Essentials
- City
- Huaraz, Ancash, Peru
- Population
- 130,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps; Starlink available at premium airbnbs
- Currency & Banking
- 1 PEN (Sol) ≈ 0.27 USD; 1 USD ≈ 3.75 PEN
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled or filtered water (approx. 3 PEN per 2.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and C sockets
- SIM Card
- Claro or Movistar; 10GB for 30 PEN (~$8)
- Banking for Expats
- BCP, BBVA, Interbank; BCP ATMs are most common; use Wise/Revolut for withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Hostel Selina, Airbnb apartments, and local guest houses (Guesthouses)
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially; larger hotels and restaurants accept cards/Yape, but markets are cash-only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (average $400-$800/month) or booking.com
- Budget Accommodation
- Monkeywasi Hostel ($12/night), Akilpo Guesthouse ($15/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Plaza de Armas and Avenida Luzuriaga
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- La Soledad (quieter, better views) or Belén
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Huaraz Cowork ($10/day, includes 24/7 access and high-speed Wi-Fi)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Trivio Resto-Bar (Fast Wi-Fi, power outlets, Av. Luzuriaga 461)
- Networking Events
- Weekly 'Nomad Meetups' at Selina; local trekker meetups at Cafe Andino
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night mixers at California Café; Huaraz Expats Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use 'InDrive' or local radio taxis (average 5-10 PEN per ride)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Huaraz Mountain Biking (Av. Mariscal Caceres); approx. 60-80 PEN/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Tortugas Beach (Casma), approx. 4 hours drive to the coast
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM (Flights to Lima-Chavez restart seasonally)
- Top International Airline
- LATAM, KLM, Iberia (via Lima Jorge Chávez Airport)
- Highway Access
- Highway 3N (Pan-American Highway connection via North/Pativilca)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Terrestre (Cruz del Sur, Movil Bus, Oltursa) on Av. Confraternidad
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per ride on 'Combis' (1-2 PEN)
- Regional Travel
- Bus (Cruz del Sur to Lima, approx. 45-90 PEN)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Clínica San Pablo (Jr. Huaylas 172)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Lazy Dog Inn (Mountain yoga retreats); Selina Wellness Studio
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gymnasio Power (Av. Luzuriaga); 15 PEN day pass, 100 PEN month
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia El Brillante (Jr. Guzman Barrón); approx. 5 PEN per kilo
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (limited selection) or direct WhatsApp delivery
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cuy Chactado (Fried Guinea Pig) or Pachamanca
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Paulino's Indian Cuisine and El Fogón (Veggie friendly)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelateria Artesanal (Plaza de Armas); Panaderia San José
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central de Huaraz (Jr. Hualcan)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Peru
- Grocery Delivery
- Plaza Vea (Online delivery via website)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- José de la Mar street (The small 'pub crawl' district)
- Local Brewery
- Sierra Andina Brewing Company (Brewery/Taproom at Av. Centenario)
- Wine Bars
- Trivio (offers local and Argentinian selections)
- Street Food Stalls
- Anticuchos stalls in the Plaza de Armas at night (5-10 PEN)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mi Comedia Pizzeria (Italian), Chilli Heaven (Mexican/Thai)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Laguna 69, Pastoruri Glacier
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Arqueológico de Áncash (Plaza de Armas)
- Historical Sites
- Chavín de Huántar (UNESCO Site, 2 hours away)
- Religious Sites
- Santuario del Señor de la Soledad
- Annual Events
- Carnaval Huaracino (February); Semana Santa (Easter)
- Cultural Districts
- Huari (Nearby traditional village)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal de Huaraz
- Local Markets
- Mercado Central (Everyday morning)
- Music Scene
- Live Andean music at El Tambo
- Street Art
- Murals around the Belén district
- Cooking Classes
- Akilpo Cooking Classes (Traditional Andean cuisine)
- Art Galleries
- Sala de Exposiciones de la Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura
- Historic Buildings
- Cathedral of Huaraz (Reconstructed post-1970 earthquake)
- Local Heritage
- Traditional weaving at local cooperatives in the Cordillera Negra
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Laguna Wilcacocha (Day hike, 15 mins by combi)
- National Parks Nearby
- Huascarán National Park (Entrance: 30 PEN/day or 150 PEN/month)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Piti-Cancha valley trails
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador Rataquenua (accessible by taxi or hike)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Quebrada Llanganuco
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Most high-altitude campsites in Quebrada Ishinca
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Serpost (Jr. Luzuriaga 702), Olva Courier
- Tech Repair Services
- Huaraz Tec (Jr. Simon Bolivar)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Hostel Selina Social Room
- Language Classes
- Huaraz Spanish School (Jr. José de la Mar)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (Municipal Palace)
- Community Centers
- Casa de Guías (Association of Mountain Guides center)
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Centers near Av. Luzuriaga (2 PEN/hour)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Tragamonedas Atlantic City (Small local slot hall)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,050 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $63,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 29.5% (General Regime in Peru)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (183+ days in Peru)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30%
- VAT
- 18% (IGV)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents with foreign offshore income
- Property Tax
- Yes, 'Impuesto Predial' managed by SAT Huaraz (0.2% - 0.6% typically)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% (Alcabala tax)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax break; Digital Nomad Visa allows stay but taxes based on residency