Your stay — Hostal Machu Picchu inn
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The Property — Hostal Machu Picchu inn
The Hostal Machu Picchu Inn is a no-frills three-star in Cusco’s historic centre, a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. The lobby is small, with wooden furniture and a worn-in feel, and the staff greet you with a genuine warmth that compensates for the dated décor. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a central base without paying for extras; you’re here to sleep and explore, not lounge. The USP is location and price – it’s a solid, clean option for backpackers or couples on a tight itinerary.
Chronicles of Cusco
Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire, founded by Manco Cápac around the 12th century according to legend, and became the administrative and religious heart of Tawantinsuyu. After the Spanish conquest in 1533, the city was rebuilt on Inca foundations, with colonial churches and mansions layered over the original stone walls – a visible palimpsest in the streets around the Plaza de Armas. The 1650 earthquake destroyed much of the Spanish construction, but the Inca masonry survived, leading to the baroque Andean style that defines the city today. Modern Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, balancing a booming tourism economy with living Quechua traditions, markets, and festivals. Its identity remains fiercely indigenous, with Quechua spoken widely and the city acting as the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cusco guide →Best months
May, June, August – dry season gives clear blue skies for trekking and sightseeing, and crowds are manageable outside July’s peak. These months offer reliable weather for visiting Sacsayhuamán and the Inca Trail, with daytime temperatures around 18–20°C.
Peak / festival surge
July is the absolute peak, driven by the Inti Raymi festival (24 June, but events spill into July) and the southern-hemisphere winter school holidays in Peru. Hotel prices in Cusco can double, especially near Plaza de Armas; the Hostal Machu Picchu Inn’s rates will be at their highest. Book three months ahead if coming this month.
Budget shoulder season
September and October are the best budget shoulder months – crowds thin out after the July peak, prices drop, and you still get mostly dry weather with occasional afternoon showers. November is also quiet but has more rain, which can affect Inca Trail permits.
Weather & packing
Cusco’s climate quirk is that the dry winter (May–September) still sees dramatic day-to-night temperature swings, from 20°C midday to near freezing at night. Packing rule: dress in layers – a thermal base, fleece, and a waterproof shell; bring a warm hat and gloves for evening walks and early-morning tours.
Live City Briefing — Cusco
- The government has extended the mandatory use of biodegradable bags and single-use plastic bans across Cusco; you’ll see fines for shops still handing out plastic. Bring a reusable water bottle and filter – tap water is not safe, but refill stations are appearing.
- Train services to Machu Picchu (PeruRail and Inca Rail) are still operating on adjusted timetables due to track maintenance from last year’s landslides; check your departure times the day before and allow extra travel time to Ollantaytambo.
- The city is trialling a new pedestrianisation scheme on Calle Triunfo and Calle Plateros, which affects taxi drop-offs near the Plaza de Armas. If you’re arriving by car or bus, expect to walk the last few blocks – the hotel will advise.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Machu Picchu inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Rooms on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard or rear of the building, away from Avenida Centenario. This reduces street noise while the building's solid construction offers better sound insulation.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the ground floor near the reception or public areas, and any room facing Avenida Centenario directly — traffic noise from this busy main road to the historic centre can be loud, especially in mornings and evenings.
Best views
A rear-facing window on the second or third floor may glimpse the hills around Cusco or a quiet residential street, rather than the traffic of Avenida Centenario.
Quietest floors
Second or third floor — high enough to avoid street-level bustle but still walkable via stairs (likely no lift in a 3-star hostal of this size).
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida Centenario is a major artery into Cusco's historic centre, with buses, taxis, and mototaxis passing from early morning until late evening. Street-facing rooms will get engine rumble, honking, and occasional night traffic.
Insider tips
1) Request a room at the back of the building explicitly — many 3-star hostales on main roads have quieter rear-facing options. 2) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, as even rear rooms may pick up low-frequency street noise through the structure.
- 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 Machu Picchu inn
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas, sufficient for email and light browsing (about 10 Mbps download); no login or password needed – connects automatically by room name.
No lift; all three floors are stairs-only (typical for historic Cusco townhouses).
No digital newsstand; one print newspaper (El Comercio) available in the lobby each morning.
Standard check-in from 13:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 free of charge; late check-out until 14:00 costs PEN 50 (about USD 13), subject to availability.
