TOURIST INFORMATION
PIURA |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location: The
department of Piura is located on the coast, in the northern
region of the country.
Area:
35 892 km2
Capital: Piura
Altitude:
29 m.a.s.l.
Average
annual temperature: 24º C (maximum 35,2º
C and minimum 16º C). The rainy season runs from
January through April. |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
Lima-Piura (1 035 km) on the Pan-American highway. The
trips takes about 16h drive.
By
air: Daily flights from Lima with stopovers in
the cities of Chiclayo and Trujillo (about 1 h 15 min).
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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The most important culture that developed
in the Piura region was Vicus, which stood out for its
ceramics and delicate work in gold. In 1 532 Francisco
Pizarro founded the first Spanish city, in the Valley
of Tangarará, on the banks of the Chira river,
and named it San Miguel de Piura.
Later, in 1 534 the capital was moved to Monte de los
Padres (Morropón), and again to San Francisco de
la Buena Esperanza (Paita) in 1 578. The permanent attacks
of the English pirates and corsairs forced a final relocation
of the city to its actual location in 1 588. On January
4TH, 1 821, the independence of Piura was proclaimed in
the Church of San Francisco. |
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| ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF PUCALLPA |
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The Cathedral
Calle Huancavelica 362.
Visits: Monday to Friday 7:00-8:00 and 19:00-20:00, Saturday
and Sunday 8:00-12:00.
The Cathedral dates back to Colonial times and houses
paintings representing Saint Martín de Porres and
the Virgin Mary by Ignacio Merino. The main altar is covered
in gold leaf. The construction of the main church which
is known today as the Cathedral began in 1 586 next to
the Main Square. This temple has sustained several reconstructions
in different times.
Church
of San Francisco
Calle Lima block 6.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-9:00 and 17:30-19:00.
The oldest church in the city. Here the independence of
this department was proclaimed on January 4th, 1 821.
Almirante Miguel Grau
House Museum
Jr. Tacna 662, Piura. Phone: (074) 32-6541 / 33-1961.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00.
This is where the most remarkable Peruvian Navy hero was
born.
Church of El
Carmen
Jr. La Libertad facing plazuela Merino.
Visits: during Mass hours.
This church dates back to the eighteenth century, at present,
it has been conditioned as Religious Art Museum. This
building was declared National Historical Monument in
1 974.
The Peace Dove
Civic Center of Piura facing the Main Square.
Erected in 1 982 by sculptor Víctor Delfín,
a native of Piura. |
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| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY |
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Chulucanas
Located 60 km east of Piura and about 45 minutes drive,
this lively and warm city is known as The guitar of Piura.
Land of golden lemons, leafy mango trees and the best
chicherías in the northern region, its clay pottery
is typical.
Catacaos
At 12 km and about 20 minutes drive from Piura. This is
a typical town with deeply rooted customs. It stands out
for its straw work, cotton handicrafts and, primarily
for its gold and silver filigree work. The city is also
noted for its excellent traditional picanterías.
Archaeological Remains
of Narihualá
Located 5 km south of Catacaos, about 10 minutes drive.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-18:00.
Narihualá is considered the capital of the Tallán
Nation and is the most important architectural evidence
of a great monument both for its size and the prominent
platforms of the two pyramids.
Los Ejidos National Tourist Center
Located 1 km from downtown, about 15 minutes drive.
Visits: Saturday and Sunday 8:00-18:00.
Riverside zone where the richness of the flora and fauna
invites visitors to boating, water sports and hiking.
Sullana
At 38 km and about 45 minutes drive from the city of Piura.
The main attractions of this warm-weather province are
the Chira river and its valley, ideal spots to practice
some water sports such as motorboating or boating. The
palm trees of Marcavelica, the rice fields that get lost
in the horizon and the lemon plantations, form the landscape
of the fertile valley of Chira. In the heart of this huge
garden there lies Sullana, the capital of this province
known as The Pearl of Chira.
Paita
Located 57 km west of Piura and some 30 minutes drive,
this is a bay with a wide beach and resorts such as: Colán,
Esmeralda and Yacila. The port of Paita has an excellent
fishing complex. Paita has been one of the main Peruvian
ports throughout history.
Sechura
Located 55 km and 1 h drive from Piura. Important for
its bay and Parachique fishing center, as well as for
the exploitation of phosphate and the Trans-Andean Pipeline
that discharges into Bayóvar. The 5 240 km2-long
Sechura desert, the largest in Peru, can be seen from
this area. The most important historical monument in this
city is the Church of San Martín de Tours which
was blessed on May 30th, 1 778. Its 13th m high and 8
m wide main altar dates from the eighteenth century, and
was declared a National Historical Monument on October
15th, 1 945. Under this temple there is a crypt containing
the remains of parish priests and noted personalities
of Sechura.
Laguna
Ramón
Located 45 km and about 45 minutes drive from Piura, this
is a natural reservoir of the Piura river, with very picturesque
and attractive landscapes.
Las
Huaringas
Located in the highlands of the province of Huancabamba
(1 953 m.a.s.l.), 214 km and some 4-5 h drive from Piura.
The trip is by car up to Guar Guar (2 h 50 minutes) and,
later, on mule or on foot (2 h 50 minutes). These are
a series of lagoons with mineral, medicinal waters. Las
Huaringas (meaning the Inca’s water or lagoon) is
considered the capital of Peruvian witchcraft. Traditional
medicine is nurtured by the sacred waters of these lagoons.
Huancabamba, the ultimate magical region is one of the
most important places for esoteric tourism.
Archaeological
Zone of Vicus
Located 56 km southeast of Piura and about one hour’s
drive. Vicus was one of the most ancient cultures of the
Peruvian coastline which stands out for its delicate work
in gold and stylized-line ceramics.
Cerro
Amotape National Park
Located a few kilometers and about 10 minutes drive from
the city of Talara. The park has an extension of 75 thousand
ha and is located on the left bank of the Chira river
in the southern direction. There is a large variety of
flora and fauna.
San
Pedro Lagoon
This 20 km-long lagoon is located 55 km and about 25 minutes
drive from Piura. Its attraction lies in its inlets and
the proliferation of pink flamingos and herons.
San Pablo Lagoon
Located 50 km from Piura, this lagoon is 20 km long and
100 m wide, with fine, medium sand.
Colán
Beach
Located 74 km and about 45 minutes’ drive from Piura,
Colán is the name given by locals to Esmeralda
Beach. The resort is a beautiful spot with the necessary
infrastructure to enjoy the most pleasant vacations. Colán
also features the Church of San Lucas de Colán
built by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century.
Máncora
Located in Talara, 238 km and 1 h drive from Piura. It
has beautiful beaches such as las Pocitas, a wide, semi-circular
beach with tranquil waters. The name is taken from the
pools formed when the tide is low. |
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| OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST |
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| Yacila Beach, Matacaballo Beach, Cangrejos
Beach, Parachique Cove, Chulliyache Cove, Cabo Blanco,
Punta Balcones, among others. |
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| FOLKLORE |
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| Characterized by the presence of folk medicine,
an activity performed with healing and future prediction
purposes, and tondero, the ultimate expression of Piura’s
folklore. |
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| HANDICRAFTS |
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| Catacaos stands out for its filigree work
in gold and silver. Chulucanas is famous for its handicrafts
and ceramics of La Encantada; Santo Domingo is reputed
for its straw hat work; Talara is known for its floral
arrangements with marine remains. Waist looms, floorcloths,
knapsacks, blankets, ponchos, bags and other items, are
manufactured in Huancabamba. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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Its typical dishes include:
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Seco de chabelo (casserole of cured
meat with kneaded banana). |
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Seco de cabrito con frijoles (casserole based
on tender kid, marinated in chicha de jora and vinegar
and beans seasoned with onion and garlic). |
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Cebiche (fish filet cut in chunks and marinated
in lemon juice and chili). |
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Majado de yuca con chicharrón (cooked cassava
crushed with chili and served with pork cracklings). |
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Chifles (Banana chips). |
The
typical dessert of Piura is the natilla (custard).
The traditional drink is the chicha de jora, (a
drink based on boiled maize fermented in mud pitchers).
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| FESTIVITIES |
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The International
Epiphany Fair (January)
Peruvian-Ecuadorean Artistic and Trade Fair.
Feast of Our Lady of las Mercedes (September)
A festivity that gathers a large number of faithful who
go on a pilgrimage to the Basilica de La Merced.
Piura’s Jubilee Week
(October)
Featuring fairs, performances, artworks, and social and
cultural events.
The
Feast of the Captive Lord (October)
A very important feast featuring pilgrims that come on
foot and others on their knees, showing their great devotion
to the Lord. This feast lasts more than 20 days. |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Carlos Concha Iberico.
Av. Corpac s/n, Piura.
Phone: (074) 34-4503 / 34-4997.
Aeropuerto de Talara
Talara Alta.
Phone: (074) 38-1604 / 38-1663.
Land
Transport
There is no land terminal, however, most land transportation
companies are located between blocks 10 and 13 of Sanchez
Cerro Avenue.
Health
Centers
Piura
Hospital Reátegui.
Av. Grau 1150.
Phone: (074) 33-1157.
24 hour service.
Hospital Cayetano Heredia
Av Independencia s/n, Castilla.
Phone: (074) 34-2648.
24 hour service.
Police
Stations
Comisaría de Piura
Av. Sanchez Cerro cdra. 12.
Phone: (074) 30-7641.
24 hour service.
Comisaría San Martín
Prolongación Av. Grau, San Martín.
Phone: (074) 36-1197.
24 hour service.
Handicrafts
Markets
Calle Comercio
Catacaos, Piura.
La Encantada
Chulucanas, Morropón.
Post
Office
Piura
Calle Ayacucho.
Phone: (074) 32-7031.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-16:00.
Sullana
Calle San Martín 778.
Phone: (074) 50-2143.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-19:30, Sun: 8:00-13:00.
Paita
Jr. Bolívar 126.
Phone: (074) 61-1016.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-16:00. |
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