Where to Stay in Cusco

The historic heart of Cusco centered around Plaza de Armas, featuring stunning colonial architecture built atop Inca foundations. This UNESCO World Heritage area offers unparalleled access to restaurants, cafes, tour agencies, and cultural attractions. While tourist-focused with higher prices and occasional vendors, it provides the quintessential Cusco experience with the magnificent Cathedral and La Compañía church dominating the square. Most nomads start here before finding longer-term accommodation elsewhere.

Cusco's bohemian artistic quarter perched on a hill above Plaza de Armas, San Blas charms visitors with narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses with blue doors, and stunning city views. The neighborhood pulses with creativity through artisan workshops, galleries, trendy cafes, and craft breweries. Popular with expats and young travelers, it offers more authentic character than the tourist center below. Be prepared for steep uphill walks that challenge at 3400m altitude.

An authentic local neighborhood anchored by the famous San Pedro Market, this area offers genuine Peruvian daily life at budget-friendly prices. Watch locals shop for fresh produce, sample traditional foods, and experience the real Cusco beyond the tourist facade. Accommodation costs significantly less than the historic center, though you'll walk a bit further to reach coworking spaces and attractions. Perfect for nomads seeking cultural immersion and local connections.

A quiet residential area adjacent to San Blas offering stunning panoramic views of Cusco from its elevated position. Lucrepata attracts expat families and longer-term residents seeking peace away from tourist crowds while remaining within walking distance of the historic center. The neighborhood provides authentic local living with more spacious accommodations at reasonable prices. The ten-minute downhill walk to Plaza de Armas becomes a longer uphill journey home.