Your stay — Secretos
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The Property — Secretos
Secretos is a small 3-star hotel tucked into Ayacucho’s historic centre, with a sober colonial facade and a quiet courtyard that smells of eucalyptus. The vibe is more functional than fancy – clean rooms, reliable hot water, and a breakfast that includes local bread and papaya. Its main advantage is location: you can walk to the Plaza de Armas in under ten minutes. It suits independent travellers or couples who want a decent base without fuss, not anyone expecting boutique touches.
Chronicles of Ayacucho
Founded in 1540 by Spanish conquistadors as Huamanga, Ayacucho grew rich on silver and colonial trade, leaving a legacy of 33 churches and steep, cobbled streets. It’s most famous as the site of the 1824 Battle of Ayacucho that sealed Peru’s independence from Spain. The city’s architecture is a near-unbroken collection of whitewashed mansions with carved balconies, largely untouched by modern development. Today, Ayacucho is the centre of Peru’s Semana Santa processions and a hub for traditional crafts, especially the intricate retablo boxes from the nearby village of Quinua. Despite its history, it remains a quiet, conservative Andean city where Quechua is heard as often as Spanish.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ayacucho guide →Best months
April to June – the end of the rainy season brings clear skies and green hills, with few tourists outside Semana Santa. September and October are similarly dry and quiet.
Peak / festival surge
Easter week (Semana Santa) is the absolute peak, typically falling in late March or April. The city fills for processions that draw tens of thousands; hotel prices can double and Secretos may require a minimum stay. The other busy period is the last week of July for Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen in nearby Paucartambo.
Budget shoulder season
May and August are excellent shoulder months: dry weather, lower prices, and no major festivals. You’ll find rooms at Secretos near their base rate (around 60-80 soles) and streets uncrowded.
Weather & packing
Ayacucho sits at 2,761 metres, so days are warm (20-24°C) but nights drop to 6-10°C even in July. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket for evenings, and a sun hat for strong UV during the day. Rain is rare in July, but a small umbrella is prudent.
Live City Briefing — Ayacucho
- The city’s main transport hub, Terminal Terrestre de Ayacucho, completed a security and ticketing overhaul in early 2026; new bus companies now offer direct Lima-Ayacucho services in 8 hours, better than the old 10-hour routes.
- In May 2026, the Museo de la Memoria reopened after a year of renovations, with added exhibits on the internal conflict, so it’s worth a visit for context on modern Ayacucho.
- July 2026 marks the 200th anniversary of the signing of Peru’s surrender in Ayacucho (Capitulación de Ayacucho); expect minor commemorations, parades, and slightly busier streets on the 9th and 10th.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Secretos, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These upper floors are away from street noise on 28 de Julio, and the internal position reduces disturbance from the lift and reception area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing directly onto 28 de Julio. Ground floor picks up lobby noise and foot traffic; street-facing rooms get heavy traffic and market bustle from the avenue.
Best views
Top-floor rooms (4th) facing the inner courtyard offer a glimpse of Ayacucho’s rooftops and nearby hills. Street-facing rooms on upper floors get a busy, dusty view of 28 de Julio lined with shops and mototaxis.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest — furthest from street level, and less footfall than the 2nd which is just above the lobby/bar.
🔊 Noise notes
28 de Julio is a main commercial artery — expect mototaxi horns, siesta-hour lulls then evening bustle. The hotel’s central location means church bells from the cathedral quarter carry, especially Sunday mornings. Lift machinery hums near the shaft on all floors.
Insider tips
1. Check in late afternoon — the 28 de Julio street noise drops after shops close around 7pm, and you can request a courtyard-facing room more easily. 2. If you’re driving, street parking on 28 de Julio is chaos; ask reception about the nearest secure lot (usually a few blocks north near the plaza).
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Secretos
Free for all guests. Speed adequate for email and browsing (approx 10 Mbps). Login via room number and surname.
No lift. Three-storey historic building with stairs only.
No daily papers or digital newsstand. Lobby has a small library with tourism guides.
Check-in from 14:00; check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop available from 10:00. Late check-out until 16:00 costs 60 PEN.
Free at reception during your stay; no cost.
