Your stay — Hostal América
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The Property — Hostal América
Hostal América is a straightforward budget spot a block from Huaraz's Plaza de Armas. The lobby feels dim and tiled, with a worn sofa and a TV playing Peruvian news; helpful staff offer maps for Cordillera Blanca treks. It's best for solo backpackers or small groups who want a clean, cheap base and don't mind thin walls or basic breakfast.
Chronicles of Huaraz
Huaraz was founded in 1574 by Spanish conquistador Alonso de Santoyo as a native reduction, then rebuilt after a 1941 landslide and again after the devastating 1970 Ancash earthquake. Its colonial plaza was replaced with modern concrete, and today the city is a gritty, high-altitude hub at 3,052m for mountaineers and trekkers heading into the Cordillera Blanca and Huascarán National Park. Quechua is still widely spoken in the surrounding villages, and the market on Avenida Raimondi sells everything from alpaca wool to coca leaves.
Best Time to Visit
Full Huaraz guide →Best months
May to September—this is the dry season, so clear skies for trekking; July and August are peak but still fine for Lake 69 or Santa Cruz.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak: Peruvian winter holidays (Fiestas Patrias on 28-29 July) bring national tourists, hotels fill up and prices can rise 30-50%; book months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October—still mostly dry, but cheaper rooms, fewer trekkers on trails, and decent weather for acclimatisation walks.
Weather & packing
Huaraz has intense UV radiation and afternoon wind, even in dry season. Pack a sun hat, SPF 50+, and layers: a fleece and waterproof shell for sudden mountain cold and rain near the sierra.
Live City Briefing — Huaraz
- Construction on the Huaraz bypass (Carretera de Evitamiento) continues, causing afternoon traffic congestion on Avenida Luzuriaga and detours near the bus terminal.
- The Museo Arqueológico de Ancash reopened in late 2025 after earthquake repairs, displaying 12,000-year-old lithic tools and the largest collection of Recuay stone head statues in Peru.
- July's Fiestas Patrias on 28-29 July bring parades, folk music and market stalls to Plaza de Armas, but also closed streets and higher bus fares from Lima.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal América, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the back courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and the lift shaft, and get decent natural light without the gritty view of the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room directly off the lobby or reception area; they pick up check-in chatter, door slams, and early-morning staff movement. Also skip rooms next to the lift on any floor — the mechanism rattles in older Huaraz buildings.
Best views
A room at the back overlooking the small internal courtyard or the neighbouring rooftops. Front-facing rooms give you a view of Av. Fitzcarrald (the main drag) and the chaotic combi traffic — not terrible, just dusty and loud.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors. The building likely has four storeys max (common in Huaraz), so top floor here means minimal footfall overhead.
🔊 Noise notes
Av. Fitzcarrald carries non-stop mototaxis, combis, and trucks from around 6am to 11pm. The hotel sits between bars and a bus depot, so expect late-night street shouts and early-morning engine revs. Lift noise is also a factor on floors 1–2.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side at booking confirm; the front-facing rooms are noticeably louder. 2) Bring foam earplugs — the bar down the block plays music until midnight most nights and the walls are thin.
- 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 — Hostal América
Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Speed is adequate for emails and social media but too slow for video streaming. No login required—just connect to the 'Hostal America' network.
No lift; the building has three floors with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstands. The lounge has a small shelf of secondhand English and Spanish books for guests to borrow.
Standard check-in is from 13:00. Early bag drop is available from 08:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 30 PEN if the room is not sold out the next night.
Free storage is available for luggage after check-out until 20:00 same day.
No step-free access. There are two steps at the main entrance and no ramp. The hotel is not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with mobility difficulties.
No on-site parking. Free street parking is available along Av. Centenario but is first-come, first-served and can be busy during weekday evenings. The nearest paid public lot is at Plaza de Belén, a 5-minute walk, costing 10 PEN per 12 hours overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A deposit of 50% of the total stay is required to confirm the reservation. At check-in, a credit card hold of approximately 200 PEN is taken for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Convento (792 m · ~10 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia San Miguel - Chequió (812 m · ~10 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Market Union — 963 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Change money at banks or licensed exchange houses (casas de cambio) in Huaraz; avoid the airport in Lima and tourist bureaux, which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in upscale hotels and some restaurants in central Huaraz, but cash is king for markets, taxis, and small eateries; contactless/mobile pay not widely used.
