Cusco Travel Guide

The number of visitors to Cusco has tripled in the last ten years and as a consequence, hotel capacity has increased dramatically. Currently, Cusco has enough hotels and guest houses to accommodate the nearly 10,000 visitors that come here each year. Most of these lodgings are to be found in the vicinity of the Plaza de Armas.

Historical Center "Plaza de Armas" There are several luxury hotels in Cusco to satisfy the demanding tastes of travelers with means. The most outstanding of these are in beautiful old buildings such as the Hotel Libertador in the "Casona de los Cuatro Bustos" mansion on Calle San Agustín, the Monasterio, which occupies the old seminary of San Antonio Abad in the Plazoleta de las Nazarenas and forms part of a gorgeous ensemble of 17th Century Baroque architecture. Finally, there is the Hotel Savoy Internacional, a considerably more modern building, although no less elegant.

You can also find large hotels in the center which offer good quality service and facilities but at more accessible prices, such as the Hotel Cusco, built in the 50s and occupying an entire block a stone's throw from the Plaza de Armas; the Picoaga, in a charming old building in Calle Santa Teresa; the Sonesta Posada del Inca, part of a national chain of modern hotels; Hotel Don Carlos, on Avenida El Sol, which has excellent service; the Hotel Q'armenq'a; the El Dorado; and the Royal Inka I, in the Plazoleta del Regocijo.

The mid-range price bracket is occupied by such hotels as the Ruinas, the Hotel Cahuide, four blocks from the Plaza Mayor; and the Hotel de la Villa Hermoza, a little farther but in a very quiet residential area.

There are also many guest houses here. These smaller establishments can be found in nearly every street in the center, but some which stand out are the Carlos V, in Tecsecocha Street; the Hostal La Casona de San Agustín, on the same street; the Los Portales; the Qorikancha; the Hostal El Solar in the Plaza San Francisco; and also, the Hostal Casa de Campo in the Barrio de San Blas district. Rates differ from place to place, but are generally very reasonable.

Urubamba Valley This is a village of Inca origin, seventy-five minutes from Cusco which is surrounded by very beautiful landscapes. It is not uncommon for visitors to stay for several days, and there are various options for accommodation, among them the Hotel Posada del Inca; Hotel San Agustín de Urubamba; Hotel Royal Inka Písac; and the Hotel Valle Sagrado. All of them have good service and prices that range from USD35 to USD110.

Machu Picchu The nearest village to the Machu Picchu citadel is Aguas Calientes. If you decide to stay here, your best options are the Machu Picchu Inn Hotel, which has very high quality service, the Hotel Qoni Unu in Calle Collaraymi, and the Hostal Los Caminantes, with reasonable rates. If you wish to be as close as possible to Machu Picchu, the comfortable Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, is located right at the entrance to the citadel.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 353