24º C (35,2º C maximum and 16º C minimum). Rainy season:
January to April.
Access Routes
By land
Lima-Piura (1 035 km) on the Pan-American highway. The
trips takes about 16 h drive.
By air
Daily flights from Lima with stopovers in the cities of
Chiclayo and Trujillo (about 1 h 15 min).
Historical Overview
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.
Attractions in the City
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 366 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.
Outskirts of the City
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 southwest from Piura 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 north from Piura 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
small pools (pocitas) formed when the tide is low.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST
Yacila Beach, Matacaballo Beach, Cangrejos Beach,
Parachique Cove, Chulliyache Cove, Cabo Blanco, Punta
Balcones, among others.
Folkore
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.
Handicrafts
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,
Gastronomy
Its typical dishes include: - Seco de chabelo (casserole of cured meat with
kneaded banana). - Seco de cabrito con frijoles (casserole based
on tender kid, marinated in chicha de jora and vinegar
and beans seasoned with onion and garlic).
- Cebiche (fish filet cut in chunks and marinated in
lemon juice and chili).
- Majado de yuca con chicharrón (cooked cassava crushed
with chili and served with pork cracklings). - 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).
Festivities
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.
Services
Airports
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.
Transport By land
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 Reategui.
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
Regional Tourism and Industry Office
Av. Fortunato Chirichigno s/n, Urb.San Eduardo, El
Chipe, Piura.
Phone/fax: (074) 33-4328 / 32-2308.
Phone: (074) 30-6791.
E-mail:
dia@goalsnet.com.pe
tourist information and assistance
Peru features a tourist information and assistance
service called iPerú where visitors can ask about
official tourist information on Peru, as well as
assistance if the tourist feels the service paid for was
not provided as advertised.
E-mail:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe
Lima Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez
Arrival lounge / main hall
Phone/fax: (01) 574-8000 / 574-6900
24-hour service
E-mail:
sptijch@indecopi.gob.pe
San Isidro
Jorge Basadre 610, Lima 27.
Phone: (01) 421-1583 / 421-1227 / 421-1627 / 421-1546.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00
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