Huaraz City Guide
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Peru

Huaraz City Guide

Ancash department

Huaraz is a mountain town in Peru's Ancash region. It's popular for trekking and climbing in the Cordillera Blanca. The city has a lively market and serves as a base for exploring nearby parks and trails.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Try Pachamanca, Trucha Frita, and Caldo de Gallina. Some Italian and Chinese spots exist. Vegetarian and vegan options are growing. Late-night food is limited outside tourist areas.

Local Dishes:
Pachamanca, Trucha Frita, Caldo de Gallina
International Cuisine:
Italian, Chinese
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
5

Small nightlife mostly in bars and pubs for tourists. A few clubs open on weekends.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Coffee culture is growing with some good cafes and emerging third-wave shops.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tips are appreciated but not required. 10% in restaurants and rounding fares for taxis are standard.

Top Attractions
Plaza de Armas
sightseeing
Central square with shops and cafes.
Museo Arqueológico de Áncash
museum
Museum showcasing local history and artifacts.
Mercado Central
market
Main market for fresh produce and crafts.
Thermal Baths of Monterrey
nature
Hot springs a short drive away.
Laguna Wilcacocha Viewpoint
nature
Scenic hiking spot with lake views.
SIM Cards

Buy SIM cards at official Claro, Movistar, or Bitel stores. Claro and Movistar have best coverage. Register with your passport.

Available at:
Claro
Movistar
Bitel
Recommended Apps
WhatsApp(communication)
Google Maps(navigation)
Uber(transport)
TripAdvisor(travel)
XE Currency(finance)
Local bank apps(finance)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Tourist areas are cleaner. Some streets and markets can be untidy. Waste pickup is regular.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

Few places open 24/7. Some minimarts are late but after-hours food and pharmacies are scarce.

Groceries
Supermercado El Dorado

Supermarkets carry some international products. Fresh local produce and meat are sold in Mercado Central. Shops usually open 9 AM to 9 PM and may close Sundays. Bargain at markets.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Credit cards work in some big hotels and restaurants. Most places like markets and buses need cash.

ATMs

ATMs from BCP, BBVA, and Interbank are in the city center. Use machines inside banks or trusted spots to avoid problems. Expect fees of 15-20 soles for international cards.

Schools
Local only

Mostly local public and private schools teach in Spanish. No international schools here; those are in Lima.

Available Schools:
Instituto Superior Pedagógico Público Huaraz

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
4
Available Spaces:
Andes Coworking
Co-working with daily and monthly passes, meeting rooms.
The Lazy Dog Inn
Guesthouse with good Wi-Fi and shared common spaces.
Selina Huaraz
Hostel likely offering co-working; check current availability.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
California Cafe
Known for decent Wi-Fi and comfortable seating.
Cafe Andino
Quiet with good coffee, suitable for work.
Trivio Resto Bar
Casual spot with Wi-Fi.
El Horno
Popular café with power outlets.
Creperie Patrick
Good food and reliable Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Hotel lobbies
Some have good Wi-Fi and quieter spaces.
Public libraries
Limited Wi-Fi and quiet spots.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
4

Small and growing community. Mostly outdoor enthusiasts. Meetups are informal.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Limited green spaces in town but surrounded by natural parks and trails.

Running
Good
7

Good running routes around town and nearby trails. Safe during daylight.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms with basic equipment and fitness classes.

Available Gyms:
Gymnasio Power Fit
Gimnasio Body Fitness
Gimnasio Huaraz
Tennis
Poor
2

Few tennis courts exist. Mostly informal bookings.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel is not common here.

Yoga
Limited
5

Some yoga studios offer drop-in classes. English instructors may be available.

Martial Arts
Poor
2

Few options. Local gyms may offer basics but no specialist schools.

Skiing
Poor
0

No ski resorts. Mountains are for mountaineering and ice climbing.

Water Sports
Poor
3

Limited options like kayaking are available on nearby lakes but usually via tours.

Surfing
Poor
0

Not near the ocean; no surfing.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving nearby.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Public hospital and private clinics available. Private ones are better staffed and some speak English. Pharmacies are common in the city center.

Hospitals:
Hospital Regional de Huaraz "Víctor Ramos Guardia"
Pharmacies:
Farmacia Universal
Botica del Parque
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Don’t drink tap water. Stick to bottled or filtered water.

Common Scams
Taxi drivers overcharging, Pickpocketing in crowded areas, Fake tour operators

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
6

Some playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants. Nearby museums and outdoor spots offer family activities.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
4

Generally conservative with limited public acceptance. Not very inclusive compared to big cities.

Pet Friendly
Limited
5

Some places accept pets. Vet services available. Check pet import rules. No dedicated dog parks.

Communities
Huaraz Backpackers (travel)
Huaraz Travel & Trekking (outdoor)
Expats in Peru (expat)

Quick Facts

Population
118,836
Power Reliability
Good
7/10

Power is generally steady. You might see short outages during rainy months. A power bank is handy.

Mountains
Available

Located in the Cordillera Blanca, surrounded by high peaks and glaciers. Great for hiking and climbing.

Languages
Spanish(90%)
Quechua(30%)
English(10%)
Emergency
105
Police
116
Fire Department
106
Medical Emergencies

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
8

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Rainy season
December, January, February, March
Heavy rains can make hiking difficult or unsafe.

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