What kind of traveler are you?

All Cusco hotels are designed with you in mind. Whether you're an adventurous soul eager to meet other citizens of the world or just looking for a cozy place to rest your head, Cusco has got you covered. On the other hand, some hotels focus on travelers who are passionate about culture, art, and history. And for those looking to make their anniversary or special occasion extra special, there are luxury accommodations that offer all the comforts and first-class service to make your stay truly memorable.

Already also, if you're planning a visit to Cusco, Machu Picchu and its other attractions in the most natural way possible, a mid-range hotel can be perfect for you!

What are your interests?

Adventure, adrenaline and challenges practicing hiking, rappelling, zip-line, even rafting in the Andes mountain; with an additional, meet other people with your same adventurous soul in group activities and crazy nights, so the backpacker hostels will be perfect for you.

If you're more interested in culture, art, history, and legends, and want your accommodation to have decorative elements that reflect these interests, perhaps boutique hotels in Cusco are for you.

If you find yourself drawn to the healing power of Ayahuasca rituals and the earth-mother Pachamama, but want to keep things simple, hostels might be the perfect place for you.

Do you travel with others or alone?

Maybe you're with that special someone celebrating a wedding anniversary, a marriage, or an important date, and you want every detail to count during your experience in Cusco. Hey, I totally get it. And for that once-in-a-lifetime occasion, you really want to make it extra special, right? That's why that a luxury Cusco hotel will be perfecto for you.

If you're traveling with a big group of family and friends and just want to have a good time visiting Machu Picchu and the ancient Inca capital, you're in luck! There are plenty of beautiful, good, and affordable mid-range hotels and backpackers.

Or, if you are a lonely soul looking to make friends or just have some time to yourself, a backpacker or mid-range hotel will be great for you

Types of Hotels in Cusco

When travelers search for hotels in Cusco Peru, they often discover a huge range of styles and price points. Below you’ll find a quick guide to the most common categories so you can decide which option suits your trip, and easily pick from the best hotels in Cusco, the most convenient mid-range spots, or the coziest budget rooms.

Luxury hotels

Set inside former colonial mansions or restored Inca-era buildings, these properties blend historic charm with upscale comforts. Expect spacious suites, on-site spas, and gourmet Andean-fusion restaurants. If you want to splurge, the top hotels in Cusco usually fall into this group.

Boutique hotels

Intimate and highly curated, boutique stays use local textiles, modern art, and stylish rooftop lounges to create an Instagram; ready ambiance. They’re ideal for couples and friends who value aesthetics based on history, art, and culture, and personal service. Many listings tagged as good hotels in Cusco are boutique gems in San Blas or near the main square.

Mid-range hotels

These well-priced choices balance cost and convenience. You’ll get reliable Wi-Fi, hearty breakfasts, and 24-hour reception; Cuscoperfect for explorers who plan to spend most of the day touring ruins. When you see “recommended Cusco hotels,” this is often what’s implied.

Hostels

For visitors focused on comfort, and at a good price basic services, without much detail, the hostels' category is for them. Many sit in the same historic center of Cusco, or surround it to walk to the most interesting Cusco attractions. Usually, these don't offer any food service but they are well equipped to spend comfortable nights. These are an excellent compromise between simplicity and city access.

Backpackers

If you’re watching your wallet, backpacker hostels deliver clean dorms, simple private rooms, and shared rooms with beds and/or bunk beds where you only pay per bed. Breakfast isn't usually included, but the hostel's group activities, tours, and nightlife will keep you active. In addition, they have tour desks for day trips. They’re some of the most sociable Cusco Peru hotels and a smart pick for solo travelers, soul adventures, and young people.

Take note

Book early for high season (June–August and late December). Whether you lean toward luxury suites or budget bunks, the most popular hotels in Cusco Peru, fill up fast, especially the best hotels in Cusco near the Plaza de Armas. Scan recent guest reviews to confirm Wi-Fi speeds, breakfast hours, and altitude-adapted amenities like oxygen-enriched rooms.

Where to stay in Cusco?

