Planning to visit Piura and do not know where to start? Get know the best things you can do in Piura Peru this 2020.
Piura is a gorgeous city located in northwest Peru and It’s known for having the most beautiful tropical beaches in the country. Nowadays, Piura is a perfect place to relax and get to visit archeological sites as it’s full of these attractions. In this post, we will show you the 8 things you can do in Piura this 2020 for not missing out on a great experience.
This is an old square that stands out for its beauty, colonial-style, and variety of flowers and plants. In the middle, there is a monument of “La Pola”, the oldest in the region, and the Cathedral of Piura, built in colonial times. If you are exploring the city, this is a must-visit place definitely.
Catacaos is an old town built with small houses of cane and is unique in many ways, however, the handicraft market is the highlight of the place. It displays products typical of the region; among them are straw hats and gold and silver filigree jewelry.
The artisan work is made by the peasants and most of the material comes from Cajamarca. Today, many visitors come to buy these products as they have a huge cultural value.
The Aypate Archaeological Complex is located in the rural community of Tacalpo-Ayabaca. It is a high mountain formation at 2,900 meters above sea level. The complex is made up of a group of buildings distributed throughout the area and presents architectural diversity.
For this reason, is considered one of the most important architectural works of the zone. If you are into having ancient cultural experiences, this place will be for you. There are some tour operators that can take you here on a full-day tour as well.
Mancora is one of the top attractions to visit in Peru and therefore receives a large number of tourists every year. Its tropical waters and sunny climate make it ideal to relax at the beach and have a good time. You can also find good waves which make it perfect for practicing surf and other sports.
Also, the nightlife is great here as there are many bars and party hostels all over the place. Making Mancora an attraction mainly visited by young people nowadays.
These lagoons are very famous by the locals for having medicinal properties. Many travelers arrive out of curiosity and others looking for solutions to their illnesses and even love. There are rituals of bathing in the waters of the lagoons performed by the locals who believe in the great power of this natural resource. If you love nature, Las Huarungas Lagoons are the perfect spot with no doubt. It’s a natural destination in Piura worth visiting.
If you are looking to relax by the sea, then you have to visit these beaches. Since Piura has a tropical climate, the beaches here are very famous throughout the country. Due to their crystal waters and a large amount of marine life, people come here to do some outdoor activities and relax.
There are a lot of hotels and restaurants as the zone has developed tourism in the last years. Unlike Mancora, this place is mostly visited by families.
They are a group of at least 240 petroglyphs that are engraved in different stones of different sizes. It is believed that they are between 2,000 and 1,000 years old on average and their origin is related to the culture of the Ayahuancas who settled in the area around that time.
In this place you will enjoy a more cultural experience learning from an ancestral culture that lived hundreds of years ago.
Piura’s cuisine is delicious, part of its tradition, and recognized for its mix of Andean, Spanish, and seafood products, especially the use of fish. There is no doubt Piura has one of the most delicious food throughout the country so do not hesitate to taste as much as you can.
Among the most representative dishes are the ceviche, cabrito a la norteña, Sudado de mariscos, and Seco de Chavelo. Please do not leave Piura without having tried any of these dishes, you will not regret it.
Updated information regarding coronavirus in Peru. Some positive things have come out throughout the last few weeks. Stay informed on the recent events and prepare for your upcoming trip to Peru.
Peru has been one of the countries heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. Even though president Martín Vizcarra has taken strict measures to stop the spread of the virus. It seems that it’s not enough to control the situation. By now, all international borders of the country remain close and tourism can not emerge.
However not everything is bad news, in the last few weeks, the Peruvian government has announced new measures to reactivate the economy of the country. This is a good sign that we are following the right track.
The Peruvian government has already announced free transit through the country. Even so, there are still regions blocked out due to the high rate of coronavirus cases. This includes Arequipa, Junín, Ica, San Martín, Huánuco, Madre de Dios and Áncash.
As a consequence, air and ground transport companies have begun operations within the country. But things are not that easy, they need to follow strict protocols in order to provide a safe service to all their users. This includes less capacity, a better ventilation system, use of mask and face protectors, and more.
Many Peruvians who were stuck have returned with their families. Despite this fact, authorities have not specified whether or not traveling for touristic porpuses is allowed.
Cusco is one of the regions that live clearly from tourism. For this reason, the Cusco regional government has proposed reopening the border as citizens depend on this activity. They expect to resume tourism gradually and start attending local visitors. Later on, allow international travel for some countries in Latin America and so on.
Until proper protocols get established, Cusco won’t be able to receive tourists. Recovering from such a big economic impact will be hard indeed. Authorities only hope the virus can be controlled shortly.
Protocols as social distancing, use of masks, and even face covering are still mandatory. However, the quarantine has finished a few weeks ago. People can freely transit as long as they respect all protocols given by the ministry of health.
