Cusco's Hidden Gem: Madre Tierra Hostal - Unforgettable Peruvian Adventure!
Cusco's Hidden Gem: Madre Tierra Hostal - My Peruvian Adventure (and Maybe Yours!) – A Messy, Wonderful Review
Okay, listen up, fellow wanderers! I've just stumbled back from Cusco, Peru, buzzing with the altitude and the sheer wonder of it all. And I gotta tell you, one place in particular stole my heart (and maybe a few of my socks – more on that later): Madre Tierra Hostal. Forget generic hotel reviews that feel like they were written by robots. This is the real deal, the dirt-under-your-fingernails, holy-crap-I-can't-believe-I-did-that kind of review.
First things first: Location, Location, Location (and Getting There… or Not):
Madre Tierra is nestled… well, it's there. Cusco is a maze, let's be honest. Finding the hostal? Easy peasy. Actually getting to Cusco? That’s a whole other story, involving questionable airport transfers (I'm looking at you, bumpy minivan!), and the altitude doing its best to make you feel like you're breathing through a straw. But once you're there, Madre Tierra is a haven. They even offer Airport transfer, which, after my minivan adventure, is practically a religious experience. And yes, they have Car park [on-site] and gasp Car park [free of charge], something you quickly learn to cherish in Cusco.
Accessibility? Yup! (And I'm Glad for it!):
Now, I'm not a wheelchair user, but I did see the efforts Madre Tierra makes to be accessible. They have Elevator, which is a lifesaver, and Facilities for disabled guests. Huge kudos for that. Cusco is a city built on hills and cobblestones, so having a place like this that’s actually thinking about accessibility is a giant win.
The Rooms: My Own Little Alpaca Paradise (Almost):
My room? Oh, my room! Let's talk about the essentials. It had Air conditioning (essential, even in the Andes!), Air conditioning in public area, Desk (for pretending to work…mostly just staring out the window), a Coffee/tea maker(hello perpetual caffeine!), a Refrigerator, a Mini bar(tempting little buggers), Free bottled water (bliss!), and the holy grail: Free Wi-Fi! Wi-Fi [free] and Internet access – wireless and the Internet access – LAN even, for those who like to plug in. Seriously, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a game-changer when you're trying to Instagram your quinoa salad. The Satellite/cable channels were perfect for those evenings when you can't move because your legs are screaming from hiking. And those Blackout curtains? Godsend. Crucial for battling the Cusco sun. They also have Non-smoking rooms (thank goodness!), Soundproof Rooms (also a must), and Extra long bed (I'm tall, okay? Don't judge!). They have the basics, like Alarm clock, Hair dryer, Toiletries, Towels, Linens, and a Mirror, and a Bathroom Phone (!). They even provide bathrobes and Slippers (fancy!).
Okay, real talk. The room wasn’t perfect. The Shower had a bit of a…mood. You know, temperature fluctuations that'll keep you on your toes. But the Hot water linen and laundry washing was a win. It had the basics, but it was clean. And that, my friends, after a day of exploring the ruins, is all that matters. And the best part? They even have Room sanitization opt-out available, as well as Rooms sanitized between stays.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safer Than Indiana Jones (Mostly):
Cusco is a vibrant, bustling city. I'll admit, I was a LITTLE concerned about safety. Madre Tierra? They put those fears to rest. Security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, and Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, all the things that help you actually sleep at night. They even have Safe dining setup, and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. And the biggie: Staff trained in safety protocol. You feel it. You know they care. They also have a First aid kit.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Quinoa, Coca Tea, and Happiness:
Look, you're in Peru. You're eating. Madre Tierra gets it. They have Restaurants, a Breakfast [buffet] (hello, mountains of fresh fruit!), and they offer Breakfast service. They have a Coffee shop, Bar, and a Poolside bar (more on that later!). They do Room service [24-hour] and even have a Snack bar and a Bottle of water. Let me tell you what sold me first: Coffee/tea in restaurant which is pretty much essential when you're fighting the altitude. They have your basics, but they also offer a Vegetarian restaurant and if you ask, they offer Alternative meal arrangement and Kids meal and if you're feeling fancy, try the A la carte in restaurant!. They also have Desserts in restaurant.
The Food? The food was good. Not Michelin-star good, but genuinely good and made with love. The breakfast buffet was a glorious explosion of color and flavor. And the coca tea? Don't knock it 'til you try it. It's basically the unofficial cure for altitude sickness and makes you feel like a local.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): The Secret is the Pool
Okay, here's where Madre Tierra truly shines. They understand the art of relaxing after a day of trekking through Incan ruins. Swimming pool [outdoor] with Pool with view! That's right ladies and gentlemen, the highlight of my stay!! They have a Spa! Inside the spa, you'll find a Sauna, and a Steamroom, and of course a Massage! They also have Foot bath for tired feet and Body wrap for those who want to pamper themselves. My aching muscles? Bliss. The Body scrub was an experience I'm telling you, and the Spa/sauna was like a little slice of heaven after climbing Huayna Picchu.
