Lake Paca
Lake Andean lake in Junín Region near Huancayo
Close to the Andean town of Jauja in Junín, Lake Paca attracts day‑trippers for boat rides, lakeside restaurants and views of surrounding highland peaks.
Lake Paca is a small freshwater lake in the Department of Junín, Peru, located in the Mantaro Valley near the town of Jauja. It is a locally known recreational and scenic lagoon used by residents and visitors.
The shoreline is compact and easily reached from Jauja, with paths and small boat-landing points used for short excursions and local fishing. Facilities are modest and oriented to day visitors rather than large-scale tourism.
The lake is a natural body of water long used by nearby communities for fishing and recreation. There are no widely known major engineering works altering the lake on a regional scale.
Geographically it sits in the Mantaro Valley in central Peru, immediately adjacent to the urban area of Jauja and within driving distance of Huancayo to the south. The surrounding landscape is cultivated valley and low Andean hills.
- Access: Located immediately adjacent to the city of Jauja, a short walk from the town center makes the lake accessible for short visits and boat rides.
- Best time to visit: Low-altitude Andean setting means milder weather than higher Andean lakes; mornings can be cool and foggy.
How to Get to Lake Paca #
Lake Paca (Laguna de Paca) sits just outside the town of Jauja in Peru’s Junín department. From Jauja’s town centre it’s a very short taxi, mototaxi or local-transport ride (a few minutes) or a short walk along the lakeside access roads; follow local signs from the plaza toward the lagoons. From the regional city of Huancayo it is reached by road (roughly a 35-40 km drive by the main highland roads to Jauja, then local roads to the lake).
Best Time to Visit Lake Paca #
Visit Lake Paca in the Peruvian highlands during the dry months (May-September) for the clearest skies and best hiking conditions.
Weather & Climate near Lake Paca #
Lake Paca's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 0°C to 18°C. Moderate rainfall (667 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (117 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 3°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of 1°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 0°C. The driest month with just 4 mm.
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August
August is cold with highs of 18°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
