As for accommodations in Cusco,
you could argue that the city has the best selection in
the country. Cusco is a haven for travelers who
come from all over the world to visit nearby attractions
such as the Sacred Valley
and the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. Cusco can also
be a good place to arrange tours into the Amazon
Jungle Manu National
Park. Nearby towns like Pisac
and Ollantaytambo make
for excellent side trips as well. Travelers looking
for a decent room at a good price appreciate the abundance
of Cusco hostels, and the money saved on lodging is well
used shopping at the Cusco
or Pisac markets. Since Cusco is a base for so many
adventures in southern Peru, the Cusco hostels make for
a great place to put your stuff and head out into the
surrounding countryside. The Cusco hostels booking
rates run anywhere from around $10 on up, but generally
for the better ones, you can expect to pay between $30-$60.
The following are just a few Cusco hostels booking ideas.
The Cusco neighborhood of San Blas is considered by many to be the best part of the city, boasting funky cafes and art galleries, and it is here where you will find some of the best hostel accommodations in Cusco. The Casa de La Gringa is a nice bohemian hostel, and it starts at the bottom end of the price range. If the Casa de La Gringa is filled up, you might see if they have a room available at the new Casa de La Gringa 2, which is just a few blocks from the main establishment. Between the two buildings, there are options for singles and doubles, as well as matrimonial rooms, all with shared bathrooms and showers. The rooms here are simple, as you might expect, but they are well-decorated, and above all, clean. The main hostel has facilities for guests to use, such as a kitchen, a common room with TV, internet access and a BBQ area. There is a nice outdoor patio for relaxing, and at night, you can look at the stars in the covered roof area.
For a step up in San Blas hostel accommodations in Cusco,
you might try the Hostal Marani, which was once a colonial-era
home. The central Spanish courtyard and the Hostal
Marani has nice tables and chairs, where guests can enjoy
their complimentary breakfasts. The staff here can
help you with luggage storage, and the laundry service
is surely handy. If you want to go to Machu
Picchu, you can arrange your trip here, and there
is an on-site library that has books on Andes Culture
and information on the HoPe Foundation, with which the
hotel is affiliated. Your choice of room decides
how much you will ultimately pay, with four possible options
single-quadruple. Among the top features here are
the rooms’ nice bathrooms, and though the rooms
themselves are pretty outstanding as well when it comes
to Cusco hostels.
As popular as San Blas is, others would argue that staying
in the center of town, near the Plaza de Armas is the
best place to be. San Blas is within walking distance
of the Plaza de Armas, but if you want to be in the center
of all the action, you might choose the Hostal Suecia
II. It is just 2 blocks from the main square, and
it is among the best low-priced hostel accommodations
in Cusco. Housed in a colonial-style building, the
covered courtyard is a great place to chat with fellow
travelers, and for some reason, this backpacker’s
hotel seems to attract a good amount of people looking
to go trekking in the Andes
Mountains. In other words, if you are hiking
the Inca Trail, you will
likely find others here with the same in mind. You
can choose between rooms either with or without a bathroom,
and there are singles, doubles and triples available.
Breakfast, which doesn’t cost much extra, starts
early, just in case you are heading out, and the overall
light and spacious nature of the inn makes it one of the
best budget Cusco hostels booking options.
Among the higher-priced centrally-located Cusco hostels is the Hostal Virrey. The price pretty much reflects the fact that the hostel is right on the Plaza de Armas. Though the rooms here don’t look out onto the plaza, there are two that have exceptional views of the city. As hostels go, the carpeted floors and cable TV help to distinguish this one, as do the private bathrooms.
Maybe the noise of staying near the main plaza isn’t for you, and you think you might prefer hostel accommodations in Cusco that are out of the way a bit. If that is the case, be sure to check out the Hostal San Juan de Dios, which is a social project that contributes its profits to the San Juan de Dios Clinic. This clinic helps disadvantaged and sick kids in Cusco, and you will certainly appreciate the positive atmosphere found here. Mid-priced and boasting 9 double rooms and one matrimonial room, you get some good bang for your buck. The rooms, while simple, are nicely decorated and they feature nice, comfortable beds. Rooms are carpeted, and have nice, private bathrooms. The hostel’s garden is a pleasure to relax in, and your rates include an American-style breakfast. Rates increase slightly during the high season (April-December).
