Where to stay in Yungay: a guide to choosing accommodation (types, prices and tips)

Choosing where to stay in Yungay is one of the decisions that most shapes how you will experience your trip through the Callejón de Huaylas. Sleeping in a simple room near the square is not the same as sleeping in a bungalow with a garden, and travelling as a couple is not the same as arriving with a family of eight or a group of sixteen friends. In this guide we explain the types of accommodation that exist, what to look at before you book, how the rates compare and which questions to ask any guesthouse so that there are no surprises.

We write from the experience of running a lodge in Yungay, but the guide is meant to help you decide with good judgement, even if you end up choosing another option.

Why stay in Yungay and not only in Huaraz

Huaraz is the tourist hub of the Callejón de Huaylas: it has agencies, restaurants, nightlife and plenty of accommodation. But it is some 50 to 60 kilometres from Yungay, roughly an hour by road, and from there excursions to the Llanganuco sector and Laguna 69 mean long early starts.

Staying in Yungay has concrete advantages:

• Closeness to Llanganuco and the Campo Santo. You save travel time and can leave later or come back earlier to rest.
• Better gradual acclimatisation. Yungay is at about 2,450 m, lower than Huaraz (around 3,050 m), so you can sleep at a lower altitude between high excursions.
• Peace and quiet. It is a small town with no heavy traffic and clean air, ideal for resting.
• Local life. The market, the square and home cooking offer a less touristy experience.
• Accommodation with gardens and space. Because it is a small town, there are options with generous grounds that are harder to find in Huaraz.

If you prefer to combine, many travellers spend a few nights in Yungay and others in Huaraz or Caraz.

Types of accommodation in Yungay

Simple guesthouses and hostels

These are basic rooms, often with a private or shared bathroom, in the centre of town. They usually have low rates and family-run service. They are a good option for travellers who spend few hours in their accommodation and want to save money. Check for hot water, heating or blankets, because nights can be cold.

Town hotels

They offer rooms with additional services (reception, breakfast in some cases, sometimes a restaurant). They are practical if you arrive late, travel alone or need constant attention. Ask whether breakfast is included, whether there is parking and how good the sound insulation is.

Lodges and bungalows with gardens

These are independent units inside grounds with green areas, sometimes with a shared kitchen, a barbecue area or a games room. They suit families and groups well, because each unit is complete and private, and because the shared spaces allow people to spend time together. They are usually calmer than a town-centre hotel, and offer better conditions for pets.

Accommodation in neighbouring towns

Mancos, Carhuaz and Caraz have charming guesthouses and country houses, a short distance from Yungay. They are an alternative if you want to explore the valley with more than one base.

How to choose according to your type of trip

If you travel as a couple

Prioritise a quiet place, with a balcony or terrace and a good view. A private bungalow for two with a full bathroom is usually the perfect balance between intimacy and price.

If you travel as a family

You will need more than one bedroom, enough bathrooms, a shared space for cooking or eating and, if there are children, a garden or areas to play. A bungalow for four to six people with a kitchen for free use and secure parking is very comfortable. Also read travelling to Yungay with family and pets.

If you travel with a group of friends or colleagues

Look for accommodation with several bedrooms, a large kitchen, a common room and a barbecue or bonfire area. A whole bungalow for eight or twelve people lets you share costs, cook together and keep your privacy.

If you are planning a celebration, retreat or corporate gathering

You will need capacity for 16 people or more, a meeting room, a large dining room and outdoor spaces. Ask in advance about the bed layout and the use of common areas.

If you travel with a pet

A pet-friendly policy is not universal. Confirm whether pets are accepted, whether there is an additional charge, which areas they may use and whether there is outdoor space to walk them. Tell the accommodation when you book.

If you are trekking

Look for warmth, reliable hot water, a place to dry clothes and the possibility of leaving early or leaving luggage behind. If you plan the Santa Cruz trek, a night beforehand in Yungay to acclimatise is very useful. More in acclimatisation and altitude sickness.

What to look at before you book

This list works for any accommodation:

1. Exact location. Ask for the address and how far it is to walk to the square. At Comtury Lodge, for example, we are at Jirón 2 de Mayo 1019, about eight minutes on foot from the Plaza de Armas.
2. Private bathroom and continuous hot water. This is key on cold nights.
3. Warmth. Blankets, duvets or heating. In the valley, night temperatures can drop even in the dry season.
4. Kitchen and dining area. If you cook, confirm there are complete utensils, refrigeration and opening hours for use.
5. Parking. If you arrive by car, make sure it is private and secure.
6. Wi-Fi. Ask whether it covers the bedrooms or only the common areas. In mountain areas the signal can be limited.
7. Pet and child policy.
8. Payment and cancellation conditions, and what happens if your dates change.
9. Real, recent photos. Be wary of images that are too generic.
10. Reviews and responsiveness. See how quickly and clearly the host replies.

How much does it cost to stay in Yungay

Rates vary by season, type of accommodation and group size. As a general reference, simple rooms have the lowest prices per night, town hotels tend to sit in a middle range, and accommodation with gardens and complete units offers better value per person when you travel in a group, because you pay for the unit and share it.

As a transparent example, these are the reference prices for a five-night stay (our minimum) in the whole bungalows at Comtury Lodge. They are values in US dollars and they may vary depending on dates and season:

The logic is simple: the price follows the size of the group. Each bungalow is booked as a whole, which is why it is best to choose the smallest one that fits your group. You can try your own numbers in the bungalow finder and see the six bungalows.

