The territory of Abancay was inhabited long before the Inca expansion. It was founded as a Spanish colonial city in 1574 by Ruiz de Estrada, under the name Amancay (or Villa de Santiago de los Reyes). The origin of its name comes from the adaptation of the word Amankay, a flower native to the region. During the colonial era, it was an important commercial exchange center due to its location between the highlands and the coast. The city was also the scene of the uprising led by Micaela Bastidas and her husband Túpac Amaru II in 1781, who sought to free Peru from Spanish rule, though they were unsuccessful; nevertheless, they would go down in history as predecessors of the American Independence movement. For a long time, Abancay was part of the Department of Cusco until the creation of the Department of Apurímac in 1873. During the Republican era, it achieved the status of a city. Due to the influx of foreign families and people from different parts of Peru, the city developed an urban, social, and cultural diversity, making it a modern metropolis in continuous growth. Today, Abancay is one of the most populated cities in the Apurímac region.
Climate in Abancay
Abancay has a temperate highland climate with well-defined dry and rainy seasons, typical of the southern Peruvian Andes. The annual average temperature ranges from about 15 °C to 19 °C, with daily highs around 22 – 24 °C and lows that can drop to approximately 8 – 12 °C, depending on the time of year and local altitude.
Hotels in Abancay
◈ Siball Hotel
Address: Av. Arenas 161, Abancay 03001, Peru.
Services: Free Wi-Fi, restaurant and bar, 24-hour reception, free parking, terrace, elevator, tourist assistance, rooms with cable TV, private bathroom, and desk.
Approximate price per night: ~S/ 110 – S/ 120
◈ El Peregrino Apart Hotel Abancay
Address: Jr. Andrés Avelino Cáceres 390, Abancay 03001, Peru.
Services: Apartment-style rooms with Wi-Fi, reception, more spacious than conventional hotel rooms — ideal for families or longer stays.
Approximate price per night: Between S/ 150 – S/ 180
◈ Hotel Turistas de Abancay
Address: Av. Díaz Bárcenas 500, Abancay 03001, Peru.
Services: Wi-Fi, buffet breakfast included, cable TV, private bathroom with hot water, reception, room service, in-room safes, wood-floor rooms, and currency exchange.
Approximate price per night: ~S/ 230 – S/ 250 depending on room type
Typical dishes of Abancay
◈ Pachamanca: Ancient preparation in which meats (lamb, pork, chicken or guinea pig), tubers, and vegetables are cooked underground with hot stones, giving a smoky and traditional Andean flavor.
◈ Tallarines de casa: Homemade noodles often served with stewed chicken or pepian de cuy — an emblematic local dish.
◈ Chicharrones de chancho: Fried pork in its own fat until crispy on the outside and juicy inside, served with mote, potatoes, or corn and chili.
◈ Cuy chactado and pepián de cuy: Guinea pig preparations — cuy chactado fried and seasoned, and pepián de cuy in a thick sauce with Andean spices and peanuts.
◈ Cuy relleno: Guinea pig stuffed with aromatic herbs and spices, served with golden potatoes and toasted corn.
◈ Kapchi de chuño (Qapchi): Dish made with chuño (dehydrated potato), cheese, egg, and huacatay, often served with homemade noodles.
Restaurants in Abancay
➤ TONALLI RESTAURANTE
Address: Av. Huayna Cápac, Abancay 03001, Peru.
Services: Well-rated restaurant with a variety of dishes, family-friendly atmosphere and attentive service (great for lunch or dinner).
➤ Orégano Carnes y Parrillas
Address: Jr. Las Retamas, Urbanización Villa Gloria, Abancay.
Services: Grilled meats and parrilla dishes; hearty plates with average price ~S/ 40–S/ 60 per person.
➤ MATÍAS Carnes y Parrillas
Address: Av. Arenas, Abancay 03001, Peru.
Services: Informal grill restaurant known for grilled meats and local favorites.
➤ Los Balcones de Pachachaca
Address: Puente Pachachaca, Abancay 03001, Peru.
Services: Family-oriented restaurant with regional dishes and scenic views near the river.
➤ Miraflores Restaurant Abancay
Address: Calle 14 de Setiembre, Abancay.
Services: Well-rated for friendly service and local flavors.
➤ TIKA’S LOUNGE BAR
Address: Central Abancay, Peru.
Services: Restaurant-bar with excellent reviews, ideal for relaxed dinners and social gatherings.
Places to visit in Abancay
🌳 Santuario Nacional de Ampay
Protected natural area with forests, Andean wildlife, beautiful lagoons, and great hiking and ecotourism opportunities.
🏛️ Plaza de Armas of Abancay
The city’s main square — a perfect starting point to explore the center and enjoy local life.
🪨 Monolito Saywite
Large carved rock featuring animal and plant motifs, an archaeological testimony of ancient cultures.
🌉 Puente Pachachaca
Colonial stone bridge over the Pachachaca River, declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation.
🌄 Mirador Taraccasa (Mirador Capitán Rumi)
Scenic viewpoint overlooking the valley and the Apurímac River Canyon — one of the deepest in the world.
🛖 Museo Arqueológico y Antropológico de Apurímac (Casa Hacienda Illanya)
Archaeological and cultural museum in a restored hacienda with significant local artifacts.
🗿 Usnu Muqu
Archaeological Inca site near Tamburco featuring ceremonial platforms.
How to get to Abancay
One of the common ways to reach Abancay from Cusco is by bus, covering a distance of about 192 km (about 119 miles) which takes around 5 hours by bus.
How to get around in Abancay
🚍 Public transport (combis and microbuses)
Small shared vehicles that connect different parts of the city — the most affordable option.
🚕 Taxis
Widely used for point-to-point travel with greater comfort and speed.
🛵 Mototaxis
Found in peripheral or narrow streets where larger vehicles don’t go.
🚶♂️ Walking
The city center is compact and many attractions and restaurants are easily walkable.
Things you can buy in Abancay
🧵 Andean textiles and weavings
🎨 Ceramic crafts
💍 Artisan jewelry
🍬 Traditional sweets
🎁 Decorative souvenirs