🇵🇪 Huaraz, Peru
Hostel Benkawasi
📍 928, Parque Santa Rosa, Huaraz
Your stay — Hostel Benkawasi
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 Huaraz.
The Property — Hostel Benkawasi
Hostel Benkawasi is a no-frills base in central Huaraz, with clean private rooms and dorms aimed squarely at budget-conscious trekkers heading to the Cordillera Blanca. The lobby feels like a busy gear depot: trekking poles stacked by the door, maps pinned to noticeboards, guests comparing plans for Laguna 69. There’s a small kitchen and a simple breakfast of bread and jam. It works best if you see the hotel as a functional launchpad, not a destination in itself.
Chronicles of Huaraz
Huaraz was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1574 on an existing indigenous settlement. The city was levelled by a catastrophic earthquake and avalanche in 1970, which killed some 20,000 people and buried most of the original colonial architecture. Rebuilt in functional concrete and brick, modern Huaraz has a scruffy, workaday feel, with its main plaza (Plaza de Armas) anchoring a grid of shops, banks and travel agencies. Today it is the undisputed hub for Andean trekking and mountaineering, its streets full of outfitters offering pack-animal hire and guides to Peru’s highest peaks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Huaraz guide →Best months
June, July, August — the dry season gives clear skies and stable hiking conditions, but July is peak foreign-tourist month so trails get busy.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month, driven by northern-hemisphere summer holidays. Hotel prices can jump 15–25% above June rates, and advance booking is essential. The main festival is the Semana del Andinismo (first half of July), with climbing competitions and cultural events.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer better value: still largely dry, fewer trekkers, and hotel rates drop by 10–20%. Temperatures are slightly cooler but trails are less crowded.
Weather & packing
Huaraz has a strong diurnal swing — hot sun at midday, near-freezing nights — so layering is non-negotiable. Pack a 3-season sleeping bag, waterproof jacket and high-SPF sunblock: the equatorial sun at 3,000m can burn in minutes.
Live City Briefing — Huaraz
- The new Yanashallash-Tumshpampa dual carriageway opens June 2026, cutting 40 minutes off the drive from Huaraz to the Chavín de Huántar ruins.
- The city council has installed solar-powered streetlights along the main Avenue Luzuriaga, improving security after dark.
- Several trekking agencies closed temporarily in early 2026 after new insurance regulations; check your operator holds current permits before booking a multi-day hike.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel Benkawasi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor or higher at the back of the building, facing away from Parque Santa Rosa. These rooms get less street noise and benefit from the quiet of the inner courtyard.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the park or near the entrance. They pick up foot traffic from the square and chatter from the hostel’s common areas.
Best views
Rooms facing Parque Santa Rosa offer a view of the small square with trees and local life, rather than mountains. It’s pleasant but not spectacular.
Quietest floors
Second floor and above, particularly rooms not fronting the street, tend to be quieter.
🔊 Noise notes
The hostel sits directly on a park, so there’s occasional noise from children playing, dogs, and early-morning market activity. Huaraz is a busy trekking hub, so expect early departures and return rumbles.
Insider tips
1) Check in early (before 3 PM) to secure a quieter upper-floor room, as the hostel often fills with trekkers. 2) If you need a late checkout, ask at reception the night before—they’re usually flexible if rooms aren’t booked.
- 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 Benkawasi
Free public Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas (5 Mbps); in rooms it is 2 Mbps. No paid tier available. Login: room number + surname.
No lift. The property is 3 floors with stairs only; no historic stairs-only section, just standard staircase.
No digital newsstand or physical papers. The building is a converted 1950s townhouse with original wooden staircase and courtyard patio.
Check-in: 14:00-22:00 (weekday/weekend same). Bag drop allowed before check-in free. Late check-out fee: 25 PEN until 16:00, after that a full extra night.
Free for same-day of check-in/out; for longer storage (e.g., trekking), 5 PEN per day.
No step-free access. Two steps at main entrance; narrow doorways and stairs only. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parking Santa Rosa, 150 m away, 15 PEN per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city tax on accommodation in Huaraz)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit on booking. At check-in, a 50 PEN incidental card hold or cash deposit is taken.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Capilla de San Gerónimo (613 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Catedral de San Sebastián y la Inmaculada Concepción - Diócesis de Huaraz (732 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Sagrario San Sebastian (780 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Belén (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque del Periodista — 494 m · ~6 min walk
Museo Arqueológico de Ancash — 654 m · ~8 min walk
MonkeyPark — 850 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 232 m · ~3 min walk
Mifarma — 114 m · ~1 min walk
Fast Pet Shop — 484 m · ~6 min walk
El Rapido (Huallanca, La Union, Huanuco) — 630 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use city-centre exchange houses (casas de cambio) for better rates; avoid airport and tourist-bureau exchanges which often charge poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at mid-range restaurants, hotels and larger shops; cash essential for markets, street food, and small local businesses.
Rounding up or leaving 5-10% in restaurants is appreciated but not expected; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips, though a few soles for porterage is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a market stall or bakery for about 2-3 soles.
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) at a local comedor for 8-12 soles.
A filling main course like lomo saltado or pollo a la brasa with sides at a simple restaurant for 15-20 soles.
Calle Confraternidad Oeste and nearby plazas have anticuchos and emoliente stalls in the evening; Plaza de Armas weekend market offers cheap eats.
Supermercados like Plaza Vea or Metro are common in the area, but smaller bodegas on side streets are cheaper for basics.
Mercado Central de Huaraz and stalls along Jr. José de la Mar sell affordable local clothing and footwear.
Walking is best within the area; for longer trips, shared combis cost 1-2 soles per ride. From Huaraz airport, take a collectivo to the terminal (approx 5 soles), not taxis.
Eat at market stalls and menú del día places for real value. Always carry small bills and coins for public transport and markets. Book group treks through agencies on Jr. Sucre rather than solo to split costs.
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 Hostel Benkawasi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 232 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Mifarma — 114 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 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 Hostel Benkawasi?
Request a room on the second floor or higher at the back of the building, facing away from Parque Santa Rosa. These rooms get less street noise and benefit from the quiet of the inner courtyard.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel Benkawasi?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the park or near the entrance. They pick up foot traffic from the square and chatter from the hostel’s common areas.
Is Hostel Benkawasi noisy?
The hostel sits directly on a park, so there’s occasional noise from children playing, dogs, and early-morning market activity. Huaraz is a busy trekking hub, so expect early departures and return rumbles.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel Benkawasi?
Rooms facing Parque Santa Rosa offer a view of the small square with trees and local life, rather than mountains. It’s pleasant but not spectacular.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel Benkawasi?
1) Check in early (before 3 PM) to secure a quieter upper-floor room, as the hostel often fills with trekkers. 2) If you need a late checkout, ask at reception the night before—they’re usually flexible if rooms aren’t booked.
What time is check-in at Hostel Benkawasi?
Check-in at Hostel Benkawasi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel Benkawasi have Wi-Fi?
Free public Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas (5 Mbps); in rooms it is 2 Mbps. No paid tier available. Login: room number + surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel Benkawasi?
None (no city tax on accommodation in Huaraz)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel Benkawasi?
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) at a local comedor for 8-12 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel Benkawasi?
Walking is best within the area; for longer trips, shared combis cost 1-2 soles per ride. From Huaraz airport, take a collectivo to the terminal (approx 5 soles), not taxis.
When is the best time to visit Huaraz?
June, July, August — the dry season gives clear skies and stable hiking conditions, but July is peak foreign-tourist month so trails get busy.
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.