Your stay — Don Gato
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Cusco.
The Property — Don Gato
Don Gato is a functional three-star in Cusco’s historic centre, two blocks from the Plaza de Armas. The lobby is small, tiled and clean, with a front desk that offers coca tea on arrival to help with altitude. Rooms are basic but comfortable — hot water is reliable, beds firm. It’s a solid choice for budget-conscious travellers who want a central base without frills, and who plan to be out exploring rather than lounging in the hotel.
Chronicles of Cusco
Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire, founded by Manco Cápac around the 12th century, and later conquered by the Spanish in 1533. The city’s architecture is a dramatic layering: Inca stone walls form the foundations and lower storeys of many colonial buildings, especially around Plaza de Armas. Earthquakes in 1650 and 1950 destroyed much of the Spanish overlay but left the Inca masonry largely intact, a testament to its precision engineering. Today, Cusco is the continent’s most popular stop on the way to Machu Picchu, and its identity swings between proud Inca heritage, colonial Catholicism and a heavy tourist economy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cusco guide →Best months
May, June, August — dry season with clear skies, days around 20°C, nights cold but stable. These months see moderate crowds (July is busier) and excellent trekking conditions.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak tourist month, driven by summer holidays in the northern hemisphere and Peruvian Independence Day (28-29 July). Hotel prices at Don Gato can double. The Inti Raymi festival on 24 June spills into early July, packing the city.
Budget shoulder season
April and September offer discounts up to 30% on accommodation, still dry but quieter. September has milder daytime temps (18°C) and fewer tourists than June-August.
Weather & packing
Cusco’s altitude (3,400m) means extreme daily temperature swings: hot sun at noon, near-freezing nights in July. Pack layers — a thermal top, fleece, waterproof shell, and a sun hat — and bring sunscreen, since UV is strong year-round.
Live City Briefing — Cusco
- The Chinchero airport project, announced years ago, remains stalled; travellers still fly into Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, which is operating normally but often congested in July; allow extra time for check-in.
- Cusco’s historic centre has extended pedestrian-only hours on Avenida El Sol and around Plaza de Armas from 6pm to midnight daily, reducing traffic noise but also limiting taxi access.
- A new entrance fee system for the Sacred Valley circuit (including Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Chinchero) was introduced in late 2024; single-day passes now cost 70 soles and must be bought online in advance via the government portal.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Don Gato, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request top-floor rooms (third floor or above) on the inner courtyard side, if available. These rooms are furthest from street-level noise and offer more daylight via the hotel's central skylight.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the small lobby or the entrance. They suffer from foot traffic noise, early-morning luggage wheels, and street spillover from the cobbled lane.
Best views
Rooms at the back (facing the residential patio) give a glimpse of red-tiled roofs and the distant Andes. Front rooms look onto the narrow street and the adjacent colonial wall.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (top floor). The hotel has a narrow four-storey structure with no lift, so third floor is a good compromise between quiet and stair-climbing effort.
🔊 Noise notes
Cusco's historic centre has cobblestone streets, so vehicle noise is loud and metallic. Don Gato sits on a pedestrian-accessible lane, but early-morning rubbish collection and late-night bar-goers are common. The lack of double glazing means curtains are your only buffer.
Insider tips
Check in early (before 2 pm) to secure a top-floor courtyard room, as there's no lift and guests with luggage avoid stairs, leaving quieter rooms open. Request a room key for the small rooftop terrace — it's not advertised but gives a solid view of the city without the bar crowd.
- 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 — Don Gato
Free for all guests. Speed is around 15 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload – fine for messaging and browsing, not for video calls. No login or password required.
Small lift serves all five floors. No stairs-only sections.
Physical copies of El Comercio and a few international papers available at reception on weekdays. Sundays only digital.
Check-in from 13:00; you can drop bags from 08:00 same day. Late check-out until 15:00 costs 40 PEN, subject to availability.
Free for same-day storage. Overnight storage possible but you must collect before 20:00 the next day.