It’s important to note that the state of emergency will continue throughout the whole year. Public health authorities will put all their effort to prevent the spread of the virus and try to minimize the impact.
Restaurants can attend public as long as they follow all the protocols established by the Ministry of Health. Delivery service continues to be the favorite among Peruvians. However, people can now enjoy eating out along with their friends or family. Thanks to these measures the food industry has faith in overcoming the situation.
The employment rate is growing each day and the economy seems to be recovering little by little. Hopefully, more activities can join the reactivation, and perhaps tourism can emerge soon.
Months ago, the hotels only provided their facilities to quarantine people who arrive in the country via repatriation flights. Now then, since phase 2 of the resumption of economic activities began, the hotels have gradually recovered their functions.
Although hotels can work, there are several strict protocols they need to follow. This involves taking the temperature to all their visitors and disinfect constantly all the spaces. On the other side, the capacity of the establishments has been reduced. Apart from that, all the services offered must respect all the measures indicated by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health.
Thankfully, the government is compromised to support the tourist sector. There is still hope tourism can emerge and people don’t miss the opportunity to visit Peru. The COVID-19 pandemic has hitten the country pretty hard indeed, however, It doesn’t mean we can not fully recover.
Many measures have been applied in the last few weeks. Some industries had the chance to recover and move on so not everything is lost. Maybe in a not distant future, a large number of travelers can come to visit Peru as it was in the past.
Regularly Updated Information about the Coronavirus outbreak, how it affects Peru and how you should prepare if you plan to visit the country.
Peru has closed its borders for 15 days until March 31 2020, to control the Coronavirus contagion curve.
Machu Picchu and other tourist attractions will remain closed over that period.
Coronavirus has been reported in Peru, but the numbers are low. Find the exact data here.
Peruvian authorities have decided to take action for 15 days by restricting the mobility of people in the territory, as well as closing borders until March 31. Food supplies and the movement of people who wish to return to their homes have also been guaranteed. Markets, pharmacies, banks and, of course, hospital and health centers will remain open during these 15 days and the mobilization of their workers is guaranteed.
Peruvian officials have released the official budget and plan of action that is in place for dealing with the virus:
A mobile hospital has been set up in Lima airport in order to test people as they arrive, and nine more hospitals are set to appear if the risk of the virus rises.
The restriction of mobilization in Peru to avoid infections by Covid-19 includes access to the mythical Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. All tours are temporarily canceled until April 1st.
The official advice from the World Health Organization is that there is no need to stop any travel plans. You are at no more risk while traveling than you are staying at home. In fact, in Peru the case numbers are so staggeringly low, you may be safer in Peru.
Since the virus is NOT airborne and thanks to the specialized ventilation on airplanes designed to clean and ventilate the air, air travel should be of no concern. The virus can survive on surfaces for up to 30 minutes and you cannot get the virus if you have not been in contact with someone who has the virus or someone who is a carrier.
Since the virus is spread through droplets, ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly and that you follow proper coughing and sneezing etiquette. Proper coughing and sneezing etiquette mean that you cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, your hand, or your elbow. Then dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.
You should also follow proper food hygiene precautions, washing your hands, vegetables, and implements well before use and ensuring all your food is properly cooked.
The use of masks is very effective for people who are ALREADY affected with the disease. Unfortunately, for those who are not infected, it does not do too much to help prevent the spread of infection. Official advice is to avoid hysteria buying and to leave masks for those who need them: people who are infected with the virus and people who are caring for those with the virus.
Remember, the virus is spread through droplets, so washing your hands or using an alcohol-based gel is actually much more effective protection.
Wash your hands and monitor yourself for any symptoms that may appear. If you are truly concerned then try to stay at home for a maximum of 2 weeks. If no symptoms have presented themselves by then, you are fine. If you start to experience symptoms such as fever and shortness of breath, then seek medical advice.
If you are showing symptoms of being infected with the Coronavirus then call your local medical center. They should give you advice about the best place to go to. You can then put on one of the masks as you go to visit them. Try not to cough on anyone.
85% of cases are mild cases and people are able to recover at home. There are people who are more at risk, such as the elderly or those with existing breathing issues. If you are told your symptoms are mild, but they last longer than 2 weeks or you experience difficulty breathing then seek medical attention again.
March is the best month to visit most cities of Peru. Specially in the coastal line, where nature has a natural glow, due to the rainy season in the southern hemisphere.
We should consider the different geography all long of the Peruvian territory: the end of the rainy season offers different climate patterns, in their three different climates zones:
Mancora, Trujillo, Lima, Paracas and Arequipa – these cities have a pleasant climate during the summer: more sun, less rain. Its coastal line, near Lima, have constantly weather, with temperatures near 19°C and 26°C. The beaches in Pacific Ocean have great options to swim and practice summer and maritime sports.