Questions worth asking the host

Before confirming any booking, ask:

• What exactly does the rate include (breakfast, use of the kitchen, parking, Wi-Fi)?
• How many beds are there and of what type? Can they be arranged differently?
• Is there heating or are there enough blankets?
• What is the policy on pets and children?
• What happens if it rains or if I change my dates?
• How do I get there and at what time can I check in?
• Are there activities or experiences on site?

What a lodge-style stay in Yungay offers

To give you a concrete picture, this is what the accommodation at Comtury Lodge is like: a group of six independent bungalows of stone and wood inside a botanical garden:

• Beds with warm bedding, a full private bathroom with continuous hot water and a balcony or terrace with a view of the Cordillera Blanca.
• An equipped kitchen and dining room for free use, a barbecue and bonfire area, private and secure parking.
• Botanical gardens, stone paths, a hammock area, a sports field (football and volleyball) and a games room.
• Wi-Fi in designated areas and a pet-friendly policy.
• Yoga, meditation, harvest and Andean cooking experiences, by reservation and open to the public.

If you would like to see the detail, visit the stay page and the facilities page.

Common mistakes when choosing accommodation in Yungay

• Booking without confirming the hot water or the warmth. They can change how well you rest.
• Underestimating the altitude. Plan a quiet night before the high excursions.
• Choosing by photo without knowing the location. Ask about real distances to the square and to the departure points.
• Not mentioning pets or children. Avoid misunderstandings.
• Arriving without cash. In a small town there are not always cash machines nearby, nor card payments everywhere.
• Not confirming the payment method and the cancellation policy.

Seasons and when to book

Demand in the Callejón de Huaylas rises with the dry season, from May to September, and peaks in July, August and during the long Peruvian holidays: Holy Week, Fiestas Patrias and the year-end holidays. At those times it is wise to book several weeks in advance, especially if you travel in a group and need several bedrooms in the same place. In the rainy months, from October to April, there is more availability and sometimes better conditions, although afternoons often cloud over.

A practical rule: if your trip falls on a public holiday or in the middle of July and August, book a month or more ahead; if you travel midweek or in May and September, about two weeks is usually enough. If you need a large unit, for eight people or more, always plan ahead, because there are few in each area.

How the booking process works and what to expect on arrival day

A clear booking process is a sign of good accommodation. At Comtury Lodge it works like this: you write to us through the form or on WhatsApp with your dates and the number of guests, we recommend the right bungalow, we confirm availability and the final rate, and we agree on the payment method and the conditions. Before you arrive we ask for an estimated arrival time, so that we can welcome you without rushing.

On the day of arrival, the ideal is to check in unhurriedly, walk around the garden, find the kitchen, the dining room and the common areas, and make sure everything is as you expected. If you arrive after a night journey and need to rest, let us know so that we can arrange a flexible check-in. If you come with a pet, tell us so that we can show you the areas where it can walk.

Services worth keeping in mind

Besides the room itself, there are details that make a difference on a mountain trip:

• Laundry or a way to dry clothes: after a day of trekking, you will be glad to have dry clothes in place of damp ones.
• Breakfast or your own kitchen: if you leave early for an excursion, being able to prepare your own breakfast or pack a lunch to suit you is very practical.
• Local information: a host who guides you on transport, timetables and weather conditions saves time.
• Places to relax: a lounge, hammocks or a garden let you rest without leaving the accommodation.
• Activities on site: yoga, meditation, harvest or Andean cooking offer plans for rest days. See our experiences.

Frequently asked questions about accommodation in Yungay

Is it better to stay in Yungay or in Huaraz?

If you put Llanganuco, the Campo Santo and calm first, Yungay. If you want a variety of restaurants, agencies and nightlife, Huaraz. Many travellers combine both.

How much does accommodation in Yungay cost?

It depends on the type and the season. In the whole bungalows at Comtury Lodge, the reference price for five nights runs from US$ 344 for two guests to US$ 3,091 for 16 or more.

Is there pet-friendly accommodation in Yungay?

Yes. Pets are welcome at Comtury Lodge; tell us when you book so that we can welcome you better.

Can I cook in the accommodation?

At Comtury Lodge the equipped kitchen and the dining room are for guests to use freely, and there is also a barbecue and bonfire area. At other places it is worth asking.

How do I book?

You can write to us through the form or on WhatsApp at +51 943 529 322 with your dates and number of guests. We will confirm availability and the rate.

Is there parking?

Yes, at Comtury Lodge it is private and secure within the property.

Can a large group stay, or can I hold a retreat?

Yes. For 16 people or more we have eight bedrooms, thirteen beds and eight full bathrooms, as well as a meeting room, a dining room and green areas.

Conclusion

The best accommodation in Yungay is the one that fits your group, your budget and the rhythm you are looking for. If you travel with family or friends, a whole bungalow with a kitchen and a garden gives you freedom and good value per person; if you travel alone, a simple room near the square may be enough. If you would like us to help you choose, tell us how many of you there are and how many nights, and we will recommend the right bungalow, either from the finder or by writing to us at +51 943 529 322. We look forward to welcoming you at Jirón 2 de Mayo 1019, Yungay.