Peru is a country that has an awful lot to offer the tourist and backpacker, and whether you are visiting the country for the Inca sites of Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuaman, or to enjoy the scenery and the beaches, it is a great place for backpackers. Along with the spectacular surroundings, Peru also has a great range of hostels for people to choose from, going from relaxing and welcoming hostels in idyllic locations through to party hostels where you will be guaranteed a good night, if not a good night's sleep!

Link Hostel, Lima

Lima is where many people traveling to Peru will begin their journey, and the Link Hostel is a great place to start, located just a short walk from the main plaza of the city and offering a warm and friendly welcome. The dorm beds are available at a competitive price, and the excellent tourist facilities and travel planning aids mean that this is a good place to start booking things ahead for your trip. The traditional colonial building in which the hostel is located may appear to be quite historic, but with a nice bar and restaurant that is open until 1am and great fast wireless internet, this is a great place to get your bearings in Lima.

Ecopackers, Cusco

Within easy reach of the Plaza de Armas, Ecopackers is a hostel that is right at the heart of Cusco and is a great base from which to see the sights of the historic Inca empire. There are plenty of facilities at the hotel including a lovely patio area which shows off the historic colonial origins of the building, while the free wireless internet and television room offers some of the best modern hostel facilities too.

Leisure facilities such as a pool table, Foosball table and table tennis mean that there is plenty to do, whether you want to spend a relaxing day at the hostel or are heading out to see Cusco.

Misfit Hostel, Mancora

Facing directly on to the beach at the northern end of the town, the Misfit Hostel is an interesting and attractive place to stay, with a charming relaxed vibe. The rooms are located in four pleasant cabins offering dorm beds and private rooms, and in the evenings there is a lovely bar area and regular barbecues, although it is within walking distance of the main bars in the town too. However, it is the location that makes the Misfit Hostel such an amazing place to stay, and being able to watch the sunset over the Pacific from this stunning beach side location is a truly amazing experience.

Loki Hostel, Cusco

For those who are looking to have a good time during their visit to Cusco, there is no doubt that the Loki hostel is one of the best places to start, with a reputation for hosting a very good party. During the day this colonial property is a relatively quiet and relaxed place, with people enjoying the sunshine and sometimes playing volleyball in the courtyard, but it is during the evening when it really starts to heat up. The party is great if you are intending to stay in the hostel, but for those hitting the bars of Cusco, remember there is an uphill walk back to the hostel at the end of the night!

Supertramp Hostel, Aguas Calientes

A trip to Machu Picchu is an essential part of any visit to Peru, and the town of Aguas Calientes is the closest settlement to the historic Inca site. The brightly colored hostel is certainly difficult to miss with a distinctive decorating style, and the comfortable beds are a great feature to enjoy after a day hiking around Machu Picchu. The hostel offers a nice bar area and restaurant, and is particularly noted for the helpful staff and the free wireless internet access which is an important part of any modern hostel.