Services and Conveniences: They Thought of Everything (Almost):
Madre Tierra is designed to make your life easier. They have Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, and a Convenience store (perfect for grabbing snacks at 3 AM). They also have Cashless payment service. It really is the little things, right?
For the Kids (and the Kid in You!):
Family/child friendly, Babysitting service. I don't have kids, but I saw families there, and they seemed to be having a ball.
A Quirky Anecdote (The Sock Saga):
Okay, I lost a sock. I’m serious. It vanished. I'm convinced it's still wandering around the hotel, probably enjoying the mountain views. But the staff? They were so helpful, even with my lost sock distress. I'm not kidding. They are amazing.
Here's the Deal: Madre Tierra Hostal – Your Peruvian Adventure Starts Here
Look, Cusco can be overwhelming. Madre Tierra isn't a perfect hotel. But it's real. It's warm. It's charming. It's a place where you can truly relax, recharge, and prepare to tackle the wonders of Peru.
Here's My Pitch (and Why You Should Book Now):
Tired of cookie-cutter hotels? Madre Tierra Hostal is the anti-hotel. It's a place rooted in the heart of Peru, and it’s a place that really, truly cares about its guests.
Craving adventure and relaxation? With its prime location, accessible amenities, amazing spa and pool, and friendly staff, Madre Tierra is your basecamp for exploring Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and all the other mind-blowing wonders of the region.
Want a hassle-free holiday? With its convenient services, from airport transfers to laundry, Madre Tierra will make your trip easy.
My Opinion? Book it. Now. You won't regret it. Because trust me, you will not be disappointed.
Madre Tierra Hostal. Unforgettable Peruvian Adventure. Book it. Do it. You won’t regret it.
Escape to Paradise: Monte Serrat Hotel's Santos, Brazil, Awaits!
Cusco Chaos: A Hostal Madre Tierra Memoir (or, How I Learned to Love Altitude Sickness)
Prologue: The Arrival - Or, Vomit Comet's Debut
Okay, let's be honest. I'm writing this from a slightly dizzy, caffeine-fueled haze in the Madre Tierra common room, staring at a llama keychain I impulsively bought. Cusco. Altitude. My lungs already feel like they're trying to run a marathon despite me just… breathing. Plane lands. Breathes that thin air. Regains Consciousness. Immediately goes into the “feeling like I’m going to lose it” mode, for lack of a better term.
Day 1: The City of Stone, the Llama Keychain, and My Stomach’s Treachery
- Morning (ish): ARRIVAL. Seriously, just getting off the plane was a victory. Checked in to Hostal Madre Tierra. It’s… cute. Quirky. Feels like a slightly bohemian grandma's house, in a good way. Warm coca tea welcome. Drank it. Felt marginally human. Also, I was starting to wonder if the "coca tea wards off altitude sickness, supposedly," was a myth.
- Late Morning: Explored Plaza de Armas. Gorgeous. Seriously, the architecture. The way the sun hits the stone. Breathtaking. And then my stomach decided to wage war. Let's just say the "charming" cobblestone streets weren't quite as charming while I frantically scanned for the nearest… well, let's leave it at that. Rookie mistake: Overate at that little cafe. Should have known better.
- Afternoon: San Blas, the Art District, and the Great Nap of Doom. Wandered through San Blas. Beautiful. Art everywhere. Bought the llama keychain. (Regret level: Low. It's adorably ridiculous.) Walked up the hill, which was a BAD idea. The altitude laughed in my face. Found a bench. Passed out. Woke up. Decided that altitude sickness was a real thing, and naps were mandatory.
- Evening: Dinner at a recommended place. (Forget the name; I was in a drug-induced haze.) Tried alpaca. It was… fine. My stomach was still plotting revenge. Watched the stars from the rooftop terrace. Couldn’t see any, though. The sky was too pretty for me to actually see the sky because I felt sick.
Day 2: Sacred Valley Shenanigans (and the Ongoing Battle with My Digestive System)
- Early Morning: Woke up with a headache. Again. Altitude. Headed out to the Sacred Valley tour. They tell you to drink water. No problem, I thought. This is my time to shine.
