5 unique gay friendly hotels in Peru

01

BTH Hotel

Lima

While you won’t find a centralized gay district or neighbor, each neighborhood or, zona, has its unique flair; like Miraflores, some tend to be more modern and trendy, while others, like Barranco, sport more of an artistic vibe. 

Are you looking to hit la playa? Spend some time at Las Cascadas Beach? Although not an official gay beach, it is where many gays choose to tan and enjoy the waves. Feeling artsy? MATE Museum houses a collection of celebrity portraits by world-famous (and gay!) photographer, Mario Testino. Before leaving the hotel for a night on the town stop at Madbar for one of their signature cocktails, then dance the night away at ValeTodo Downtown or Legendaris.

The comfort of our stay was perfect for a restful night's sleep. Whether you come to sight-see or party, we know you will love Lima and the BTH Hotel as much as we did. For more, be sure to check out our gay guide to Lima.

02

Palacio Del Inka

Cusco

The Incan flag looks similar to the Pride flag and is displayed all around the city. As we wandered around, we were in awe of the speciality textiles, trinkets and exotic fruits that we purchased throughout several of Cusco’s mercados. 

The Plaza Del Armas is the central square of the city. Surrounding the plaza, you will find a fusion of Spanish architecture and Incan ruins, all supporting a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. There is plenty to explore within the city, including the Cusco Cathedral. On the outskirts of town lies the remains of Saqsaywaman, an Incan stronghold. Moray and the world-famous Machu Picchu are archaeological sites and require the use of a day trip, travel and time. Plan accordingly. Still, we encourage you to make a stop at these magnificent historical sites.

Similar to the gay scene in Lima, we didn’t find a centralized neighborhood but discovered some gay-friendly establishments. Mama Africa is a great place to hit the dance floor. Plenty of smaller, more low-key bars offer a place where you can unwind after a day of exploring. There is a place for everyone. We thoroughly enjoyed the luxurious but affordable charm this hotel and city has to offer. For more, check out our gay guide to Cusco.  

03

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

Machu Picchu / Cusco 

Just a quick 100m away (about 330ft for those using the Imperial Scale) lies the world-famous ruins of Machu Picchu. After checking in, we treated ourselves to some Pisco Sours, followed by native cuisine at the restaurant.

Without the hassle of extra time and transportation, we were able to avoid the rush and enjoy the full experience of our visit to Machu Picchu. The lodge helps to organize all your hiking and trekking experiences (we could not have done it without them)!

At the lodge, we tapped into our spiritual sides through ceremonial experiences. One, guided by a local shaman, calls on the powers of the earth for optimal health and prosperity. During the second ceremony, we had our future and coca leaves read. We won't give all the details away, but our results left us smiling from ear to ear. Last, but certainly not least, we took advantage of the spa treatments. What can we say? We love being pampered and know that relaxing and unwinding is a great way to stay ready for the next leg of our Peruvian adventure.  

04

Sol y Luna Relais & Chateaux

Sacred Valley / Valle Sagrado

We really enjoyed the privacy of our casita – a beautiful and colourful bungalow-style villa. At the same time, we enjoyed the company of other guests at the jacuzzi and pool. Every casita is uniquely decorated to ensure the charm of each stay. We loved to be pampered and took advantage of the spa and fitness center (grab your mat: they have yoga!). After feeling rejuvenated, we enjoyed the daily horse show (I know, right?!) while we treated ourselves to lunch at the restaurant. For those looking to explore more of the local cuisine, we suggest taking a cooking class with the chef. We opted to spend more time under el sol and toured the native gardens.

In the valley, we found ourselves tackling our adventurous sides and selected a few of the several outdoor activities (hiking and kayaking, just to name a few). A must-see is the Salt Mines in Mara, as are the Incan ruins in Moray. Back at Sol y Luna, we tapped into our crafty side and took the pottery and weaving classes. Through these classes, we not only learned more about the culture of the Sacred Valley but now have keep-sakes to remind us of our stay. We know you will enjoy this unique blend of city and country, or sun and moon (sol y luna!), at this relaxing resort. 

05

Amantica Lodge

Amantani Island / Isla Amantani

It was a surprise for us to learn that it has only been within the last few decades that the indigenous tribes have opened their doors to tourists. Because of its seclusion, we were able to avoid tourist traps and found authentic and meaningful connections with the native inhabitants.  

The Uros are one of the native ethnicities inhabiting Lake Titicaca. They are known for being some of the last living links to the Incan Empire but are more widely-known for living on floating islands. The Uros use a native species of reed to construct incredible floating platforms, homes and boats. 

Transportation by boat gave us access to the city of Puno, as well as the neighboring island of Taquile. On Amantani, we explored the Centro Ceremonial Pachatata, where a 360 view of the lake took our breath away. 

Upon returning to the lodge, we were treated to exceptionally delicious hand-crafted cuisine, prepared by a private chef, and the view of the lake from our room was nothing short of incredible. The privacy of Amantica allowed us to unwind, cherish the company of one another, and soak in the magnificence of Lake Titicaca. Read more in our article about Lake Titicaca.