Your stay — Casa de chistama
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The Property — Casa de chistama
Casa de Chistama is a tidy three-star in Cusco's San Blas district, where cobblestone streets and steep alleys replace traffic noise. The lobby feels like a colonial courtyard – exposed stone walls, a small fireplace, and the scent of eucalyptus – but the finishes are modern-budget: laminate floors and sturdy furniture. It suits independent travellers who want a central, no-frills base within easy walking distance of the Plaza de Armas, not luxury or frills. The rooftop terrace gives clear views of the cathedral dome, and that’s its real selling point.
Chronicles of Cusco
Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire, founded in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadors on top of Inca foundations. Its centre preserves a unique blend of Inca stonework and Spanish Baroque, most famously in the Qorikancha temple and the Cathedral. The 1950 earthquake exposed much of the original Inca masonry under colonial plaster, leading to careful restoration. Today Cusco is both a working Andean city and the gateway to Machu Picchu, buzzing with tourist traffic but grounded in Quechua culture, public markets, and centuries-old festivals like Inti Raymi.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cusco guide →Best months
April to October: the dry season means clear skies for ruins and hikes, though crowds peak around June–August. May is a sweet spot – dry but before the July rush.
Peak / festival surge
June–August is the absolute peak, driven by summer holidays in the Northern Hemisphere and Inti Raymi (Sun Festival) on June 24th. Hotel prices double, and advance booking is essential. The city feels very busy but isn't unbearably hot.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer mild weather, thinner crowds, and lower prices. November can also work but may bring the start of rain.
Weather & packing
Cusco sits at 3,400m, so days are sunny and warm (18–20°C) but nights drop to near freezing, even in July. Pack layers: a warm fleece or down jacket for evenings, plus sun protection (SPF, hat) for midday UV.
Live City Briefing — Cusco
- The airport at Chinchero is still under construction and not yet open; all flights still arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete, which can have delays in wet weather.
- Machu Picchu entry rules have tightened: you now need a specific time slot and must go with an official guide; book tickets at least a month ahead.
- A new city ordinance bans single-use plastics in Cusco’s historic centre, including water bottles – bring a reusable bottle and use refill stations.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de chistama, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard. These floors are above the street-level noise and the courtyard buffers the sound of the city. The higher floors also get better natural light.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, particularly those facing the street. They pick up foot traffic and vehicle noise from the narrow Cusco streets. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the lift can be audible in early morning.
Best views
A room facing the patio or interior courtyard gives a calm vista of colonial-era architecture and potted plants. Street-facing rooms look onto the historic but busy Cusco streets — interesting but noisy.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest. The 2nd floor is acceptable but may catch some street murmur.
🔊 Noise notes
Cusco's city centre has narrow cobblestone streets with buses, taxis and tour vans honking from early morning (5am–6am) until late evening. The hotel's position on a main pedestrian artery means foot traffic and street vendors are constant until 10pm. The lift motor produces a low hum on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room with a heater or electric blanket when booking — Cusco nights drop below 5°C and the 3-star rating means heating can be patchy. 2) If you have trouble with altitude, request a 2nd-floor room to minimise stairs; there's no lift, and the climb to 4th floor at 3,400m elevation is noticeable.
- 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 — Casa de chistama
Free Wi-Fi throughout; average speed 15 Mbps; requires room number and surname login
No lift; all rooms on first and second floors via stairs only (historic colonial building)
No newspaper service; building is a restored 16th-century Inca palace with original stone walls
Check-in from 13:00; early bag drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs 50 PEN, later by request only
Free for same-day arrivals and departures; overnight storage costs 10 PEN per bag
No step-free access; front entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; narrow doorways in historic section
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parking Qoricancha (Calle Suecia 1), 5-minute walk, 30 PEN per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 18% IVA included in room rate; no separate tourist tax for this property
Deposit & card hold: 100% advance deposit required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates hold a 200 PEN incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia de Santa María de los Andes (502 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Centro de Avivamiento (559 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Primers Iglesia Evangelica Bautista Del Cusco (638 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Capilla Virgen de Chapi (888 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Confraternidad — 279 m · ~3 min walk
Marianito Ferro — 111 m · ~1 min walk
Museo Quechua — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
PARQUE DE JUEGOS — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 434 m · ~5 min walk
Inkafarma — 471 m · ~6 min walk
Orion — 590 m · ~7 min walk
Wanchaq — 383 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist-heavy areas as they give poor rates.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops in central Cusco; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay/Google Pay) work in many modern terminals, but always carry sols for markets and small vendors.
Restaurants: 5–10% if no service charge is added, rounding up is common. Taxis: no tip expected, but rounding up for good service is fine. Hotel staff: 2–5 soles per bag or per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic black coffee from a local café or bakery: around 3–5 soles.
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) at a local eatery: 12–18 soles.
A main course at a modest restaurant: 20–30 soles.
San Pedro Market and the streets around the Plaza de Armas have stalls selling anticuchos, empanadas, and churros for 3–8 soles.
Supermarkets like Plaza Vea, Metro, and Tottus are common in Cusco city centre.
Market stalls along Calle Triunfo and in San Pedro Market sell affordable alpaca wool sweaters, hats, and handicrafts; Alianza Francesa area has second-hand shops.
Colectivos (shared minibuses) around the city cost 1–2 soles per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo to the city centre (around 2–3 soles) or a taxi for 15–20 soles (negotiate beforehand).
Eat set lunch menus (menú del día) instead of à la carte. Buy water and snacks from supermarkets rather than tourist-area shops. Haggle politely at markets for souvenirs.
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 Casa de chistama
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 434 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Inkafarma — 471 m · ~6 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 Casa de chistama?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard. These floors are above the street-level noise and the courtyard buffers the sound of the city. The higher floors also get better natural light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de chistama?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, particularly those facing the street. They pick up foot traffic and vehicle noise from the narrow Cusco streets. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the lift can be audible in early morning.
Is Casa de chistama noisy?
Cusco's city centre has narrow cobblestone streets with buses, taxis and tour vans honking from early morning (5am–6am) until late evening. The hotel's position on a main pedestrian artery means foot traffic and street vendors are constant until 10pm. The lift motor produces a low hum on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de chistama?
A room facing the patio or interior courtyard gives a calm vista of colonial-era architecture and potted plants. Street-facing rooms look onto the historic but busy Cusco streets — interesting but noisy.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de chistama?
1) Ask for a room with a heater or electric blanket when booking — Cusco nights drop below 5°C and the 3-star rating means heating can be patchy. 2) If you have trouble with altitude, request a 2nd-floor room to minimise stairs; there's no lift, and the climb to 4th floor at 3,400m elevation is noticeable.
What time is check-in at Casa de chistama?
Check-in at Casa de chistama is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de chistama have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; average speed 15 Mbps; requires room number and surname login
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de chistama?
18% IVA included in room rate; no separate tourist tax for this property
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de chistama?
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) at a local eatery: 12–18 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de chistama?
Colectivos (shared minibuses) around the city cost 1–2 soles per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo to the city centre (around 2–3 soles) or a taxi for 15–20 soles (negotiate beforehand).
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
April to October: the dry season means clear skies for ruins and hikes, though crowds peak around June–August. May is a sweet spot – dry but before the July rush.
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.