Finding the best hotels in Cusco starts with picking the right neighborhood. Use the overview below to match your travel style with the area that suits you, so you can focus on choosing among the many hotels in Cusco Peru, from boutique gems to full-service 5-stars hotels.

Historic Center of Cusco

Staying inside hotels located among ancient Inca stone streets means major landmarks, museums, and eateries are a short stroll away. You’ll wake up steps from the Cathedral and Qorikancha; because many restored mansions now rank among the top hotels in Cusco. Expect easy taxi access, constant café options, and plenty of nightlife without long commutes. The majority of luxury hotels are located here. In addition, the zone is famous for its high police security on its streets as well as security cameras.

Plaza de Armas del Cusco (Main square)

If you want the Cusco postcard view each morning, the main square delivers. Rooms overlooking the stone arches are often synonym that you being in a good hotel in Cusco for their unbeatable location. You'll be at the epicenter of Cusco festivities and any activity taking place in its plaza. In addition, you can walk to tour-meeting points situated close to the plaza and watch Cusco traditional parades right from your balcony.

El Sol Avenue

Running southeast from the plaza, Av. El Sol links the center to the busier commercial zone. Hotels here balance cost and convenience, often less pricey than the square yet only a ten-minute walk away from it. For travelers watching their budget, many Cusco hotels on this avenue include breakfast and strong Wi-Fi without hidden fees. Besides, El Sol avenue is the main street of the city, you'll find many bank offices, money exchange counters, hotels, drugstores, post offices, handicraft markets, among others.

San Blas

Known for its uphill cobbled lanes, artisan stalls, and to be the traditional cusco artisan families' neighborhood, San Blas is popular with creatives, couples, and visitors. Rooftop terraces frame sunset views of the red-tiled city, and its boutique hotels compete to be listed among the best hotels in Cusco for character. Cafés and galleries line the alleys; just be ready for a short, steep climb home each night after a tour. San Blas is located just 3 blocks behind the Cathedral of Cusco.

Zaguán del Cielo

Tucked on just one side San Blas, this quieter pocket attracts travelers looking to feel like a local resident of Cusco living at a slower pace. You’re still close to the center, yet rates drop noticeably. Expect family-run guesthouses promoted as good hotels in Cusco for personal service and insider tips on food spots. Of course, the zone is very safe.

Magisterio Neighborhood

East of downtown, Magisterio offers modern malls, gyms, and larger hotel towers. It’s ideal for business travelers or families who prefer chain comforts over colonial architecture. With wider streets and supermarkets nearby, Cusco Peru hotels here provide more space and parking while remaining a short taxi ride from the sights. Just for your information, most of the Cusco residents from the city center left their homes downtown and came to live here!

Close to Cusco airport

If you have an early flight or a tight layover, airport-adjacent properties keep logistics simple. Several new builds claim the title of top hotels in Cusco for layover convenience, offering closeness and day-use rooms so you can rest before or after a long flight.

The 15 best hotels in Cusco

From storied convents reborn as luxury hotels to party hostels with skyline terraces, the former Inca capital serves up every stay a traveler could imagine.

If you’ve been searching for hotels in Cusco Peru,  this countdown gathers the true stand-out properties that consistently rank among the best in Peru and South America while keeping you within easy reach of Plaza de Armas, the Sacred Valley charms, and the legendary Machu Picchu. So, let's go!

Palacio Nazarenas, a Belmond hotel Cusco

A former Nazarene's order convent turned suite-only luxury hotel where Andean orchids frame a heated outdoor pool and every suite comes with optional oxygen-enrichment to ease the altitude sickness. The butler team can arrange a 04:30 a.m. coca-leaf wake-up tea so you get Machu Picchu trains fresh.

Monasterio, a Belmond hotel Cusco

Belmond Monasterio pairs 16th-century cloisters with marble bathrooms and a two-story gilded chapel that hosts twilight opera recitals for guests. Here, history meets five-star service without losing the monastery’s quiet courtyards. In the past, the hotel was the Seminary of San Antonio Abad, founded by the Jesuit Order in the 17th century.

