa Tunki
- La Posada del Viajero
- Dragonfly Hostels Cusco
- Selina Plaza de Armas
- Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta
- Wild Rover Hostel
- Pariwana Hostel Cusco
- Viajero Kokopelli Cusco Hostel
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Cusco?
- What’s the best party hostel in Cusco?
- What’s the best hostel in Cusco for solo travelers?
- Which is the best hostel for solo women travelers?
Intro Hostels Cusco
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We begin with Intro Hostels Cusco, which was the perfect ‘intro’ to our incredible South American adventure — pun unintended! This brilliant budget hostel offered us all the facilities we could possibly ask for, and then some. Our days here began with complimentary breakfasts, which would fuel us for more than half a day of sightseeing all over the place. Thanks to the free Wi-Fi everywhere, we were able to plan our itineraries easily, even making adjustments depending on what we found.
Since there were free lockers, we never had to worry about our valuables, especially when we’d stepped out. Every evening, we’d make it a point to come back and enjoy the nightly activities, including the cheap beer at the bar, complete with a pool table and a firepit. Finally, we had the choice of both dorms, female-only and mixed, as well as private rooms. What more could we ask for?
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Tucan Hostel Cusco
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We were just looking for a place to crash for the night, but the Tucan Hostel Cusco turned out to be much, much more than that. Firstly, it was one of the most gorgeous authentic hostels we’d seen, and every inch of it was utterly and absolutely Instagrammable. The main courtyard had a huge tree mural across the entire yard wall, while the interior courtyard lanes had vibrant walls and equally colorful furniture. In fact, we’d have our phones on camera mode all the time we were at the hostel! So much so that we ended up spending more time at the hostel than we’d originally planned to.
“We loved the vibrant and colorful vibe at this aesthetically gorgeous hostel, which was affordable too!”
WOW Travel
Besides being aesthetically beautiful, the common spaces were great for hanging out and mingling with other travelers over a game of darts or table tennis. Thanks to the self-catering facilities, we were able to whip up light meals quickly. However, one of our absolute favorite things about Tucan was the bike hire, so we could explore the city center with absolute ease.
The dorms and rooms, while simple, were spotless and decked out with colorful furniture. Moreover, the bathrooms were neat and clean, allowing us a comfy stay.
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Cusco Packers
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There’s a lot we loved about the super popular Cusco Packers. Firstly, we loved the location, which was close to Plaza de Armas, but away from the hustle and bustle. This budget hostel had a cheap yet cheerful vibe and provided everything that we as budget backpackers could ask for. Firstly, our days would start with free breakfast spreads, which would fuel us for more than half the day and keep us going through sightseeing. Secondly, there was free Wi-Fi, which allowed us to stay connected and plan our itineraries for the days ahead. If that wasn’t enough, the staff here loved to help us custom design our itineraries, and they did a fantastic job.
That’s not all; the hostel also had a lively bar where we’d sip on drinks and snacks after long days of sightseeing. Plus, there was an outdoor tennis court too, where we’d challenge our fellow ‘packers’ to fun games. What made Cusco Packers comfortable to stay was the comfortable dorms and private rooms, which had plush beds, windows with lovely views, and immaculate and modern bathrooms.
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Casa Tunki
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Most luxurious. Just because it’s a hostel doesn’t mean that it can’t be luxurious. That’s why we loved Casa Tunki, a luxurious hostel that looked and felt more like a boutique hotel. The hostel sat in a colonial-era structure and melded both historic and contemporary styles. Our favorite place was the stunning inner atrium, complete with a cool fusion restaurant/bar. It was where we’d enjoy drinks and snacks at the end of a long day, mingling with fellow travelers. Not just that, but we were also served huge American breakfasts every morning. Plus, we could even sing karaoke and play darts in the communal space.
The rooms and dorms at this hostel were unique, as they all bore different names in Quechua, the region’s indigenous language. What’s more, both dorms and private rooms had comfy capsule beds with outlets, privacy curtains, and individual reading lights. Not just that but the windows also had blackout curtains and were made from insulating noise-reducing material. So, we were able to get a solid night’s rest despite staying in the heart of the city.
