Huancayo
Huancayo is the capital of the department of Junin in Southern Sierra region of Peru.
Understand
The population is about 500,000, altitude 3300 m. Huancayo lies on the lower end of the broad Mantaro Valley. The surrounding mountains reach up to ca. 3,600 m.
Huancayo does not really have any sights or features that would cause it to be an essential stop for an international tourist short on time. However, it is a pleasant and relatively safe place for visitors to practice their Spanish, meet down-to-earth Peruvians, and try delicious local food at reasonable prices.
Get in
By bus
- Many bus companies offer services from and to Lima. Huancavelica, a five hour trip, is also available.
By train
- From Huancavelica, the preferred travel method from that city.
- Supposedly there is a train service between Lima and Huancayo, a train which enjoys the distinction of being the highest (in altitude) train in the world. It goes through spectacular mountain scenery and forests. However the train does not run every day of the week and therefore researching its schedule is essential.
Other
- During the day, there are always colectivos to and from Jauja.
Get around
- Taxis. Transport in the city is around 3 Soles (0.80 US$).
See
- Cerrito de la Libertad. Take a taxi or walk to this view point over the whole city.
- Torre-Torre. Sandstone needles, the impressive effect of erosion.
- Visit the marked area behind the railway station to Lima (closed for personal traffic, cargo only).
- La Inmaculada. A church where you can often find local musicians that wait for to be hired for some wedding or whatever, some of which play on real cow horns.
- Parque de Identidad. A famous park in the city that is widely loved for its strange and artistic design that is popular with children.
Do
- Many tourist agencies offer a day trip through villages in the valley for different prices, but in the end all the agencies send their clients to the same bus. The tour is well guided in Spanish and goes to San Jeronimo, Ingenio, and several other villages
Sleep
- Hospedaje Tachi, Huamanmarca 125. Family run, very friendly atmosphere, laundry facility, double room for 10 soles (US$ 3) each. Some English is spoken.
- There are several hotels on the city square with rates well under 100 soles per night. Except during festivals, there's probably no need for reservations.
Get out
- Huarivilca, or Warivilca. A temple ruin from the Wari era. Take a colectivo or a taxi to the village Huari. You will find the museum (service in the morning and in the afternoon) in the plaza. You can get there explanations in English. After the museum, the guide will show you the ruins, too.
- The trains to Huancavelica leave Huancayo at 6am and 1pm during the week and 2pm and 6pm Sundays. The journey takes about 5 hours. The station is at the crossing of Av. Ferrocarril and Av. Junin. Probably, you will see the old station building first. Beware, it's out of order. The new one is on the other side of the rails and not so easy to find.