![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2025\/cuscohostels.jpeg\")
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Cusco is the undisputed archaeological hub of South America, and visiting it is an essential part of any trip to Peru<\/a>. The capital of the Inca Empire for centuries, the city lies not far from the famed Machu Picchu, one of the iconic Wonders of the World. Whether you\u2019re hiking the Inca Trail<\/a> or just passing through, Cusco is worth spending a few days exploring.<\/p>\n While most travelers visit Cusco because of its location near Machu Picchu, there is a lot to see and do here. The city is popular with trail walkers and history lovers, but also partygoers who come to enjoy its nightlife and festivals. <\/p>\n Below is my list of the best hostels in Cusco to help you plan your trip and save money. If you don\u2019t want to read the longer list, the following are the best in each category:<\/p>\n Want the specifics? Here\u2019s my breakdown of the best hostels in Cusco and why I love them:<\/p>\n I really liked the dorm beds here, which are pod-style and super comfy, with individual reading lights and outlets. The showers always have hot water and great pressure. There are female-only dorms too. There’s also a co-working space if you need to get some work done and free tea all day (including coca tea, which helps with acclimatizing to the altitude). <\/p>\n Viajero Kokopelli at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n Most dorm rooms here have pod-style beds with privacy curtains, outlets, reading lights, and large lockers to store your gear. The dorms are located in an area separate from the bar, meaning you can still get a decent night\u2019s sleep if you don\u2019t want to join in on the festivities or want to turn in early. It’s definitely the best choice for travelers looking to enjoy the city’s nightlife.<\/p>\n Wild Rover at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n Dorm beds here are a bit basic (no privacy curtains), but they are made of wood, so they don\u2019t squeak and shake like metal bunks (a big plus in my book). The hostel has private rooms too, including some with just a twin bed, making this a good option for solo travelers who are looking for a peaceful stay with a bit more privacy. <\/p>\n Hospedaje Tur\u00edstico Recoleta at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n Each room bears a different name in Quechua (the indigenous language of the region). Both private rooms and dorms have comfortable capsule beds with individual reading lights, curtains, and outlets; insulating noise-reducing material; and blackout curtains. This is one of the best hostels in Cusco for getting a solid night\u2019s rest. It\u2019s perfect for travelers who are looking for a quiet place to recharge before or after a trek. <\/p>\n Casa Tunki at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n In the dorms, you\u2019ll find individual reading lights and outlets by each bed (no privacy curtains though), and lockers with outlets to safely charge your electronics while you\u2019re out exploring. The showers have hot water (though sometimes it takes a little time to warm up), and there\u2019s free tea available 24\/7 (including coca tea).<\/p>\n Pariwana Hostel Cusco at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n As the jumping-off point for trekking through the jungle, exploring the nearby ruins, and of course, heading out to Machu Picchu, visiting Cusco is a must for anyone traveling through Peru<\/a>. Since it sits at 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level, you\u2019ll want to spend a few days here to acclimate to the altitude before doing any hiking (plus there\u2019s a lot to do and see within the city itself). Pick a hostel from the above list for a good stay in the city!<\/p>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?<\/strong> Want More Information on Peru?<\/strong> Cusco is the undisputed archaeological hub of South America, and visiting it is an essential part of any trip to Peru. The capital of the Inca Empire for centuries, the city lies not far from the famed Machu Picchu, one of the iconic Wonders of the World. Whether you\u2019re hiking the Inca Trail or just…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":276420,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[890],"tags":[3166,745,2513,2504],"class_list":["post-264868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-south-america","tag-cusco","tag-hostels","tag-peru","tag-south-america"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\nBest Hostel for Budget Travelers<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nHospedaje Tur\u00edstico Recoleta<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for Solo Female Travelers<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nViajero Kokopelli<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for Partying<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nWild Rover<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Overall Hostel<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nViajero Kokopelli<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n1. Viajero Kokopelli<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2025\/Viajero.jpeg\")
\nThis is my favorite hostel in the city. It’s a huge, fun, and artsy hostel with cool murals painted on the walls. It\u2019s lively with lots of events so stay here if you\u2019re looking to meet other travelers. There\u2019s a bar with a daily happy hour, lots of activities (live music, DJs, cooking classes), and the common areas have billiards, foosball, and beer pong tables. It’s right near the main square too, so you can walk to a lot of the city’s sights.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n2. Wild Rover Hostel<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Expansive](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/wildrovercusco.jpg\")
\nWild Rover is fun party hostel. There\u2019s always something going on here, from parties at the bar to cultural experiences like cooking classes and salsa lessons. There are several common areas too, including a co-working space. The panoramic views from the bar can\u2019t be beat (though keep in mind that the uphill walk from the city center can be a bit taxing at this altitude).<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n3. Hospedaje Tur\u00edstico Recoleta<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Twin](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/hospedajeturisticorecoletacusco.jpg\")
\nThis cozy hostel offers a quieter stay than the two above, making it a great option if you have an early morning wake-up to go trekking or just want a more laid-back stay. The atmosphere at this family-run hostel is super welcoming. Plus, unlike most hostels in Cusco, Recoleta offers free breakfast and has a guest kitchen in case you want to cook. It’s also one of the most affordable hostels in the city. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n4. Casa Tunki<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Capsule-style](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/casatunkicusco.png\")
\nThe most luxurious hostel in Cusco, Casa Tunki feels more like a boutique hotel than a hostel. It\u2019s located in a colonial-era building restored in a mix of contemporary and historic styles. I found the inner atrium (where you\u2019ll find the cool fusion restaurant\/bar) particularly stunning. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n5. Pariwana Hostel Cusco<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/pariwanahostelcusco.jpg\")
\nPariwana is a small Peruvian-owned hostel chain, named for the Andean flamingo (the idea being that this bird, like backpackers, travels all over South America). Its Cusco location is an institution and the staff are amazing and go out of their way to host fun social events.<\/p>\n\n
\nBook Your Trip to Peru: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nUse Skyscanner<\/a> to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!<\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a> as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nCheck out my resource page<\/a> for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. <\/p>\n
\nBe sure to visit my robust destination guide on Peru<\/a> for even more planning tips!<\/p>\n<\/div>\nPhoto credits: 2 – Viajero Kokopelli<\/a>, 3 – Wild Rover<\/a>, 4 – Hospedaje Tur\u00edstico Recoleta<\/a>, 5 – Casa Tunki<\/a>, 6 – Pariwana Hostel Cusco<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"