CuscoHistoryTravel Tips

Discover Cusco and learn where to stay to experience the magic of the Inca Empire.

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June 12, 2025

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Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and gateway to Machu Picchu, offers much more than just a historical experience—it offers an unforgettable one. No matter what you’re looking for — luxury, colonial charm, or comfort in the heart of the city — you’ll find the best hotels here to make every moment of your trip unforgettable. This guide showcases unique places to rest in style, immerse yourself in Andean culture, and embark on a magical adventure in the Peruvian Andes.

What kind of traveler are you?

All of Cusco’s hotels are designed with your comfort in mind. Whether you’re an adventurous soul eager to meet other travelers or just looking for a cozy place to rest and relax, Cusco has it all. Some hotels cater to travelers passionate about culture, art, and history. The city’s luxury accommodations offer all the necessary comforts and first-class service for travelers celebrating an anniversary or special occasion in the ancient Inca capital. Every detail of their stay is unique.

If you’re planning to experience Cusco and Machu Picchu in the most authentic way possible, a mid-range hotel might be the perfect choice for you!

What are your interests?

Do you enjoy adventure and adrenaline? You can go hiking, rappelling, and zip-lining, and even go rafting on the Urubamba River in the Andes Mountains. You will also have the opportunity to meet other people with similar interests through group activities and wild nightlife. Backpacker hostels are perfect for this type of traveler.

However, if you’re interested in culture, art, history, and Inca legends and want your accommodations to reflect these interests, then perhaps the boutique hotels in Cusco are for you.

If you’re interested in the healing power of ayahuasca rituals and offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth), but don’t want to complicate your life, hostels might be perfect for you.

Are you traveling alone or with someone else?

Perhaps you’re with that special someone, celebrating a wedding anniversary, marriage, or other significant occasion, and you want every detail of your stay in Cusco to be perfect. I understand perfectly. For that once-in-a-lifetime occasion, wouldn’t you want it to be memorable? A luxury hotel in Cusco is perfect for that occasion, with attention to every detail of your stay.

If you’re traveling with a large group of friends or family and just want to have a great time visiting Machu Picchu and the ancient Inca capital the traditional way, you’re in luck! There are many nice, affordable mid-range hotels that offer good value.

If you’re an introverted person looking to make friends or just spend some time alone, a backpacker or mid-range hotel would be perfect for you.

Types of Hotels in Cusco

When searching for hotels in Cusco, Peru, travelers often find a wide variety of styles and prices. Below is a quick guide to the most common categories to help you decide which option suits your trip best and choose a hotel that fits your budget and interests.

Luxury Hotels:

Located in restored colonial mansions and buildings from the Inca and colonial eras, these hotels combine historic charm with modern services and comfortable amenities. They offer spacious suites, spas, and Andean fusion restaurants. If you want to feel like royalty for a few days, Cusco’s best hotels are usually in this category.

Boutique Hotels:

Boutique hotels are intimate and well-maintained. Adorned with local fabrics, modern art, and elegant on-site lounges, they create an Instagram-ready environment. They are ideal for couples and friends who appreciate aesthetics based on history, art, and culture, as well as personalized service. Many of the hotels in Cusco that are considered good are true boutique gems, located in San Blas or near the main square.

Mid-range Hotels:

When you see “recommended hotels in Cusco,” this is usually what’s implied.

Hostels

Hostels are a good option for visitors who prioritize comfort and are looking for basic accommodations at a good price. Many are located in the historic center of Cusco or the surrounding area, making them a good starting point for exploring the most interesting sites. These accommodations generally do not offer food service, but they are well equipped for a comfortable stay. They are an excellent choice if you want a balance of simplicity and city access.

Backpackers:

Backpacker hostels offer clean dormitories and simple private rooms. They also offer shared rooms with beds or bunk beds where you only pay for your own bed. Breakfast is usually not included, but group activities, excursions, and hostel nightlife will keep you busy. These hostels are the most social accommodations in Cusco, Peru, and a smart choice for solo travelers, adventurers, and young people.

Recommendation

Please note:

Book early during the high season (June–August and late December). Cusco, Peru hotels fill up fast, especially those located near the Plaza de Armas, so whether you prefer luxury suites or budget bunk beds, book early. Read recent guest reviews to confirm Wi-Fi speed, breakfast hours, and amenities for those sensitive to high altitudes, such as oxygen rooms.

Where should you stay in Cusco?

