Sitting at the gateway to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Cusco is an eclectic mix of a city that attracts visitors of all types.
Arriving in the town itself is literally breathtaking, not only for the altitude effect, the cobblestones, stone walls and churches will whisk you directly to another time. The town feels mystic and otherworldly.
Along with the star attraction – Machu Picchu, Cusco is steeped in architectural sites, Inca relics, and epic Andes vistas. It’s also close to the Rainbow Mountains and Sacred Valley.
Cusco is one of those places that works out quite well for us backpackers, many visitors generally means many accommodation options, along with great restaurants, bars and cheap eats. And I can confirm Cusco is indeed adorned with them all.
I present you with the best hostels in Cusco.
Let’s get into it!
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Grab and go: The Best Hostels in Cusco
The 5 Best Hostels in Cusco
There are some awesome hostels across Peru, and many of them are located in Cusco. Let’s take a gander at the best places in Cusco!
1. Pariwana Hostel Cusco – Best Overall Hostel
- Price: $$
- Best for: Backpackers wanting a central location.
- Highlights: Daily events to join, large common areas, on-site bar and restaurant.
- Dorms from: $20
- Private rooms from: $70
- Location: Historic centre of Cusco
Chances are, when you’re looking at the best places to stay in Peru, you’ll come across Pariwana Hostel Cusco. It’s one of the best hostels in Cusco, Pariwana certainly doesn’t let the side down, it’s an affordable price in a great central location!
Their common areas are super social with ping-pong tables and pool, and hangout areas to get to know other travellers. They have an onsite bar and restaurant, along with free tea and infusions all day long.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Top Location: Pariwana Hostel is located close to the Plaza de Armas and other tourist sites.
- Common Areas: Super noice indoor and outdoor common areas.
- Social Activities: The hostel runs daily activities, including trivia, beer pong and art classes.
As somewhat of an institution, these guys generally run an activity program for those wanting to get stuck into some socialising. The dorm rooms are a mix with between 4 and 12 beds, and come with an internal bathroom.
If you’re planning to skip the dorms, Pariwana Hostel offers great private rooms with private bathrooms. So no need to worry about the morning clear-out. There are maps, WiFi in every corner of the building, and luggage storage for when you’re off to explore the Inca Empire.
2. Viajero Cusco – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers
- Best for: Digital nomads and solo travellers.
- Highlights: Co-working spaces, cultural activities, and on-site bar.
- Dorms from: $19
- Private rooms from: $80
- Location: Central Cusco
Easily the best pick for solo travellers looking for somewhere to get in some social party time and rest up for big adventures in Cusco.
Viajero Cusco delivers the vibiest common spaces all the way to a bouncing, international bar; it’s easy to be social here. They also show live sports, so you may be able to catch your favourite team from back home.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Work space: The hostel has dedicated co-working areas with good Wi-Fi.
- Cultural activities: Free walking and food tours are on offer.
- Fancy interior: The heavily decorated interiors give it more of a boutique hotel feel.
The Viajero building is filled with random artwork and decoration, and as I always say, arty places are the best places. The team have gone above and beyond to make Viajero into one of the coolest Cusco hostel, offering epic daily activities and an awesome Pisco bar to meet new travel buddies as well.
3. Hospedaje Turistico Recoleta – Best Cheap Hostel
- Price:$
- Best for: Budget backpackers seeking a local experience.
- Highlights: Free Breakfast, Garden terrace, bike hire.
- Dorms from: $11
- Private rooms from: $29
- Location: Recoleta neighbourhood, somewhat uphill from centre
A top choice for budget backpackers, there is a certain homeliness to Recoleta which makes you instantly feel at ease and the team are incredibly friendly and helpful. It’s easy to see why this place is loved by so many who stay here.
They have you covered with a shared kitchen so you can stretch your budget by cooking your own food. They throw in a free breakfast as well as all-day tea and coffee.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Community Vibes: For when you want to escape from the party hostel scene.
- Social spaces: Both indoor and outdoor communal areas.
- Location: Recoleta hostel is located in a residential area; your experience will be more of a local one.
They run Spanish classes for practising your language skills, and there’s also a book exchange so you can finally swap out that copy of Shantaram you’ve been heaving around forever. Calling those who like a chilled-out, fun hostel, aiming to max out on the minimal cost of living in Peru, Recoleta is the place for you!
4. Wild Rover Backpacker Hostel – Best Party Hostel
- Price:$$
- Best for: Party-loving travellers
- Highlights: Awesome bar, nightly parties, and panoramic city views
- Dorms from: $10
- Private rooms from: $49
- Location: Close to Cusco city centre
When it comes to party hostels in Cusco, it would be foolish to overlook Wild Rover. Wild by name and by nature, it’s the talk of the town for party animal backpackers.
In what could be a world first (as it never seems to happen), Wild Rover has kindly soundproofed their hostel bar, meaning you can party your socks off AND get a decent night’s sleep here too.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Epic Nightlife: Probably one of the most famous party hostels in South America, they run nightly events.
- Food and beverage: they have an on-site restaurant and bar
- Amazing Views: Overlooks Cusco, check out the stunning sunset.
They love some music around here and often have live performances and DJs. They run an open mic night, if you’re keen to get yourself up there!
The hostel is in an awesome central location, just a few blocks from Cusco’s main square, Plaza De Armas. From their tours and travel desk, you can book Inca Trails hikes, quad bike tours, and even cooking classes.
I absolutely love the garden, the chill-out space is second to none with bean bags and hammocks that go wild at night, and the area is kitted out with games like ping-pong and beer pong. Did I mention the view from this place is spectacular?
5. Intro Hostels Cusco – Best For Female Solo Travellers
- Price:$
- Best for: Budget and long-term travellers, as well as female travellers.
- Highlights: Affordable rates, tea and coffee, and great communal spaces.
- Dorms from: $8
- Private rooms from: $20
- Location: Near Cusco centre
If Cusco is the first stop on your Peruvian adventure, Intro Hostel is perhaps the perfect introduction to the incredible journey that is South America … not punny, I hear you say? Sorry, I couldn’t stop that one.
- Great Value for money: One of the cheaper options in town
- Good Location: While being slightly outside the busiest areas, the hostel is still close enough to explore the city on foot.
- Dedicated female dorms: Hooray!
A brilliant budget hostel offering all the facilities you could wish for, complimentary breakfast, free WiFi, free lockers, and social activities. They have their own bar, complete with a fire pit and pool table, and yes… the beer is cheap too! Cracking prices for both dorms and private rooms, plus they have a dedicated female dorm.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Cusco
Everyone needs good travel insurance – you’ll thank me when an alpaca eats your hat!
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
What to consider for your Cusco stay
If you don’t have Cusco on your backpacking Peru list, what are you doing?! Granted – it’s a bit touristy and priced as such, it’s still really worth seeing Cusco and the surrounding areas first-hand.
Do take the warnings of possible altitude sickness seriously and take it easy if you feel unwell upon arrival. Cusco is located in a mountainous region, so prepare for colder weather, especially at night and use sunscreen in the day.
Cusco has an epic backpacker scene and some genuinely amazing hostels to choose from. Keep in mind, Cusco is known for its nightlife so if you’re looking for somewhere quiet before an epic trek double-check the location. For me, I’m loving Viajero Cusco and all that art.
Have you stayed at any of these hostels, or have I missed your favourite? Hit me up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Peru for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Cusco before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate South America backpacking guide.
