Updated in 2022.
All prices listed are in US dollars
Cost of living figures are based on minimum monthly living expenses for one person
A midsized city and the capital of the Junin Department in Peru’s central highlands. Huancayo doesn’t see many tourists compared to other Peruvian cities, such as Lima, Mancora, or Cusco. But is it a “hidden gem?” Let’s find out!
POPULATION: 500,000
WEATHER IN HUANCAYO
Yearly temperatures range from 5°C to 20°C; dry season lasts from April to December.
SAFETY IN HUANCAYO
Huancayo is reasonably safe. Although violent crime is uncommon, petty crime can be an issue. During the day, you should be ok assuming you’re not hanging around dangerous neighborhoods. Try to limit your time walking around at night or, if you must do so, try to travel in a group. Aside from that, you shouldn’t have too many issues here.
MUST DO
There really aren’t any “must-dos” in Huancayo, but you can visit the many villages around the city that specialize in hand-crafted goods.
RENT AN APARTMENT IN HUANCAYO
Set aside a budget of about $450/ to rent a house or apartment here.
If you want to rent an apartment for a short period of time — just to make sure the city is right for you before committing to a longterm apartment contract — we suggest using Airbnb.
COST OF LIVING IN HUANCAYO
Although most locals get by on less, we recommend a budget of at least $1200/month.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN HUANCAYO
Potential job opportunities for expats are hard to come by here.
IS THERE UBER IN HUANCAYO
No, Uber does not operate in Huancayo.
IS HUANCAYO A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE?
While there isn’t anything particularly wrong with Huancayo, it doesn’t offer much of anything unique. For a city of its size, it feels much smaller; overall, there isn’t much going on. This would be fine, but it’s not as though Huancayo is the safest or most charming city around, either.
Admittedly, the surrounding nature is nice, but this alone may not be enough for many expats. We estimate that many expats would be happier in a city such as Cuenca or Arequipa.
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