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La Posada del Viajero
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The traditional Andean budget hostel that is La Posada del Viajero was perfect for staying in the heart of the town, but away from the bustle. The off-street location might seem a little sketchy, but on the inside, the hostel was bright, especially the interior courtyard, and a great place to kick back. The dorms were authentically Andean with a touch of modernity; the wooden beams throughout were authentic, while the plush dorm beds and private modish bathrooms made our stay comfortable. Did we mention that this hostel has larger rooms, rather than dorms, with three, four, and even five beds? Yes!
Even the common spaces here had a lovely and cozy feel of a B&B, especially the vibrant outdoor courtyard. When it would get colder in the evenings, the TV lounge was perfect to watch a movie together with snacks and drinks. Since there was a kitchen too, we could prepare light snacks and meals on the fly. Of course, the free buffet breakfast everyday was the cherry on top.
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Dragonfly Hostels Cusco
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Staying at the Dragonfly Hostels Cusco wasn’t just a stay; it was an experience. Not only did it have a room to suit every budget, but it also they all had super comfy beds. So, we’d be well-rested and ready to explore the city after waking up every morning. While there were dorm rooms, we chose one of the private rooms. Our private room was gorgeous, spacious, modern, and even had a balcony overlooking the common area of the hostel. A wall mural, a private modern bathroom, a flatscreen TV, a desk, and a chair wrapped up the rest of the room. Even the dorm rooms were immaculate, spacious, and vibrant with shared contemporary bathrooms.
What made this place friendly, fun, and happy the perfect place to stay was the long list of activities and things to do. We made buddies and drank a beer or two during evenings after we’d finished sightseeing. Our days would begin equally amazingly with free breakfast spreads, and we’d use the free Wi-Fi to plan our itinerary for the day.
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Selina Plaza de Armas
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As digital nomads, we look for places that have excellent common coworking spaces and free Wi-Fi. That’s why we sought out Selina Plaza de Armas, now the Socialtel Plaza De Armas Cusco. It sat right in the historic center of the city, just a few blocks from Plaza Mayor. So, exploring the city was a breeze as we were close to all important sights and landmarks.
This Selina outpost, like the others, felt more like a boutique hotel than a classic backpacker hostel. Besides featuring co-working space that had unlimited coffee and tea, the hostel also had curated local artwork everywhere. Thanks to the fully equipped kitchen, we were able to cook some light meals when we were unexpectedly hungry. Even then, there was a fabulous bar/restaurant where there were events held throughout the week. Did we mention that there was a mini wellness center on the property too? Yep.
Just like other Selina hostels, the dorm beds here were very comfy, complete with privacy curtains, lockers, and personal reading lights. If you’re looking for more privacy, there are private rooms as well.
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Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta
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Best budget. If you’re in Cusco for longer and are looking for a budget hostel to balance the stays, then check out Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta. This cozy hostel offered a quieter stay than the others, which was perfect since we wanted to wake up early in the morning to go trekking. However, the atmosphere and vibe at this family-run hostel was super welcoming, especially since they even had a guest kitchen when we wanted to whip up quick meals. Also, unlike most hostels in Cusco, we could enjoy a free breakfast here.
Even the dorms here were slightly more basic than the others, but they were modern, immaculate, and had wooden beds. So, our beds didn’t shake or squeak unlike most other metal bunk beds, especially some of the older ones. Even though they had no privacy curtains, the dorms had comfortable beds and spick-and-span shared bathrooms.
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Wild Rover Hostel
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Best party hostel. There would always be something going on at the Wild Rover Hostel, which is one of the most fun hostels we’ve stayed at. These included everything from cultural experiences like salsa lessons and cooking classes to parties at the bar. What’s more, there were many other common areas, including a co-working space for those who were traveling and working. However, our favorite was the bar and its panoramic views but do take care of the altitude. If that wasn’t enough, it’s the only hostel in Cusco to have a huge, lush garden, where we could literally soak up the sun.
