Your stay — Chamana
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The Property — Chamana
Chamana is a straightforward, no-frills 3-star set on a quiet residential street in Caraz. The lobby is small and tiled, with a worn sofa and a desk where the owner often sits; the vibe is practical and family-run. Its main appeal is location — a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas and close to the bus station, making it a solid base for trekkers heading into the Cordillera Blanca. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want clean rooms and hot water without any pretence.
Chronicles of Caraz
Caraz was founded in 1772 as San Ildefonso de Caraz on the site of a pre-Columbian settlement, growing slowly as a farming and administrative centre. Much of its colonial core was rebuilt after the 1970 Ancash earthquake, which levelled many adobe structures, so the present town is largely modern with low-rise concrete buildings painted in pastel shades. The Plaza de Armas, with its bandstand and clipped gardens, remains the social heart, and nearby the Museo Regional offers a quiet account of local history. Contemporary Caraz is a peaceful market town that lives off agriculture — especially apples, peaches and corn — and serves as a quieter alternative to Huaraz for access to the Santa Cruz trek and Laguna Parón.
Best Time to Visit
Full Caraz guide →Best months
May to August: the dry season delivers clear skies, strong sun and excellent visibility for trekking, with daytime temperatures around 18-22°C and cold nights. Crowds are moderate — buses and hotels in Huaraz fill up, but Caraz stays calmer.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak trekking month and coincides with Fiestas Patrias (Peruvian Independence, 28-29 July) when Caraz holds parades and local festivals. Hotel prices can rise 20-30% and advance booking is essential — Chamana almost always sells out in late July.
Budget shoulder season
September and April are good shoulder months: the weather is still mostly dry in September, and April sees fewer visitors and lower rates. You’ll find rooms at Chamana for 10-15% less than in July, with quieter trails.
Weather & packing
Caraz sits at 2,256 m but lies in the rain shadow of the Cordillera Blanca, so while the sun is fierce by day, temperatures drop sharply after dusk. Pack a windproof fleece and sturdy sun hat — UV index regularly hits 11+ even in winter.
Live City Briefing — Caraz
- The road from Caraz to Laguna Parón has been repaved in sections during 2025, cutting travel time to about 40 minutes, but the final 8 km remain unpaved and require a 4x4 or shared taxi.
- A new municipal market opened on Jr. San Martín in early 2025, offering cleaner stalls and a wider selection of local fruit; the old market building is being converted into a cultural centre, due to open late 2026.
- The Huascarán National Park entry fee increased to 30 soles (approx. £6.50) in January 2025 for day visitors; pay at the guard post on the road to Llanganuco — cash only, no card machine.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chamana, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Upper-floor rooms at the back (facing away from Av. Pedro Pablo Atusparia) on the third floor. Quieter, less street noise, and better views of the Cordillera Blanca if the window orientation allows.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms facing the street – there’s a single step at the front door, so they’ll get foot traffic noise from the avenue and the parking area. Also avoid any room directly above the free parking area (front side) due to car noise in the morning.
Best views
Rooms on the third floor at the back likely look over the town roofs toward the Cordillera Blanca mountains – Caraz is known for its mountain backdrop. Street-facing rooms look onto Av. Pedro Pablo Atusparia (a main road) and the parking area.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors, especially rear-facing rooms – minimal street noise and no lift machinery (no lift exists).
🔊 Noise notes
Av. Pedro Pablo Atusparia is a main avenue in Caraz, so traffic noise (buses, mototaxis, cars) is constant during the day and early evening. Parking area at the front adds occasional car doors and engine sounds. No bar or lift noise on site.
Insider tips
1. Park on site for free – it’s first-come, first-served for 12 cars. If full, the public car park 200 m away (Jr. San Martín) costs PEN 10 per night. 2. Request a third-floor back room when booking – no lift, so quieter and better view, but be prepared for stairs.
- 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 — Chamana
Free WiFi throughout; speed around 10 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up, sufficient for messaging and browsing but not streaming. No login constraints; select network and accept terms
No lift; three-storey building with stairs only. No historic wings — all sections stairs accessible
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers. A TV in the lobby with national channels only
Standard check-in from 13:00; early bag-drop allowed from 09:00 without charge; late check-out until 14:00 for PEN 50, subject to availability
Free at reception before check-in or after check-out; no charge
No step-free access at main entrance; one step at front door. No wheelchair lift or accessible bathroom. Ground-floor rooms exist but require a step. Not suitable for wheelchair users
Free on-site parking for up to 12 cars, no reservation needed; no valet. Nearest public car park is on Jr. San Martín about 200 m away, PEN 10 per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required to confirm; a USD 100 or PEN 370 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Virgen de Lourdes (506 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Capilla San Miguelito (720 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día Movimiento Reforma Caraz (858 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Camino ala Vida Eterna (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Comercial America — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Plazuela de Lourdes — 513 m · ~6 min walk
Museo de Sitio Augusto Soriano Infante — 668 m · ~8 min walk
Teatro Municipal Carlos Eduardo Zavaleta — 2.4 km · ~31 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 464 m · ~6 min walk
Virgen de Lourdes — 381 m · ~5 min walk
Pajuelo — 433 m · ~5 min walk
Cooperativa de Transportes Ancash Caraz — 2.0 km · ~26 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs at the Banco de la Nación or Interbank in Caraz for better rates; avoid exchanging at the main square or at the Huaraz airport as they give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in larger hotels and some bodegas, but most smaller shops, market stalls, and combis take only cash; contactless is rare.
