3 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
11hrs bus ride from Lima
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
2 to 3 days
Chiclayo (Peru)
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FlickrccFabulous Fabs
Practical information on Chiclayo
Reviews of Chiclayo
The fourth biggest town in Peru, Chiclayo benefits from a warm and sunny climate all year round. It's a town that's well worth a visit during your holiday, if not for its climate, then for its architecture and archaeological heritage.
My suggestion:
Chiclayo is famous for its excellent cuisine. Criolla dishes are the town's speciality. I highly recommend you try the Ceviche, a local Peruvian seafood favourite that merits its reputation.
My review
I suggest you start your tour of northern Peru at Chiclayo. This town is the capital of the Lambayeque Province. Chiclayo is a stone's throw from several important archaeological sites. The region as a whole has a fascinating cultural heritage, being home to the Mochica and Lambayeque pre-Inca civilisations. The region is dotted with ruins from these two pre-Columbian cultures. And the town is an ideal departure point.
Being on the west coast of Peru, the town of Chiclayo also attracts extreme sports lovers. The waves are surfing heaven.
During my visit to Chiclayo I particularly enjoyed my walk around the market place, which is called the Mercado Modelo. It was here that I realised the importance of traditional medicine in Peruvian life. I worked my way through shelves of herbs and natural remedies.
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FlickrccFabulous Fabs
A large town located in the north of the country and at the strategic meeting point of the coast and the Amazon.
My suggestion:
The town is reputed for its witches market and also for its so-called shamans, who are happy to tell you everything you want to hear and even to relieve you of some change. Even though the experience can be amusing, be warned!
My review
Though The town of Chiclayoitself doesn't offer many attractios for tourists, I very much liked the atmosphere. The locals, by the way, have proclaimed it "the capital of friendship" (I'm not sure that the residents of Lima or other towns would agree with this statement but that's another matter).
Rest assured that if you have decided to include this destination in your Peruvian itinerary, you will find a multitude of spots to explore in the surrounding area. The very pretty village of Lambayeque, the pyramids of Tucume, the town and the valley of Zaña and the beaches (some of them a bit so-so). Fun and cultural too! A special mention on my part for the Señor de Sipan museum, which is quite simply fantastic. The exhibition recreates the discovery of the tombs in such a way that you will feel as if you had been part of the adventurous archaeological team: it's fascinating!
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Bruno Girin
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Bruno Girin
230 travelers' photos
