Your stay — Los pinos
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The Property — Los pinos
Los Pinos is a no-frills 3-star in Cusco’s San Blas neighbourhood, a warren of steep cobbled streets and artisan workshops. The lobby is small and tiled, with a worn wooden reception desk and a kerosene heater that takes the edge off the Andean chill. Rooms are basic but clean, with heavy blankets and hot water that mostly works – fine for budget trekkers who plan to be out all day. It suits independent travellers who want a central location without paying for frills.
Chronicles of Cusco
Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire, founded around 1200 CE, before Spanish conquistadors razed much of the city in 1533 and built colonial churches and mansions directly on Inca stone foundations. The result is a unique architectural hybrid – perfectly fitted polygonal walls under Baroque balconies. Today’s Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the launchpad for the Inca Trail, but it’s also a living Quechua city where markets and festivals keep pre-Columbian traditions very much present. Its identity is caught between tourism and deep-rooted indigenous culture.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cusco guide →Best months
May to August: peak dry season with clear skies and strong sun by day, cold nights. Good for trekking and sightseeing, but crowds are thick.
Peak / festival surge
June is the busiest month, driven by the Inti Raymi festival (24 June) and the start of the Inca Trail season. Hotel prices in Cusco jump 30–50% during late June. July is similarly crowded but less event-focused.
Budget shoulder season
April and November offer mild weather, lower prices and fewer tourists. April still has decent dry conditions; November is the start of the wet season but with green landscapes and smaller crowds.
Weather & packing
Cusco’s climate quirk: the dry season sun feels intense (UV index 11+) but air temperature rarely tops 20°C. Packing rule: bring a warm fleece or down jacket for mornings/evenings, sun cream and a wide-brimmed hat for midday, and waterproof boots regardless – afternoon showers can hit even in July.
Live City Briefing — Cusco
- The new Cusco airport (Chinchero) is due to open later in 2026, but for now all flights still arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete, which is just 15 minutes from the centre – expect some delays as ground crews adjust to higher altitude operations.
- Cusco’s municipal government has restricted vehicle access on several streets in the historic centre (including parts of Calle Plateros and Calle Triunfo) during peak hours through July to reduce congestion – walking is faster than taxis.
- Inca Trail permits for July 2026 sold out months ago; last-minute hikers should consider alternatives like Salkantay or Lares treks, which remain open and less pressured.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Los pinos, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor at the rear of the building. These floors avoid street noise and benefit from more natural light in a compact colonial-style structure.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. They pick up traffic noise from the narrow Cusco lanes and can feel damp in the rainy season.
Best views
Rooms on higher floors at the front offer partial views of the colonial rooftops and the Andes in the distance. Rear rooms look onto a courtyard or neighbouring walls.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors at the back are the quietest. The top floor may have less foot traffic but can be colder in Andean evenings.
🔊 Noise notes
Cusco's streets are cobbled, so vehicles produce a constant low rumble. The hotel's street is a main access route for taxis to the historic centre, peaking from 6–9am and 4–7pm. Occasional church bells from nearby San Cristóbal can carry into rooms.
Insider tips
1. If you're sensitive to altitude, request a room on the second floor (fewer stairs, lift may be slow in older buildings). 2. Ask for a rear-facing room at check-in; the front rooms face a busy street and early tour buses.
- 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 — Los pinos
Free WiFi throughout – speed about 10 Mbps down, usable for browsing/email but not streaming or video calls; single device per login code at check-in
No passenger lift – two-storey colonial building with stairs only; ground floor rooms available on request
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; two national newspapers (El Comercio, La República) available at reception lobby for reading only
Standard check-in 14:00-23:00; early bag drop available from 09:00 without charge; late check-out until 13:00 for 50% of night rate, 14:00 or later charged full night
Free storage in locked luggage room for day guests; after check-out there's a $5 USD fee per bag if left more than 3 hours
No wheelchair access – property has stepped entrance and stairs to all guest rooms; no accessible bathroom or lift
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Calle Siete Cuartones (pay lot, $10 USD per night, 5-min walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 19% IVA included in rate; no separate city or tourist tax collected
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via booking channel required at reservation; a $50 USD hold on credit card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Católica Santa Rita de Cassia (536 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia de Túpac Amaru (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galería Túpac Amaru — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Parque 2 - Larapa — 277 m · ~3 min walk
Anfiteatro Micaela Bastidas — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Boticas M&P — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Punto verde — 480 m · ~6 min walk
Terminal Enaco - Andina - Calca — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs at major banks (BCP, Interbank) for the best rates; avoid exchange counters at the airport and tourist bureaus.
Credit/debit cards accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops in central Cusco; contactless is common; mobile pay less so.
No strict rule; 5–10% at restaurants if service is good; taxis no tip; hotel staff – small change (2–5 soles) for porters/maids.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a bakery or market stall – about 3–5 soles.
Menú del día (soup, main, drink) at a local eatery – about 12–18 soles.
Simple main at a small restaurant – about 15–25 soles.
San Pedro Market and Plaza de Armas area for anticuchos, emoliente, and tamales – 2–8 soles.
Supermarkets like Mega or Plaza Vea – slightly pricier than local markets.
Mercado San Pedro for cheap clothing; also small stalls along Avenida El Sol.
Colectivo or bus within Cusco – 1–2 soles per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo (1 sol) to the centre, or a taxi (15–25 soles).
Eat at menú places, buy snacks at markets, and use shared taxis/colectivos instead of private ones.
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 Los pinos
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk — pharmacy · Boticas M&P — 1.1 km · ~14 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 Los pinos?
Request a room on the second or third floor at the rear of the building. These floors avoid street noise and benefit from more natural light in a compact colonial-style structure.
Which rooms should I avoid at Los pinos?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. They pick up traffic noise from the narrow Cusco lanes and can feel damp in the rainy season.
Is Los pinos noisy?
Cusco's streets are cobbled, so vehicles produce a constant low rumble. The hotel's street is a main access route for taxis to the historic centre, peaking from 6–9am and 4–7pm. Occasional church bells from nearby San Cristóbal can carry into rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Los pinos?
Rooms on higher floors at the front offer partial views of the colonial rooftops and the Andes in the distance. Rear rooms look onto a courtyard or neighbouring walls.
What are insider tips for staying at Los pinos?
1. If you're sensitive to altitude, request a room on the second floor (fewer stairs, lift may be slow in older buildings). 2. Ask for a rear-facing room at check-in; the front rooms face a busy street and early tour buses.
What time is check-in at Los pinos?
Check-in at Los pinos is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Los pinos have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout – speed about 10 Mbps down, usable for browsing/email but not streaming or video calls; single device per login code at check-in
Is there a city or tourist tax at Los pinos?
19% IVA included in rate; no separate city or tourist tax collected
Where can I eat cheaply near Los pinos?
Menú del día (soup, main, drink) at a local eatery – about 12–18 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Los pinos?
Colectivo or bus within Cusco – 1–2 soles per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo (1 sol) to the centre, or a taxi (15–25 soles).
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
May to August: peak dry season with clear skies and strong sun by day, cold nights. Good for trekking and sightseeing, but crowds are thick.
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.