Round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good; tipping hotel staff 5-10 soles is appreciated but not expected.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Coffee from a local market stall or a small bodega: 3-4 PEN for a taza de café or instant coffee.
Menu del día at a local eatery (menú corrido) with soup, main, and drink: 10-18 PEN.
A main like lomo saltado or a hearty soup at a simple restaurant: 12-15 PEN.
Along the main plaza and around the market, stalls sell anticuchos, choclo con queso, and salchipapas for 3-5 PEN each.
Bodegas and small convenience stores (tiendas de abarrotes) are everywhere; the municipal market is the main place for produce and essentials.
The market (Mercado de Caraz) has budget clothing, sneakers, and ponchos; no high-street chains in the area.
Cheapest way around: walk. For longer trips, combis (shared minibuses) cost 2-3 PEN. There is no airport; the nearest budget option from Huaraz airport is a shared taxi/colectivo to Caraz (15 PEN).
Always carry small bills (10 and 20 PEN) as change is often scarce. Consider self-catering: buy fresh bread, fruit, and cheese at the market for a cheap breakfast. Skip the tourist-geared restaurants near the plaza and eat at menú places a block or two away.
Good to know — Caraz
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
CarazIn Caraz, dial 105 for police, 106 for ambulance, 116 for fire. The local hospital is Hospital de Caraz on Jr. Bolognesi (phone: 043-391-516). For tourist assistance, call iPeru Caraz at 043-391-325 (9am-5pm daily). Signal can be patchy in the Cordillera Blanca; consider writing these down.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Caraz, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Chamana
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 464 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Virgen de Lourdes — 381 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Jr. José de San Martín with Av. Luzuriaga, Huaraz → Plaza de Armas, Caraz
💡 Colectivos leave when full (4 passengers). Sit in the front if you get carsick — the road has tight bends.
Terminal Terrestre de Huaraz → Caraz Dulzura (drop near Plaza de Armas)
💡 Combis are cramped and loud — bring headphones. They stop at any request along the way, so wave clearly.
Plaza de Armas, Caraz → Caraz Dulzura
💡 The hotel is walkable (15 min) from the plaza if you have light luggage. Only taxi if you’re tired or it’s raining.
Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport (ATA), Huaraz → Caraz Dulzura, Caraz
💡 Haggle the fare before you get in, or ask your hotel to arrange a fixed-price driver. The road is winding but safe in daylight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Chamana?
Upper-floor rooms at the back (facing away from Av. Pedro Pablo Atusparia) on the third floor. Quieter, less street noise, and better views of the Cordillera Blanca if the window orientation allows.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chamana?
Ground-floor rooms facing the street – there’s a single step at the front door, so they’ll get foot traffic noise from the avenue and the parking area. Also avoid any room directly above the free parking area (front side) due to car noise in the morning.
Is Chamana noisy?
Av. Pedro Pablo Atusparia is a main avenue in Caraz, so traffic noise (buses, mototaxis, cars) is constant during the day and early evening. Parking area at the front adds occasional car doors and engine sounds. No bar or lift noise on site.
Which rooms have the best views at Chamana?
Rooms on the third floor at the back likely look over the town roofs toward the Cordillera Blanca mountains – Caraz is known for its mountain backdrop. Street-facing rooms look onto Av. Pedro Pablo Atusparia (a main road) and the parking area.
What are insider tips for staying at Chamana?
1. Park on site for free – it’s first-come, first-served for 12 cars. If full, the public car park 200 m away (Jr. San Martín) costs PEN 10 per night. 2. Request a third-floor back room when booking – no lift, so quieter and better view, but be prepared for stairs.
What time is check-in at Chamana?
Check-in at Chamana is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chamana have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed around 10 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up, sufficient for messaging and browsing but not streaming. No login constraints; select network and accept terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chamana?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Chamana?
Menu del día at a local eatery (menú corrido) with soup, main, and drink: 10-18 PEN.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chamana?
Cheapest way around: walk. For longer trips, combis (shared minibuses) cost 2-3 PEN. There is no airport; the nearest budget option from Huaraz airport is a shared taxi/colectivo to Caraz (15 PEN).
When is the best time to visit Caraz?
May to August: the dry season delivers clear skies, strong sun and excellent visibility for trekking, with daytime temperatures around 18-22°C and cold nights. Crowds are moderate — buses and hotels in Huaraz fill up, but Caraz stays calmer.
Top Attractions in Caraz
💡 The caretaker speaks only Spanish but will enthusiastically explain the exhibits. Donations welcome but not required.
💡 The dirt path up from Calle 8 de Diciembre is steep and loose near the top. Walking shoes help. Takes 25 minutes from the plaza.
💡 Go at dusk when locals gather and the lights on the palm trees switch on. The mountain silhouette is best then.
💡 The site is unguarded and overgrown in places. Watch for loose stones on the steps. Best light is mid-morning for photos.
💡 Go early (before 8am) to have a pool to yourself. Bring your own towel and flip-flops. Entry is 5 soles (about £1) as of 2024.