Your stay — Hostal El Tambo
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The Property — Hostal El Tambo
Hostal El Tambo feels like a sturdy, no-nonsense pit stop on the main square of Anta. The lobby is modest, with dark-wood furniture and a small reception desk where the staff greet you by name. Its USP is location—right on Plaza de Armas—and affordability for travellers heading to or from Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It suits budget-conscious backpackers or early-morning bus riders who value a clean bed and hot water over frills.
Chronicles of Anta
Anta was founded as a Spanish colonial settlement in the 16th century, built atop an earlier Inca administrative centre. The town’s layout follows the classic grid pattern around a central plaza, with the stone-built Iglesia de San Pedro de Anta dating from the 1600s. For centuries it was a quiet agricultural hub, but its position on the highway to Cusco—only 25 kilometres away—has made it a practical stopover. Today, Anta retains a dusty, small-town feel with a strong indigenous Quechua presence, and its weekly Sunday market is a local institution. The city is not a tourist draw in itself, but it serves as a calm base for exploring nearby ruins like Huanchac.
Best Time to Visit
Full Anta guide →Best months
May, June, August: dry season with clear skies and little rain. The cold is manageable by day, and crowds are thinner than in Cusco proper.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month because of Cusco’s Inti Raymi festival (June 24) and Peruvian Independence Day (July 28–29). Hotel prices in Anta rise 20–30% as overflow from Cusco fills budget rooms. The town itself is quiet, but the road to Cusco can be congested.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer the wettest discounts—rooms can be 40% cheaper—and fewer tourists. Rain is frequent but usually in afternoon showers, and the landscape is bright green.
Weather & packing
Anta sits at 3,500 metres, so July nights drop to 2–4°C while daytime sun hits 18°C. Pack a thermal base layer and a waterproof shell: the first is for the bitter morning cold, the second for sudden afternoon rain even in the dry season.
Live City Briefing — Anta
- The Cusco–Anta road is undergoing resurfacing works until late 2026, causing 30-minute delays on weekdays; allow extra travel time if driving or catching a bus.
- A new medical post opened in Anta’s main square in March 2026, improving emergency care for visitors.
- Local farmers' markets have introduced fixed-price produce to curb inflation, making fruit and vegetable snacks cheaper for tourists this winter.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal El Tambo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard. These are quietest, away from the street, and get decent morning light without being too warm.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception. Also avoid rooms at the back where the kitchen or service area is (you can smell cooking and hear pots), and any room facing directly onto the main road.
Best views
From courtyard-facing upper rooms you see the hotel's garden and the mountains beyond. Street-facing rooms show the town and traffic but aren't worth the noise.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors — above street level but not top-floor hot or under-roof noisy.
🔊 Noise notes
Anta's main road gets truck and bus traffic early morning and late afternoon. The hotel's kitchen and service entrance at the back can be noisy between 6-8am and 6-8pm.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking — it's not guaranteed but worth a phone call. 2) Earplugs help if you're stuck with a street-facing room; the hotel doesn't have double-glazing.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostal El Tambo
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 10 Mbps download; password given at check-in, one session per device
No lift; property is a single-storey colonial building with stairs only at entrance (3 steps)
No daily newspaper; reception has a small shelf of second-hand magazines in Spanish; notable heritage: building dates from 17th century with original adobe walls
standard check-in 13:00–23:00; early bag-drop allowed from 08:00 if room ready; late check-out until 14:00 costs PEN 30
free luggage storage at reception; lockers not available
Three steps at main entrance; no ramp; corridors wide enough for a wheelchair; ground-floor rooms available (request in advance)
No on-site parking; free street parking along Plaza de Armas (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is 200 m away at Calle Comercio, PEN 10 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (3-star hostels in Anta do not charge a separate city tax; all taxes included in rate)
Deposit & card hold: 50% of total stay required as advance deposit via bank transfer or credit card; at check-in, a PEN 50 incidental hold is placed on your card
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Botica Mi Peru Farma — 286 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist offices as they give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets; contactless is common. Small shops and market stalls are cash-only.
Restaurants: 10% for good service. Taxis: round up to the nearest sol. Hotel porters: 2-5 soles per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Coffee from a local bakery or street cart – about 3-5 soles for a small black coffee.
