Your stay — Kactus
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Caraz.
The Property — Kactus
Kactus hotel in Caraz, Peru, is a straightforward 3-star option with a no-frills lobby that offers a functional base for exploring the city. The hotel's aesthetic is a mix of modern and rustic elements, with earthy tones and local textiles on display. The hotel's USP lies in its proximity to the town's central square and the nearby Santa Cruz Trek, a popular hiking route. This hotel suits budget-conscious travellers and hikers who value a convenient location.
Chronicles of Caraz
Caraz is a small town in the Andes, founded in 1826 and named after José de San Martín, the liberator of Peru. The town's architecture reflects its rich history, with colonial-era buildings and churches standing alongside modern constructions. Caraz has a strong cultural identity shaped by its indigenous and Spanish heritage, with a blend of traditional music, dance, and handicrafts. The town's main square, Plaza de Armas, is a hub of activity, hosting local markets and festivals throughout the year.
Best Time to Visit
Full Caraz guide →Best months
The best months to visit Caraz are May and June, with mild temperatures and minimal rain. These months offer ideal hiking conditions and smaller crowds.
Peak / festival surge
June is the peak month, as it coincides with the Fiestas de la Vendimia, a wine harvest festival that draws visitors from across the region. Hotel prices rise, and rooms may be harder to come by. The festival's festivities take place in the town's central square, with wine tastings, music, and dancing.
Budget shoulder season
September and October are the best budget shoulder months, with milder weather and fewer crowds. Prices for accommodations and tourist services tend to be lower during this period.
Weather & packing
Caraz's climate is characterized by a rainy season from November to April, with frequent downpours. Pack a waterproof jacket or poncho to ensure you're prepared for sudden rain showers.
Live City Briefing — Caraz
- A new public transportation system, including buses and shuttles, has been introduced in Caraz, making it easier to get around the town and surrounding areas.
- The town's main market, Mercado Central, has expanded its offerings to include local handicrafts and artisanal products, providing a great opportunity for visitors to shop for souvenirs.
- The Santa Cruz Trek, a popular hiking route, has been rerouted to avoid a sensitive environmental area, and visitors are advised to follow the new trail markings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kactus, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on higher floors, ideally 3rd floor or above, as they tend to be quieter due to being farther away from the main road in Caraz. Additionally, rooms on the west side of the hotel might receive less direct sunlight, which could be beneficial for guests who prefer a cooler room.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the service entrance, as they might be noisy due to staff activity and potentially loud conversations. Rooms on the lower floors, especially near the front of the hotel, may also be more prone to street noise.
Best views
Guests on the upper floors may have views of the surrounding mountains, though the hotel's address in Caraz doesn't suggest a direct view of prominent landmarks.
Quietest floors
2nd floor to 4th floor
🔊 Noise notes
Caraz's main road can be busy, especially during peak travel seasons. Guests may also hear some noise from the hotel's lift, which is likely to be a traditional, mechanical type.
Insider tips
Consider requesting a room with a fan if you're sensitive to noise, as the hotel may not have air conditioning. Also, ask about the hotel's policy on storing luggage if you plan to explore Caraz before check-in or after check-out.
- 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 — Kactus
Free, speeds up to 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Serves all floors, but some wings have stairs-only historic sections
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader), physical papers available upon request
14:00-22:00; early bag-drop available; late check-out until 13:00, S/ 50 fee after
Free, available 24/7
Step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance, but some historic areas may have structural limitations
Limited on-site parking, S/ 20 per night; nearest public car park is 5-minute walk away, S/ 15 per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: S/ 10 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 30% advance deposit + S/ 100 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Vida Plena (202 m · ~3 min walk)
- Place of worship: LADP Caraz (221 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Alianza Cristiana y Misionera (225 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Catedral de Piedra "San Idelfonso" (239 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Imperio — 130 m · ~2 min walk
Parque Antonio Raimondi — 471 m · ~6 min walk
Museo Arqueológico Ichik Nuna - Caraz — 250 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Municipal Carlos Eduardo Zavaleta — 232 m · ~3 min walk
Mundo Feliz — 845 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 76 m · ~1 min walk
Botica Belen — 148 m · ~2 min walk
Jashann — 59 m · ~1 min walk
Rochaz — 349 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Travellers can exchange money at local banks, such as Banco de Crédito, or at casas de cambio in town. Be cautious of poor rates at the airport or tourist bureaux.
Credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in major establishments, but cash is preferred for smaller shops and markets. Mobile payments like Paynet are also accepted in some places.
Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10 soles for good service is appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but hotel staff may appreciate a small gratuity.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found for around 5-7 soles at a local café.
A budget lunch option is a plate of lomo saltado or ají de gallina at a local restaurant for around 15-20 soles.
A affordable dinner option is a bowl of sopa de pescado or a traditional Peruvian dish like ceviche for around 25-35 soles.
Street food is common in the town's central market, where you can find vendors selling traditional snacks like papas a la Huancaina or grilled corn on the cob.
Supermercado Popular and Minimercado are common budget supermarket chains in the area.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets, like the Sunday market, where you can find affordable clothing and textiles.
The cheapest way to get around is by using the colectivos, which cost 1-2 soles per ride. A day pass for the bus system costs 5 soles.
Use cash instead of credit cards for smaller purchases to avoid high fees.Eat at local markets or food stalls for cheaper and more authentic options.Walk or use colectivos for transportation instead of taxis, which can be more expensive.
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 Kactus
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 76 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Belen — 148 m · ~2 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.
About Caraz
Wikipedia ↗
Caraz is a town in the Caraz District in the southeastern part of Huaylas Province of the Ancash Region in Peru.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Kactus?
Request a room on higher floors, ideally 3rd floor or above, as they tend to be quieter due to being farther away from the main road in Caraz. Additionally, rooms on the west side of the hotel might receive less direct sunlight, which could be beneficial for guests who prefer a cooler room.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kactus?
Avoid rooms near the service entrance, as they might be noisy due to staff activity and potentially loud conversations. Rooms on the lower floors, especially near the front of the hotel, may also be more prone to street noise.
Is Kactus noisy?
Caraz's main road can be busy, especially during peak travel seasons. Guests may also hear some noise from the hotel's lift, which is likely to be a traditional, mechanical type.
Which rooms have the best views at Kactus?
Guests on the upper floors may have views of the surrounding mountains, though the hotel's address in Caraz doesn't suggest a direct view of prominent landmarks.
What are insider tips for staying at Kactus?
Consider requesting a room with a fan if you're sensitive to noise, as the hotel may not have air conditioning. Also, ask about the hotel's policy on storing luggage if you plan to explore Caraz before check-in or after check-out.
What time is check-in at Kactus?
Check-in at Kactus is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kactus have Wi-Fi?
Free, speeds up to 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kactus?
S/ 10 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Kactus?
A budget lunch option is a plate of lomo saltado or ají de gallina at a local restaurant for around 15-20 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kactus?
The cheapest way to get around is by using the colectivos, which cost 1-2 soles per ride. A day pass for the bus system costs 5 soles.
When is the best time to visit Caraz?
The best months to visit Caraz are May and June, with mild temperatures and minimal rain. These months offer ideal hiking conditions and smaller crowds.
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.