4 reviewed party hostels · from €5.66/night · Hostelworld rated
Cusco’s nightlife kicks off late and keeps going until sunrise. Most bars stay open until 1 or 2 AM, while clubs like Mama Africa and Ukuku’s don’t wind down until 5 or 6 AM. The action centres on Plaza de Armas and the narrow streets behind it, where hostels spill out into bars and backpackers gather for cheap drinks and late-night dancing.
The hostel scene here is built for socialising. Places like Wild Rover and Loki Cusco turn their common areas into impromptu party zones by 9 PM, with travellers dancing on tables and downing pisco sours. If you’re after a bed in the thick of it, book a dorm in San Blas or near Calle Plateros: both areas are packed with bars and just a 10-minute walk from the main square.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Fun and friendly hostel with a great vibe and huge garden and patio area. It has also an on-site soundproof Irish bar (no noise in rooms), open 'til late every night, offering happy hour, live music, DJs and regular parties. Pool table, fuseball, ping pong and foot volleyball!
Fun and sociable hostel with friendly staff from all over the world. Great common areas including a garden with hammocks and bonfire. International and Pisco bar with daily events, live music, DJs, happy hour and pool, fussball and beer pong tables.
Pariwana Hostel Cusco is a party hotspot in the city’s vibrant heart, buzzing with daily events like quiz nights and foosball tournaments. Its lively bar serves cracking drinks, fuelling electric social vibes. Steps from Cusco’s nightlife, friendly staff host epic gatherings, making it a gem for an unforgettable, party-packed adventure in Peru’s cultural capital.
Loki Cusco is a fantastic party hostel that delivers on its promise of making travels easy, fun, and social. With a vibrant atmosphere, organised events, and a central bar as the ultimate meeting point, it's the perfect place to meet fellow travellers, enjoy themed parties, and experience the signature drink, bloodbombs.
Organised nights out with a local guide
This crawl runs Wednesday to Sunday, starting at 9 PM. You’ll hit three bars and end at a club, with free shots and a cocktail included. The guides wear orange hoodies, so they’re easy to spot. On Sundays, the meeting point is Black Llama Hostel. Expect a mix of backpackers and a rowdy atmosphere: think beer pong and dancing on tables.
How Cusco's nightlife zones break down
Perched on a hill above Plaza de Armas, San Blas is Cusco’s artsy quarter. The cobbled streets are lined with galleries, boutique shops, and cafés. At night, the area buzzes with backpackers hopping between bars like Limbus and The Muse. It’s a 10-minute walk uphill from the main square, so wear comfy shoes: taxis back cost 5 PEN.
The heart of Cusco, surrounded by colonial architecture and churches. By day, it’s a tourist hub with street vendors and cathedrals. By night, the square transforms into a party zone, with bars spilling onto balconies. Calle Plateros and Portal de Carnes are the main drags for clubs like Mama Africa. Stay here if you want to be in the centre of the action.
A local neighbourhood just east of the centre, Wanchaq is where Cusco residents go to unwind. It’s quieter than San Blas or Plaza de Armas, with cheaper bars and fewer tourists. Check out El Sabor de mi Tierra for live folk music or La Chupitería for craft beer. It’s a 15-minute walk from Plaza de Armas or a 5 PEN taxi ride.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
This hostel-bar hybrid is the loudest spot in town. The courtyard turns into a dayclub by 3 PM, with beer pong and cheap cocktails. At night, the party moves inside, where DJs play reggaeton and EDM until 4 AM. The crowd is mostly backpackers, and the vibe is rowdy: expect drinking games and shots handed out by staff. Entry is free for guests; non-guests pay 20 PEN after 10 PM.
Loki’s rooftop bar is the place to start your night. Happy hour runs from 6–8 PM, with 10 PEN beers and 15 PEN cocktails. By 11 PM, the common area fills with travellers dancing on tables. The hostel organises pub crawls most nights, ending at clubs like Ukuku’s. Dorms are basic, but the social scene makes up for it. Free salsa lessons on Tuesdays.
The biggest club in Cusco, spread over three floors. The music switches between reggaeton, salsa, and electronic, so there’s something for everyone. Entry is 30 PEN and includes a drink. The crowd is a mix of locals and travellers, and it gets packed after 1 AM. Dress sharp: bouncers turn away flip-flops and vests. Cover charge jumps to 50 PEN on weekends.
A backpacker institution, Ukuku’s is a two-floor club with a rock-heavy playlist. The ground floor is a bar with pool tables and cheap drinks, while the upstairs dance floor plays everything from punk to Latin hits. Entry is 20 PEN, and it’s open until 5 AM. The crowd is friendly, and it’s less touristy than Mama Africa. Happy hour runs until midnight.
The go-to spot for happy hour, with 2-for-1 cocktails from 6–9 PM. It’s a cosy pub with wooden booths and a pool table, filling up with backpackers by 8 PM. The crowd thins out by midnight as people move on to clubs. Try the ‘Paddy’s Punch’: it’s strong and cheap at 25 PEN. No cover charge, but arrive early for a seat.
A rooftop bar with views over Plaza de Armas. It’s a chilled spot for pre-drinks, with bean bags and fire pits. Cocktails cost 25–35 PEN, and the happy hour (5–7 PM) offers 20% off. The crowd is a mix of travellers and digital nomads. It closes at midnight, so head elsewhere for late-night dancing.
A smaller hostel bar with a loyal following. The happy hour (7–9 PM) serves 10 PEN beers and 15 PEN shots. The bar stays open until 2 AM, with a mix of reggaeton and pop. It’s less chaotic than Wild Rover or Loki, making it a good spot to meet people without the pressure. Free popcorn all night.