No step-free access; there is one step at the main entrance and no ramp. Lift can take a wheelchair, but the lift car is small. Best suited for guests who can manage a few stairs.
No on-site parking. The nearest public car park, Parking San Francisco, is at Plaza San Francisco, 300 m away, costing 25 PEN per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking. A 50 PEN damage deposit is held on your card at check-in and released after inspection.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Blas (203 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Capilla San Antonio Abad (463 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Capilla (499 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de El Triunfo (520 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Inti Killa — 989 m · ~12 min walk
Plazoleta Santa Catalina — 504 m · ~6 min walk
Museo de la Coca — 148 m · ~2 min walk
Paraninfo Universitario — 710 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Cajero BCP — 213 m · ~3 min walk
Farmacia Plaza — 574 m · ~7 min walk
Green Stop Vegan Store — 42 m · ~1 min walk
Collectivos a Pisac Colca — 991 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in central Cusco for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist offices which give poor rates.
Cards accepted widely in nicer restaurants and hotels, but many small shops, markets, and taxis only take cash. Contactless is common but not universal.
Restaurants: 10% for good service, not mandatory. Taxis: round up or skip. Hotel porters: 5-10 soles per bag. Tour guides: 30-50 soles/day for group tours.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic espresso or black coffee at a local cafe costs around 5-8 soles.
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) in a local comedor costs 10-15 soles.
A main dish like lomo saltado or pollo a la brasa in a modest restaurant runs 15-25 soles.
Central market (Mercado de San Pedro) and street stalls around Plaza de Armas sell cheap tamales, empanadas, and anticuchos for 3-8 soles.
Supermarkets: Plaza Vea, Metro, and Tottus. Also many small bodegas (corner shops).
Mercado San Pedro and other local markets for budget alpaca wool sweaters, hats, and souvenirs; also Avenida de la Cultura for high-street stores.
Local minibuses (colectivos) cost 1-2 soles per ride. From the airport, a shared shuttle (not taxi) is the cheapest at about 10 soles per person. No day pass system.
Eat menú del día for lunch. Drink tap water only if boiled or treated, but buy big bottles from supermarkets. Shop at markets for souvenirs instead of tourist shops.
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 Don Gato
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Cajero BCP — 213 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Plaza — 574 m · ~7 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 Don Gato?
Request top-floor rooms (third floor or above) on the inner courtyard side, if available. These rooms are furthest from street-level noise and offer more daylight via the hotel's central skylight.
Which rooms should I avoid at Don Gato?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the small lobby or the entrance. They suffer from foot traffic noise, early-morning luggage wheels, and street spillover from the cobbled lane.
Is Don Gato noisy?
Cusco's historic centre has cobblestone streets, so vehicle noise is loud and metallic. Don Gato sits on a pedestrian-accessible lane, but early-morning rubbish collection and late-night bar-goers are common. The lack of double glazing means curtains are your only buffer.
Which rooms have the best views at Don Gato?
Rooms at the back (facing the residential patio) give a glimpse of red-tiled roofs and the distant Andes. Front rooms look onto the narrow street and the adjacent colonial wall.
What are insider tips for staying at Don Gato?
Check in early (before 2 pm) to secure a top-floor courtyard room, as there's no lift and guests with luggage avoid stairs, leaving quieter rooms open. Request a room key for the small rooftop terrace — it's not advertised but gives a solid view of the city without the bar crowd.
What time is check-in at Don Gato?
Check-in at Don Gato is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Don Gato have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speed is around 15 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload – fine for messaging and browsing, not for video calls. No login or password required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Don Gato?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Don Gato?
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) in a local comedor costs 10-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Don Gato?
Local minibuses (colectivos) cost 1-2 soles per ride. From the airport, a shared shuttle (not taxi) is the cheapest at about 10 soles per person. No day pass system.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
May, June, August — dry season with clear skies, days around 20°C, nights cold but stable. These months see moderate crowds (July is busier) and excellent trekking conditions.
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.