Andahuaylas City
City in Apurímac, Peru
High in the Andes, Andahuaylas offers weekly markets, terraced fields, and a strong indigenous presence. Visitors come for Andean music, alpaca wool, mountain trails that lead into cloud forest, and nearby archaeological terraces.
Andahuaylas at a Glance#
Costs: $20-50 USD per day - affordable regional city with low lodging and food costs for travelers.
Safety: Moderately safe, usual precautions - generally safe by Peruvian standards; petty theft can occur in crowded spaces.
Best Time: May-September - dry season offers clear skies and reliable trekking conditions in the highlands.
Why Visit Andahuaylas?#
High in the Apurímac highlands, Andahuaylas is prized for strong Andean culture, lively markets and colorful festivals. Traditional markets brim with handwoven textiles and fresh mountain produce, while local cuisine includes hearty dishes like cuy and pachamanca served in family-run restaurants. Folkloric dance and music persist in town plazas, offering visitors a direct encounter with Chanka heritage and the region’s dramatic highland setting.
Andahuaylas Bucket List#
Plaza de Armas de Andahuaylas - Central square with colonial arcades and lively local gatherings most afternoons.
Catedral San Pedro de Andahuaylas - 19th-century cathedral overlooking the plaza with ornate altars and local religious art.
Saywite archaeological site - Pre-Inca carved stone platform and ruins illustrating Chanca-era rituals and agriculture.
Mercado Central de Andahuaylas - Bustling market offering regional potatoes, alpaca textiles, and traditional Andean snacks.
Mirador de la Cruz - Short hike to a hilltop cross with panoramic valley and city views.
Laguna de Pacucha - Nearby highland lake with reed-lined banks, birdwatching, and traditional fishing boats.
Circuito Laguna de Pacucha - Scenic drive visiting Laguna de Pacucha and surrounding Andean villages and viewpoints.
Abancay and Apurímac valley - Day trip to Abancay city and Apurímac valley for deeper regional context.
Best Time to Visit Andahuaylas#
Andahuaylas sits high in the southern Peruvian Andes with a pronounced dry season and a rainy summer. Visit during the dry months (May-September) for the most reliable trekking conditions and clear skies.
November - March
3 - 18°C (37 - 64°F)
Frequent afternoon showers, cloud cover and muddier trails - lush scenery but less ideal for long mountain treks.
May - September
5 - 20°C (41 - 68°F)
Clear, sunny days and cold nights - the best time for highland hiking, reliable views and early starts.
April; October
7 - 17°C (45 - 63°F)
Quick transitions between wet and dry: some rain but generally pleasant, quieter, and useful for avoiding peak crowds.
Andahuaylas's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 5°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1040 mm/year), wettest in February with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (192 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (200 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (185 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 5°C. The driest month with just 16 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Andahuaylas#
Andahuaylas in the Peruvian highlands is served by a regional airport (Andahuaylas) with intermittent domestic flights; otherwise the common connection is by long‑distance bus from Lima or nearby regional cities. Local taxis and colectivos provide urban mobility.
Andahuaylas Airport (ANS / SPHY): Andahuaylas has a regional airport with flights to Lima (Jorge Chávez) operated periodically by domestic carriers; schedules change seasonally so check current timetables. From the airport to the city centre it’s a short drive (taxi or collectivo), typically under 20 minutes.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM): Many visitors arrive into Lima and continue overland by bus or fly to Andahuaylas when domestic services are operating. Long‑distance buses from Lima to Andahuaylas take roughly 10-12 hours (overnight options) and depart from Lima’s intercity terminals.
Train: There is no regular passenger rail service to Andahuaylas.
Bus / Colectivo: Long‑distance buses connect Andahuaylas with Lima and regional centres (Abancay, Cusco region towns); journey times from Lima are around 10-12 hours by road depending on route and road conditions. Prices vary with operator and level of service (basic to premium coaches). Local colectivos and taxis handle short transfers within the city.
How to Get Around Andahuaylas#
Andahuaylas is most practical to reach by regional flight (when operating) or by long‑distance bus from Lima. Within town, taxis, colectivos and walking cover most needs.
- Flights (Andahuaylas Airport) (Varies (domestic fares)) - When available, domestic flights to Andahuaylas are the fastest way to reach the town from Lima or other regional airports. Flight schedules can be irregular; always confirm and book ahead. Airport taxis provide quick transfers into town.
- Long‑distance Bus (PEN 40-120 (varies by class)) - Buses from Lima or nearby regional centres are the usual budget option and run overnight; expect about 10-12 hours from Lima depending on stops and road conditions. Choose reputable operators for safety and comfort on mountain roads.
- Local Colectivo / Taxi (PEN low (colectivo) / negotiated (taxi)) - Local colectivos (shared vans) and taxis serve routes inside Andahuaylas and nearby communities. Colectivos are cheap and frequent; taxis are useful for door‑to‑door transfers, especially early/late when colectivos run less often.
- Organized Tour / Private Transfer (Negotiated) - For visiting surrounding archaeological sites or remote villages, book a private car or guided day trip - roads can be steep and drivers familiar with local conditions. Many hotels can arrange reputable drivers for excursions.
- Walking - Andahuaylas’ centre is compact and hilly but walkable; wear good shoes for cobbled streets and steep sections. Walking is the best way to explore markets and town plazas.
Where to Stay in Andahuaylas#
Andahuaylas town - PEN 40-120/night approx.
Andahuaylas has small, affordable hotels and guesthouses catering to domestic travellers; online options are limited but present.
Andahuaylas budget listings (Booking.com) - Local hostels and modest inns.
Andahuaylas budget options (Agoda) - Basic rooms and guesthouses available.
Central Andahuaylas - PEN 120-250/night approx.
There are a handful of comfortable mid-range hotels in Andahuaylas suitable for overnight stays and regional travel.
Andahuaylas mid-range hotels (Booking.com) - Comfortable local hotels with private bathrooms.
Andahuaylas hotel listings (TripAdvisor) - Traveler reviews and boutique stays.
Cusco / Lima (for luxury) - PEN 300+/night approx.
Andahuaylas doesn’t offer true luxury hotels. For upscale stays, travel to larger regional cities or Cusco/Lima.
Peru luxury hotels (Booking.com) - Few or no luxury hotels in Andahuaylas.
Top-rated nearby hotels (TripAdvisor) - Best to look to regional capitals for premium stays.
Where to Eat in Andahuaylas#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Andahuaylas’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Andahuaylas#
Shopping focuses on local markets and stalls selling produce, textiles and handicrafts. The central market is the best place to see local produce and traditional goods, and you’ll find folk textiles and regional crafts in small shops. For more extensive shopping or modern retail, larger Peruvian cities are the next stop.
Nightlife in Andahuaylas#
Nightlife in Andahuaylas is modest but active for a regional city: the Plaza de Armas area has several bars, restaurants and cafes where locals gather in the evenings. Expect live music at some venues and a friendly, local atmosphere rather than a bustling club scene. Late-night options are limited compared with larger Peruvian cities, but there is enough evening activity for most travellers.
