• Second Home Peru, Lima: Occupying the former home of one of Peru's best-known artists, Victor Delfín, this small B&B with elegant, airy rooms hugs the coastline in bohemian Barranco. 
  • Fallen Angel: The Guest House, Cusco: One of the wildest places you're likely to stay, certainly in Peru, is this boutique artist's den, upstairs from the celebrated restaurant of the same name. The immense and painstakingly baroque rooms carry the unique vision of Andrés Zuniga. Anyone with a creative or adventurous streak should be in heaven.
  • Niños Hotel, Cusco: Even if this great little inn had no redeeming social and moral value, it would still be one of the best informal places to stay in Peru. The fact that it operates as part of a foundation that dedicates its profits to helping and housing Cusco's street children is a welcome bonus. The small Dutch-owned hotel, located in a restored and nicely if simply decorated colonial house, is charming, immaculate, and a great value. The trick is getting a reservation—try many months in advance of your arrival.
  • Explorer's Inn, Tambopata: One of the most renowned and respected ecolodges in the Peruvian Amazon is this 30-year-old pioneer that hosts both ecotourists and scientists. About 3 hours upriver from Puerto Maldonado, the inn—featuring thatched-roof bungalows—is superb for viewing otters, monkeys, and jungle birds.
  • Tahuayo Lodge, northern Amazon: The top lodge in Peru's northern Amazon, about 4 hours from Iquitos and associated with the Rainforest Conservation Fund, is the only lodge with access to the terrific Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve. It's remote and small, but features excellent jungle programs, including zip-line canopy ropes for treetop nature viewing.
  • Colca Lodge, Coporaque: A handsome Colca Valley ecolodge that hugs the banks of the river, this rustic hotel is large enough to accommodate groups but sensitively designed enough to ensure privacy and serenity. That's especially true if you find your way to the beautiful stone thermal pools, which no other hotel in the zone can match.
  • Las Casitas del Colca, Yanque: A favorite of sophisticated travelers venturing into the rustic Colca Canyon, this property has been transformed into one of the most luxurious country hotels anywhere. The spacious and private bungalows have their own plunge pools and patios. The excellent dining room serves fresh meals, and guests can choose from lots of hiking and horseback-riding opportunities. What was once a bargain, though, has become a refuge for the wealthy.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.