Business
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $36,000 / 137,000 PEN).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $24,000 / 91,000 PEN).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $51,000 / 194,000 PEN).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $550 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $33,000 / 125,000 PEN).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $64,000 / 243,000 PEN).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $40,000 / 152,000 PEN).
- Corporate Tax
- 29.5% (Standard regime in Peru).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (living in Peru 183+ days per year).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% (for income over 45 UIT).
- VAT
- 18% (IGV - Impuesto General a las Ventas).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applied to passive income from low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- Annual 'Impuesto Predial', approx. 0.2% - 1% of the property value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% (Alcabala tax, paid by the buyer, first 10 UIT are exempt).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa (2024 law) allows 365 days stay; zero local tax if income is foreign-sourced.
Culture and Attractions
- Cooking Classes
- Available through private request at 'El Batan del Tayta' culinary workshop.
- Art Galleries
- Centro Cultural de la UNTRM (Jr. Triunfo).
- Historic Buildings
- The Bishop's Palace and traditional mansions with carved wooden balconies.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Cloud People' heritage (Chachapoya culture) is the primary identity.
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kuelap Fortress (The 'Machu Picchu of the North') - Massive walled city.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de Leymebamba (2 hours away) - Houses 200+ Chachapoyas mummies.
- Historical Sites
- Karajia Sarcophagi - 600-year-old funerary statues on a cliff face.
- Religious Sites
- Santuario de la Virgen de Asunta; beautifully restored colonial church.
- Annual Events
- Semana Turística de Chachapoyas (June) - Parades, dancing, and 'Raymillacta' festival.
- Cultural Districts
- The pedestrianized Jr. Amazonas for colonial architecture and local crafts.
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal (Plaza de Armas) - Occasionally hosts local folklore performances.
- Local Markets
- Mercado Modelo - Specifically for 'Amazonas' coffee beans and high-altitude honey.
- Music Scene
- Live Peñas (folk music) at local restaurants on Friday nights.
- Street Art
- Murals near the Luya Urco viewpoint depicting the history of the Chachapoya 'Cloud People'.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Gocta Waterfall - One of the world's tallest; 2-hour hike from Cocachimba.
- National Parks Nearby
- Huamanpata Lagoon - A seasonal lake perfect for eco-trekking.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Trail from Chachapoyas to Huancas for views of the Sonche Canyon.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Luya Urco - Panoramic views of the city and surrounding Andes.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Huembo Observatory - Best place to see the endemic Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping sites in Yumbilla or Gocta (with owner permission).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Olva Courier (Jr. Ayacucho) - Reliable for national shipping.
- Tech Repair Services
- Galeria Comercial on Jr. Ortiz Arrieta for mobile and laptop repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports IPD complex near the stadium.
- Language Classes
- The Language Center at UNTRM University offers Spanish for foreigners.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (Plaza de Armas); very quiet but limited Wi-Fi.
- Community Centers
- Casa de la Cultura (Jr. Iturregui).
- Gaming Lounges
- Small LAN centers located near Jr. Salamanca (approx 2 PEN/hour).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Minicasino 'Chacha' (Jr. Amazonas) - Very small slots-only venue.
Essentials
- City
- Chachapoyas, Amazonas, Peru
- Population
- Approximately 32,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic is expanding; average 20-50 Mbps in central cafes, though 4G/LTE on Claro/Movistar is more reliable (15-25 Mbps).
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 3.80 PEN (Sol). BCP and Banco de la Nación have ATMs near Plaza de Armas.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; buy 7L bidones for approx. 12 PEN or use a filter.
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and C sockets (flat and round pins).
- SIM Card
- Claro has the best regional coverage. A 30-day plan with 10GB costs approx. 30 PEN at the store on Jr. Ortiz Arrieta.
- Banking for Expats
- BCP (Banco de Crédito del Perú) is best for foreign cards; Revolut/Wise work at most POS terminals.
- Accommodation
- Options range from monthly guesthouse rates to small local apartments found via Facebook Groups (e.g., 'Alquileres Chachapoyas').
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially. Hotels and upscale restaurants use Yape or cards (Izipay), but street markets are cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is limited; seek monthly rates at Hostal El Tejado for approx. 1,200 PEN/month.
- Budget Accommodation
- Chachapoyas Backpackers (Jr. Dos de Mayo 639) - Approx. 35 PEN/night for a dorm.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Historic Center (near Plaza de Armas) for proximity to tour operators and restaurants.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Neighborhood of Luya Urco; quieter, better residential views, and close to the university (UNTRM) for stable infrastructure.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Laboratorio de Innovación (UNTRM campus) - sometimes accessible to visitors; otherwise, private desks at 'La Tribu' (near Jr. Amazonas).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe Fusiones (Jr. Ayacucho 951) - Reliable Wi-Fi, great coffee, and power outlets; 8-15 PEN per drink.
- Networking Events
- Limited; mostly informal meetups at 'El Batan del Tayta' bar or through the local tourism board initiatives.
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly trivia or language exchange events at 'Esencia' coffee shop.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Cabify; use Moto-taxis (approx. 2-5 PEN within city) or radio-taxis (approx. 5-7 PEN).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Amazonas Explorer (Jr. Amazonas) - Mountain bikes for approx. 60 PEN per day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- None; city is in the cloud forest mountains. Closest 'sand' is 12+ hours away on the coast.
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM or Atsa Airlines (flights into Chachapoyas Airport - CHH).
- Top International Airline
- LATAM (via Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport).
- Highway Access
- Route 08B (Fernando Belaunde Terry) connects to Moyobamba and Tarapoto.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Terrestre (Jr. Salamanca) - Major bus lines like Movil Bus and GH Bus.
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per ride on 'combis' (vans) at 1.50 PEN.
- Regional Travel
- Cable car to Kuelap (Telecabinas Kuelap) located in Tingo (1 hour away) - 25 PEN round trip.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Virgen de Fátima (Av. Aeropuerto s/n) for emergencies.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Munay Yoga (near Jr. Ortiz Arrieta) - Drop-in classes for approx. 25 PEN.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio El Muro (Jr. Amazonas) - Monthly memberships approx. 100 PEN.
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Real (Jr. Dos de Mayo) - 5-7 PEN per kilo, same day service.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Pidelo (local app) or direct WhatsApp ordering from restaurants.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cecina con Tacacho (dried pork with mashed plantains) at El Tizón - 35 PEN.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Terranova Cafe (Plaza de Armas) - Good vegetarian sandwiches and salads (20-30 PEN).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Panaderia San Jose - Famous for traditional 'Rosquillas' and local sweets.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central (Jr. Amazonas) - Fresh exotic fruits and local cheeses.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Peru (deliveries take 4-7 days from Lima).
- Grocery Delivery
- Supermercados 'El Paisano' on Jr. Grau; order via WhatsApp.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Jr. Amazonas (pedestrian street) - home to 'Cervecería Chacha' and 'El Batan del Tayta'.
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Chacha (Jr. Grau 534) - Craft beers inspired by local ingredients; 15-20 PEN per pint.
- Wine Bars
- Tayta Wine & Bar - Selection of Peruvian wines from Ica region.
- Street Food Stalls
- Plazuela Belén - Anticuchos (grilled heart) and Picarones (donuts) in the evenings.
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Toscana (Jr. Ayacucho) - Authentic Italian pasta and pizza; 30-45 PEN.