Your stay — Hostel Margarita
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The Property — Hostel Margarita
Hostel Margarita is a no-frills, budget-conscious base in the historic centre of Cusco, a short walk from the Plaza de Armas. Its lobby is modest but functional, with a small reception desk, a couple of tired sofas, and a noticeboard advertising tours to Machu Picchu. The vibe is purely practical: clean dorm beds and private rooms, a shared kitchen, and a courtyard for socialising. It suits backpackers or solo travellers on a tight schedule who need a cheap, central place to sleep before or after the Inca Trail.
Chronicles of Cusco
Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire, founded by Manco Cápac around the 12th century. The Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, captured it in 1533 and built colonial churches and mansions directly atop Inca stone foundations—most famously at the Coricancha temple, now the Santo Domingo monastery. The 1950 earthquake devastated large parts of the city but also revealed many Inca walls beneath the colonial plaster. Today, Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a living museum where Quechua traditions still colour daily life, and the main gateway for tourists heading to the Sacred Valley.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cusco guide →Best months
June, July, August for reliably dry, sunny days and clear skies, ideal for hiking the Inca Trail or exploring ruins without rain. Crowds are at their thickest, but the weather wins.
Peak / festival surge
June (Inti Raymi festival on the 24th) is the absolute peak—prices for budget accommodation double, and the city centre is packed with parades and performers. July also sees high demand as European and North American school holidays begin.
Budget shoulder season
April-May and September-October offer lower prices, still decent weather (occasional showers), and far fewer tourists. You can often negotiate a 20-30% discount on published dorm rates here.
Weather & packing
Cusco’s altitude (3,400m) means the sun is intense but the air is thin and cold at night—expect daytime highs of 20°C and lows near 0°C. Pack a warm jacket and a sun hat; layers are non-negotiable.
Live City Briefing — Cusco
- New airport construction in Chinchero (due 2026) is still ongoing; all flights still use Cusco’s current airport, but expect some shuttle delays on the Chinchero road.
- A major water main upgrade on Avenida El Sol, the main thoroughfare, has caused intermittent closures and dust in the city centre since March 2026; pedestrian detours are in place.
- The Peruvian government has introduced a mandatory digital registration for tourists entering the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu from June 2026; book tickets and personal ID details at least two weeks in advance.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel Margarita, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the fourth floor facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. Upper floors have less foot traffic and are further from the communal areas.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first or second floor facing the street (Cusco’s narrow roads carry early morning traffic and tour buses). Also avoid rooms near the reception or common kitchen if you want to sleep beyond 7am.
Best views
No stand-out views at this 3-star hostel in central Cusco. Internal courtyard is pleasant but not scenic; street-facing rooms look onto other buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, especially internal-facing rooms.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from taxis and colectivos along the narrow road; early-morning tour groups gather outside; thin walls between rooms are common in older Cusco buildings.
Insider tips
1. Bring earplugs – thin walls and street noise are standard. 2. If you arrive by taxi, ask the driver to drop you at the side entrance if there is one – it avoids the reception bottleneck at check-in.
- 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 — Hostel Margarita
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and courtyard; password provided at check-in. Signal weak in upper rooms (okay for email, not streaming).
No lift; two-storey colonial building with stairs only. No historic sections bar the ground-floor courtyard.
No newspapers provided. Reception has a small bookshelf for book swapping.
Standard check-in from 13:00; early bag-drop allowed at reception from 08:00. Late check-out (until 14:00) costs 15 PEN; after 14:00 charged as half-night.
Free storage in locked luggage room; open 08:00–22:00 daily.
No step-free access to main entrance (two steps); no wheelchair-accessible rooms. Ground floor has one step into common area.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento Turistico at Calle Saphy 140 (approx 15 PEN/night, 24h security). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (city tax not applied at 3-star hostel level)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for direct bookings; a card imprint for incidentals (20 PEN) is taken at 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 the historic centre for best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges as they give poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in restaurants and shops in the centre, but cash essential for markets, small taxis, and street stalls.
10% at restaurants if service charge not included; small change for taxis; hotel porters get 2–5 soles per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Simple coffee from a market stall or bakery: about 4-5 soles.
Menú del día at a local eatery (soup, main, drink): 10–15 soles.
Main course at a casual restaurant: 18–25 soles.
San Pedro Market and around the Plaza de Armas have anticuchos, tamales, and empanadas for 5–10 soles.
Supermarkets like Plaza Vea and Metro are common; Mega in some areas.
Mercado Central de San Pedro has affordable local clothing and alpaca goods; also shops on Avenida El Sol.
Colectivo (shared minibus) routes cost 1 sol per ride; from the airport, take a taxi (around 15–20 soles) or a colectivo to the centre for 1 sol.
Eat at menú del día spots for lunch; drink chicha morada instead of bottled drinks; haggle at markets but not with a fixed price tag.
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 Hostel Margarita
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostel Margarita?
Request a room on the fourth floor facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. Upper floors have less foot traffic and are further from the communal areas.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel Margarita?
Avoid rooms on the first or second floor facing the street (Cusco’s narrow roads carry early morning traffic and tour buses). Also avoid rooms near the reception or common kitchen if you want to sleep beyond 7am.
Is Hostel Margarita noisy?
Street noise from taxis and colectivos along the narrow road; early-morning tour groups gather outside; thin walls between rooms are common in older Cusco buildings.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel Margarita?
No stand-out views at this 3-star hostel in central Cusco. Internal courtyard is pleasant but not scenic; street-facing rooms look onto other buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel Margarita?
1. Bring earplugs – thin walls and street noise are standard. 2. If you arrive by taxi, ask the driver to drop you at the side entrance if there is one – it avoids the reception bottleneck at check-in.
What time is check-in at Hostel Margarita?
Check-in at Hostel Margarita is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel Margarita have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and courtyard; password provided at check-in. Signal weak in upper rooms (okay for email, not streaming).
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel Margarita?
None (city tax not applied at 3-star hostel level)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel Margarita?
Menú del día at a local eatery (soup, main, drink): 10–15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel Margarita?
Colectivo (shared minibus) routes cost 1 sol per ride; from the airport, take a taxi (around 15–20 soles) or a colectivo to the centre for 1 sol.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
June, July, August for reliably dry, sunny days and clear skies, ideal for hiking the Inca Trail or exploring ruins without rain. Crowds are at their thickest, but the weather wins.
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.