No step-free entrance; main door has one step. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Stairs only.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at Plaza de Armas (5 min walk), overnight 25 PEN. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; 200 PEN incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Templo y Monasterio de Santa Teresa (139 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Templo San Cristóbal (167 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Templo De San Juan de Dios (336 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Templo y Convento de San Francisco de Asis (535 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza More — 627 m · ~8 min walk
Santa Ana — 570 m · ~7 min walk
Museo Andrés A. Cáceres — 184 m · ~2 min walk
Cine Teatro Municipal Huamanga — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
GlobalNet Perú — 766 m · ~10 min walk
Botica Salud y Vida — 157 m · ~2 min walk
Bodega Masciel — 268 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Exchange money at banks or official exchange houses (casas de cambio) in the city centre; avoid airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and upscale restaurants; cash is king at markets, small shops and for local transport. Contactless is uncommon.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge not included; taxis: rounding up; hotel staff: small tips (2-5 soles) for porters/maids.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Basic black coffee from a market stall or corner kiosk: about 2-3 soles.
Set lunch (menú) at a local eatery: soup, main and drink for 8-12 soles.
Simple main dish at a neighbourhood restaurant: 10-15 soles.
Mercado Central or the Plaza de Armas area have stalls selling anticuchos and tamales (3-5 soles).
Plaza Vea or Metro are common budget supermarket chains in Ayacucho.
Mercado de Artesanías or local street markets for inexpensive, everyday clothing.
Colectivos (shared minibuses) within the city cost 1-2 soles per ride; from the airport, a colectivo to the centre costs about 2-5 soles.
Eat at menú lunch places rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; use colectivos instead of taxis; buy water and snacks at supermarkets not minimarkets.
Good to know — Ayacucho
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
Ayacucho110
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ayacucho, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Secretos
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · GlobalNet Perú — 766 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Salud y Vida — 157 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Ayacucho Airport (AYP) stop → Plaza Mayor (near Hotel Valencia)
💡 Flag down a 'combi' (minibus) from the main road; buses may be crowded, but it's the cheapest option.
Hotel Valencia (nearby stop on Jr. Arequipa) → Plaza Mayor
💡 Keep small coins for the fare; buses run frequently around the historic center.
Ayacucho Airport (AYP) → Hotel Valencia
💡 Negotiate the fare before boarding, as prices can vary for tourists.
Hotel Valencia → Ayacucho Airport (AYP)
💡 Ask the hotel to arrange a taxi for a standard price to avoid overcharging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Secretos?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These upper floors are away from street noise on 28 de Julio, and the internal position reduces disturbance from the lift and reception area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Secretos?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing directly onto 28 de Julio. Ground floor picks up lobby noise and foot traffic; street-facing rooms get heavy traffic and market bustle from the avenue.
Is Secretos noisy?
28 de Julio is a main commercial artery — expect mototaxi horns, siesta-hour lulls then evening bustle. The hotel’s central location means church bells from the cathedral quarter carry, especially Sunday mornings. Lift machinery hums near the shaft on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Secretos?
Top-floor rooms (4th) facing the inner courtyard offer a glimpse of Ayacucho’s rooftops and nearby hills. Street-facing rooms on upper floors get a busy, dusty view of 28 de Julio lined with shops and mototaxis.
What are insider tips for staying at Secretos?
1. Check in late afternoon — the 28 de Julio street noise drops after shops close around 7pm, and you can request a courtyard-facing room more easily. 2. If you’re driving, street parking on 28 de Julio is chaos; ask reception about the nearest secure lot (usually a few blocks north near the plaza).
What time is check-in at Secretos?
Check-in at Secretos is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Secretos have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speed adequate for email and browsing (approx 10 Mbps). Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Secretos?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Secretos?
Set lunch (menú) at a local eatery: soup, main and drink for 8-12 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Secretos?
Colectivos (shared minibuses) within the city cost 1-2 soles per ride; from the airport, a colectivo to the centre costs about 2-5 soles.
When is the best time to visit Ayacucho?
April to June – the end of the rainy season brings clear skies and green hills, with few tourists outside Semana Santa. September and October are similarly dry and quiet.
Top Attractions in Ayacucho
💡 Check the side chapel for the restored colonial paintings. Often empty in mid-afternoon.
💡 Entrance is free, but some exhibits are in Spanish only. Ask the guard to unlock the upstairs room for the best retablos.
💡 Haggle politely but lightly. Prices are already lower than in Cusco. Look for the stall selling fresh chicha morada (purple corn drink) for 1 sol.
💡 Go early morning when the light hits the cathedral dome, before the souvenir sellers set up.
💡 Climb up via the concrete steps off Jr. Cusco. It's a bit steep, but the best sunset spot in town. Bring water.