- Morning: Chinchero: Beautiful. Market. Gorgeous textiles. Bargaining felt stressful, but I got a woven something for my sister. Pisac: Ruins. Impressive. Didn't eat anything. Just in case my gut decided to stage a coup.
- Lunch: OLLANTAYTAMBO. Lunch was included on the tour, but no matter how much I wanted it, I just couldn't. I took a bite of the plate. Still, no. It was a very long lunch from me. And I was the only one who didn't eat.
- Afternoon: Ollantaytambo: The fortress. Amazing. Majestic. Spent an hour sitting on a rock, contemplating the ancients, and trying not to throw up. Success! (Mostly.)
- Evening: Back at Hostal Madre Tierra. Ordered plain rice for dinner. Ate it slowly. Slept. Prayed for my stomach to behave. No dice.
Day 3: The Train to Aguas Calientes (and the Unexpected Tears)
- Morning: Train to Aguas Calientes. The scenery was incredible. Lush. Majestic. I actually teared up. Not from happiness, mind you, but from the sheer, overwhelming beauty of it all. And, let me be honest, maybe a little bit because my stomach was still in a snit. The train was very long and very slow.
- Afternoon: Aguas Calientes. Hot springs? Yes, please. Maybe. Had a burger. It was bad. Not just bad. Very very bad. Like, the kind of bad that makes you question all your life choices and whether or not you'll have a good poo.
- Evening: Checked into a basic but, ultimately, clean hostel. Felt a little less sick. Ate some plain rice. Slept. Dreaming of Machu Picchu.
Day 4: Machu Picchu - The Dream, the Hustle, the Epiphany (and Still, the Stomach!)
- Super Early Morning: The bus up to Machu Picchu. Thrilling. A real slog. The line was long and the altitude was… present. Got in. Still felt a little sick, but I was smiling.
- Morning: MACHU PICCHU. WOW. Just… wow. Honestly, it was everything everyone says. The scale. The history. The mystery. I just stood there, mouth agape, trying to breathe. It was like stepping into a different world. The tour guide was droning on about the Incan empire, but I was just lost in the experience. I climbed the stairs. Saw the views. Still I felt like something was not right.
- Lunch: Ate a sandwich. It wasn't bad, but I had a bit of discomfort.
- Afternoon: Back on the bus. Back to Aguas Calientes. Back on the train. Very very slow and long ride. The sun set as we left. The scenery was gorgeous, but I was so tired from the altitude I didn't see anything.
- Evening: Back in Cusco. Fell immediately into bed.
Day 5: Cusco Reflections (and, the Surprisingly, Uplifting Llama Keychain)
- Morning: Woke up. Feeling… better? The altitude seems to have eased up a bit. Maybe I'm acclimatizing. Maybe it's the extra-strength coca tea. Maybe it's the sheer exhaustion.
- Afternoon: Wandered. Visited Qorikancha and the Church of Santo Domingo. Stunning. Learned about Incan history while not being able to think about my stomach.
- Late Afternoon: Sitting in the Madre Tierra common room. Looking at the llama keychain. Thinking about how I almost didn't do this trip. How I almost let fear of the altitude (and my temperamental digestive system) win. And realizing… it was worth it. Every single, dizzying, stomach-churning moment of it.
- Evening: Dinner at a small cafe. Ate something… cautiously.
Epilogue: Leaving Cusco - A Slightly Better Me?
The next morning, I left Cusco. No more altitude sick. No more stomach aches. Just memories.
Cusco was a mess. It was beautiful. It was brutal. It was everything I wanted and more. I'm not sure I'll ever fully recover from the altitude, but I'll always have the llama keychain, the memories, and the knowledge that I faced the chaos and, more or less, survived.
And, hey, maybe next time, I'll be able to stomach the alpaca. Maybe.
Escape to Paradise: Grand Cayman Marriott's Unforgettable Luxury
Madre Tierra Hostal: Ready to Be Amazed (or Maybe Just a Little Confused)? FAQs!
Okay, so what's the *deal* with Madre Tierra? Is it actually a hidden gem or just, like, another hostel with questionable wifi?
Alright, buckle up, because the "hidden gem" label? Totally earned. Look, I've seen hostels. I've seen hostels that smell *suspiciously* like old socks, hostels where the shower pressure is weaker than a kitten's sneeze, and hostels that promise a "community feel" but everyone just hides in their bunks scrolling through TikTok. Madre Tierra? Completely different beast. It's… it's got *soul*. Seriously. It's like you stumble in after a long bus ride smelling faintly of altitude sickness and they hand you a cup of coca tea and a genuine smile. The wifi, by the way? Not the *fastest* in the world, let's be honest, especially during prime Instagram hours (which, let's face it, is ALL the hours). But it works! And honestly, after a day exploring Cusco, you won't even *care*. You'll be too busy comparing notes with your fellow travellers and swapping stories about that insane llama you saw. (True story, by the way. Llama named Kevin. Legend).
