TOURIST INFORMATION
LAMBAYEQUE |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location:
The department of Lambayeque is located in the northern
part of the country.
Area:
14 213 km2
Capital:
Chiclayo
Altitude:
29 m.a.s.l.
Average
annual temperature: 22º C (maximum 33º
C and minimum 17º C). The rainy season runs from
February through April. |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
Lima - Chiclayo (770 km), about 10 hours’ drive
on the North Pan-American Highway.
By
air: There are daily flights from Lima (about
one hour). |
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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| Numerous pre-Hispanic cultures developed
in the region. In 1 987, a team of archaeologists discovered
the famous royal tombs of Sipán, where important
personages from the Mochica culture were buried. This
culture dominated the region between the first and seventh
Century AD. The area received strong influence from the
peoples from the coastal zone. From the mingling of these
peoples and the Mochicas, the Sicán or Lambayeque
culture was born (approximately between the seventh and
tenth century AD). The origin of Sicán culture
is attributed to Naylamp. Today, Chiclayo is an important
commercial center in northern Peru, the crossroads of
the northern coastal, highland and jungle cities. |
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| ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF CHICLAYO |
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The Cathedral
Located in Chiclayo’s Main Square.
Visits: during Mass hours.
This Neoclassic temple dates from the year 1 869. Its
façade consists of two bodies supported by doric
columms in front of three entrance arches. The interior
consists of three naves featuring the wooden sculpture
of the Poor Christ.
Chiclayo
Town Hall
Calle San José 823.
This elegant, modern building (1 919) cost more than 30
thousand gold pounds. Its style is Republican with large
windows and cast iron doors.
La
Verónica Chapel
Calle Torres Paz 294, Chiclayo.
Visits: during Mass hours.
Built in the late nineteenth century and declared national
historical monument, its main altar and adjacent altarpiece
are gilded in silver and gold leaf.
Plazuela
Elías Aguirre
Corner of calle Elías Aguirre and calle San José.
Peruvian sculptor David Lozano designed this small square
which was built in 1 924 in honor of Commander Elías
Aguirre, a local hero who fought in the Battle of Angamos
(1 879). |
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| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY |
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Lambayeque
12 km from the city of Chiclayo.
Located approximately 10 minutes from Chiclayo, it was
here that the first outcry for independence was heard
on December 27th, 1 820 and this is why this city is
called the Cradle of Liberty in Peru. Lambayeque displays
very well preserved Colonial mansions such as Casa Cúneo
and Casa Descalzi. Casa de la Logia also stands out
for its delicately carved wooden balcony of more than
400 years, considered the longest in Peru (67 m). The
mansion is located at the corner of calle Dos de Mayo
and calle San Martín. Other places of interest
include the San Pedro Church which dates from the sixteenth
century and the Pedro Ruiz Gallo National University
campus.
Brüning National Archaeological
Museum
Av. Huamachuco, seventh block, Lambayeque.
Phone: (074) 28-2110.
Open Mon-Fri: 9:00-17:30.
Located about 10 minutes’ bus ride from Chiclayo,
this is one of the most important museums in the northern
part of the country. It houses the collection of archaeological
objects gathered by German ethnographer Enrique Brüning.
This modern, four-story building houses valuable gold,
silver and copper artifacts from the various cultures
that flourished in the region more than 4 000 thousand
years ago. Its gold room contains one of the most important
collections of gold and silver work, including the pieces
found in the tomb of the Lord of Sipán.
Zaña
Located 46 km south-east of Chiclayo and about one-and-a-half
h bus ride. Here there are the remains of once an opulent
Colonial city founded in 1 563 and which history is
full of anecdotal episodes such as the raid by pirate
Edward Davis, who loothed the city in 1 686.
Monsefú
Located 14 km from Chiclayo and about 15 minutes bus
ride, Monsefú is famous for its prestigious reed
and cotton handicrafts including hats, knapsacks, cloaks
and ponchos. These products are exhibited and sold in
the handicrafts market located in the 2nd and 3rd blocks
of Av. Venezuela.
Pimentel
Located 14 km west of Chiclayo and about 25 minutes
bus ride, this modern and attractive resort offers the
possibility to practice sports activities such as surfing
or Maui surf boarding. Visitors can see ancient fishing
techniques on totora reed rafts known as Caballitos
de Totora (*).
Eten
Located 22,4 km from Chiclayo and about 25 minutes bus
ride, this city is known for its reed weaving. Legend
tells that Baby Jesus appeared on the monstrance of
the Temple of Eten in 1 649.
Ferreñafe
This rice farming city founded by the Spaniards is located
18 km southeast of Chiclayo and about 30 minutes bus
ride. Its attractions include the remarkable old Baroque
Church of Santa Lucía. Here the Sicán
National Archaeological Museum (House of the Moon) is
being built.
Huaca Rajada Archaeological
Complex
Located 35 km southeast of the city of Chiclayo.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-17:00.
