Huánuco, Regional capital in Central Highlands, Peru.
Huánuco is a regional capital in the central highlands of Peru, located along the Huallaga River at an elevation of 1,913 meters (6,276 feet). The climate remains moderate throughout the year, with daytime temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) and cooler nights between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius (50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit).
Spanish colonizers founded León de Los Caballeros de Huánuco in 1539 at a different location. The settlement was later moved 80 kilometers (50 miles) away because the original conditions proved too difficult.
Devotion to the Lord of Burgos brings believers from across the region every October, filling the streets with processions and celebrations. Catholic traditions merge with local customs during this event, transforming the city for several days.
The compact downtown is easy to explore on foot, with motorcycle taxis and regular cabs available for longer distances. Daily flights connect the city to Lima, making travel from the capital straightforward.
The nearby Kotosh site holds a temple with mud reliefs of crossed hands over 4,000 years old. These sculptures rank among the oldest religious depictions in all of the Americas, offering insight into early ceremonial practices.
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