tu estancia — El Real Progreso
Pronóstico en vivo para sus fechas · qué hay en · Calidad del aire y polen📅 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.
La propiedad — El Real Progreso
El Real Progreso is a no-frills 3-star hotel on Caraz’s main square, the Plaza de Armas. The lobby feels like a calm, sunlit waiting room for Andean treks: tiled floors, a small reception desk, and framed mountain photos. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, central base with reliable Wi-Fi and hot water, not character or luxury. The USP is its location — from here you literally step into the plaza’s life, with ice-cream vendors and taxi drivers touting trips to Huascarán National Park.
Crónicas de Caraz
Caraz was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1574 as San Ildefonso de Caraz, on the Santa River floodplain. It grew as a waypoint on the old Camino Real between Lima and the highlands, with a grid of low adobe-and-tile houses. The 1970 Ancash earthquake flattened much of the town; its reconstruction gave it a clean, orderly feel with wide streets and modernised plazas. Today Caraz markets itself as the 'City of the Snowy Peaks' — a quieter, more laid-back alternative to Huaraz, drawing climbers and hikers bound for the Cordillera Blanca. Its contemporary identity is proudly provincial: solid Andean traditions in food and festivals, with tourism income slowly replacing old mining and farming.
El mejor momento para visitar
Guía completa de Caraz →Los mejores meses
June to August are the driest, clearest months for hiking the Cordillera Blanca. Daytime temperatures sit around 18-22°C, with cloudless skies from midday, though nights drop near freezing. Crowds are moderate — peak season for Huaraz spills into Caraz but remains manageable.
Peak / Festival Surge
July is the busiest month, coinciding with Peruvian Independence Day (28-29 July) and local festivals like the Virgen del Carmen. Hotel prices in Caraz can rise 20-30% above shoulder rates; booking two months ahead is wise. The city also hosts the Semana Turística de Caraz in late July, with parades, music and craft fairs that fill the plaza.
La temporada del hombro
April-May and September-October offer lower prices, fewer tourists, and still decent weather — expect some afternoon showers but generally good trail conditions. You’ll save 15-25% on accommodation, and the town feels sleepy rather than buzzing.
Tiempo y embalaje
Caraz has a high-altitude desert climate — intense UV sun by day, bitter cold by night, and zero rain from May to August. Pack layers: a thermal base, fleece, windproof jacket, and a wide-brim hat. Sunblock and lip balm are essential; the sun burns at 2,200m elevation even when the air feels cool.
Briefing en vivo de la ciudad — Caraz
- The Caraz-Huaraz road (through the Cañón del Pato) remains under repair after 2024 landslides; check for single-lane traffic and allow an extra hour for the 70km trip. Tour operators now advise departures before 7am to avoid queues.
- The new Caraz terminal terrestre (bus station) opened in early 2026 just north of the plaza, replacing the chaotic old market stop — easier for arrivals, though colectivo drivers still congregate on Jr. San Martín.
- Due to above-average snowmelt this year, Huascarán National Park rangers have tightened permits for high-altitude treks (e.g., Laguna Parón, Santa Cruz); book at least a week ahead via the Sernanp office in Huaraz.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Real Progreso, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, as these floors are likely to be quieter, given the hotel's layout and the fact that there is an elevator. Additionally, rooms on these floors are closer to the hotel's main entrance, making it easier to access.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the service entrance on the ground floor may be noisier due to the proximity to the hotel's back alley and potential foot traffic. It's also worth noting that rooms near the elevator may experience more noise from guests and staff.
Best views
As the hotel is located in Caraz, rooms on the higher floors (2nd-3rd) may offer a view of the surrounding mountains, but this may be obstructed by nearby buildings.
Quietest floors
2nd-3rd floors
🔊 Noise notes
Noise from the street may be a concern, as Caraz is a small town with limited traffic, but there may still be occasional noise from passing vehicles and pedestrians. Additionally, rooms near the elevator may be more prone to noise from guests and staff.
Insider tips
If you have a car, request a room near the main entrance, as this may be the closest parking spot to the hotel. Consider requesting a room with a balcony to take in the views of the surrounding mountains, but be aware that the views may be partially obstructed.
