{"id":1276164,"date":"2026-05-27T13:57:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T13:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=1276164"},"modified":"2026-09-17T13:42:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:42:34","slug":"sustainability-stories-inside-hostelworlds-2026-culture-champion-black-llama-cusco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/sustainability-stories-inside-hostelworlds-2026-culture-champion-black-llama-cusco\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability Stories: Inside Hostelworld\u2019s 2026 Culture Champion &#8211; Black Llama Cusco"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1276165\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/backyard-300x199.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"545\" height=\"362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/backyard-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/backyard.png 586w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWhen guests stay with us, they&#8217;re not just visiting &#8211; they&#8217;re starting to understand Cusco and the heritage\u201d, says Eric Beland, founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/325811\/black-llama-hostel-cusco\/\" class=\"post links\">Black Llama Hostel Cusco<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Sitting at over 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/pwa\/s?q=Cusco,%20Peru&amp;country=Peru&amp;city=Cusco&amp;type=city&amp;id=325&amp;from=2026-05-27&amp;to=2026-05-28&amp;guests=2&amp;page=1\" class=\"post links\">Cusco<\/a>, otherwise known as the &#8220;navel of the world&#8221;, is one of South America\u2019s most historic and visited cities, and the archaeological capital of the Americas.<\/p>\n<p>In the heart of Cusco, residing inside a beautifully restored Casona, lives our <a href=\"https:\/\/global.hostelworld.com\/hoscars\" class=\"post links\">2026 HOSCARS Culture Champion<\/a>, The Black Llama Hostel.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>A different way to experience Cusco<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Black Llama Hostel Cusco was founded on a simple idea: travellers come to Cusco searching for the city but often find only the postcard version.<\/p>\n<p>From the moment guests arrive at Black Llama, the goal is to create a deeper, more authentic understanding of the city. Shared spaces, from the caf\u00e9 to the common areas, reflect Cusco\u2019s culture, history, and rhythm.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What it means to be a Culture Champion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1276170\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HOSCAR-winner-Cultural-Champion-300x225.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"529\" height=\"397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HOSCAR-winner-Cultural-Champion-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HOSCAR-winner-Cultural-Champion-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HOSCAR-winner-Cultural-Champion.webp 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 529px) 100vw, 529px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Being named Hostelworld\u2019s 2026 Culture Champion isn\u2019t just about recognition; it reflects a daily commitment.<\/p>\n<p>From design choices to partnerships and guest experiences, every element of Black Llama is rooted in respect for Peruvian culture and identity.<\/p>\n<p>Set within a historic <em>Casona<\/em>, preservation is not an afterthought, but a foundational everyday practice. Guests quickly recognise this care and, in turn, begin to slow down, listen, and engage more meaningfully.<\/p>\n<p>What makes this approach so meaningful is the dual impact: creating richer experiences for international travellers, while reinforcing cultural pride among local Peruvians visiting from other regions.<\/p>\n<p>A true example of what cultural sustainability really looks like.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Designing experiences that stay with you<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>At Black Llama, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/325811\/black-llama-hostel-cusco\/\" class=\"post links\">events<\/a> aren\u2019t scheduled; they are thoughtfully curated invitations that are offered to guests to intentionally connect with local experiences that leave lasting impressions.<\/p>\n<p>From coca leaf readings, Pisco Sour classes, and traditional crafts, each experience is chosen for its real cultural and historical significance. The key difference between memorable and meaningful is the authenticity of the experience.<\/p>\n<p>As Eric explains, \u201cA good experience is shared online. A meaningful one stays with you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Guests don\u2019t observe; they participate. Every moment is designed so visitors become part of the story, not just spectators passing through.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Community at the centre<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1276171\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/main-shared-space-2-200x300.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"437\" height=\"656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/main-shared-space-2-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/main-shared-space-2-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/main-shared-space-2-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/main-shared-space-2.webp 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Community is visible in every detail. \u00a0From murals by local artists like SELVA UNO, to handcrafted Toritos de Pucar\u00e1 from regional artisans, every element reflects collaboration.<\/p>\n<p>Even the coffee tells a story &#8211; Black Llama Coffee &#8211; sourced from rotating regions across <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/peru\/\" class=\"post links\">Peru<\/a>, directly supporting local farmers.<\/p>\n<p>As Eric explains: \u201cWe believe in giving full recognition and fair treatment to every collaborator. When you walk through Black Llama, you&#8217;re literally surrounded by the work of people we respect, and that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Everyday sustainability in practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Sustainability at Black Llama is built into daily decisions. From water conservation in the dry seasons to waste sorting for recycling and composting, small actions add up. And when shared with hundreds of travellers each year, it creates a genuine impact.<\/p>\n<p>As Eric puts it: \u201cYou can&#8217;t truly honour a community while damaging its environment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Environmental and cultural sustainability are inseparable; preserving one without the other isn\u2019t possible.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Impact: Travellers &amp; connection <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1276172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pisco-Sour-300x200.