Coming to the stay, most dorm rooms here had pod-style beds with large lockers to store our gear, reading lights, outlets, and privacy curtains. Since they were located far from the bar area, we were able to get a good night’s sleep even when there was a party going on. Finally, the place even offered all kinds of delicious fare from 8 am to 9 pm, with snacks available till as late as midnight! Check out more details on its official website.
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Pariwana Hostel Cusco
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Named for the Andean flamingo that the region is famous for, Pariwana Hostel Cusco is a small but extremely popular hostel in the city. The idea behind the name is that this bird, like our fellow backpackers, travels all over the continent! Its Cusco outpost is an institution, and we were dying to stay here. And let us tell you, we were anything but disappointed.
Firstly, the staff was amazing from the get-go and would go out of their way to give us tips about the city and host fun social events. What’s more, our days would begin with a wonderful hot breakfast, which was included in our hostel fare. There was even free tea and infusions available in the lounge all day long. Moreover, the common rooms were super-social, with table football and ping-pong that allowed us to get to know other travelers.
That’s not all, though. Our dorm beds not only had individual outlets and reading lights but also lockers with outlets so we could safely charge our electronics when we were showering, out exploring, or whipping up a quick meal. The best bit? The showers had hot water too.
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Viajero Kokopelli Cusco Hostel
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Best overall. As solo adventurers, we’ve always looked out for good hostels for solo travelers, and the Viajero Kokopelli Cusco Hostel comes out on top. This huge, fun, and artsy hostel boasts some of the coolest murals ever painted on the walls. That, along with the lush foliage peeking out of the architecture made this an absolutely Instagrammable heaven!
That being said, this is a very social and lively hostel with a long and massive event roster. So, it was the perfect place to stay since we were looking to meet other travelers. The Pisco Bar with a daily happy hour was our favorite, but the common areas with beer pong tables, foosball, and billiards was great to mingle with people too. What’s more, there were tons of other activities, including Peruvian food cooking classes, DJs spinning live music, and whatnot. When the weather was milder, the garden hammock area was our favorite place to lounge.
That said, the dorms here were excellent, and they came in pod style and were super comfy. Think individual outlets, reading lights, privacy curtains, plush beds, and linens. What’s more, the common bathrooms were immaculate and the showers always had great pressure and hot water, which was a must for us. Besides female-only dorms, there was also a co-working space with free tea all day, including coca tea which would help us greatly in acclimatizing to the altitude.
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Our Verdict!
While we love all the options on this list, here’s a specialized selection to help you choose a hostel for your own Peruvian adventure.
- Most luxurious: Casa Tunki
- Best party hostel: Wild Rover Hostel
- Best overall: Viajero Kokopelli Cusco Hostel
- Best budget: Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta
Where to Stay in Cusco?
There are so many exciting things to do in Cusco, and even though it’s a smaller city than most other major ones, it’s still a large city. So, we had to decide where we wanted to stay, depending on what we wanted to do. We begin with Plaza de Armas, which is the heart of the city and home to all of its hustle-bustle. We were close to most of Cusco’s main attractions as well as the best local shops, pubs, cafes, and restaurants.
Since we also loved quieter neighborhoods, we explored Lucrepata as well. Radiating a more residential feel, this neighborhood had a more authentic and local feel. Since we were also backpacking and looking for budget-friendly options, we also stayed around San Blas, San Cristobal, and the Santa Ana regions.
Check out this detailed guide to Machu Picchu, the Incan Big Apple.
What’s the best party hostel in Cusco?
One of the most popular party hostels in the town is Wild Rover. If that’s booked out, then check out Loki Hostel Cusco.
If you’re here in June, don’t miss Inti Raymi, the celebration of the sun and one of the world’s best annual festivals.
What’s the best hostel in Cusco for solo travelers?
Viajero Kokopelli Cusco Hostel is an excellent and safe space to mingle with fellow backpackers and make friends.
Which is the best hostel for solo women travelers?
Again, we’d nominate Viajero Kokopelli Cusco Hostel for the same.
