Your stay — Amazon Hostal
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The Property — Amazon Hostal
Amazon Hostal is a cheerful, colonial-style 3-star in Cusco’s historic core, a block from the Plaza de Armas. Its lobby feels like a sunny courtyard with potted plants, tile floors, and a small café — modest but clean, with decent buffet breakfast included. The USP is location and price: it’s cheap, central, and staff can arrange local tours. Best for backpackers and budget travellers who want to be in the thick of things without frills.
Chronicles of Cusco
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, said to have been founded by Manco Cápac in the 12th century, but archaeology shows settlement going back thousands of years. After the Spanish conquest in 1533, they built Baroque churches and mansions on Inca stone foundations, creating the tight, cobbled streets you see today. Earthquakes in 1650 and 1950 destroyed much of the Spanish overlay, but the Inca masonry survived — those massive, perfectly fitted stones still line the streets. Contemporary Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the gateway to Machu Picchu, with a culture that blends Quechua traditions, Andean spirituality, and tourism. It’s known for its vibrant markets, artisanal textiles, and a calendar packed with festivals.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cusco guide →Best months
May, June, July: these are the driest months with clear skies and sunny days. Crowds are manageable outside of the main Inca Trail closures and Inti Raymi (June).
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season: Cusco is packed because of the July school holidays in Peru and abroad, plus US summer break. Hotel prices, including at Amazon Hostal, can rise 20–30%. The main event is Inti Raymi (June 24) — the Inca Festival of the Sun, which draws thousands for the re-enactment at Sacsayhuamán fortress.
Budget shoulder season
April and September are the best shoulder months: you get relatively dry weather, thinner crowds, and lower prices. April still has some showers but avoids the Easter rush; September is cool and calm before the October rains.
Weather & packing
Cusco sits at 3,399m — the sun is fierce (UV index often extreme) but the moment shade hits, it’s chilly. Pack layers: a heavy fleece or thin puffer for mornings and evenings, plus suncream and a wide-brimmed hat.
Live City Briefing — Cusco
- The Cusco airport upgrade is still ongoing — expect longer waits at security and some flight schedule changes; check with your airline the day before.
- A new bypass road around the historic centre opened in late 2025, easing traffic on Avenida El Sol, but Plaza de Armas remains pedestrian-only during peak hours.
- Some Inca Trail permits for July 2026 are already sold out — if you haven’t booked your hike, consider the Salkantay or Lares treks as alternatives.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Amazon Hostal, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor or higher, facing the interior courtyard rather than the street. These tend to be quieter and have better light.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or common areas—they catch early check-in noise and foot traffic. Also avoid rooms directly above the entrance on Calle Tandapata; street noise from the narrow stone lane can travel up.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are generally quietest, as they're above street-level hubbub but not adjacent to potential roof or service areas.
- 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 — Amazon Hostal
Free WiFi throughout, 10 Mbps download, no login for guests.
No lift; all rooms are on first and second floors via stairs only.
No newspaper service. The building is a converted 18th-century manor with original Inca stone walls visible in the courtyard.
Standard check-in 13:00–23:00. Early bag drop from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 14:00 for 30 PEN fee, subject to availability.
Free for day of arrival or departure at reception, no locker.
No step-free access; entrance has one step, and all rooms require stairs. No wheelchair-accessible rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento San Blas at Calle Succia 430, 25 PEN per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking. A 30 PEN cash deposit or card hold for incidentals taken at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Blas (99 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Capilla San Antonio Abad (405 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Capilla (435 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de El Triunfo (566 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Inti Killa — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Plazoleta Lucrepata — 518 m · ~6 min walk
Museo de Hilario Mendivil — 135 m · ~2 min walk
Paraninfo Universitario — 803 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Cajero BCP — 152 m · ~2 min walk
Farmangel Botica — 703 m · ~9 min walk
Minimarket El Arbolito — 47 m · ~1 min walk
Collectivos a Pisac Colca — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist offices, which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in most shops and restaurants, but cash is king for small purchases, markets, and taxis. Contactless is common in modern outlets.
Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good. No need to tip taxi drivers; hotel staff appreciate a few soles.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of filter coffee from a local cafe costs about 5-6 soles.
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) in a local eatery costs around 10-15 soles.
A main course in a casual restaurant runs about 15-25 soles.
Head to San Pedro Market or the streets around the main square for anticuchos, empanadas, and fresh juice stalls (5-10 soles).
Supermercados like Mega or Wong are common; smaller bodegas for basics are everywhere.
San Pedro Market or the artisan markets near the main square: alpaca sweaters, hats, and simple clothing from 20-50 soles.
Colectivos (shared minivans) cost 1-2 soles per ride within the city. From the airport, take a local bus or colectivo (around 1 sol) instead of a taxi (30+ soles).
Eat at menú del día places for lunch; buy snacks and water from bodegas rather than tourist shops; avoid exchange bureaux and use ATMs.
Good to know — Cusco
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
CuscoWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cusco, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Amazon Hostal
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Cajero BCP — 152 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmangel Botica — 703 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Airport exit (main road) → Plaza de Armas (2 blocks from Hostal La Union)
💡 Boards outside the terminal on Av. La Cultura. Flag one down. They're cramped with luggage, fine with a small backpack. Drop at 'Plaza' – then walk up Calle Suecia.
Av. Grau (colectivo stop) → Ollantaytambo (for train to Machu Picchu)
💡 Faster than bus. Hail one heading west on Av. Grau (cars with 'Ollantaytambo' on windshield). They leave when full (4-5 passengers). Much cheaper than PeruRail's shuttle.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) → Hostal La Union (Cusco city centre)
💡 Don't take touts at arrivals. Walk past the taxi sellers to the official 'Taxi Seguro' booth just outside – same price, no haggling.
Av. Grau (2 blocks from Hostal La Union) → Urubamba (Sacred Valley)
💡 Cheapest way to the Sacred Valley. Look for 'El Chaski' or 'Túpac Amaru' signs. Sit on the left for views of Patacancha Valley. Cash only – exact change.
About Cusco
Wikipedia ↗
Cusco or Cuzco (; Latin American Spanish: [ˈkusko]; Quechua: Qosqo or Qusqu, both pronounced in Cuzco Quechua as [ˈqosqɔ]) is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Sacred Valley of the Andes mountain range, and the Huatanay and Urubamba rivers. It is the capital and largest city of the eponymous Cus...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Amazon Hostal?
Request a room on the second floor or higher, facing the interior courtyard rather than the street. These tend to be quieter and have better light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Amazon Hostal?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or common areas—they catch early check-in noise and foot traffic. Also avoid rooms directly above the entrance on Calle Tandapata; street noise from the narrow stone lane can travel up.
What time is check-in at Amazon Hostal?
Check-in at Amazon Hostal is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Amazon Hostal have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, 10 Mbps download, no login for guests.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Amazon Hostal?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Amazon Hostal?
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) in a local eatery costs around 10-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Amazon Hostal?
Colectivos (shared minivans) cost 1-2 soles per ride within the city. From the airport, take a local bus or colectivo (around 1 sol) instead of a taxi (30+ soles).
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
May, June, July: these are the driest months with clear skies and sunny days. Crowds are manageable outside of the main Inca Trail closures and Inti Raymi (June).
Top Attractions in Cusco
💡 Try the jugo de papaya con avena (papaya oat smoothie) from Stall 112, about 3 soles. Go in the morning for the best selection.
💡 Go at sunset for the best light, and bring water. The walk up from Plaza de Armas takes about 20 minutes. No entrance fee, but tip the guard if you use the small lookout tower.
💡 Free guided tours of the cathedral happen after Sunday mass (11am) if you hang around. Alternatively, just enjoy the free Wi-Fi from the plaza.
💡 Free entry on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. Check their website as hours vary in low season.
💡 Visit just before closing at 5pm to avoid crowds and catch golden light. The Cusco Tourist Ticket covers this plus several other ruins and museums.