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"548\" height=\"365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pisco-Sour-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pisco-Sour-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pisco-Sour.webp 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 548px) 100vw, 548px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For Eric and the team at Black Llama, the shift in traveller mindset is clear:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople no longer want to be tourists; they want to be participants. They&#8217;re seeking genuine connections with destinations and the communities they visit.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At Black Llama, shared spaces like the hostel kitchen and coffee program provide those moments \u2013 turning guests into active participants in Cusco\u2019s story rather than passive observers.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s where belonging takes shape, through shared meals, conversation, and experiences that spark curiosity and connection.<\/p>\n<p>As Eric reflects:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve watched guests arrive stressed and leave transformed \u2013 not because of a single moment, but because they&#8217;ve been taken into something real. Cusco becomes less like a destination and more like a place they belong.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And the most meaningful feedback from guests? <strong><em>\u201cI feel at home.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The future of travel in Cusco<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>As Cusco\u2019s global appeal continues to grow, balancing tourism with responsibility becomes even more important.<\/p>\n<p>Sharing Peru with the world is crucial, supporting both culture and local economies, but it requires a great deal of respect, intention, and awareness from the very beginning.<\/p>\n<p>Having hosted travellers from everywhere, Black Llama has seen guests\u00a0want\u00a0to engage respectfully; they just need clear guidance.<\/p>\n<p>The industry&#8217;s challenge now is how to set expectations early and make cultural respect a natural part of the travel experience, not the exception.<\/p>\n<p>The goal isn\u2019t just to host travellers, but to send them home as unofficial ambassadors of Peruvian culture, not just with photos, but with a changed and lasting perspective on what travel can be.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Eric\u2019s top 3 local recommendations for visiting Cusco: <\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Often overlooked, but a must-try experience:<\/strong><br \/>\nSpecialty coffee, try Black Llama Coffee, created to revalue high-quality Peruvian coffee, paired with a food and dessert menu everyone can enjoy. We\u2019re sure this will be one of the best experiences this year.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A cultural initiative to support:<\/strong><br \/>\nLocal gastronomic and artisan fairs. They revalue local cuisine and showcase talented artisans whose pieces display their art.<\/li>\n<li><strong>One small tip for responsible travel:<\/strong><br \/>\nUnderstand that seasonal weather is not an excuse. Cusco has a unique charm in every season. Travel responsibly, use formal tourism services, and above all, plan your trip in advance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cWhen guests stay with us, they&#8217;re not just visiting &#8211; they&#8217;re starting to understand Cusco and the heritage\u201d, says Eric Beland, founder of Black Llama Hostel Cusco. Sitting at over 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco, otherwise known as the &#8220;navel of the world&#8221;, is one of South America\u2019s most historic and visited cities,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":204,"featured_media":1276171,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"hw_related":"[{\"id\":1266738,\"score\":0.654900000000000037658764995285309851169586181640625,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":644601,\"score\":0.6534999999999999698019337301957421004772186279296875,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":1276463,\"score\":0.64819999999999999840127884453977458178997039794921875,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":1275296,\"score\":0.6071999999999999619859636368346400558948516845703125,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":101959,\"score\":0.6875999999999999889865875957184471189975738525390625,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":108229,\"score\":0.6856999999999999761968183520366437733173370361328125,\"hook\":\"\"}]","footnotes":""},"categories":[10211,9473],"tags":[264383,264691,264659,264653,264341],"class_list":["post-1276164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sustainability","category-travel-tips","tag-culture","tag-cusco","tag-peru","tag-south-america","tag-sustainability","authors-stephanie-stewart","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sustainability Stories: Inside Hostelworld\u2019s 2026 Culture Champion - Black Llama Cusco - Hostelworld Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how Black Llama Cusco brings cultural sustainability to life, through community connection, local experiences and meaningful travel.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/sustainability-stories-inside-hostelworlds-2026-culture-champion-black-llama-cusco\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sustainability Stories: Inside Hostelworld\u2019s 2026 Culture Champion - Black Llama Cusco - Hostelworld Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover how Black Llama Cusco brings cultural sustainability to life, through community connection, local experiences and meaningful travel.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/sustainability-stories-inside-hostelworlds-2026-culture-champion-black-llama-cusco\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Hostelworld Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-27T13:57:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-17T13:42:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/main-shared-space-2.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Stephanie Stewart\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@hostelworld\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@hostelworld\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Stephanie Stewart\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/sustainability-stories-inside-hostelworlds-2026-culture-champion-black-llama-cusco\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/sustainability-stories-inside-hostelworlds-2026-culture-champion-black-llama-cusco\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Stephanie Stewart\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a75cc5b317c506ad9fc98f32ddbe53a8\"},\"headline\":\"Sustainability Stories: Inside Hostelworld\u2019s 2026 Culture Champion &#8211; 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