(Last Updated On: )

Arriving in Cusco, Peru is SO exciting and a little overwhelming! There is SO much to do and see. But if you’re looking for a very unique stay that introduces you to the culture, food, and stunning Andean mountain landscapes… I have the best place to stay in Cusco for you (well, just outside of Cusco). I’ll never forget this mountain resort stay in Peru and would recommend it over and over.

photos in collaboration with Quin Gable

Best Place to Stay in Cusco: Why you should stay here

This mountain resort currently has 12 different cabins to stay at, all inspired by Incan harvest huts. They do such a good job of blending minimalism with luxury. The design is truly inspiring and the natural elements used really make this place feel like a retreat.

There are many ways to experience in my opinion, the best place to stay in Cusco:

Llama experiences

Upon arrival, you are immediately introduced to the llamas that live here. They hang out at the main lobby and restaurant in the mornings and afternoons. You can also request the llamas to come hang out at your cabin while you feed them. We did this while enjoying our hot tub. But even just at the main lobby, you will be given a basket with corn husks that they LOVE to munch on. Nina is the oldest llama there and loves to hang out inside the most.

You can also add on a picnic with llamas as company!

Horse riding

You can also book horse riding through the valley and up to some stunning mountain views. Leaving right from the main lobby. The scenery here is truly stunning so this is a great way to experience the nature.

ATV Tours

There are many trails here and this seems to be a very popular activity here. A guide takes you to very scenic spots leaving from the lobby area!

Booking Tips for the Best Place to Stay in Cusco: Mountain View Experience

This place has been around for a while now, but it is increasing in popularity RAPIDLY due to social media and because it is genuinely one of the best stays I’ve ever had abroad. Because of this, I recommend booking in advance as far as you can!

My friend stalked their website every day and found multiple cancellations in the month leading up to our trip and that is how we ended up with our booking. May-October is Cusco’s busiest season since it is the dry season, but honestly I think Cusco is busy year round.

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE!

The Cabins

We ended up booking one of the lower cost cabin at $189 USD a night (so less than $100 per night each!). The Maras A-Frame was the type we selected because of the hot tub and wood stove! They were able to put another small bed in the cabin as well so my friend and I didn’t have to share the small Full size mattress. It’s a small space with no kitchenette, but a really well designed space. The light throughout the day is beautiful and the attached bathroom space is really a good size for how small these cabins are.

The cabins that go up in price from the one we stayed at do have mini bars, pools, and larger beds and spaces.

We texted the front desk in the morning when it was chilly and they came out to start a fire in the wood stove. It was such a cozy way to wake up. And the cabins face the mountains with an uninterrupted view. It was stunning watching the clouds change on the mountain and the sunsets were beautiful.

How to get to Mountain View Experience – Where is the best place to stay in Cusco??

Well, it is a bit outside of Cusco, but not far enough away to deter you! Mountain View Experience made it so easy to schedule a taxi through their front desk. We were in contact via Whatsapp and our driver was waiting for us with a sign with our names just outside of the Cusco airport. It was a scenic drive just over an hour that introduces you to the stunning streets of Cusco and then the mountain and countryside beyond.

It cost us $45 USD for this private taxi total (so splitting this with my friend was a no brainer!)

It is in a town called Maras, which is where another iconic Peruvian experience exists – the Maras Salt mine. Just about a 10 or 15 minute drive past the cabins is a massive salt mine that has been producing salt for over 500 years. It’s truly impressive (and worth a stop!)

Unless you have a vehicle, the town of Maras is not very close to the cabin stay. We relied on the restaurant on site for all our meals, and I was not mad about that because it is excellent. Still some of the best food I’ve had so far in Peru. They are farm to table style and rely on local ingredients. The menu was definitely on the more expensive side for Peru, but very typical prices for what I am used to in the United States. And breakfast IS included with your stay!

Filtered/Purified water is available in glass bottles in your room! You can refill at the restaurant bar as needed.

Best Time to Visit:

Peru enters it’s dry season in May and this also starts the busy season for Peru as far as tourism. I went on May 9th for 2 nights and had absolutely beautiful weather. It said highs of 60’s, but because of the altitude and conditions it felt more like 70°F. The nights cooled down quite a bit but the cabins are so stocked with heavy blankets (and you can also request a fire if you are renting a cabin with a stove).

The dry season goes from May-October, and this is generally the time most people visit to have better chances of good weather and visibility of the stunning scenery!

What to Pack!

Packing was stressful for me because I truly didn’t know what to expect (and also had to pack for such a variety of experiences in Peru), but it is very simple for this cabin stay and Cusco in general!

• Pack LAYERS! The temperature varies quite a bit so I was glad to have the whole array of wardrobe.
• Packable Puffy Jacket
• swimsuit
• Multi-functional Boots/footwear
• Short Sleeve or Tanks ( I know this sounds crazy, but it got HOT)
• Sun Hoodie, Hat, and Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• I know most lists say bug spray, but I did not experience any bugs!
• Camera! I highly recommend these travel cameras: Sony ZV-1, Canon G7X
• Rehydration tablets. Altitude is no joke! My favorites are Nuun and Saltstick

Conclusion: Best Place to Stay in Cusco

Cusco has so much to offer and I think starting or ending your trip at Mountain View Experience is an ideal way to experience the magic here. The ever changing mountain views, cutest llamas and alpacas and overall hospitality has me dreaming of coming back here! It was so much fun to experience this with my good friend and I’d love to bring my partner here someday too.

This experience was 100% worth the cost to me and the minimal logistics to get here. I hope you get a chance to visit this magical place!

Let me know if you have any questions. And stay tuned for more Peru guides coming soon.

Looking for more Unique Stays? Check out my other guides HERE.

Thank you for your support by sharing or saving for later!!