Major city · Peru
Caraz
Caraz is a 1–2 night stop for the Santa Cruz trek and Laguna Paron, not a base: day-hike or trek-prep, then move on.
Caraz is a small, earthquake-preserved colonial town at 2,270 m, the gateway to the Cordillera Blanca's Santa Cruz trek and Laguna Paron. Most travellers use it for one night before or after a multi-day trek, or as a day-trip from Huaraz (1 h by colectivo). The town itself has a pleasant Plaza de Armas, a few cafés and hostels, but the real draw is the national park.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–September (dry season)
- avoid December–March (rainy season; trails may be closed)
- Airport
- HUU
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Caraz105 ▾
- Police105
- Fire and ambulance116
- Tourist Police (Huaraz)+51 43 421 341
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Caraz, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyCaraz is safe for tourists; petty theft is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire and ambulance · +51 43 421 341 tourist police (huaraz) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckHUU Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani (Huaraz) (About 1 h by car; flights from Lima are infrequent — check.).
- Getting aroundCaraz is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a caféS/ 5–8
- BeerBeer (bottle)S/ 5–7
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Mototaxi ride within townS/ 3–5
- Museum or sight ticketLaguna Paron entry (Huascarán National Park)checkS/ 30
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 25
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per roomPEN 80
- High-end bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per roomPEN 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 50 · Mid PEN 90 · High PEN 150
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HUU Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani (Huaraz) (About 1 h by car; flights from Lima are infrequent — check.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest May (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jun (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Caraz: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
18 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
17 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
18 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Caraz is walkable. Taxis and mototaxis cover the town for S/ 3–5. For Laguna Paron or trailheads, hire a colectivo or taxi from the plaza.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Laguna Paron
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Colectivo from Caraz plaza, about 1 h, then 30 min walk to the lake
Turquoise lake at 4,200 m; go early for calm water.
Door to door: About 1 h
Colectivo from Caraz, about 1 h
Larger town with more services and the Huascarán National Park office.
Cañon del Pato
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Colectivo from Caraz, about 1.5 h
Spectacular canyon road to Chimbote; departures at 07:00, 10:00, 13:00 — check.Spectacular canyon road to Chimbote; departures at 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM — check.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Plaza de Armas)
Walk to everything; most hostels and guesthouses are here.
Carretera Central (main road)
Cheaper options, but a 10–15 min walk to the plaza.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/ 40–70 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/ 70–120 excl. bed
- High
- S/ 120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (guesthouse)1 × 1 night × PEN 80 | PEN 80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 90 | PEN 180 |
| Colectivo Huaraz – Caraz, one way2 × PEN 8 · check | PEN 16 |
| Colectivo Caraz – Laguna Paron, one way2 × PEN 15 · check | PEN 30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × PEN 30 | PEN 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 37 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 202 per person per day, bed included | PEN 403 |
2026 estimate in Peruvian soles; trekking permits and guides excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Menu del día (lunch set) | S/ 10–15 |
| Coffee in a café | S/ 5–8 |
| Beer (bottle) | S/ 5–7 |
| Colectivo Huaraz – Carazcheck | S/ 8 |
| Mototaxi ride within town | S/ 3–5 |
| Laguna Paron entry (Huascarán National Park)check | S/ 30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 2,270 m is moderate, but the Santa Cruz trek goes above 4,700 m — acclimatise in Huaraz first.
- Rainy season (Dec–Mar) can close trails; check the park office.
- ATMs are limited; bring enough soles from Huaraz or Lima.
- Mototaxis are cheap but not metered; agree the fare before you ride.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire and ambulance
- 116
- Tourist Police (Huaraz)
- +51 43 421 341
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CarazCaraz
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire and ambulance116
- Tourist Police (Huaraz)+51 43 421 341
Embassy
Most embassies are in Lima; the US has a consular agency in Huaraz (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colectivo Huaraz → Caraz: about S/ 8, about 1 h (check)
- Colectivo Caraz → Laguna Paron: about S/ 15, about 1 h (check)
- Mototaxi across town: S/ 3–5
Say or show
- Hola — Hello
- Gracias — Thank you
- ¿Cuánto? — How much?
- ¿Dónde está el paradero? — Where is the bus stop?
- Quiero ir a... — I would like to go to...
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Caraz. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September (dry season) · avoid December–March (rainy season; trails may be closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Laguna Paron, Santa Cruz trek, Cañon del Pato with verified trail conditions and park fees.
- Eat pages with last orders and menu del día prices.
- Sleep pages with altitude notes and hot-water reliability.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the plaza and bus stop.
Sources
Ask about Caraz
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