If you’re a digital nomad, then you know the importance of having a good workspace. And there’s no better city in the world to work from than Cusco. Not only is it home to some of the most beautiful scenery in South America, but it’s also full of great cafes that are perfect for working from.
And for the wanderers out there who don’t have a care in the world and just want to sit, relax and people watch, we’ve got you covered as well.
We’ve compiled a list of the best cafes for digital nomads and flaneurs in Cusco. From cozy and comfortable cafes to hip and trendy spots, there’s something for everyone on this list.
So whether you’re looking for a place to get some work done or just take a break from sightseeing, here are our top picks.
The Criteria: What Makes a Good Cafe in Cusco?
As slow traveling entrepreneurs, we spend at least 9 hours per day (and often much longer) on our laptops even while abroad, and so are always on the lookout for great coffee shops to mix up work environments.
For these reviews, we took into consideration the following criteria:
- Fast, reliable Wi-Fi
- Comfortable seating and tables suitable for working
- Outlets available for charging devices
- A unique environment with a pleasant ambience
- Natural lighting
- Good coffee
Note: All scores and ratings in this article are relative to other locations in the city, not worldwide. For example, the Wi-Fi in general is quite slow in the city so any time you find something workable, it automatically gets a higher score.
Wi-Fi Score
Wi-Fi speeds were measured in each location and given a score according to this criteria:
- 1 = Unworkable (< 1 Mbps upload/download)
- 2 = Very slow (< 2 Mbps upload/download)
- 3 = Mediocre (3-5 Mbps upload/download)
- 4 = Good (> 5 Mbps upload/download)
- 5 = Fast (> 10 Mbps upload/download)
Best Cafes in Cusco for Working
If you’re looking for a good cafe in Cusco to work form, simply going by Tripadvisor’s ratings won’t do. After spending more than 6 weeks in the city, we found that after the pandemic a lot of the more commonly recommended spots were unfortunately closed either temporarily or permanently.
For that reason, we thought the world needed an updated resource.
Please note when making your decisions that a lot of the cafes on this list don’t stick to their advertised opening hours. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for a cafe that supposedly opens at 9 am to open around noon some days. Things are just a little inconsistent, and that’s part of the fun in this city!
Without further ado, here’s our list of the top cafes to work from in Cusco.
Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel
If you’re looking for a place to work from in Cusco that has all the amenities you need, but with the added bonus of being located inside a centuries-old monastery, look no further than Monasterio Hotel. This quaint property in the heart of the old city features an on-site restaurant, bar, spa, and even a fountain in the courtyard. This is the best spot to work from!
If it’s chilly outside, they’ll offer you wool blankets to keep you warm. They even brought us free snacks!
The only downside is that the Wi-Fi was slow outside in the courtyard, but it’s slightly faster if you work in the lobby lounge.
Tripadvisor Score: 5.0
Address: Calle Plazoleta Nazarenas 337, Cusco 08000
Cappucino Cusco Cafe
Wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city? Cappuccino Cafe is a great place to relax or get some work done. This cafe is located in the heart of Plaza de Armas, making it the perfect spot to people-watch and take in the beautiful architecture of Cusco. The cafe offers free Wi-Fi (albeit slow) and a wide variety of coffee drinks and pastries. So whether you’re looking for a place to refuel or get some work done, Cappuccino Cafe is definitely worth checking out.
If you can get the window seats with a view of the plaza, we recommend them!
Tripadvisor Score: 4.0
Address: Plaza de Armas, Portal de Comercio 141, Cusco 08002
Maki Cafe Lounge
Maki Cafe Lounge is a new spot in Cusco for digital nomads. It has all the amenities you need to get work done, including some of the best Wi-Fi speeds we found and comfortable seating options inside or out front on the street. The staff is super friendly and helpful, and they offer a variety of food and drink options to keep you fueled up throughout the day. Plus, the location is perfect – it’s right in the heart of the city.
If you’re looking for a productive place to work in Cusco, Maki Cafe Lounge is definitely worth checking out!
