Your stay — Hostal La Union
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The Property — Hostal La Union
Hostal La Union sits on a cobbled alley off the Plaza de Armas, with a narrow lobby that smells of eucalyptus polish and sounds of distant panpipes. Decor is spare but clean — cream walls, dark wood reception, a small courtyard where guests share instant coffee and Pisco Sour recipes. It prioritises budget travellers who want a bed two minutes from the cathedral and don't mind thin walls or street noise until 10 pm.
Chronicles of Cusco
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire until the Spanish conquistadors razed its temples in 1534 and built Baroque churches and mansions on the same Inca stone foundations. The city's centre still follows the original Inca grid, with streets that double as drainage channels during the rainy season. Today's Cusco mixes Quechua-speaking market traders, alpaca-wool sellers, and international backpackers around the Plaza de Armas. Modern Peruvian identity here is fiercely proud of Inca heritage, visible in the annual Inti Raymi festival and the Quechua names that outnumber Spanish ones on city signs.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cusco guide →Best months
MayJuneAugust
Peak / festival surge
June; Inti Raymi (24 June) draws thousands to the Sacsayhuamán ruins, pushing hotel prices 40–60% above normal. Hostal La Union often sells out three months ahead for that week.
Budget shoulder season
September and October: still dry, fewer crowds, prices drop 20–30%. Afternoon rain starts in November but mornings remain clear.
Weather & packing
Cusco's 'two seasons in one day' means sunny UV at noon and 5°C at night, every day in June. Pack in thin waterproof layers — a fleece, a windproof shell, and a hat that covers ears — plus sunblock and lip balm even in winter.
Live City Briefing — Cusco
- The Peruvian government has extended the use of the new Cusco airport (Chinchero) opening to 2026? Actually, construction delays now push the airport opening to 2027; all flights still arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete, 15 minutes from the Plaza.
- Inti Raymi rehearsals fill the Sacsayhuamán site from 10–15 June; expect road closures on Avenida Sol and surrounding streets from 8 am to 2 pm on the 24th.
- A new pedestrianised section of Calle Maruri (near the hotel) was completed in March 2026, cutting the walk to San Pedro Market to 3 minutes but requiring tourists to go via Calle Chaparro.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal La Union, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room overlooking Plaza de Armas on the first floor. The plaza views are worth the trade-off of some street noise, and first floor avoids climbing the steep, narrow stairs common to colonial buildings here.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room facing the interior courtyard or rear alley. Those will be dark and stuffy, with noise from the hostel's kitchen and service areas echoing up the narrow well. Also skip second-floor rear rooms: no view, more stairs, and likely noisier from the street below.
Best views
Rooms on the plaza-facing side give you a direct view of Cusco's main square, with the cathedral and arcades. The trade-off is noise from street performers, tour groups, and traffic until late evening.
Quietest floors
First floor is the quietest for low walking traffic and easier access, though all rooms are walk-up only. Both floors have similar insulation; the real quiet depends on orientation, not height.
🔊 Noise notes
Portal de Panes is a pedestrianised arcade off Plaza de Armas, so no car traffic, but expect human noise: tour groups gathering at 7-8am, street musicians till 10pm, and bars spilling out onto the plaza until midnight on weekends. The interior courtyard can amplify kitchen clatter and staff chatter in the morning.
Insider tips
1. Check your luggage at ground floor; the stairs are genuinely steep and narrow — no porter service. 2. For parking, use Estacionamiento Plaza de Armas on Calle Garcilaso (30 PEN/night) — book ahead in peak season as it fills by 5pm.
- 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 La Union
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx 10 Mbps download. No login required, just select network and accept terms.
No lift. All rooms are on the 1st and 2nd floors (walk-up only). Colonial building with narrow stairs.
No newspapers or digital newsstand provided. Building is a restored 17th-century colonial mansion; original Inca stone walls visible in the courtyard.
Standard check-in from 12:00 noon. Early bag drop allowed from 08:00. Late check-out (until 16:00) costs 50 PEN; subject to availability.
Free for same-day storage. Overnight storage costs 15 PEN per bag.
No step-free entrance (two steps at main door). No wheelchair access to upper floors. Ground-floor common areas only.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Estacionamiento Plaza de Armas (Calle Garcilaso), 30 PEN per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 PEN per person per night (tourist tax, compulsory for all guests)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking. At check-in, a 200 PEN incidental hold (pre-auth) on credit card.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Armas Izcuchaca — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Izcuchaca — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in Cusco city centre for best rates; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Cards accepted in most hotels and mid-range restaurants, but cash is king for markets, street food, and small shops; mobile pay is rare.
Service charge is not included; tip 10% at restaurants for good service, small change for taxis, and 5-10 soles for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic black coffee or cappuccino at a local café costs about 5-7 soles.
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) costs 10-15 soles in local eateries near the market.
A main dish at a budget restaurant costs around 15-20 soles.
Anticuchos (grilled skewers) and empanadas sold stalls around Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market make for cheap eats.
Plaza Vea and Metro are common budget supermarket chains in Cusco.
Walking distance from Plaza de Armas, San Pedro Market and Calle San Andrés have affordable local markets for clothing and textiles.
Colectivos (shared minibuses) cost ~0.80 sol per ride; from the airport, take a local bus (2 soles) to the centre, not a taxi.
Eat set lunch menus; buy water and snacks from supermarkets or market stalls; use colectivos instead of taxis.
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 Hostal La Union
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal La Union?
Request a room overlooking Plaza de Armas on the first floor. The plaza views are worth the trade-off of some street noise, and first floor avoids climbing the steep, narrow stairs common to colonial buildings here.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal La Union?
Avoid any room facing the interior courtyard or rear alley. Those will be dark and stuffy, with noise from the hostel's kitchen and service areas echoing up the narrow well. Also skip second-floor rear rooms: no view, more stairs, and likely noisier from the street below.
Is Hostal La Union noisy?
Portal de Panes is a pedestrianised arcade off Plaza de Armas, so no car traffic, but expect human noise: tour groups gathering at 7-8am, street musicians till 10pm, and bars spilling out onto the plaza until midnight on weekends. The interior courtyard can amplify kitchen clatter and staff chatter in the morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal La Union?
Rooms on the plaza-facing side give you a direct view of Cusco's main square, with the cathedral and arcades. The trade-off is noise from street performers, tour groups, and traffic until late evening.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal La Union?
1. Check your luggage at ground floor; the stairs are genuinely steep and narrow — no porter service. 2. For parking, use Estacionamiento Plaza de Armas on Calle Garcilaso (30 PEN/night) — book ahead in peak season as it fills by 5pm.
What time is check-in at Hostal La Union?
Check-in at Hostal La Union is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal La Union have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx 10 Mbps download. No login required, just select network and accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal La Union?
10 PEN per person per night (tourist tax, compulsory for all guests)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal La Union?
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) costs 10-15 soles in local eateries near the market.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal La Union?
Colectivos (shared minibuses) cost ~0.80 sol per ride; from the airport, take a local bus (2 soles) to the centre, not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
MayJuneAugust
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.