A boutique hotel or a five-star hotel. A hostel, a romantic B&B, or an affordable backpacker. Where to stay in Cusco? In a colonial residence, convent, or monastery in the Historic Center; in an old house converted into accommodation in the artisan neighborhood of San Blas; or perhaps in Lucrepata and San Cristóbal, two urban areas where peace and tranquility prevail.
If you do not know where to stay in Cusco for the first time, choose accommodations in the areas mentioned above. They are not the only neighborhoods where you will find a place to spend the night that suits your travel style, but the Historic Center, San Blas, Lucrepata, and San Cristóbal offer advantages that will make your stay—whether for one day or several—in the “Historic Capital of Peru” easier and more enjoyable.
When making your decision, keep in mind that the former Inca capital is located at 3,400 m (11,155 ft) above sea level. If you are affected by altitude sickness or think it could affect your physical performance, choose accommodation in a flat area or somewhere accessible by vehicle. This will reduce the amount of walking you need to do along cobblestone streets and urban hills. If altitude does not bother you and you want to enjoy panoramic views, stay in the higher areas of the city.
Also keep in mind that hotels near the Plaza de Armas will make it easier to travel back and forth around the Historic Center. The experience will be similar if you stay in San Blas, the artisan and bohemian heart of the city. If you prefer to stay a little farther from the historic center, the Lucrepata neighborhood and the San Cristóbal neighborhood, with its viewpoint and picturesque streets, are excellent options.
In the best neighborhoods in Cusco for an overnight stay, you will find accommodations in different categories. From sophisticated to simple. From expensive to affordable. From centuries-old settings to modern buildings. It all depends on your preferences. Finally, do not worry too much because in the “Andean navel of the world” there is room for everyone, and everyone is welcome.
Stay in the Historic Center
Five reasons to stay in the historic center
1. You will be in the tourist area. Staying in the historic center will allow you to quickly explore the best of the Historic Center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Everything will be close to you, from historic mansions and churches built on the foundations of Inca palaces and temples, to banks, travel agencies, and other businesses.
3. Entertainment and great food. In the Historic Center, you will find nightclubs and pubs where you can enjoy a relaxed evening, as well as a wide variety of restaurants offering different types of cuisine.
4. The selection is diverse. Some of the best hotels and boutique hotels are located in the historic center. Several of them, such as Monasterio and JW Marriott El Convento, were colonial cloisters; while Palacio del Inca El Libertador preserves impressive Inca walls. There are also hostels and backpacker accommodations.
5. You will spend less on transportation. Since you will be staying in the Historic Center, you will not need to take a taxi or bus to explore the city’s urban tourist areas. You will also be able to return to the Plaza de Armas and other attractions as many times as you like.
Stay in the Historic Center if…
- You will not be staying long in the city and need to make the most of every moment of your stay.
- You love being close to everything and just a few steps from the main tourist areas.
- You are traveling with your family and prefer to avoid taxis or walking several blocks to explore the center.
- You want to create your own itineraries and explore the city independently.
Do not stay in the Historic Center if…
- You want to save money. Hotels near the Plaza de Armas and the main tourist attractions in Cusco are relatively more expensive than accommodations in other neighborhoods.
- You prefer silence and tranquility. Some areas and streets in the Historic Center can be noisy at night. This could be uncomfortable and affect your rest.
Stay in San Blas
Five reasons to stay in the San Blas neighborhood
1. It is an inspiring neighborhood. San Blas, with its slopes, narrow streets, artisan workshops, and well-kept houses, is part of the Historic Center and one of the best areas to stay in Cusco.
2. Its proximity to Plaza de Armas. If you stay in San Blas, you can walk back and forth to the place where Francisco Pizarro carried out the Spanish founding of Cusco on March 23, 1534.
3. Its galleries and workshops. If you love handicrafts and want to learn about the work of Cusco’s master artisans, stay at one of the accommodations in this traditional neighborhood.
4. Its panoramic views. San Blas is an ideal place to take in the urban geography of Cusco. From several of its accommodations, you can enjoy mesmerizing views of the sunrises and sunsets.
5. A variety of accommodations. The neighborhood has a good number of places to stay, particularly boutique hotels and romantic B&Bs, housed in colonial mansions and old homes that give the area a distinctive charm. There are also hostels and backpacker accommodations with attractive rates.
Stay in San Blas if…
- You want to be just steps from Plaza de Armas and spend your nights in one of Cusco’s most famous neighborhoods.
- If you like handicrafts and the bohemian atmosphere, because this neighborhood is ideal for getting to know Cusco’s local artisans and creators. Its specialty coffee shops, restaurants, and small pubs are perfect for artistic gatherings.
- If you are traveling with your partner, if you are a backpacker, if you are a digital nomad, and you are drawn to art, San Blas is the right area for you to stay.
- If the altitude does not affect you and you are physically fit enough to walk up and down the neighborhood’s narrow, steep streets.
Do not stay in San Blas if…
- You have difficulty getting around or think the altitude may affect you. Keep in mind that San Blas has many steep slopes.
- You want to stay in a quiet area. Because of its workshops and galleries, some areas of San Blas are very busy during the day and at night. This could be uncomfortable if you are looking for silence and tranquility.
Stay in Lucrepata or San Cristóbal
Five reasons to stay in Lucrepata or San Cristóbal
1. Neither too close nor too far. Lucrepata and San Cristóbal are excellent alternatives because they are located at a reasonable distance from Plaza de Armas in Cusco.
2. Peace and quiet. The residential area of Lucrepata and the San Cristóbal neighborhood are very quiet and peaceful urban areas.
3. Authenticity. Because of their proximity to the city’s founding area, both Inca and Iberian, both places preserve the essence and mystique of ancestral Cusco.
4. Savings. Because of their location, somewhat removed from the main tourist areas, restaurant prices, taxi fares, and other services are more affordable.
5. Good prices. If you are looking for an affordable place to stay in Cusco, Lucrepata and San Cristóbal are waiting for you. Accommodation costs are lower compared with those in San Blas and areas near Plaza de Armas.
Stay in Lucrepata or San Cristóbal if…
- You plan to stay for several days in the city. You will spend less and stay in quiet and safe areas.
- If you prefer to “escape” the hustle and bustle and constant activity of the Historic Center and San Blas.
- If you enjoy walking and are willing to walk between 10 and 15 minutes whenever you want to explore Cusco’s historic center.
- If you prefer simple and functional accommodations rather than upscale hotels.
Do not stay in Lucrepata or San Cristóbal if…
- You prefer to be just steps away from the main tourist attractions of the “navel of the world.”
- If you do not like walking, you will have to take a taxi whenever you want to visit Plaza de Armas, Qoricancha, or the galleries of San Blas, among other places. This could affect your travel budget.
One final tip
Before making your decision, remember that Cusco’s pre-Hispanic past and colonial heritage are present throughout the city. In the streets of its neighborhoods, history is told and heard even in the whisper of the wind. For this reason, wherever you go and wherever you stay, you will experience the millennia-old essence of the city founded by order of the Sun, the god and father of the Incas, the builders of the largest and most powerful empire in this part of the world.
Visit Cusco today and always. And if you want to get your bearings and quickly discover its most iconic places, book our Free Tour Cusco, a sightseeing experience in which a local guide will show you the best of their homeland. Ready to join us? Just one click separates you from an unforgettable tour at your next destination. We’ll meet in the Historic Center of the “Imperial City.”