Tripadvisor Score: 5.0
Address: Calle Heladeros 167 Costado Museo Garcilazo, Cusco 08002
Xapiri Ground
If you’re a digital nomad looking for a change of scenery, Xapiri Ground in Cusco is the perfect spot. It’s a cafe and a museum too! Not only is it filled with beautiful artwork and a rich history, but it’s also home to a number of displays that are worth exploring. Whether you’re interested in ancient Incan culture or contemporary art, there’s something for everyone here.
The open-plan loft features natural light and beautiful views of the surrounding city and mountains, and the super fast and reliable Wi-Fi will keep you connected all day long. Plus, the on-site cafe serves up delicious Peruvian beverages and cuisine that will fuel your workflow.
There’s seating downstairs, upstairs and outdoors on the balcony, though the seats outside are not ideal for working. We recommend the seats upstairs for the best privacy!
Tripadvisor Score: 5.0
Address: Plazoleta de San Blas, 630, Cusco 08003
Cicciolina
Though technically not a cafe, Cicciolina is a restaurant in Cusco that’s perfect for digital nomads during the daytime. It has a great atmosphere, fast internet, and plenty of seating options. At night, there are more patrons but during the day it tends to be vacant so you can have the whole spot to yourself.
They also offer a wide variety of food and drinks, making it the perfect place to work or relax. We recommend the outdoor seating with view of the square below!
There is also a Cicciolina Cafe on Ruinas a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas, but we found the Wi-Fi speeds unworkable and the space overly crowded. The restaurant is a better option if working during the day!
Tripadvisor Score: 4.5
Address: Calle Triunfo 393 Segundo Piso, Cusco 08002
Cicciolina Cafe Address: Ruinas 465, Cusco 08002
Cafe Macchiato
Cafe Macchiato is a cozy cafe in Cusco for digital nomads. It offers a quiet and productive work environment, great coffee, and delicious pastries. The cafe is on the first floor, while upstairs doubles as a restaurant. There is plenty of seating in the main room, in the section toward the windows, or up above on the third floor. The best seat in the house is the second floor table with a view of the cobblestone street below.
Whether you’re looking to get some work done or just take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Cafe Macchiato is the perfect spot for you.
Tripadvisor Score: 5.0
Address: Calle Heladeros 167, Cusco 08002
Café Panam
Café Panam is a great spot in Cusco for digital nomads. They offer outdoor seating with decent Wi-Fi and a beautiful view of the nearby Plaza Regocijo. The coffee is also some of the best we’ve had in Peru, and the staff is super friendly.
There’s also private seating upstairs on the second floor if you prefer to work indoors. We definitely recommend this café for anyone looking to get some work done while in Cusco.
Tripadvisor Score: 4.5
Address: Portal Nuevo 232 Plaza Regocijo, Cusco 08000
L’atelier Café Concept
L’atelier Café Concept is a modern, French-inspired café in Cusco. The atmosphere is bright and inviting, perfect for a quick work session or an all-day sprint.
This artsy café has free WiFi, great coffee, a creative menu of sandwiches, salads and desserts, plus a unique layout that’s perfect for getting some work done with a view of the San Blas below. They also offer light snacks and meals if you get hungry, and there are seating options both indoors and outdoors (Note: the seat with a view has a time limit if it’s busy). So whether you’re looking for a quiet place to focus or a bustling cafe to take a break, L’atelier is definitely worth checking out.
Tripadvisor Score: 4.5
Address: Atoqsayk’uchi 605 corner of Atoqsayk’uchi and Carmen Alto, Cusco 08000
Café D’wasi
Cafe D’wasi is a popular cafe for digital nomads in Cusco. Expats often gather here to work and socialize, and it offers a comfortable and productive work environment. The coffee is delicious, and there’s seating indoors and outdoors.
The downside is that the Wi-Fi was very unreliable compared to Maki across the street. But there is also another, newer D’wasi location on Sta. Catalina with faster connection speeds.
D’wasi is worth checking out when it’s not busy, but otherwise you might be better off working at another cafe on this list!
