Hostels in Cusco, Peru
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We’ve decided to ‘lay roots’ in Cusco which in travellers terms means stay for more than three days. This has meant we can test different hostels in Cusco, Peru for you and report back on where to stay in this small city.
Kokopelli
I love this hostel. If you are looking for an electric vibe in the touristy area this is The One. Kokopelli is a chain of hostels, they also offer accommodation in Lima, Paracas and Mancora (both Paracas and Mancora have swimming pools) so we were keen to try one out.
The hostel offers 10, 8, 6, 4 and 3 bunk dorms; private rooms and uniquely an 8 bed ‘pod’ room (room 105). The hostel really caters for all budgets. For our first night we stayed in the 10 bed dorm with a private bathroom and a door which directly opens on to the garden (33 soles / £7). Cute. Each bed has a wooden box ‘locker’ big enough to store your backpack for safety. The usual issues come with a large dorm, there is always someone sleeping but that’s the price you pay for not going private. Nights two and three were spent in the unusual ‘pod’ rooms (40 soles / £8.48). The beds in the room each have a curtain to shut out the world. It felt very private. Each bed has a cupboard and storage space with plugs. It also had a private bathroom AND WiFi for occupants of that room only.
There are a variety of casual social areas with bean bags as well as a TV room and a bar which serves food. Typical Peruvian breakfast (pan and marmelada) is included and is served at the bar. The WiFi was at its best at the bar during the morning hours. The clientele are cool, met some very sound travellers here.
- Pros: Aesthetically pleasing; bar with decent food; the pods
- Cons: We were really craving a bit of fruit for breakfast by this point but the bread/jam combo is pretty standard. No kitchen for those hoping to cook.
Price: 26 soles / £5.50 to 148 soles / £31 per night
Website: Kokopelli Cusco
Address: Calle San Andres 260
Contact: +51-84-315224 (International) / 084-315224 (Peru) / 315224 (Local-Cusco)
Email: cusco@hostelkokopelli.com
Casa de la Gringa
If you are in Cusco for more than one night we highly recommend skipping over to the bohemian San Blas area which has cute shops, eateries and is less commercial (food in the markets is cheaper) than the other side of Plaza de Armas. Casa de la Gringa fits in with this laid back and loving vibe.
The hostel is beautifully decorated and we were thankful of our ‘matrimonial’ verde (green) bedroom (90 soles / £19.34) after The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.
The owners Mark & Simon, South Africans with Scottish ancestry, (we didn’t get the chance to meet their Mum) are very cool and offer sound advice and service to anyone looking to experience the San Pedro plant.
The breakfast was refreshing. The staff offer you a fruit salad with yoghurt or scrambled egg with the usual bread. There is a kitchen for those on a budget. Like Kokopelli, tea and coffee is free all day. The shower is always hot and the company eclectic.
- Pros: Looks cool; breakfast; the area
- Cons: Not a party hostel if that is what you are after, we met lots of couples there
Price: 51.93 soles / £11 – 221.89 soles / £47 per night
Website: Casa de la Gringa
Address: Corner of Tandapata & P’asnapaqana No. 148 San Blas
Contact: 241168 (local)
Email: casadelagringacusco@gmail.com
Thomas Grill and Garden
This hostel is in the sweet spot of San Blas right next to my favourite street, Calle Carmen Alto. It’s clean, has the hottest shower so far but the real gem is the receptionist / chef / gardener / all rounder, Jenny!
The hostel has two social areas and a nice garden with tables and chairs. This was ideal for airing out my smoky clothes after a night of debauchery at the Mythology club! No such thing as the smoking ban in Cusco.
There are a variety of rooms, some with shared and others with private bathrooms. Initially we were housed in a matrimonial room with a private bathroom and TV but decided to stay longer as we were enjoying the peace. Jenny put us in the ‘double mountain view’ room and a view it sure had. You get a key for the front door so feels more like an apartment with breakfast than a hostel. The WiFi was incredible. A blogger’s dream.
This room is really cute, it has a campervan feeling and you can’t beat waking up to the best views of Cusco.
The room is cold at night (Cusco is frío in the evenings) but we were given a heater to take the edge off.
Breakfast is varied. Some days we had bread with butter / jam and fruit, others we had (bread and) cereal and yoghurt. There is a decent sized kitchen for those wishing to cook.
- Pros: The staff; hot water; superfast WiFi; the view from our room
- Cons: Again, not a party hostel if that is your bag, we met even more couples but there was one solo guest kicking about
Price: 24.84 soles / £5.26 – 49.71 / £10.53 per night
Website: Thomas Grill – Garden
Address: Atocsaycuchi 281- A, Cusco, Peru 5184
Contact: 0051984118474
Email: reservasthomasgrill-garden@hotmail.com
There are hundreds of hostels, hotels and apartments in pequño (small) Cusco.
Where did you stay?
Thanks to Kokopelli; Casa de la Gringa and Thomas Grill for the discounted stay. As always… an honest review.
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