JW Marriott El Convento Cusco

Stone archways, Inca walls, and a subterranean exhibition gallery of Inca stones and ceramics make this Marriott Cusco property a showcase of local Cusco history. The hotel was built over the ancient San Agustin Convent and offers modern rooms and suites, with an indoor pool and spa service. Its patio is reminiscent of the old rectangular patios of Cusco houses with a central stone basin. Ask the staff to unlock the subterranean exhibition gallery after dinner in its exclusive restaurant Qespi Bar.

Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco

The name speaks for itself: Palacio del Inka nestles original Inca masonry alongside Spanish-colonial salons, an indoor pool, plus the city’s most extensive Pisco tasting menu. The hotel was an ancient Inca palace called Amarucancha, which belonged to the Coricancha complex, the empire's most important temple. Later, during the colonial era, it passed into the hands of Marquis Juan Salas y Valdez, who commissioned the construction of a stone portico with 4 busts of himself and his children (House of the Four Busts).

A short walk delivers you to Coricancha temple ruins.

Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel

Crystal chandeliers, 300-thread-count linens, and an on-site art gallery stuffed with paintings belonging to the famous local artistic style "Cusco School" give Aranwa the feel of a private colonial mansion, yet rates stay friendlier than many Cusco Peru hotels in its class. This hotel is characterized by colorful walls, first-class service, and a rustic colonial Cusco atmosphere.

Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay hotels

Set above San Cristóbal church, this hillside Colcampata hideaway offers garden hammocks with panoramic city views and just 17 rooms, so sunsets feel almost private. The Colcampata hill was the place of the first Inca palace in Cusco, belonging to Manco Capac, the first Inca ruler. The hotel offers intimate environments and areas, beautifully decorated with large green areas and Inca walls.

Antigua Casona San Blas

Cobblestone San Blas at your doorstep, fire pits in the courtyard, and a small Nikkei-Andean restaurant inside make this restored Casona the very definition of cozy boutique comfort among hotels in Cusco. Nightlife and culture will accompany you during your stay at this hotel.

Sonesta Cusco

Consistently praised for above-and-beyond service, Sonesta Hotel Cusco balances modern rooms, speedy Wi-Fi, and airport transfers in under ten minutes—handy on tight Sacred Valley itineraries. It is located on Avenida el Sol, Cusco's main street, where you'll find everything within walking distance: banks, pharmacies, currency exchange offices, post offices, and more.

Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral

Location wins here: The hotel is located just 30 meters from the main square, ensuring you're right in the center of the city's festivities. Step outside the hotel, and the Cusco Cathedral dominates your first views of the city. Inside hotel, you’ll find snug rooms, an energetic breakfast buffet, and rates that make it one of the best hotels in Cusco for value hunters. 

Maytaq Wasi Hotel

A few doors from the great Inca Museum managed by the National University of Cusco, Maytaq Wasi delivers bright rooms, a rooftop with surrounding Cusco mountain glimpses, and handy oxygen cylinders at reception; ideal if altitude affects. The hotel is located half a block from the main square.

Selina Cusco

Digital nomads will love Selina’s cowork cafe, weekly DJ sets, and flexible mix of dorms and private rooms. Think work-friendly hostelling in the heart of Cusco Peru hotels scene, by meeting people around the world, and sharing activities and tours.

Loki Hostel

Famed for wild night theme parties and “blood-bombs” at the bar, Loki is the social engine room of Cusco backpacking. Daytime walking tours offered by the hostel balance the nightly revelry of the day before.

Wild Rover Hostel

The only hostel downtown with a lawn (green area), Wild Rover pairs sunny gardens and Santa Ana hillside city views with a giant sports bar, ideal for watching soccer parties at altitude. Here, group activities and friendships are forged by meeting backpackers from all over the world.

Black Lama Hostel

A freshly renovated colonial casona where each dorm bunk gets privacy curtains, reading lights, and lockers. Communal BBQ nights make mingling in the courtyard easy without leaving the hostel. This hostel has gained popularity in recent months, as many influencers from around the world have stayed there.

El Viajero Cusco Hostel

Rebranded but still legendary, Kokopeli, now El Viajero, serves Pisco-making classes, live music, and a courtyard bar called Sonqo. Book early; dorm beds go fast in this backpacker favorite in Cusco.