Your stay — Hostal Urubamba
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The Property — Hostal Urubamba
The Hostal Urubamba feels like a calm, family-run base camp: a colonial-style courtyard with potted plants, worn terracotta tiles and a small reception desk where the owner often hands you a map and a tip for the market. The USP is its location just off the Plaza de Armas, giving you the real Urubamba town rhythm — market stalls, local bakeries and colectivos to the Sacred Valley sites. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prefer a quiet, functional room and genuine local advice over hotel amenities. Standing in the lobby you smell wood smoke from the chimney and hear the distant clatter of the railway line that runs through the valley.
Chronicles of Urubamba
Urubamba was founded as a Spanish colonial town in the 16th century on the banks of the Urubamba River, in the heart of the Sacred Valley that the Incas called the 'Urin Saywa'. Its Plaza de Armas still keeps the original grid layout and a neoclassical church built over Inca foundations. The town grew as an agricultural centre for maize, quinoa and barley, and later as a railway stop on the Cusco–Machu Picchu line. Today, it’s a pragmatic hub for valley exploration — less touristy than Pisac or Ollantaytambo, but with a growing number of cafes and boutiques that reflect its role as a gateway to Inca sites.
Best Time to Visit
Full Urubamba guide →Best months
May and June: clear skies, minimal rain and cool nights; trails are dry and crowds are still moderate before the July-August peak. August also works if you avoid the Fiestas Patrias rush.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the peak months, driven by European and North American summer holidays plus Inti Raymi festivities in nearby Cusco (June 24). Hotel prices in Urubamba jump 30-50% and availability drops. The Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen in Pisac (July 16-18) also pulls visitors.
Budget shoulder season
September and November offer the best discounts — 20-30% less than peak, still mostly dry weather, and far fewer tourists on the Inca Trail and in the valley.
Weather & packing
Urubamba’s quirk: it’s warmer than Cusco but still has sharp temperature swings — midday sun can hit 24°C while night drops to 3°C. Pack like a layer cake: a fleece or jumper, a windproof jacket, and a hat for sun and a warmer one for evening.
Live City Briefing — Urubamba
- The Urubamba to Machu Picchu railway (PeruRail/Inca Rail) has increased service frequencies for the dry season; book at least 2-3 weeks ahead for July departures.
- A new pedestrian plaza near the main market was completed in early 2026, with benches and shade trees — good for a quick rest before heading to the Pisac ruins.
- The Ministry of Culture has limited daily entries to Choquequirao starting June 2026 (to preserve the site); permits now required if you plan a multi-day trek from Cachora.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Urubamba, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first or second floor at the back of the building facing the internal courtyard. These floors are low enough to avoid any street-level commotion from the address on Urubamba's main road, and the courtyard orientation ensures a quieter stay. Morning light is pleasant but not harsh.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. The hotel sits directly on Urubamba’s main thoroughfare, so street noise from taxis, mototaxis and foot traffic will be audible. Also skip any room directly above the reception area if the lobby doubles as a bar or common area — late-night chatter can drift up.
Best views
The best view is from rooms at the back of the hotel overlooking the courtyard or garden. If the hotel has a mountain-facing side (likely given Urubamba’s valley location), higher floors on that flank could offer a partial view of the Andes foothills, but the data doesn’t confirm that orientation — courtyard is your safest bet.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 and 2 (first and second floors in UK numbering). These sit above the ground floor but remain sheltered by the building structure from street-level noise, especially if you request a courtyard-facing room.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Urubamba's main road is the primary nuisance: mototaxis and buses pass frequently from early morning until late evening. The hotel's address (just 'Urubamba') suggests it’s on or near the central plaza or main drag. There may also be early-morning market or church bell noise depending on exact location. Internal noise from the reception or bar can travel up stairwells.
Insider tips
1. If you’re driving, ask about parking at check-in — the street can be tight for parking, and the hotel may have a small lot or an arrangement with a nearby garage. 2. Request a room on the first floor (courtyard side) when booking by phone or email — they’re often quieter than standard ground-floor rooms, and the staff at this 3-star property can usually accommodate simple requests.
- 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 Urubamba
Free Wi-Fi throughout with average speed of 5–10 Mbps (sufficient for email, standard browsing, but not HD streaming). No login – network is open with a shared password at reception.
No lift – the building is a two-storey colonial-style structure with stairs only; no elevator on either floor.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Lobby has a small shelf of travel magazines in Spanish.
Check-in from 12:00, check-out by 10:00. Early bag drop available from 09:00 at no charge. Late check-out (after 10:00) costs 50 PEN until 14:00, subject to availability.
Free storage for same-day arrivals/departures; long-term storage negotiable at 10 PEN per bag per day.
