The most important factor when choosing among Cusco hotels is the location – make sure you choose one of the hotels (or hostels or Airbnbs) in the historic center of Cusco near the Plaza de Armas where you’ll be walking distance away from absolutely everything you’ll want to see, do, and eat in the area.
Since the area is touristy, it’s completely safe and has many amenities, including quaint plazas, banks, currency exchange shops, markets, shops, museums, sim card providers, Cusco tour operators, and all kinds of restaurants and cafes serving everything from traditional Peruvian food to American fast food.
On top of that fact, the historic center of Cusco is exactly that – historic. Just walking the cobblestone paths (many that are pedestrian only) take you back to the time of the Incas. In fact, many of the Cusco hotels are housed within walls dating back to long ago.
Although accommodations here are generally more expensive, there are affordable options and the extra cost may be worth it to have everything within walking distance. You save time on taking public transport or taxis everywhere. And many Cusco tours only offer pick-up at your hotel if you’re staying in the center.
Cost of hotels in Cusco, Peru (2024):
- 5-star Cusco hotels – US$100-1,000 per night
- 4-star Cusco hotels – US$70-200 per night
- 3-star Cusco hotels – US$25-50 per night
- 2-star Cusco hotels – US$15-35 per night
- 1-star Cusco hotels – US$10-20 per night
Note that pricing can depend not just on service and amenities but also how far the hotel is from the main Plaza de Armas of Cusco, Peru (cheaper hotels are further away from the plaza).
