39 Best Hotels in The North Coast and Northern Highlands, Peru

A sleek modern lodging with well-trained staff, spacious rooms, and a good range of amenities, this Casa Andina is as popular with executives in town for a meeting as it is with travelers here to see the ancient ruins. Amenities include a pool, casino, restaurant, gym, and spa. The large windows let in a lot of light, and the balconies (in some rooms) are a plus.

National chain Casa Andina's first foray into the beach-resort game has proven to be a smart one—this resort in Zorritos, south of Tumbes, is one of the north's most convenient beach getaways. The bungalow-style rooms are equipped with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and satellite TV, and the suites have two levels. There's a beautiful beachfront pool, plus a tour desk, pool bar, restaurant, and small spa.

This cluster of cabañas (cabins) among beautifully landscaped gardens, with views of mountain streams and towering peaks, is an attractive lodging option. Although not all the cabañas have private bathrooms, they are nonetheless stylish, with interesting murals and hand-hewn furniture. The restaurant serves excellent French and international cuisine, and the German owner is affable and helpful.

Set right on Cajamarca's main plaza, this hotel may seem modern, but it's actually converted from a historic mansion of a notable local family, and its restaurant has what might be the best view of the city. It lacks the colonial ambience of many nearby bed-and-breakfasts, but this Cajamarca branch of the Peruvian Costa del Sol chain makes up for it with its abundant amenities amid the old stone walls.

This modern tower just a few blocks from Chiclayo's main plaza attracts business travelers and tourists on a budget who come for the many amenities. These include a restaurant, casino, bar, pool, gym, and event facilities. The clean, modern rooms won't win any style awards, but they get the job done.

This excellent hotel, part of the Costa del Sol chain, has modern rooms and facilities, a high-end bar, and attentive service. There's a small kidney-shaped pool in the central terrace, local artwork is displayed in the common areas, and every room looks out onto a simple atrium.

If you want to stay outside the city, this modern hotel is ideal. The rooms, which feature stylish interior design and bedspreads, face a large pool, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and palm trees. It's a good choice for families, since it has open areas for kids to play. There's also a nearby golf course.

With sleek, design-forward bungalows open to the sea breezes, DCO has a trendy, South Beach–type vibe. Think all-white interiors, contemporary artwork, flat-screen TVs, pillow menu, and infinity pool. Suites are spacious and all have ocean-facing balconies; the master suite has a Jacuzzi. The restaurant features edgy cuisine and cocktails.

You'll find a respite from the dusty streets at this pleasant hotel surrounded by gardens. Although the rooms have unsightly fluorescent lights, they're comfortable and affordable. The bamboo-walled restaurant specializes in regional dishes and looks onto the center gardens. The hotel also has a beachfront sister property at Playa Tortugas.

This upscale, full-service hotel and spa is just a short cab ride from the city center and has solid, comfortable rooms overlooking a pool surrounded by lush gardens. Additional amenities include another small rooftop pool next to a spa and sauna.

Within Cajamarca's historic district, this lovely casona surrounds two sunny courtyards, overlooked by rooms furnished in a modern style, with bold color schemes and striking artwork. The beds in standard rooms are narrow and soft, but suites have king-size beds and a Jacuzzi tub; all rooms have LCD TVs and Wi-Fi. The common areas are decorated in a more traditional style, with hand-woven rugs and antique colonial furniture.

Behind the historic facade of this centrally located building hides a modern hotel with spacious rooms that overlook a sun-filled courtyard. Inside the hotel is a full-service tourist agency, which offers a decent selection of local tours. Ask to see a few rooms beforehand, as some are nicer than others.

The most atmospheric place to base yourself while exploring the Chiclayo area's archaeological attractions is not in the city itself but rather in this 18th-century casona in Lambayeque. Just a block from the town's main plaza and the church of San Pedro, the manor house is surrounded by three stone courtyards, and every effort has been made to retain the colonial-era style and architecture—though modern comforts, like the inviting pool, are welcome, too. Rooms feature period furniture, creaky beds, and wood-beamed ceilings.

This pleasant hotel, across the boulevard from Playa Huanchaco, is popular with Peruvian families, especially in summer, giving it a good "neighborhood" feel. It has a pool set in beautifully landscaped grounds, a small restaurant, a playground, and lots of grassy areas for kids to play in. Frequent upgrades have added Wi-Fi, expanded the restaurant, and kept the style up to date.

