One can find a lot to do in Ayacucho. For tourists that means discovering new foods, historical sites, and pretty great deals when shopping! Enjoy reading about some of the top picks:
Sightseeing in Ayacucho – museums and historical buildings
Ayacucho has many sites to visit, including museums, buildings and scenery. Some churches are available to tour in the late afternoons at no cost. Most museums are available for tours for an entrance fee of two to three soles. As a reference point, 1 US dollar is about 2.78 soles. I generally gauge the costs of things by dividing it by three to know the approximate cost in dollars.
The official Tourist Information and Assistance Office of Ayacucho can be a great place to collect maps and decide what you would like to visit. The office is located in the Plaza de Armas on Portal Municipal 45 (Municipalidad Huamanga). Office hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00 am- 6:00 pm, and on Sunday from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.
The iPeru tourist office recommends taking tours with the agencies listed on their handouts as being official companies that comply with what they have included in the tours. There are various tour agencies that offer tours for about four hours, taking you to a number of the "must-see" sites. Many of these agencies are located on Jr. Lima and Jr. 9 de Diciembre. The half-day tour is around 20 to 30 soles per person, and usually includes sites of Casa Castilla y Zamora, Casa Velarde Alvarez (Centro Cultural UNSCH), Casa Boza y Solís (Gobernación de Ayacucho), Basílica Catedral, the artisan area in Santa Ana, the Mirador, the Arquelogical Museum, and either the Santa Teresa temple and monastery, or Casa Vivanco (Museo Andrés A. Cárceres).
However, if you feel like doing some tours on your own, some top sites recommended by the tourist office are: Casa Vivanco (Museo Andrés A. Cárceres), the Museum of Popular Art, Archaeological Museum, and especially the Museo de la Memoria (Prolong Jr. Libertad).
Some tourism agencies also offer day trips to Quinoa and the Wari ruins for between 30 to 40 soles per person, and tours to the town of Huanta for about 40 soles per person. Lunch is sometimes included in these prices.
The famous "Arco de Triunfo" is located on the corner of Jr. 28 de Julio and Jr. Carlos F. Vivanco. It was built in 1924 to commemorate Peru's freedom from Spain in a battle won nearby.
The Mirador is a great place to visit for a panoramic view of the city of Ayacucho.
Shopping in Ayacucho – the Excarcel and grocery stores
The best place to shop for gifts and souvenirs is in what is known as the "excarcel." It actually means "ex-prison," as it was a prison in the past. It has now been converted into the most popular and well-priced artisan market, each cell being a different store. It is walking distance from the Plaza de Armas, or a short taxi ride away. Many of the items sold here are only made in Ayacucho. Take a walk around the two big buildings, first to get an idea of what you like and what prices to expect, then another round to make your deals. Prices are negotiable. If you buy a number of items at one place then you can probably get an even better deal.
For grocery shopping, stores with an abundance of North American-type foods are located on Jr. Asemblea and Jr. 28 de Julio.
Food in Ayacucho – "menu", snacks and fine dining
Ayacucho is known for its variety of delicious food. And, this being a favourite topic of mine, here is a list of some of the top picks of places to dine in Ayacucho.
Menu – In any number of small restaurants, a lunch menu called "menu" is a very affordable and flavorful meal. It is not specific to a type of food, rather, it includes whatever is cooked in large quantities that day, and therefore served at a relatively inexpensive price. "Menu" usually includes a type of soup, a main dish, a drink and sometimes a dessert for around three to five soles per person. I would recommend avoiding uncooked, raw fruits and vegetables at these establishments. Most restaurants serving "menu" will have a sign posted at the entrance with the list of the "menu". Although there are various locations that serve "menu", in the city centre there are a number on Jr. Lima and Jr. 9 de Diciembre.
Snacks and refreshments – for a refreshing drink, coffee or something sweet you may like the following:
- Sandra's: This is a clean refreshment place located on Jr. 28 de Julio. They can make a thirst-quenching drink out of practically any type of fruit grown in Peru. If you are hungry, try a fresh sandwich, such as an avocado and chicken sandwich.
- New York Cafe: For coffee lovers, enjoy your brew here in a beautiful courtyard. The cafe is located across the street from Sandra's inside the entrance to Centro Turistico Cultural San Cristobal.
- La Miel: For those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, La Miel offers a variety of fancy drinks, ice cream and cakes. It is located in the Plaza de Armas on Portal Constitución 11-12.
Fine Dining – for more elegant and fine dining you may like to try:
- Nino: This restaurant is open in the later afternoon and evening, and specializes in pastas and a number of Peruvian dishes, including "antecucho de corazon" (tasty pieces of marinated cow heart), and "pollo a la braza" (rotisserie-style chicken). Prices are reasonable, especially for the typical Peruvian dishes, for around 11-12 soles for a good sized meal. Nino is located at the corner of Jr. María Parado de Bellido and Jr. 9 de Diciembre.
- Restaurant in the Ayacucho Hotel Plaza, located at the corner across from restaurant Nino. The restaurant attached to the hotel offers a fine dining ambiance. It is a bit pricier per meal than some other restaurants, but is still well worth the price. For instance, two people can dine and have drinks for around 100 soles, approximately 36 US dollars. They also offer "menu" at lunch for 18 soles per person.
- Antonino: For some gourmet Italian-style pizza, this is an indulgence. Antonino is located on Jr. Cusco and is open in the evenings.
Ayacucho is relaxing town in comparison to the Peruvian tourist hot spots that many seek. If you decide to visit, great food, culture, sites and shopping are awaiting you!
The article "Ayacucho - Peru's New Tourist Destination" provides more information on the history of Ayacucho and how to get there. For detailed information on the museums, see the article "Touring the Museums of Ayacucho, Peru".
Sources:
- Insight Guides, Peru, 5th ed., (Apa Publications GmbH & Co. Verlag KG, Singapore branch, 2008), 206.
- iPeru Tourist Information and Assistance
- Sonia Salvatierra and Jhoely Chipaua Cuadros, Ayacucho official Tourist Information and Assistance office. Interviewed by author. June 12, 2011.
Brandy Pearce - As a seasoned traveler, dental professional, educator and jewelry designer, Brandy's articles are insightful, interesting, and full of ...