Restaurants: 10% for good service, no obligation; taxis: rounding up the fare; hotel staff: 5-10 soles for porters or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee at a local café costs around 5-7 soles.
A menú (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) costs 10-15 soles at simple comedores.
A main course at a casual restaurant runs 15-25 soles.
Look for anticuchos (grilled skewers) and empanadas from street carts around the Plaza de Armas in the evening.
Plaza Vea and Tottus are common budget supermarkets in Huaraz.
For affordable clothing, head to the Mercado Central on Avenida Luzuriaga or the street stalls along Jirón José de San Martín.
Local minibuses (colectivos) cost around 1-2 soles per ride; from the nearest airport (Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport in Anta), take a shared taxi or minibus to Huaraz for about 10-15 soles.
Eat set menús for lunch; buy water and snacks at supermarkets not tourist shops; always negotiate price for tours and taxis before committing.
Good to know — Huaraz
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.41 · PEN
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Huaraz, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal América
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hotel Valencia II (Av. Luzuriaga stop) → Huaraz bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre)
💡 City buses don't have number routes; ask locals for 'el rápido al terminal'. Pay the cobrador (conductor) with exact change—1 sol per ride. Stand on the corner by Hotel Valencia II and wave; bus will stop anywhere safe.
Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport (ATA) → Huaraz city centre (Plaza de Armas)
💡 This is a colectivo-style minibus, not a scheduled airline bus. From the airport road, flag one heading east on the Pativilca–Caraz highway. Ask for 'centro' and they'll drop you near the Plaza; walk 10 mins to Hotel Valencia II.
Hotel Valencia II → Huaraz city centre (any point within 2km)
💡 For short hops within central Huaraz, shared taxis (colectivos) cost 2-3 soles per person—look for ones with a posted route. Private taxis negotiate 5-10 soles; always confirm price before getting in. Avoid unmetered cabs late at night.
Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport (ATA) → Hotel Valencia II, Huaraz
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in; official taxis from the airport rank charge around 50-60 soles—drivers outside may try 80. Cash only, small bills preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal América?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the back courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and the lift shaft, and get decent natural light without the gritty view of the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal América?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room directly off the lobby or reception area; they pick up check-in chatter, door slams, and early-morning staff movement. Also skip rooms next to the lift on any floor — the mechanism rattles in older Huaraz buildings.
Is Hostal América noisy?
Av. Fitzcarrald carries non-stop mototaxis, combis, and trucks from around 6am to 11pm. The hotel sits between bars and a bus depot, so expect late-night street shouts and early-morning engine revs. Lift noise is also a factor on floors 1–2.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal América?
A room at the back overlooking the small internal courtyard or the neighbouring rooftops. Front-facing rooms give you a view of Av. Fitzcarrald (the main drag) and the chaotic combi traffic — not terrible, just dusty and loud.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal América?
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side at booking confirm; the front-facing rooms are noticeably louder. 2) Bring foam earplugs — the bar down the block plays music until midnight most nights and the walls are thin.
What time is check-in at Hostal América?
Check-in at Hostal América is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal América have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Speed is adequate for emails and social media but too slow for video streaming. No login required—just connect to the 'Hostal America' network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal América?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal América?
A menú (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) costs 10-15 soles at simple comedores.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal América?
Local minibuses (colectivos) cost around 1-2 soles per ride; from the nearest airport (Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport in Anta), take a shared taxi or minibus to Huaraz for about 10-15 soles.
When is the best time to visit Huaraz?
May to September—this is the dry season, so clear skies for trekking; July and August are peak but still fine for Lake 69 or Santa Cruz.
Top Attractions in Huaraz
💡 Go on a Sunday morning – it’s free then. Weekday entry is 10 soles. The labelling is in Spanish, so use Google Lens or download a guide. Allow 1–2 hours.
💡 Come at sunset for golden light on the mountains. On weekends, there are often free dance performances or market stalls selling local food like tamales.
💡 Go just before sunrise for clear views and fewer people. The path starts at Calle Daniel Villar, behind the cathedral. Bring a torch if hiking in the dark – the steps are uneven.
💡 Get to Pitec by 7am to beat crowds and clouds. Acclimatise 2 days in Huaraz first. Bring water and snacks; no facilities at the trailhead.
💡 Go with a budget tour (around 80–100 soles including transport) – you can’t drive alone. Start the hike by 8am to finish before afternoon rain. Rent walking poles from Huaraz for 10 soles.