What's the vibe like? Is it a party hostel or more chilled? Because, y'know, I'm either looking to rage or desperately need a nap.
Chilled. Absolutely chilled. Think "cozy fireplace in a Peruvian mountain village" vibes. Now, that's not to say things don't occasionally get lively! They have a great communal area where you can meet travelers from all over or play a board game. But it's definitely NOT a "spring break gone wrong" kind of place. Emphasis on respect... and quiet after ten. Unless… maybe there's a impromptu jam session the next night! That actually happened. A guitar and some beers later, and the place was absolutely buzzing with laughter and storytelling. The best nights are in the hostels where the staff aren't just *staff*, they're people that are having a good time with the guests.
Are the rooms clean? Because I have a *thing* about questionable bedding... and I don't want to catch anything... *else*.
Okay, okay, valid question. Let's be real: nobody wants to sleep in a biohazard zone. The rooms at Madre Tierra are spotless, and the beds are super comfortable. Crisp sheets, fluffy pillows, the whole shebang. The bathrooms, now those are an adventure of their own, and I mean that in a *good* way. Hot water is a *very* important thing to consider and after a trek in Machu Picchu and you will thank your lucky stars that they provide it. Now, I've stayed at hostels where the bedsheets look like they've seen more action than a battlefield, but this place? No such concerns. Actually, I overheard one lady going on about how she "didn't want to leave her bed", and honestly? I understood. My sleep was so solid.
Food! What's the grub situation? Can I get past *that* Peruvian soup without hating my life?
Breakfast is included, and it's surprisingly good! Not just your usual dry bread and instant coffee. They've got fruit, eggs, bread, cheese, juice, and the all-important coca tea to help you manage the altitude. I've never actually been a fan of the soup, but that might be because I had it on my first night and when I'd been traveling for a while, I just wanted something familiar... but then I figured out that the hostal had that exact thing!! Sometimes they'll even cook up a communal dinner for a small fee. Think flavorful Andean food - more than just the usual tourist menus. And the local restaurants are, you guessed it, great!
Is it easy to meet other travelers? I'm going solo, and staring at walls gets old, fast.
Effortlessly! The communal areas in Madre Tierra are designed for this sort of thing. The common room is a perfect place to meet others. Like I mentioned before, the vibe encourages conversation and camaraderie. Seriously, I arrived knowing nobody and left with at least five new friends (shout out to the Aussie couple who dragged me to a salsa class and the Canadian dude who shared his emergency chocolate stash). It's the kind of place where you can be completely yourself, and people genuinely want to hear your travel stories (even if they involve questionable decisions made at 3 AM). The staff are also super friendly and happy to chat, give you tips, and arrange tours.
Location, location, location! Is it in a good spot for exploring Cusco? Because lugging a backpack up ten flights of stairs is NOT my idea of fun.
The location is fantastic! Totally walkable to the main square (Plaza de Armas), the markets, restaurants, and all the historical sites. There are a few steep hills, *naturally*, this is Cusco, but the hostel is situated in a part that is fairly manageable. I actually found the walk from the Plaza to the hostel to be a blessing in disguise. It was great exercise to counteract all the delicious food I was eating. Every turn brings a new discovery. Seriously, you'll walk past so many cool little shops and cafes getting from point A to point B, all the while getting that delicious mountain air.
Okay, spill! What was the *most* memorable thing that happened while you were there? The *one* thing that really stuck with you?
Oh man. Okay, this is going to sound a bit… sappy. Fine. But it's the truth. I was having a *rough* day. Altitude sickness was kicking my butt, my camera had decided to die right before my Machu Picchu expedition, and I was just feeling… lost. I wandered into the common area, slumped in a chair, and was basically ready to fly home. The owner of the hostal, a lovely woman named Marisol, saw me and, without a word, brought me a second cup of coca tea and gently placed a blanket over my shoulders. No fuss, no judgment. She just sat with me, and her quiet presence was exactly what I needed. She spoke about the mountains, and what they meant to the people. No pressure. She just *knew*. Later, she helped me figure out where to get my camera fixed, and then gave me the *best* advice on how to deal with the altitude (lots of water! And don't be afraid to rest!). It's those little moments, those acts of kindness, that make a hostel feel like a home. And that, more than anything, is why Madre Tierra is special. That experience went on to inform everything else I did. The rest of my trip wasn't the same, but better. Because the kindness of a stranger really can make all the difference.