The complex is located within the limits of the former
Hacienda Pomalca, 2 km from the town of Sipán
and about 1 h bus ride. Huaca Rajada comprises two huge
pyramids made of adobe mud in front of which there is
a platform which is thought to have contained the royal
mausoleum. The intact remains of an important Mochica
ruler known as the Lord of Sipán were discovered
here in 1 987.
Túcume Archaeological
Complex
Located 1 km east of the town of Túcume, Lambayeque.
Phone: (074) 80-0052.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-17:00.
This complex is located 35 km north of Chiclayo and
2 km from the town of, about 30 minutes drive on public
transportation. The complex comprises 26 pyramids. Their
origin date back to 700 AD and according to the legend,
its founder would be Collac, a descendant from Naylamp.
The Huacas of El Pueblo, La Raya, El Sol and Las Estacas
stand out in the near area. Túcume is also known
as the Valley of Pyramids.
There are programs that allow visitors to enjoy the
archaeological zones as well as nature, folk medicine
and cultural exchange. The community of Túcume
takes an active role in the conservation of its natural
and cultural heritage.
Interactive Tourism Project:
- Archaeology and Nature
in Túcume, a program that allows a
better knowledge of the local culture and its manifestations
such as gastronomy, handicrafts and traditional medicine,
walks and horseback rides to archaeological zones
and the carob-tree woodlands of Batán Grande.
Batán Grande Reserved
Zone
Located 40 km southwest of the city of Chiclayo, Ferreñafe.
About 1 h drive. The reserve covers 46 km2 and comprises
20 pre-Inca structures including, among others, Las
Ventanas (where the Gold Tumi was extracted), La Mayanga,
Lucía, La Merced, Cholope and Rodillona. This
was the site of the Sicán culture (House of the
Moon). |
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| OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST |
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| Caleta Santa Rosa, Caleta de San José,
Huaca Chotuna, Aguila de Oyotún, Petroglyphs of
Cerro Mulato, Pampa Grande, Apurlec, among others. |
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| FOLKLORE |
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Famous for its lively dances, such as Marinera
and Tondero. Folk medicine using herbs and other products,
and magical rites are widely practiced.
Cock fights gather numerous aficionados at family meetings
and festivities. The presentation of experts chalanes
riding gait horses is a traditional scene. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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The typical dishes include:
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Cebiche (fish filet cut in chunks
and marinated in lemon juice, onions and chili). |
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Tortilla de raya (egg omelette made with dried,
soaked ray). |
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Chinguirito (cebiche based on dry and salted guitarfish
flesh). |
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Seco de cabrito con frijoles (casserole based
on tender kid marinated in chicha de jora and vinegar
with beans seasoned with onions and garlic). |
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Arroz con pato a la chiclayana (tender duck meat
cooked in black beer, mint and cilantro). |
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Mala rabia (green banana purée seasoned
with chili, onion, pepper and paprika, and chicha
or vinegar). |
The typical desserts include:
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King-kong (layer-pastry with milk,
pineapple and peanut jam filling). |
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Stuffed dates. |
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Quince jelly. |
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Fig preserves. |
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| FESTIVITIES |
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The Sacred
Cross of Chalpón (February and August)
Very popular religious festivity in northern Peru. The
Cross of Chalpón which appeared in the year 1
868, is venerated in the province of Motupe. Large numbers
of devotees from different places both from Peru and
abroad gather here during the festivity, making it one
of the deepest expressions of religious fervor..
(*) Caballitos de Totora:
Artisanal totora reed rafts from Mochica times used
by fishermen to fish in the sea. Two types of fishing
is practiced: one using bait (individual fishing) and
another using a fishnet (requiring two men). |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Aeropuerto Internacional José Abelardo Quiñones
Gonzales .
Av. Bolognesi s/n
Phone: (074) 23-3192.
24 hour service.
Land Transportation
Chiclayo
Av. Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre, 2nd
block.
24 hour service.
Lambayeque
Av. Leonardo Ortiz and Calle San José.
Open: Monday to Sunday 5:00-0:00.
Health Centers
Chiclayo
Hospital Nacional Almazor Aguinaga Asenjo
Calle Hipólito Unanue 180, Chiclayo.
Phone: (074) 23-7776.
24 hour service.
Lambayeque
Hospital Belén de Lambayeque.
Calle Ramón Castilla 597, Lambayeque.
Phone: (074) 28-1190 / 28-3481.
24 hour service.
Police Stations
Comisaría Chiclayo
Phone: (074) 23-6700 / 23-6237.
24 hour service.
Policía de Turismo
Phone: (074) 23-6700 extension 244.
24 hour service.
Handicrafts Markets
Mercado Modelo de Chiclayo.
Corner of Av. Arica and calle Héroes Civiles.
24 hour service.
Post Offices
Chiclayo
Jr. Elias Aguirre 140.
Phone: (074) 23-7031.
Open: Monday to Saturday 7:45-21:00, Sunday 8:00-15:00.
Lambayeque
Jr. Atahualpa 120.
Phone: (074) 28-2246.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-16:00.
Ferreñafe
Jr. Tacna 570.
Phone: (074) 28-7020.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-16:00.
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