To find the best hotel in Cusco, start by choosing the right neighborhood. Read the descriptions below to find the area that best matches your travel style and to make the right choice among Cusco’s many hotels, from boutique gems to five-star hotels with dreamy amenities.

The historic center of Cusco.

When you stay in hotels set among the ancient Inca stone streets, the city’s main monuments, museums, and restaurants will be close by. Many restored mansions in this area have been converted into some of the best hotels in Cusco, so you will wake up within walking distance of the Cathedral and Qoricancha. The area’s perfect location and numerous cafés and nightlife venues make it unnecessary to travel too far. Additionally, most of the luxury hotels are located here. Not to mention, this area is famous for its high level of police security and security cameras on every corner.

The Plaza de Armas (Main Square) in Cusco.

If you want to enjoy stunning views of Cusco every morning, this is the place to be. Rooms with a view of the stone arches usually mean that you are staying in a good hotel due to its unbeatable location. You will be at the epicenter of Cusco’s festivities and activities in the square. Additionally, you can walk to the starting points of excursions near the square and watch the city’s traditional parades from your balcony.

Avenida El Sol

Heading southeast from the Plaza de Armas, Avenida El Sol connects the center with Cusco’s commercial area. The hotels in this area offer a good balance of cost and comfort. They tend to be cheaper than the hotels in the plaza but are only a ten-minute walk away. Many hotels on this avenue include breakfast and powerful Wi-Fi at no extra charge, which is ideal for budget-conscious travelers. This avenue is also home to many bank offices, exchange houses, hotels, pharmacies, post offices, and handicraft markets.

San Blas

San Blas is known for its cobblestone streets, craft stalls, and for being the traditional neighborhood of Cusco’s artisan families. It is popular with locals, solo travelers, and couples. From its rooftop terraces, visitors can enjoy sunset views of the red-tiled city. Its boutique hotels are among the most charming in Cusco. Cafés and galleries line its narrow streets. Just be prepared to climb the steep slope home each evening after an excursion. San Blas is just three blocks from the Cusco Cathedral.

Zaguán del Cielo

Tucked away in the San Blas neighborhood, this quiet spot attracts travelers looking to experience life as a local Cusco resident and enjoy a slower pace. Although it is still close to the center, prices are lower. The family-run hostels are said to be the best hotels in Cusco and offer personalized service and recommendations on places to eat and things to see. Of course, the area is very safe.

Urbanization Magisterio

Located east of downtown, Magisterio boasts modern shopping centers, gyms, and large residential towers. This area is ideal for business travelers and families who prefer the modern comforts of the city to the colonial facilities of downtown hotels. With wider streets and supermarkets nearby, the hotels in this area offer more space and parking and are a short cab ride from major tourist attractions. Interestingly, most of Cusco’s downtown residents have moved to this area!

Near to the Cusco airport.

If you have an early flight or a short layover, staying at a nearby hotel simplifies logistics. Several newly built hotels are the best in Cusco for stopovers, offering close proximity and day-use rooms so you can rest before or after a long flight.

The Best Hotels in Cusco

From refurbished convents that have been transformed into luxury hotels to spacious backpacker hostels, the ancient Inca capital of Cusco offers every type of accommodation a traveler could imagine.

If you’ve been looking for a hotel in Cusco, Peru, our list features the top properties consistently ranked among the best in Peru and South America. They’re all within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas, the charming Sacred Valley, and the legendary Machu Picchu. Join us today!

The Palacio Nazarenas is a Belmond hotel located in Cusco.

This former convent of the Order of the Nazarenes has been transformed into a luxurious, all-suite hotel with a heated outdoor pool surrounded by Andean orchids. All suites have optional oxygen to alleviate altitude sickness. The butler team can arrange for you to be woken up peacefully at 4:30 a.m. with coca leaf tea and help you board the train to Machu Picchu with energy. In other words, butler service is available 24 hours a day.

El Monasterio is a Belmond hotel located in Cusco.

This hotel combines 16th-century cloisters with marble bathrooms and a two-story, gilded, colonial chapel that hosts daily twilight opera recitals. Here, you will be enveloped by history along with five-star service. Quiet moments in the spacious colonial courtyard will make you forget everything else. The hotel was formerly the Seminary of San Antonio Abad, founded by the Jesuit Order in the 17th century.

