Major city · Peru
La Merced
One day covers the walkable centre, a waterfall tour and a night in a budget hostel; add a second day for a longer jungle tour.
La Merced is the capital of Chanchamayo Province, 750 m altitude, with a compact centre, easy mototaxi rides and several nearby waterfalls and thermal pools. Most visitors can see the main sights in a single day, staying overnight in a cheap hostel if you want a night market vibe.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- JUL
- Nights
- 1
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
Emergency numbers for La Merced105 ▾
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 La Merced, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for day visitors; stay in well-lit areas after dark and use mototaxis from reputable operators.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (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.
- AirportJUL Huancayo Airport (About 4 h bus from La Merced).
- Getting aroundTown centre is walkable; mototaxis cost S/1 per person by day, a bit more after dark.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (local café)S/3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Mototaxi ride (day)S/1
- Museum or sight ticketWaterfall entry (Catarata del Tirol)S/1
- Budget bedHostel twin, a night, per personPEN 40
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 30 · Mid PEN 60 · High PEN 120
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
- JUL Huancayo Airport (About 4 h bus from La Merced)
Weather and climate
La Merced: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Mar
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Apr
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
May
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Jun
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Jul
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Aug
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Sep
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Oct
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Nov
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 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
Town centre is walkable; mototaxis cost S/1 per person by day, a bit more after dark.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Catarata del Tirol
goDoor to door: ≈45 min round trip
Take the road towards Oxapampa, turn right after Puente San Ramon; 5 km (3.1 mi) from town, then 15 min walk up a gorgeTake the road towards Oxapampa, turn right after Puente San Ramon; 3.1 mi (5 km) from town, then 15 min walk up a gorge
Adult entry S/1; easy path.
Thermal pools of Uchubamba
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Road towards Uchubamba, 10 km (6.2 mi) north of town; local transport or taxiRoad towards Uchubamba, 6.2 mi (10 km) north of town; local transport or taxi
Check opening hours; may be seasonal.
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.
Hostal Prince
Twin rooms S/40; clean, central location.
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/30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/60–90 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel twin1 × 1 night × PEN 40 | PEN 40 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PEN 30 | PEN 30 |
| Mototaxi day rides (average 4 trips)1 × PEN 4 · S/1 per ride | PEN 4 |
| Waterfall entry (Catarata del Tirol)1 × PEN 1 · S/1 | PEN 1 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × PEN 30 · check | PEN 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 11 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 116 per person per day, bed included | PEN 116 |
Hostal Prince price
2026 estimate in soles; flights and long-distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (local café) | S/3 |
| Mototaxi ride (day) | S/1 |
| Waterfall entry (Catarata del Tirol) | S/1 |
| Zoo entry | S/5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mototaxi fares rise at night; confirm price before boarding.
- Waterfall walks can be slippery after rain; wear good shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
La MercedLa Merced
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
US consulate in Lima; nearest Peruvian embassy for emergencies.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Mototaxi (day): ≈ S/1 per person, higher after dark
- Hostal Prince twin room: S/40 per night
Say or show
- Hola / Disculpe — Hello / Excuse me (hola / disculpe)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (cuánto cuesta)
- Gracias — Thank you (gracias)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (dónde está el baño)
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 La Merced. 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: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about La Merced
Loading…
Was this useful?