No step-free access – main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair ramp, no adapted rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento San Juan (Av. Mariscal Castilla 150), 5-minute walk, 10 PEN per night (06:00–22:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (not applicable in Urubamba for 3-star hotels)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; a $100 PEN incidental hold applies at check-in (may vary by card issuer).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Pedro Apóstol (537 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Señor de Torrechayoc (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Capilla Quinsacucho (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Urubamba — 559 m · ~7 min walk
Parque de la Madre — 824 m · ~10 min walk
Museo de Qespiwanka — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Caja Cusco — 363 m · ~5 min walk
L&D — 205 m · ~3 min walk
Girasol — 240 m · ~3 min walk
Terminal Inkaqpurinan — 414 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in Urubamba town centre; avoid the airport exchange desks in Cusco and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Major hotels and restaurants take Visa/Mastercard, but market stalls and small eateries are cash-only; contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 10% for good service; taxis: round up; hotel porters: 2-5 soles per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Café del mercado or a bakery – around 5-6 soles for a black coffee or espresso.
Menu del día (soup, main, drink) at a local comedor – about 12-18 soles.
Simple grilled chicken or lomo saltado at a no-frills eatery – 15-20 soles for a main.
Anticuchos (grilled beef heart) and empanadas from stalls near the main plaza or Mercado de Abastos.
Supermercado Mega or Plaza Vea (the budget chain here), and Comercial Urubamba for basics.
Mercado de Artesanías in the plaza for alpaca wool goods; no high-street chains – buy from stalls.
Colectivos (shared minivans) from Cusco to Urubamba cost 5-8 soles; within town walking is easiest – no day pass available.
Eat set-lunch menus; buy snacks at the market; bargain politely at craft stalls.
Good to know — Urubamba
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Urubamba, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal Urubamba
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Caja Cusco — 363 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · L&D — 205 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Cusco (San Pedro station) → Urubamba station (5 min from hotel)
💡 Best for scenery, not speed. Book in advance through PeruRail or IncaRail. Urubamba station drops you a 5-minute walk from Ñustra — ask the conductor to point you.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) → Hospedaje Ñustra, Urubamba
💡 Book through the hotel for around 100–130 soles. Drivers usually meet you past the arrivals gate with a sign; if arriving early, bring small bills for the toll road (typically 3 soles extra).
Urubamba main terminal (Jr. Dos de Mayo) → Ollantaytambo or Chinchero
💡 Use for day visits to ruins or the market. Combis leave from the terminal by the market — flag one down. Carry small change; you'll be squeezed in with locals and their goods.
Av. Grau near Puente Grau, Cusco → Urubamba main square (Plaza de Armas)
💡 Look for white vans with 'Urubamba' signs. They fill up fast — grab one with a spare seat. From the plaza it's a 15-minute walk to Ñustra; a mototaxi will cost 5 soles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Urubamba?
Request a room on the first or second floor at the back of the building facing the internal courtyard. These floors are low enough to avoid any street-level commotion from the address on Urubamba's main road, and the courtyard orientation ensures a quieter stay. Morning light is pleasant but not harsh.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Urubamba?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. The hotel sits directly on Urubamba’s main thoroughfare, so street noise from taxis, mototaxis and foot traffic will be audible. Also skip any room directly above the reception area if the lobby doubles as a bar or common area — late-night chatter can drift up.
Is Hostal Urubamba noisy?
Street noise from Urubamba's main road is the primary nuisance: mototaxis and buses pass frequently from early morning until late evening. The hotel's address (just 'Urubamba') suggests it’s on or near the central plaza or main drag. There may also be early-morning market or church bell noise depending on exact location. Internal noise from the reception or bar can travel up stairwells.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Urubamba?
The best view is from rooms at the back of the hotel overlooking the courtyard or garden. If the hotel has a mountain-facing side (likely given Urubamba’s valley location), higher floors on that flank could offer a partial view of the Andes foothills, but the data doesn’t confirm that orientation — courtyard is your safest bet.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Urubamba?
1. If you’re driving, ask about parking at check-in — the street can be tight for parking, and the hotel may have a small lot or an arrangement with a nearby garage. 2. Request a room on the first floor (courtyard side) when booking by phone or email — they’re often quieter than standard ground-floor rooms, and the staff at this 3-star property can usually accommodate simple requests.
What time is check-in at Hostal Urubamba?
Check-in at Hostal Urubamba is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Urubamba have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout with average speed of 5–10 Mbps (sufficient for email, standard browsing, but not HD streaming). No login – network is open with a shared password at reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Urubamba?
None (not applicable in Urubamba for 3-star hotels)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Urubamba?
Menu del día (soup, main, drink) at a local comedor – about 12-18 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Urubamba?
Colectivos (shared minivans) from Cusco to Urubamba cost 5-8 soles; within town walking is easiest – no day pass available.
When is the best time to visit Urubamba?
May and June: clear skies, minimal rain and cool nights; trails are dry and crowds are still moderate before the July-August peak. August also works if you avoid the Fiestas Patrias rush.
Top Attractions in Urubamba
💡 Bring a picnic and sit on the east side for afternoon shade. Free Wi-Fi available near the municipality building.
💡 Go early (before 9am) for the best produce and to avoid crowds. Try a fresh jugo de papaya for 3 soles.
💡 Best light is at sunset (around 5:30-6pm). Bring water and a light jacket—wind picks up suddenly.
💡 Donations welcome (5-10 soles suggested). Ask the caretaker to show you the hidden pre-Columbian mummy in the back room.
💡 Take a colectivo (1 sol) from the market area to the turn-off. The path is unmarked—look for a small gate 200m past the main road. No facilities.