JW Marriott El Convento Cusco

With stone arches, Inca walls, and an underground gallery of Inca stones and ceramics, this hotel is a showcase of local Cusco history. Built over the former Convent of San Agustín, the hotel offers modern rooms and suites, an indoor pool, and spa services. The courtyard, reminiscent of the old rectangular patios of Cusquenian homes, features a central carved stone basin. After dining at the exclusive Qespi Bar restaurant, ask the staff about the free tour of the underground exhibition galleries.

Palacio del Inca, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Cusco.

As its name suggests, this hotel features original Inca masonry alongside Spanish colonial-style halls. Guests can enjoy an indoor pool and the largest variety of piscos in the city. Originally an ancient Inca palace called Amarucancha, the hotel was part of the Coricancha complex, the most important temple of the Inca Empire. During the colonial period, the palace passed into the hands of Marquis Juan Salas y Valdez, who commissioned the construction of a stone portico with four busts of himself and his sons (Casa de los Cuatro Bustos). From the portico, you can take a short walk to the ruins of the Coricancha temple.

Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel

With its crystal chandeliers, 300-thread-count bedding, and art gallery filled with paintings in the famous local “Escuela Cusqueña” style, the Aranwa feels like a private colonial mansion. However, its prices are more affordable than those of many other hotels in Cusco, Peru, in its category. The hotel is characterized by its colorful walls, first-class service, and rustic colonial atmosphere.

Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels

Located above the San Cristobal church, this hillside retreat in Colcampata has hammocks in the garden with panoramic city views and only 17 rooms, making sunsets feel almost private. Colcampata Hill was the site of Cusco’s first Inca palace, which belonged to Manco Capac, the first Inca ruler. The hotel has an intimate atmosphere and beautifully decorated spaces with ample green areas and Inca walls.

The Old Casona de San Blas.

The cobblestone streets of San Blas are at your feet. With bonfires in the courtyard and a small Nikkei-Andean restaurant inside, this restored colonial mansion is the very definition of cozy and comfortable in the boutique category. During your stay, you can enjoy the neighborhood’s nightlife and culture.

Sonesta Cusco

Consistently praised for its excellent service, the Sonesta Hotel Cusco offers modern rooms, fast Wi-Fi, and airport transfers in less than ten minutes. This is very useful for tight itineraries in Peru, Cusco, or the Sacred Valley. The hotel is located on Avenida El Sol, Cusco’s main street. Everything is within walking distance, including banks, pharmacies, currency exchange offices, post offices, and more.

Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral

Its location is unbeatable: It’s just 30 meters from the main square, putting you right in the center of the city’s festivities. As you step outside, Cusco’s cathedral dominates your view of the city. Inside, you’ll find cozy rooms, an energetic breakfast buffet, and affordable rates, making it one of the best hotels in Cusco for those who love value for money.

Hotel Maytaq Wasi

The Maytaq Wasi hotel, located within walking distance of the impressive Inca Museum operated by the National University of Cusco, offers bright rooms and a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel provides handy oxygen tanks at the reception desk, ideal for treating altitude sickness. It sits half a block from the main square.

Selina Cusco

Digital nomads will love the coworking café, weekly music sessions, and flexible mix of dorms and private rooms. Imagine coworking accommodations in the heart of Cusco’s hotel scene in Peru, where you can meet people from all over the world and share activities and excursions. That’s Selina.

Hostal Loki

Famous for its themed night parties and “blood bombs” at the bar, Hostal Loki is the meeting point for backpackers visiting Cusco. The hostel’s daytime walking tours of different city attractions make up for the previous night’s late-hour revelry.

Wild Rover Hostel

The only downtown hostel with a lawn, Wild Rover offers sunny sunsets in lush gardens and city views from the slopes of Mount Santa Ana. It also has a giant sports bar, which is ideal for watching soccer games and other sporting events. It’s the perfect place to make friends and participate in group activities while meeting other backpackers from all over the world.

Hostal Black Lama:

This newly renovated colonial mansion has bunk beds with thick curtains to ensure guests’ privacy. The beds also have reading lights and lockers. The hostel hosts group barbecue nights in the courtyard, allowing guests to enjoy their time without leaving the lodge. Recently, many influencers from around the world have chosen to stay here, contributing to the hostel’s growing popularity.

Hostal El Viajero, Cusco:

Kokopeli is now El Viajero, but it remains legendary. It offers pisco-making classes, live music, and a patio bar called Sonqo. Book early; beds at this popular Cusco backpacker spot sell out fast.