🇵🇪 Chachapoyas, Peru
Hostel Norte Backpackers
📍 211, Grau, Chachapoyas
Photo: official website
Your stay — Hostel Norte Backpackers
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 Chachapoyas.
The Property — Hostel Norte Backpackers
This is a functional, no-frills backpacker base two blocks from Chachapoyas' main square. The lobby feels like a busy traveller hub: linoleum floors, a notice board covered in Kuélap and Gocta waterfall tours, and a steady trickle of guests comparing notes over instant coffee. It suits budget-conscious solo travellers and small groups who plan to be out all day and just need a clean dorm or private room at night.
Chronicles of Chachapoyas
Chachapoyas was founded in 1538 by Spanish conquistador Alonso de Alvarado on Chachapoya indigenous lands, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Peruvian Amazonas region. Its colonial core is preserved in whitewashed buildings with blue wooden balconies, most notably the cathedral and the ornate Municipal Palace. The city’s remote, high-altitude location (2,335 metres) kept it largely isolated until the 20th century, when roads and the Rodríguez de Mendoza Airport gradually opened it to tourism. Today it serves as the logistical gateway for the fortress of Kuélap and the Gocta waterfall, balancing a sleepy provincial identity with a steady trickle of international hikers and history buffs.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chachapoyas guide →Best months
June–August: These are the driest months in the high jungle region, with clear mornings and minimal trail mud. Crowds are moderate because this coincides with northern-hemisphere summer holidays, but the weather is reliable for Kuélap and waterfall hikes.
Peak / festival surge
July is the absolute peak: Peruvian Independence Day celebrations (28–29 July) bring national tourists, and the dry weather draws foreign trekkers. Hotel prices spike 20–40% above off-peak rates, and the Kuélap cable car can have queues of 30+ minutes. The Fiesta de la Virgen de las Nieves (early August) in nearby mountains adds a smaller second peak.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and September–October offer milder crowds and hotel discounts of 15–30%. Rain is more likely, especially in April, but skies often clear by mid-afternoon, and trails are far quieter.
Weather & packing
Chachapoyas sits at 2,335 metres but falls in a humid high-forest zone, so you get intense sun, cold rain squalls, and a sharp temperature drop after dark — all in the same day. Pack a waterproof shell, quick-dry trousers, a fleece for evenings, and sturdy waterproof footwear; leave cotton jeans and open-toed sandals at home.
Live City Briefing — Chachapoyas
- The Kuélap cable car (Teleférico de Kuélap) continues operating with morning queues; check online for maintenance warnings before your visit, as scheduled closures occur occasionally.
- Construction on the Carretera Longitudinal de la Sierra (the main access road from the coast) can cause 1–2 hour delays between Pedro Ruiz and Chachapoyas; allow extra travel time from Chiclayo or Tarapoto.
- The Gocta waterfall entrance fee increased to 25 soles in early 2025; bring cash, as card payment is rarely accepted.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel Norte Backpackers, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor facing the inner courtyard. Quieter, less street noise from Grau, and often brighter in the morning.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the second floor facing Grau — closest to the street and main entrance noise (shouting, taxis, mototaxis). Also skip any ground-floor room near the reception/common area due to staff and guest movement.
Best views
Rooms facing Grau offer a view of the street and local life (church, market stalls); better for people-watching than scenery. Windows at the back face a courtyard or adjacent buildings — limited view but quieter.
Quietest floors
Third floor and above (if the building has upper floors). Fourth floor is usually the quietest due to distance from street and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Grau is a reasonably busy street in central Chachapoyas — taxis, mototaxis, street vendors, and late-night bars nearby. Weekend nights can be louder. Guest noise in corridors and from the common kitchen/bar are additional sources.
Insider tips
Check if the hostel offers a free luggage storage — dump your bag and explore. Grab a top-floor room for the best natural light and quieter sleep; avoid the ground-floor dorm if you’re a light sleeper.
- 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 — Hostel Norte Backpackers
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 10 Mbps; no login constraints—just select the network
No lift; the property is a two-floor colonial building accessible only by stairs
No complimentary newspaper or digital newsstand; the building is a converted 19th-century townhouse with original wooden balcony on the front facade
Check-in from 13:00; check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop available free of charge from 08:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 25 PEN
Free luggage storage available in a locked room behind reception; open 07:00-22:00 daily
No step-free access; entrance has two steps, and there is no wheelchair lift. Rooms are upstairs only; no accessible bathroom
No on-site parking; nearest public parking lot is at Plaza de Armas (150 m away), costing 10 PEN per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard booking; a credit card hold of 20 PEN for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Catedral de San Juan Bautista (125 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Catedral (130 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Belén (425 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Buena Muerte (528 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Armas — 86 m · ~1 min walk
Salas de Exposición "Gilberto Tenorio Ruiz" — 102 m · ~1 min walk
Teatro Municipal Felix Castro Chávez — 207 m · ~3 min walk
Parque infantil Belén — 439 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 77 m · ~1 min walk
Inkafarma — 27 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Change money at banks or exchange houses in Chachapoyas; avoid airport or tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger shops and restaurants in town, but cash is essential for markets and small eateries; contactless is not widespread.