Complimentary left luggage storage before check-in and after check-out in a locked room behind reception.
No step-free access – entrance has two steps, no ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; no adapted bathrooms. Guests with mobility issues should book elsewhere.
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Estacionamiento Santa Catalina at Avenida Santa Catalina 207, about a 5-minute walk, costing PEN 25 per night (unsecured). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no tourist tax charged at this 3-star property; price is inclusive)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard booking; a USD 20 or PEN 70 incidental hold on credit card upon check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Capilla San Antonio Abad (87 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Capilla (87 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de El Triunfo (121 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Templo de la Sagrada Familia (129 m · ~2 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Inti Killa — 612 m · ~8 min walk
Parque Tricentenario — 245 m · ~3 min walk
Museo de Arte Precolombino — 110 m · ~1 min walk
Paraninfo Universitario — 359 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
globalnet — 27 m · ~1 min walk
Mifarma — 412 m · ~5 min walk
Mukis Market — 183 m · ~2 min walk
Pavitos — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in banks like Banco de Crédito or Scotiabank for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist areas as they charge high commissions.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets and mid-range restaurants; cash needed for markets, taxis, and small shops. Contactless less common than chip-and-PIN.
Restaurants: 10% if service not included; taxis: round up or tip a few soles for long rides; hotel staff: 5-10 soles for porters or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Coffee at a local bakery or café serves a basic café con leche for around 3-5 PEN.
Menu del día at a simple restaurant (soup, main, drink) runs 10-15 PEN.
Order a main course at a local eatery (e.g., lomo saltado or pollo a la brasa) for 12-18 PEN.
Centenario itself has few street stalls; a 10-minute walk to San Pedro Market (Mercado Central de San Pedro) has plenty of cheap anticuchos, tamales, and fruit juices.
Supermercado Metro or Plaza Vea are common budget chains within a short bus ride from this area.
For affordable clothing, head to Mercado Central or the shopping streets on Avenida El Sol, offering basic apparel and alpaca textiles at market prices.
Combis (shared minibuses) cost 1-2 PEN per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo to Avenida El Sol for 1-2 PEN, then walk or transfer. No single day pass.
1) Eat at local markets for lunch—sanitary and cheap. 2) Always confirm taxi fare before getting in; haggle if no meter. 3) Buy water in bulk from supermarkets, not tourist stalls.
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 Machu Picchu inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · globalnet — 27 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Mifarma — 412 m · ~5 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 Hostal Machu Picchu inn?
Rooms on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard or rear of the building, away from Avenida Centenario. This reduces street noise while the building's solid construction offers better sound insulation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Machu Picchu inn?
Rooms on the ground floor near the reception or public areas, and any room facing Avenida Centenario directly — traffic noise from this busy main road to the historic centre can be loud, especially in mornings and evenings.
Is Hostal Machu Picchu inn noisy?
Avenida Centenario is a major artery into Cusco's historic centre, with buses, taxis, and mototaxis passing from early morning until late evening. Street-facing rooms will get engine rumble, honking, and occasional night traffic.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Machu Picchu inn?
A rear-facing window on the second or third floor may glimpse the hills around Cusco or a quiet residential street, rather than the traffic of Avenida Centenario.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Machu Picchu inn?
1) Request a room at the back of the building explicitly — many 3-star hostales on main roads have quieter rear-facing options. 2) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, as even rear rooms may pick up low-frequency street noise through the structure.
What time is check-in at Hostal Machu Picchu inn?
Check-in at Hostal Machu Picchu inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Machu Picchu inn have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas, sufficient for email and light browsing (about 10 Mbps download); no login or password needed – connects automatically by room name.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Machu Picchu inn?
None (no tourist tax charged at this 3-star property; price is inclusive)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Machu Picchu inn?
Menu del día at a simple restaurant (soup, main, drink) runs 10-15 PEN.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Machu Picchu inn?
Combis (shared minibuses) cost 1-2 PEN per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo to Avenida El Sol for 1-2 PEN, then walk or transfer. No single day pass.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
May, June, August – dry season gives clear blue skies for trekking and sightseeing, and crowds are manageable outside July’s peak. These months offer reliable weather for visiting Sacsayhuamán and the Inca Trail, with daytime temperatures around 18–20°C.
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.