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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Peru
- Best months
- check
- Avoid
- check
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PEN
- Money
- Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget S/30–50 excl. bed · Mid S/60–90 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
- Emergency
- Police 105 · Fire 116 · SAMU ambulance 106
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
- Tipping
- Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (local café) | S/3 |
| Mototaxi ride (day) | S/1 |
| Waterfall entry (Catarata del Tirol) | S/1 |
| Zoo entry | S/5 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- JUL · Huancayo Airport
- About 4 h bus from La Merced
Typical fares
- Mototaxi (day)
- ≈ S/1 per person, higher after dark
- Hostal Prince twin room
- S/40 per night
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town centre is walkable; mototaxis cost S/1 per person by day, a bit more after dark.
See and do
Known for
- Catarata del Tirol waterfall
- Thermal pools of Uchubamba
- Mototaxi rides
- Local coffee and cocoa
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Catarata del Tirol | 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 | ≈45 min round trip |
| Thermal pools of Uchubamba | 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 | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Hostal Prince
- Twin rooms S/40; clean, central location.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Excuse me | Hola / Disculpehola / disculpe |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?cuánto cuesta |
| Thank you | Graciasgracias |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?dónde está el baño |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
- Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests
Scams and watch-outs
- Mototaxi fares rise at night; confirm price before boarding.
- Waterfall walks can be slippery after rain; wear good shoes.
Generally safe for day visitors; stay in well-lit areas after dark and use mototaxis from reputable operators.
One and two days
No timed day plan for La Merced yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Catarata del Tirol waterfall
- Thermal pools of Uchubamba
- Mototaxi rides
- Local coffee and cocoa
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – La Merced coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: La Merced, revision 5214069 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5214069
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/la-merced). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.