Tripadvisor Score: 4.5
Address: Calle Heladeros 160 Calle Santa Catalina Angosta 175, Cusco 08002
Second Location: Sta. Catalina Angosta 175, Cusco 08001
La Valeriana Bake Shop
La Valeriana is a cafe in Cusco that’s popular with digital nomads. It has excellent coffee and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a decent place to work for a few hours or meet up with friends. There are actually two locations in the city, but the location next to Plazoleta Espinar has the much better ambience.
There’s seating out front if you prefer to people-watch, as well as plenty of options indoors. A major downside is that the Wi-Fi is unworkable. If you are going to work here, make sure you have data to hotspot yourself.
Tripadvisor Score: 4.0
Address: Avenida Sol 576 Plazoleta Espinar, Cuzco 08002
Other Cafes and Working Spots in Cusco
Starbucks
The Starbucks is located on the second floor of a building near the center of the plaza, so it’s easy to find.
The location is great right in Plaza de Armas, but very few of the tables actually have a view of the plaza.
The downside for some may be the price and the lack of authentic atmosphere. Starbucks is very expensive compared to the other locally-owned cafes in Cusco.
However, I wasn’t able to find another reliable place to work early in the morning since most restaurants/cafes in Cusco open later in the day, if you can’t work at your hotel/hostel/Airbnb in the morning the Starbucks is probably your best bet.
Was closed when I was there. Best table is the view of the church, best view in the square!
The atmosphere is pretty quiet so it’s a great place to focus on your work, but there’s also plenty of people watching to keep you entertained.
Address: Calle Loreto, Cusco 08002
Selina Plaza de Armas
While not really a cafe, it’s another great option for digital nomads. The designated coworking space is quiet and provides a great atmosphere for productivity with its (comparatively) super fast Wi-Fi.
Address: Calle Garcilaso 150, Cuzco 08002
Green Point Cusco
Green Point Cusco is a vegan restaurant in Cusco that’s perfect for digital nomads. It has great coffee, fast internet, and a fantastic ambience filled with greenery. It tends to be quite busy, but if you can snag a table with an outlet this can be a great option as well.
Address: 235 Calle Carmen Bajo San Blas, Cusco 08001
Siete y Siete Cafeteria
When we visited, Siete y Siete was temporarily closed. We’ve heard great things, so hopefully it’s back up and running soon!
Address: Calle Tandapata 260 Final Siete Angelitos, Pension Alemana, Cusco 08003
Laggart Cafe
Laggart Cafe is little bit out of the way, but can be a decent option depending on where you’re staying. The downside is the opening hours with a break in the middle of the day, making it not ideal for anyone wishing to get comfortable. Though this isn’t advertised online, a sign on their door says they are open from 8 am to noon, then again from 4 pm to 7 pm.
Address: Calle Nueva Alta 505 Subiendo por la Plaza San Francisco, Esquina entre Ceniza y Calle Nueva Alta, Cuzco 08002
Van Gogh Cafe
Van Gogh Cafe is a small cafe north of the Plaza de Armas with good coffee and a solid menu. Our experience was that the Wi-Fi was unworkable but it’s another option if you use a hotspot.
Address: Plazoleta Regocijo #203, 08003
Permanently Closed Cafes in Cusco
The following are cafes in Cusco that have good reviews but are now permanently closed:
- Café y Chocolate
- The Meeting Place Cafe
- Museo del Café
- Dos x 3
Parting Words
Whether you’re a digital nomad cranking out an 8-hour workday or a flaneur looking to relax and observe, we think you’ll enjoy at least one of these nine cafes. From quiet places to get some work done to bustling cafes with plenty of social opportunities, Cusco has something to offer everyone.
We hope you enjoyed our top picks for the best places to set up shop and get things done in the city.
Have we missed your favorite spot? Leave us a comment and let us know where we should head next time we’re in town!
Originally Published: November 30, 2022
✍️ Cusco, Peru
P.S. If you liked this article, you might also enjoy our other recommendations for Peru:
