TOURIST INFORMATION
MOQUEGUA |
| GENERAL DATA |
|
| |
Location:
The department of Moquegua is situated on Peru’s
southern coast.
Area:
16 164 km2
Capital:
Moquegua
Altitude:
1 410 m.a.s.l.
Average
annual temperature: 22º C (25º C maximum,
17º C minimum). Rainy Season runs through January
and February. |
| |
| ACCESS ROUTES |
|
| |
By land:
Lima-Moquegua (1 144 km) along the South Pan-American
Highway, about 16 h by car.
Arequipa-Moquegua (227 km) along the South Pan-American
Highway, about 3 h by car.
Tacna-Moquegua (159 km) along the South Pan-American Highway,
about 1 ½ h by car. |
| |
| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
|
| |
Moquegua, previously the town of Santa Catalina
de Guadalcazar, is located in the widest part of the valley,
in a volcanic region by the Huaynaputina, Ticsani and
Ubinas mountains.
Archaeological investigations clearly indicate that Moquegua
always had close ties with the high Lake Titicana plateau,
with the Pucata and Tiahuanaco culture in the Early and
Middle periods, respectively, and the ethnic groups Colla
and Lupaca in the Late period.
Time stands still for this city, which the Spaniards founded
and named Moquegua towards the end of the colony. Its
foundation and Santa Catalina Day are celebrated on November
25th each year.
Farming was the main activity, particularly fruit trees
and vineyards. Its wines and liqueurs acquired fame and
were exported to Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. Wine and
pisco of an excellent quality are still produced in this
area.
Mining is currently the main economic activity. |
| |
| ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF MOQUEGUA |
|
| |
Plaza de Armas
- Main Square
The fountain in this square was designed by Eiffel, the
French engineer, and built in France.
Santo
Domingo Church
Jr. Ayacucho block 6.
Phone: (054) 76-2011.
A large, well-kept church with a single nave and two carved
altarpieces. The image of Santa Fortunata, a virgin and
martyr from the first centuries of Christianity who is
said to have performed many miracles, is worshipped in
this temple.
Contisuyo
Museum
Calle Tacna 294, Moquegua.
Phone: (054) 76-1844.
Visits: Monday to Saturday, 8:00-13:00 and 15:00-20:00.
Contains a display of archaeological remains of the Puquina
and Uros cultures, and a chronological explanation of
the different cultures that settled in this area. |
| |
| OTHER ATTRACTIONS |
|
| |
| Alayza House, the remains of the Perpetual
Councilman, among others. |
| |
| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY |
|
| |
Samegua
Referred to as the avocado territory because of the good
quality of avocados produced there. The best tourist restaurants
serving typical food are located in this area.
Torata
24 km from Moquegua, about 45 minutes by car. This is
a picturesque district in which village houses have traditional
ridged roofs. Prominent are the parish church, the stone
windmills from the viceroyal period, an Inca administrative
center called Sabaya, and Camata, known as the Machu Picchu
of Moquegua.
Mount
Baúl
18 km northeast of Moquegua, about 25 minutes by car,
is an impressive geological formation. The area around
the top of the mountain appears to have been cut perpendicularly
and curiously resembles the type of chest or trunk that
was used all over Peru in the old days and is still popular
in the highlands.
Ilo
An industrial and tourist port in southern Peru, located
90 k. from Moquegua, about 1 h by car. The main points
of interest are La Glorieta, Punta Coles, Los Olivares
and El Puerto.
Omate
Known as Villa de Omate, this town is situated 140 km
northwest of Moquegua, about 4 h by car. The town is situated
in the midst of orchards and vineyards, where wine and
pisco are produced. It is now considered the most important
fruit producing center. The main attractions in this town
are the Viceroyal Church, the Quinistacas Sanctuary, the
Ulucan thermal baths and the Tambo river. |
| |
| OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST |
|
| |
| Puente Bello and Putina (San Cristóbal),
Ichuña and Tolapalca (Ichuña) thermal baths. |
| |
| GASTRONOMY |
|
| |
Typical dishes:
| - |
La Patasca Moqueguana or tripe soup
(tripe soup with corn, spearmint and giblets). |
| - |
Picante de cuy (guinea pig stew cooked in a peanut
and red chili sauce). |
| - |
Chupe de camarones (Shrimp chowder with milk,
eggs and oregano). |
Typical
desserts and sweets include manjar blanco (blancmange),
cakes and sweet pastries like alfajor de penco,
corn cakes, guargueros, oquendos, alfajores.
Traditional beverages: |
| - |
Damson liqueur, leche de monja (nun’s milk),
three-fig chimbago, wine, pisco, anise-flavored
liqueur, cognac, fruit liqueurs. |
|
| |
| FESTIVITIES |
|
| |
Santa Fortunata
Festival (October)
An important regional religious festival celebrated
on October 14th. The faithful from different areas come
to this town to join the Procession of the Image of
the Virgin and Martyr, St. Fortunata. Other activities
also take place, such as fairs, artistic, cultural and
recreational events, etc.
Moquegua Tourism Week (November)
The main festival for the department, when various spectacles
are held at the same time. Recreational opportunities
for locals and visitors include fairs, typical dances,
competitions of typical dishes and beverages. |
| |
| SERVICES |
|
| |
Airport
Ilo International Airport
Pampa de Palo (South Coastal Highway).
Phone: (054) 79-5021.
Land
Transport
Mariscal Nieto
Av. La Paz Terminal, blocks 2 and 3, Moquegua.
Open: Monday to Sunday 6:00-21:00.
Ilo
Pampa de Palo (South Coastal Highway).
24 hour service
Health
Centers
Mariscal Nieto
Moquegua. Referential Center
Av. Bolívar s/n, Moquegua.
Phone: (054) 76-2410.
24 hour service
San Francisco Health Center
Calle Daniel Becerra Ocampo s/n, Moquegua.
Phone: (054) 76-1916.
24 hour service
Ilo
Miramar Health Center
Jr. Pacífico s/n.
24 hour service
Police
Stations
Moquegua Police Station
Calle Ayacucho 808.
Phone: (054) 76-1391.
24 hour service
Post
Office
Moquegua
Calle Ayacucho 560, Main Square
Phone: (054) 76-1049 / 76-2551.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Ilo
Av. Mariano Limo Urquieta block 3
Phone (054) 78-1081.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00. |
| |
| |