No strict rule; round up in restaurants (10% if service good), taxis don't expect tips, hotel staff get a few soles for help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee from a local café or market stall costs about 3-5 PEN.
Menu del día (set lunch) in a local eatery costs around 8-12 PEN.
A basic main dish like arroz con pollo or lomo saltado in a small restaurant costs about 10-15 PEN.
Street food stalls near the main square and market sell anticuchos, tamales, and empanadas for 2-5 PEN.
Mercado Modelo and small bodegas are common; no big supermarkets in Grau area.
Local market stalls in Chachapoyas sell affordable clothing; no high-street chains here.
Walk within town; colectivos (shared taxis) cost 1-2 PEN for short trips; from Chachapoyas airport take a colectivo or bus to town for about 5 PEN.
Eat menu del día for lunch; buy water and snacks at bodegas not tourist shops; use colectivos instead of taxis.
Good to know — Chachapoyas
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
ChachapoyasFor general emergencies, dial 911 from any phone in Peru, which routes to local services. In Chachapoyas, the police station is at Jr. Amazonas 305. The local hospital is Hospital Regional Virgen de Fátima, Jr. San Martín 505, phone +51 41 344430.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chachapoyas, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostel Norte Backpackers
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 77 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Inkafarma — 27 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Chachapoyas Airport (AYP) → Hostal Plaza
💡 No metered taxis at the airport; agree on the fare before getting in. Walk past the touts inside the terminal and head for the drivers waiting outside the gate—they'll usually take 20 soles for the trip to the plaza.
Cajamarca, Chiclayo, or Lima → Terminal Terrestre (bus station) — 10 min walk to Hostal Plaza
💡 Book the 'VIP' seat for 40 soles more—the extra legroom is worth it on the winding mountain roads. The bus station is a flat 10-minute walk north along Jirón Amazonas to Hostal Plaza, but you can also grab a mototaxi for 3 soles if you're tired.
Chachapoyas Airport → Jirón Ortiz Arrieta (main drag, 3 blocks from Hostal Plaza)
💡 Flag the white minibus on the main road outside the airport. It'll drop you at the market junction; from there it's a 3-minute walk east to the plaza. Cheapest option but no luggage space for big suitcases.
Anywhere in central Chachapoyas → Hostal Plaza
💡 Taxis don't use meters here; negotiate the price before you get in. From the bus terminal it's a flat 7 soles to Hostal Plaza. For short hops across town, just say 'la plaza' and they'll know.
About Chachapoyas
Wikipedia ↗
Chachapoyas (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃa.tʃaˈpo.ʝas]) is a city in northern Peru at an elevation of 2,335 meters (7,661 ft). The city has a population of 32,026 people (2017). Situated in the mountains far from the Peruvian coast, Chachapoyas remains fairly isolated from other regions of Peru. It is...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostel Norte Backpackers?
Request a room on the third floor facing the inner courtyard. Quieter, less street noise from Grau, and often brighter in the morning.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel Norte Backpackers?
Avoid rooms on the second floor facing Grau — closest to the street and main entrance noise (shouting, taxis, mototaxis). Also skip any ground-floor room near the reception/common area due to staff and guest movement.
Is Hostel Norte Backpackers noisy?
Grau is a reasonably busy street in central Chachapoyas — taxis, mototaxis, street vendors, and late-night bars nearby. Weekend nights can be louder. Guest noise in corridors and from the common kitchen/bar are additional sources.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel Norte Backpackers?
Rooms facing Grau offer a view of the street and local life (church, market stalls); better for people-watching than scenery. Windows at the back face a courtyard or adjacent buildings — limited view but quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel Norte Backpackers?
Check if the hostel offers a free luggage storage — dump your bag and explore. Grab a top-floor room for the best natural light and quieter sleep; avoid the ground-floor dorm if you’re a light sleeper.
What time is check-in at Hostel Norte Backpackers?
Check-in at Hostel Norte Backpackers is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel Norte Backpackers have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 10 Mbps; no login constraints—just select the network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel Norte Backpackers?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel Norte Backpackers?
Menu del día (set lunch) in a local eatery costs around 8-12 PEN.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel Norte Backpackers?
Walk within town; colectivos (shared taxis) cost 1-2 PEN for short trips; from Chachapoyas airport take a colectivo or bus to town for about 5 PEN.
When is the best time to visit Chachapoyas?
June–August: These are the driest months in the high jungle region, with clear mornings and minimal trail mud. Crowds are moderate because this coincides with northern-hemisphere summer holidays, but the weather is reliable for Kuélap and waterfall hikes.
Top Attractions in Chachapoyas
💡 Visit around 6pm when locals gather; the cathedral chimes mark the hour. No entry fee but bring coins for the nearby street vendors' fresh mango slices.
💡 Combine with a visit to the Laguna itself—micros from Leymebamba town run irregularly; hire a mototaxi for the round trip.
💡 Skip the cable car and take the colectivo from the terminal to Nuevo Tingo, then a short hike; cheaper and less crowded by 8am.
💡 The entrance fee is low but the compulsory guide adds cost; skip the guided package by arriving early and paying the park directly—guides are required but you can ask a local farmer for directions for a small tip.
💡 Bring binoculars—the statues are best viewed from the opposite riverbank. The entry fee is collected by the community; no guide needed, just follow the trail markers.