Huaraz, Machu Picchu, Cusco and Titicaca Lake – March is the last month of the rainy season, with strong rains. Maybe it is very cloudy there so, you couldn´t see the mountains and all the majestic constructions. The Cusco region have summer low temperatures between 6°C and 18°C – remember, it’s a mountain high region where temperatures can drop sharply, especially at night.
Manu, Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado and Tarapoto – The great oriental area covered by rain forest is hot and wet all over the year. This subtropical climate probably get more rains in March than every other month. Iquitos have the highest temperatures between 22°C and 31°C. The tropical rains pours in the afternoon, so pay attention about the weather before you go out.
Find out the best resorts in the world.
The Inca trail opens to the visitants in the beginning of March, especially when it is near Easter and sacred holidays – so, it increases the visitor and the cost – the local tourism presents high season cost. So, in this occasion you should visit the Sacred Valley at this period, when the costs of the hotels and plane tickets are low.
In march, the Sacred Valley is greener and flowered – The wild orchids bloom and the atmosphere is clearer. However, be careful about the cliffs and mountains because of the slippery stones. Give preference to the beaches along the costal line, enjoy the good weather and the smallest number of people and the lowest prices, good deals, for accommodation and services.
Come and see other destinations in the world
The Hurb loves you! See our hotels in Lima and live more stories!
Semíramis F. Alencar Moreira – Redação Hurb – semiramis.moreira@hurb.com
Probably you didn´t thought about it yet: to get off the ordinary tourist routs which brings you to the same places as everybody. Cusco has many significate places, full of culture, mysteries and proud nature. Enjoy the ride, have fun and let your comments below!
El Templo de la Luna is localized in the top of a mountain, far from the sounds and movement of Cusco city, but you must spend about an hour on walking.
The temple has a cavern with a ceremonial place, where is sculptured figures of pumas, snakes and eagles (the condor, the Peruvian national symbol). Its objective was celebrating the fertility, that´s why the caverns were built to let the sun comes into the temple in specifically days, showing some important parts of the main altar. You can visit it for free but don´t forget to book a local guide to explain some details.
How to get there: In Plaza de Armas you should walk through the la Calle Triunfo, crossing all the barrio San Blas. It´s on the top of the hill so, you must be in good physical conditions to do it well. The street passes by rural locations and then climb some stairs until you find a green plateau with the temple.
Behind Sacsayhuamán, one of the most important Inca archeological centers in the sector is the Balcón del Diablo. A natural architectural heritage that the Incas took advantage of as an entry point to the city of Cusco. It is a giant rock, which in the middle has a kind of window (or balcony) with a spectacular view of the river that runs below. In addition, you can cross the rock through the tunnel that is at the river level.
How to get there: From Sacsayhuaman, you walk 20 minutes to get to the place, on the side of the Chakan community.
Find your best trips in South America
A perfect trek to do during the day, Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco in Quechua) is 3650 meters above sea level and offers incredible views of the Sacred Valley. In its time it was an important agricultural center for the production of corn, with perfect stone works called Collcas, to store and preserve food. There are no public roads that access it, but small ways connecting Huchuy Qosco with Machu Picchu in two days trip.
How to get there: From Cusco, take a vehicle north to Calca. From the Minasmoqo sector, continue on foot or on horseback to the base of the mountain. Then he climbs the hillside until he reaches the ruins.
Waqrapukara is so unknown that it is not yet known whether it was a fortress, a sanctuary or an astronomical observatory. This monument is located at 4,300 meters above sea level in the Apurimac canyon, south of the city of Cusco.
Its landscape is overwhelming, because it is surrounded by impressive platforms, plazas and a giant monolith that contemplates the mountain landscape.
How to get there: You must drive from Cusco to Saint Lucia on a two and a half hour trip. From Santa Lucia there is a 2-hour trek.
Find your best trips in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In the Tres Cruces Natural Viewpoint you can see one of the most spectacular and secret sunrises in the world. We are not exaggerating: This viewpoint is located in Paucartambo, just over 100 km southeast of the city of Cusco.
It is called Tres Cruces because, during the winter solstice (June 21) and in the near days, a phenomenon occurs in which the atmosphere of the place distorts the sunlight, making believe that there is not one, if not 3 suns that light the earth.
How to get there: It is a total trip of 5 hours from Cusco to Paucartambo, crossing the last section by truck because the route is not paved. The effect begins to be visible from 4.30 am, so it is recommended to leave early the night before to enjoy the place with time. You can combine your trip with a tour of the Manu National Park, where there are incredible species of vegetables and animals in the area.
The Hurb values which is more important: you! Find the best hotels, resorts and hostels at Hurb and live more stories.
