Traditional Andean huts, often referred to as chozas andinas, are simple, rustic shelters built from locally available materials such as stones, adobe, and thatched grass roofs. These dwellings are typically found in rural and high-altitude regions of the Andes, where modern infrastructure is limited or absent. The design of these huts reflects centuries-old construction practices adapted to cold mountain climates, with thick walls for insulation and small openings to retain heat. While these huts carry cultural and historical significance, they also represent the economic hardship and marginalization faced by many indigenous communities in remote Andean regions.

Inhabitants of these traditional homes often live in conditions of extreme poverty, lacking access to basic services such as clean water, electricity, healthcare, and formal education. The homes are usually overcrowded and offer little protection against harsh weather conditions. Sanitation infrastructure is frequently nonexistent, and fuel for cooking or heating is limited to firewood or animal dung. Despite these limitations, many families maintain deep ties to their ancestral land, sustaining themselves through subsistence farming and livestock. These huts, while emblematic of cultural resilience, are also a visible sign of systemic neglect and underdevelopment in rural Andean societies.