The best deal in Barranca, this full-service hotel—in a plain, concrete, six-story building—has wood-floored rooms (ask for one in the rear if noise is a concern) and a decent restaurant serving criollo food. To relax, dip into the pool and swim up to the poolside bar, the hotel's best feature. Those looking to go out at night can check out the Karaoke Hotel Chavín, in back of the first floor.

Like many other hotels in the area, this one is in a renovated hacienda with extensive grounds, but it is the best bargain in Cajamarca and only a 10-minute walk from the plaza. There are also a lovely central courtyard with a giant orange tree, well-kept gardens, and a charming wooden bar. Each room is simply decorated with antique-looking hardwood furniture and large, comfy beds.

"Pampering" is the operant concept at this refurbished hacienda, which has well-manicured garden areas throughout its extensive grounds, as well as a Jacuzzi in every room and public baths fed by thermal hot springs.Try a massage or other spa treatment, or tour the grounds on horseback. Kids will enjoy the playground and feeding the animals on the hotel's farm (which supplies organic vegetables to the restaurant).

Sandwiched between the fishing pier and the start of Las Pocitas beach, just south of Máncora, this small hotel is owned by the son of famed Peruvian TV chef Teresa Ocampo, whose recipes are used in the excellent beachfront restaurant, Donde Teresa. Owner Javier helpfully offers up advice on what to see and do while in Máncora. Rooms are clean, large, and with good amenities, including satellite TV, air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi. They feature various pieces of artwork from the owner's collection and have private terraces. There are also a small pool, kayaks available for guest use, and plenty of beach chairs.

With refurbished décor and noise-proof glass for street-side rooms, this hotel is one of the best deals in Chiclayo. Rooms are clean, the staff is professional, and the hotel feels busy, but not hurried. There are also a good gym and breakfast options.

This tiny, Zen-like property on Las Pocitas beach, near other top boutique hotels, is perhaps the first to really do the New Age concept right in Máncora. Aside from lounging in front of the long infinity pool, the emphasis here is on wellness, with yoga sessions, massages, and mostly vegetarian meals, as well as detox packages and cleanses. Each of the rooms is unique, though all incorporate earth elements such as wood floors, ceramic pottery, and outdoor living space.

This colorful old house, which dates from the 1800s, is the finest in Chachapoyas, with a bougainvillea-filled courtyard and pleasant terraces. There's also a charming salon with a fireplace and overstuffed sofas. The rooms vary greatly; ask to see a handful before you decide. The old-fashioned service is in the best Peruvian provincial tradition.

This country hacienda is far from the noise of Cajamarca and has extensive gardens, a trout hatchery, and green hills for horseback riding and hiking. Parts of the hacienda were constructed as far back as 1822, so the rooms have authentic touches like vaulted wood-beam ceilings. Large rosaries adorn the walls. It feels like you're visiting well-to-do relatives for a summer holiday.

People stay here for the view of the Paseo Las Musas, the statue-lined promenade overlooked by each of the hotel's rooms. But the building also has the usual accommodations and services, together with a waterfall and tiny koi pond at the entrance, a casino, and a sixth-floor restaurant with great views of the entire city. There's also a suite with an enormous heart-shaped Jacuzzi.

Across from the tranquil Playa Los Tumbos, a beach on the northern end of the waterfront, Las Palmeras is a welcoming hotel (once you get past the gated entrance) with ocean views. Its spotless rooms have terraces, most facing the water. A narrow garden with a small pool makes for a very relaxing stay, and, since the hotel is gated, there's a feeling of privacy. There's also a full-service cafeteria on-site.

This quiet, remote lodge with spectacular views is right on the edge of the Huascarán National Park, wedged between Llanganuco and Rajururi gorges and adjacent to Keushu lake—a great place to get away from it all. This is base camp for many extended hikes into the national park, and hikers stay here to acclimatize, take day treks, find guides, or rent equipment. The lodge itself has several accommodation options, from no-frills standard rooms to luxury suites with balconies and fireplaces. There are a restaurant and bar on-site, and packed lunches are provided. Phone signals on the mountain are weak, so email is the lodge's preferred mode of communication.