Huancavelica is a city in central Peru, located in the central Andes. It is known for its rich mining history and for being the place of origin of quinoa, an Andean plant that is considered a “superfood” due to its nutritional properties.
The city is famous for its silver mines, which date back to Inca times and were exploited by the Spanish during the colony. One of the main tourist attractions in Huancavelica is the Huancavelica silver mine, which is considered one of the main silver deposits in the world.
Another tourist attraction is the colonial city of Huancavelica, which has a large number of historical buildings and monuments, such as the Iglesia de la Merced, built in the 16th century.
The city is also known for its rich culture and traditions, and is home to several traditional festivals, such as the Quinoa Festival, which celebrates the harvest of this Andean plant.
In addition, Huancavelica is a popular place for hiking and adventure tourism, with several trails that lead to Inca ruins and the Andes.
In short, Huancavelica is a lesser-known tourist destination but just as interesting as Cuzco, offering a wealth of mining history and cultural traditions, as well as outdoor activities and the chance to learn more about quinoa and its importance in Andean culture.
In addition to the tourist attractions mentioned above, Huancavelica also offers a wide variety of accommodation and gastronomy options. Although the offer is smaller compared to Cuzco, there are some hotels and hostels with good reviews and local restaurants that offer typical food from the region.
The gastronomy of Huancavelica is essentially Andean and has a great variety of unique dishes. Some popular dishes include trout ceviche, meat seco, lomo saltado and chuchitos, a kind of tamale made with corn dough and stuffed with meat or potatoes.
The city is also a place to buy handicrafts and souvenirs, although the offer is reduced compared to other cities, you can find ceramics, wool, silver and other handmade materials.
In general, Huancavelica is a less visited tourist destination but just as interesting as Cuzco, offering a great variety of history, culture and outdoor activities. It is a place worth visiting for anyone interested in mining history, Andean culture, and nature.