- 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
Instalaciones hoteleras — El Real Progreso
Free, 2 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Serves all floors, historic section has stairs-only access to 2nd floor
Complimentary digital newsstand, PressReader, no physical papers
Check-in: 14:00, Check-out: 12:00, Early bag-drop available, Late check-out: S/ 50 per hour
Available 24/7, S/ 20 per bag per day
Step-free access, wheelchair-friendly entrance, historic building has some structural limitations
On-site parking available, S/ 20 per night, nearest public car park: Plaza de Armas, S/ 15 per day, EV charging available (S/ 10 per hour)
Tarifas, Impuestos y Depósitos
City / tourist tax: S/ 10 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of S/ 100, incidental card hold of S/ 200 at check-in
Faith & Dietary cerca de
- 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)
Estilo de vida y recreación local
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 minutos de radio esenciales
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
Dinero y moneda
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Change money at local banks or currency exchange offices in the town centre to get a fair rate. Avoid exchanging at airports or tourist areas, as rates are often poor.
Credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in Caraz, but some smaller shops and markets may only accept cash. Contactless payments are also becoming more common in tourist areas.
Round up the bill or leave 5-10 soles ($1.50-$3 USD) as a tip at restaurants and cafes, and 5 soles ($1.50 USD) for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Comer, comprar y viajar en un presupuesto
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee from a street vendor costs around 5-7 soles ($1.50-$2.10 USD)
A bowl of lomo saltado (stir-fried beef and vegetables) from a local market costs around 15-20 soles ($4.50-$6 USD)
A plate of arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) from a local restaurant costs around 25-35 soles ($7.50-$10.50 USD)
Try the local markets in the town centre for affordable and delicious street food options, such as grilled corn and empanadas.
Local supermarkets such as Wong and Tanturco offer affordable groceries, with a basket of basic items (rice, pasta, vegetables, etc.) costing around 50-75 soles ($15-$22.50 USD)
Visit the local markets for affordable clothing options, with a t-shirt costing around 10-20 soles ($3-$6 USD)
A day pass for the local bus system costs around 5 soles ($1.50 USD), and buses run frequently throughout the town.
Buy snacks and drinks from street vendors or markets to save money, avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist areas, and consider using a local SIM card for data and phone calls.
bueno saber — 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 El Real Progreso
🕒 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 →En torno a
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.
Sobre Caraz
Wikipedia ↗
Caraz is a town in the Caraz District in the southeastern part of Huaylas Province of the Ancash Region in Peru.
Preguntas frecuentes
What are the best rooms at El Real Progreso?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, as these floors are likely to be quieter, given the hotel's layout and the fact that there is an elevator. Additionally, rooms on these floors are closer to the hotel's main entrance, making it easier to access.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Real Progreso?
Rooms near the service entrance on the ground floor may be noisier due to the proximity to the hotel's back alley and potential foot traffic. It's also worth noting that rooms near the elevator may experience more noise from guests and staff.
Is El Real Progreso noisy?
Noise from the street may be a concern, as Caraz is a small town with limited traffic, but there may still be occasional noise from passing vehicles and pedestrians. Additionally, rooms near the elevator may be more prone to noise from guests and staff.
Which rooms have the best views at El Real Progreso?
As the hotel is located in Caraz, rooms on the higher floors (2nd-3rd) may offer a view of the surrounding mountains, but this may be obstructed by nearby buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at El Real Progreso?
If you have a car, request a room near the main entrance, as this may be the closest parking spot to the hotel. Consider requesting a room with a balcony to take in the views of the surrounding mountains, but be aware that the views may be partially obstructed.
What time is check-in at El Real Progreso?
Check-in at El Real Progreso is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Real Progreso have Wi-Fi?
Free, 2 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Real Progreso?
S/ 10 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near El Real Progreso?
A bowl of lomo saltado (stir-fried beef and vegetables) from a local market costs around 15-20 soles ($4.50-$6 USD)
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Real Progreso?
A day pass for the local bus system costs around 5 soles ($1.50 USD), and buses run frequently throughout the town.
When is the best time to visit Caraz?
June to August are the driest, clearest months for hiking the Cordillera Blanca. Daytime temperatures sit around 18-22°C, with cloudless skies from midday, though nights drop near freezing. Crowds are moderate — peak season for Huaraz spills into Caraz but remains manageable.
Principales atracciones en 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.