Huaro Travel Guide

Huaro is compact: the main plaza and church sit beside the principal road through town, with the market and a handful of guesthouses clustered around the square. The road links Huaro with Andahuaylillas and Tipón to the west and agricultural valleys to the east. Travelers often pass through on day tours, while those staying overnight base themselves around the plaza or use nearby Pisac or Cusco as a hub.

Costs: Costs vary; basic guesthouses and local meals keep costs low, though guided day tours will increase a day-trip budget. - Basic guesthouses and local meals keep costs low; guided day tours add to a day trip budget.

Safety: Generally safe - Typical small-town safety applies; watch belongings in markets and allow time to acclimatize to the altitude.

Best Time: May-September - The dry season brings sunny days and easier walking on nearby sites.

Huaro sits in the high valleys east of Cusco and functions as a quiet market and parish town serving surrounding farming communities. It is small - roughly 1,800 people - and has a compact plaza anchored by a baroque-style church. The town is often visited on the regional Andean Baroque circuit that includes nearby colonial churches and pre-Inca sites.

Historically the area combined indigenous Andean traditions with Spanish colonial religious architecture, which is why the church interiors draw attention. Visiting Huaro gives a close-up view of rural Andean life: farmers, local markets, and small workshops rather than tourist infrastructure. Most visitors come on a half-day or day trip from Cusco or Pisac, though an overnight stay lets you experience the town after day-trippers leave.

Huaro’s main draw is its ornately painted colonial church and quiet central plaza where local life continues largely unchanged. It is an easy stop on routes linking Cusco with Tipón, Pikillaqta and Andahuaylillas and offers a quieter alternative to busier Sacred Valley towns. For travelers interested in colonial art, rural markets and short archaeological day trips, Huaro is a convenient and authentic base.

Huaro is best visited in the dry months when trails and dirt roads are easier and skies are clearer for views. The wet season brings afternoon storms that can disrupt travel between rural sites.

Huaro is reached by road from Cusco and nearby valley towns; there is no airport in town. Most visitors arrive as part of a shared minibus tour or by local colectivo from Cusco or Pisac.

• By Air: Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ): Fly into Cusco (CUZ) and continue by road; the drive to Huaro from central Cusco takes about 50-90 minutes depending on route and traffic, and taxis or tour transfers are the usual choices.
• By road: shared minibus/colectivo from Cusco: Regular colectivos and tourist minibuses run from Cusco toward Andahuaylillas, Tipón and Pisac, stopping in Huaro; journey time is roughly 1-1.5 hours and fares are typically modest (local currency).
• From Pisac or nearby towns: Shorter taxis or colectivo rides connect Huaro with Pisac and other valley towns; travel times are under an hour and are convenient for combining visits to Pisac market or archaeological sites.

Huaro is small enough to explore on foot, but local transport makes it easy to reach nearby sites and villages.

• Walking: The plaza, church and market are all within easy walking distance; streets are cobbled in places and can be steep.
• Colectivos and taxis: Shared colectivos and local taxis connect Huaro with Andahuaylillas, Tipón and Pisac; they are the main way to reach surrounding attractions when not on an organized tour.
• Guided day tours: Many visitors see Huaro as part of guided half-day or full-day tours that combine several nearby churches and archaeological sites and include transport and explanation.

Dining in Huaro is informal: small family-run restaurants and market stalls serve homestyle Andean meals, soups and grilled meats, with local maize, potatoes and beans common. Expect simple menus and friendly service; for more variety head to Pisac or Cusco.

Nightlife is minimal and centered on a few bars or informal gatherings around the plaza; most visitors visit Huaro on a day trip and return to Pisac or Cusco for evening options.

The town market and stalls around the plaza sell textiles, simple handcrafts and religious souvenirs made in nearby villages. For larger artisan markets and a wider selection of goods, visit nearby Písac.