Volunteering in Huarez vs Huancayo in Peru in early April?
 

Thanks so much for your help!

My family (with kids under ten) is going to tour around Peru and then volunteer for two weeks. We are considering two places (Huarez and Huancayo) where we can teach english, teach sports, etc.

I don't know anything about either of these cities. Of course, safety is a priority. In addition to that, does anyone have any thoughts on which would be a better place, have better weather (less rain) or anything else for that matter. Would either place be considered unsafe? We expect to be there the first two weeks in April of 2011 (just a few weeks from now) and need to confirm soon.

I really appreciate it!

www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/peru/huaraz/28825

Lodgings Caroline or Hostel Los Alpes best Huaraz

prettiest least dodgy though many scammers both places.

best to set up everything when you get there for cheapest

best ops....always pay with CC never wire money and

insuremytrip.com for strikes cancellation weather theft

many issues but a wonderful country if careful.

Legit volunteering ops from under $100/week

never pay big sums to "volunteer" always a scam.

www.saexplorers.org best insider info.

Have fun,

www.spirit.com usually find my cheapest flights down

FLL LIM usually save A TONNE!

travel.state.gov Peru always wise to review for a heads up

www.ninoshotel.com

one of the best ops in a nice area

around Cusco might be best for families.

Nice lodging too...

Thanks, Qwovadis. We are in discussions with someone in Huaraz who needs general help in the schools, buildings, etc. There is no fee involved. I just want to be sure it is a safe enough place o be and would love a little information on what that city is like. Thank you!!

Both places are fine and safe with the reasonable precautions you take when you travel anywhere in a developing country. But I think they have a very different feel from each other.

Huaraz is the adventure-tourism center of Peru. People come there from all over the world to climb the nearby mountain peaks, to go trekking, to go rafting. April is the off season for all that, so there won't be as much tourist activity. Still, Huaraz seems a little bit more cosmopolitan because of the international visitors.

Huancayo is more remote and much more traditional. It's a center of artisan work and is surrounded by indigenous villages. It draws a lot of visitors who go to Peru to do exactly what you are doing ... kind of the whole people-to-people type of tourism.

Jeff - Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you!