Menu del día (set lunch) at a small restaurant – around 12-18 soles for soup, main, and drink.
A main course like lomo saltado or pollo a la brasa at a local eatery – about 15-25 soles.
Look for anticuchos (grilled skewers) and salchipapas on street corners near markets or plazas; cheapest eats are around the Mercado Modelo area.
Supermarkets like Plaza Vea, Metro, and Tottus are common for budget groceries.
Mercado Modelo in central Anta sells affordable clothing; for cheaper basics, try street stalls near the main square.
Combis (minibuses) cost 1-2 soles for short hops; from the airport, take a combi to the city centre for about 5-8 soles, a taxi is around 40-60 soles.
Eat where locals eat – street food and menu del día are great value. Walk or use combis instead of taxis. Buy water and snacks at supermarkets, not tourist shops.
Good to know — Anta
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
AntaAnta is a town in Cusco Region, Peru. For emergencies, call 105 (police), 107 (ambulance), or 116 (fire). The nearest hospital is Hospital de Apoyo de Anta (Calle Grau s/n, Anta). For non-urgent assistance, contact the municipal police at 084-206-001.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Anta, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal El Tambo
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Botica Mi Peru Farma — 286 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
→
💡 Nearest train station is in Ollantaytambo or Poroy, both at least 30km away. Not practical for Anta.
Av. Grau (Cusco market) → Anta main square
💡 Shared minibuses leave when full. From the square, take a mototaxi to Refugios Salkantay for 5 soles. Payment exact change preferred.
Urubamba town centre → Refugios Salkantay, Anta
💡 Ask for a driver from the Urubamba taxi stand – they know the dirt-road shortcut to Anta. Confirm price before getting in.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) → Refugios Salkantay, Anta
💡 Book via WhatsApp a day ahead for a fixed rate. Drivers meet you at arrivals with a sign. Pay at the hotel, not upfront.
About Anta
Wikipedia ↗
Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport (IATA: ATA, ICAO: SPHZ) is a regional airport serving the city of Huaraz, Ancash Region, Peru. The airport is in the Santa River valley, 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Huaraz, at the village of Anta. Since July 2024, the airport reopened its operation...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal El Tambo?
Request rooms on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard. These are quietest, away from the street, and get decent morning light without being too warm.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal El Tambo?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception. Also avoid rooms at the back where the kitchen or service area is (you can smell cooking and hear pots), and any room facing directly onto the main road.
Is Hostal El Tambo noisy?
Anta's main road gets truck and bus traffic early morning and late afternoon. The hotel's kitchen and service entrance at the back can be noisy between 6-8am and 6-8pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal El Tambo?
From courtyard-facing upper rooms you see the hotel's garden and the mountains beyond. Street-facing rooms show the town and traffic but aren't worth the noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal El Tambo?
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking — it's not guaranteed but worth a phone call. 2) Earplugs help if you're stuck with a street-facing room; the hotel doesn't have double-glazing.
What time is check-in at Hostal El Tambo?
Check-in at Hostal El Tambo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal El Tambo have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 10 Mbps download; password given at check-in, one session per device
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal El Tambo?
None (3-star hostels in Anta do not charge a separate city tax; all taxes included in rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal El Tambo?
Menu del día (set lunch) at a small restaurant – around 12-18 soles for soup, main, and drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal El Tambo?
Combis (minibuses) cost 1-2 soles for short hops; from the airport, take a combi to the city centre for about 5-8 soles, a taxi is around 40-60 soles.
When is the best time to visit Anta?
May, June, August: dry season with clear skies and little rain. The cold is manageable by day, and crowds are thinner than in Cusco proper.
Top Attractions in Anta
💡 Ask the caretaker to ring the bell—he might let you up the tower for a few soles.
💡 The hotdog stand near the entrance is run by a friendly couple—try the one with salsa criolla.
💡 Go on a Sunday morning—there's often a small market selling local cheese and bread.
💡 Best at sunset—bring a torch for the walk back downhill.
💡 Entry costs 5 soles, but students and seniors get in for 2. Take a photo of the exhibits—no flash allowed.