El Jacal Classic

El Jacal Classic is a small, informal place to stay in Huaraz, about a five-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. It suits travellers who want a clean, friendly base without paying for a full-service hotel, and it has the sort of features independent hikers look for: breakfast, a garden, a terrace, a cafe, communal kitchens and help with tours and tickets. Huaraz is full of simple guesthouses, but few combine a central address with enough common space to meet other trekkers and swap notes on conditions at Laguna 69 or the Santa Cruz trail. If you are travelling on a modest budget, staying somewhere like this leaves more money for guides, park fees and good meals.

The shared spaces are the heart of a guesthouse like this. A garden and terrace give you somewhere to sit in the sun after a hike, and the communal kitchens let you prepare simple meals and pack lunches before long days in Huascaran National Park, which saves money and helps if you have dietary needs. The front desk is staffed around the clock, there is luggage storage for multi-day treks and a safe at the desk, and the team can help with tour bookings and transport to the trailheads.

Free Wi-Fi, parking and breakfast are mentioned for the property, but details can change by room and rate, so check what is included when you book.Huaraz sits at around 3,000 metres, and good planning matters more than luxury here. Arrive with a day or two in hand to acclimatise before attempting Laguna 69, Pastoruri or any climb, and keep your first walks short and flat. A central guesthouse makes this easy, because the market, bakeries, restaurants and tour offices are all within a short walk.

Nights are cold, so ask about extra blankets or heating, and check whether rooms have private bathrooms and reliable hot water, since these vary between room types. Tours usually leave early, so tell the staff the night before and ask about an early breakfast or a packed lunch.This is a good choice for solo travellers, couples on a budget and small groups of friends, particularly those who enjoy chatting with other hikers over breakfast. Families can ask about larger rooms.

If you want a pool, a spa or room service, a larger hotel is a better fit, and if you want a rural lodge with mountain views you could look at the options in Monterrey, Anta and Carhuaz. Prices are lowest in the wet months from about November to April and highest in July and August, when the clearest weather draws the biggest crowds. Read recent guest reviews for the room type you want, compare cancellation terms and book early for the dry season.