The department of Piura contains many types of terrain. The coast features the largest desert in Peru, Sechura, which also includes the lowest place in Peru, the Bayovar depression at 37 mbsl / 121 fbsl towards the east, in the Andes, the terrain becomes rougher. The Porculla Trail is located there, (2138 masl / 7014 fasl); it is the lowest Andean trail in Peru.
Piura, full of joy and song, was in 1532 the first city founded in Peru by Francisco Pizarro. At present, it is an important center of economic development in northern Peru. Just twelve kilometers from the city is Catacaos, known for its artisans who work in straw and cotton and gold and silver filigree and for its exquisite restaurants. The town of Chulucanas is another famous place, but this time for pottery and excellent chicherías (taverns where chicha, a local drink, is served).
The coast of Piura offers many diverse attractions. Máncora, located close to the Piura-Tumbes border, is a small cove with beautiful beaches much prized by surfers, fun loving youths, and entire families. Toward the south lies Cabo Blanco, famous for the people cut from the same cloth as Ernest Hemmingway, attracted by ocean fishing for marlin, swordfish, and grouper. Today, it is the perfect place to surf since some of the best waves in Peru are found there. Colán is the main beach resort for the inhabitants of Piura, lovely for its typical wooden houses set upon pylons at the edge of the sea.
On the way to the highlands in the province of Huancabamba, you find the Huaringas, an enclave for shamans and mystic healers and an area of medicinal lakes and apus, protector mountains.
Main Attractions
Province of Piura Main Square Downtown Piura This plaza is surrounded by tamarindo trees, whose seedlings were brought from the Yapatera plantation and planted in 1870. At the center, you find the marble statue of the “Pola” who represents liberty and was presented by the President Jose Balta around 1870.
Cathedral of Piura Calle Huancavelica 362. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 7:00 A.M. – 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M; Sat. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. It was built in 1588 under the protection of the Virgen de la Asuncion (Assumption Virgin) and San Miguel Arcangel (Michael the Archangel). Preserved on the inside is the Churrigueresque shrine of the Virgin of Fatima carved from Nicaraguan cedar and covered in gold leaf. It was probably one of the first in Peru. The upper plateresque altar was reconstructed by the Spanish sculptor, Julian Alagua, after the 1912 earthquake. As the department’s main church, the Piura parish archives are kept there.
San Francisco Church Intersection of Calle Lima and Malecon Eguiguren 516. Telephone: (073) 31-1111 Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Mass times: 8:30 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. An ancient cloister constructed by Franciscan priests during the eighteenth century, it was declared a National Monument in the years 1969 and 1980.
Casa Museo de Almirante Miguel Grau (Museum of the House of Admiral Miguel Grau) Jiron Tacna 662. Telephone: (073) 32-6541 / 33-1961. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. and 3:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. This is the house where Admiral Miguel Grau, hero of the War of the Pacific (the war against Chile, 1879) was born and lived. The home consists of four large rooms and a library. Besides the furniture used by the Great Admiral, you can see pictures, letters, diplomas, and documents.
Del Carmen Church Jiron La Libertad 366. Across from the Merino Plaza It dates from the eighteenth century and was declared a National Historical Monument in 1974. Today, it houses the Museo de Arte Religioso (Religious Art Museum).
Vicus Museum Intersection of Avenida Sullana and Jiron Huanuco. Telephone: (073) 32-7541. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M; Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. There are three halls, Ceramic Hall, Metallurgical Technology Hall, and Hall of Gold, the last of which houses sixty-one gold pieces that demonstrate the development and technology reached by the Vicus.
Los Ejidos National Tourism Center 10 km / 6 miles from Piura (Approximately 15 minutes by car). Visiting hours: Sat. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. The center of this site is a pool of water, 20 km / 12 miles long, that was created by the damming of the Piura River. Animals such as the iguana, the grey heron, the grebe, and the wild geese inhabit its shores.
Catacaos Town 12 km / 7 miles southwest of Piura (15 minutes by car)
This town is home to excellent artisans who work with straw and cotton fabrics, and also elaborate silver and gold filigree.
Fortaleza de Narihuala (Narihuala Fortress) 3 km / 1,8 miles from Catacaos (5 minutes by car). Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. It is considered to be the capital of the Tallan, a pre-Inca culture. The buildings are constructed of platforms of adobe with mud mortar and organized into four sectors. The total area covers 6 hectares.
Climate The city of Piura tends to be arid and hot, with no rain all year. The average annual maximum temperature is 31,2ºC (88,1ºF) and the minimum is 17,7ºC (63,8ºF). During the presence of the El Niño effect, it rains, especially between December and June.
Access Routes By land Lima – Piura: 1035 km / 643 miles by the Pan-American Highway North (12 hours by car) By air Regular flights to Piura from Lima (1 hour and 15 minutes), Trujillo (40 minutes) and Chiclayo (30 minutes).
Distances From The City of Piura to the Following Cities -Ayabaca(Province of Ayabaca) 229 km (142 miles) / 6 hours -Huancabamba(Province of Huancabamba) 214 km (133 miles) / 7 hours -Chulucanas(Province of Chulucanas) 60 km (37 miles) / 45 minutes -Paita(Province of Paita) 60 km (37 miles) / 45 minutes -Sechura(Province of Sechura) 50 km (31 miles) / 55 minutes -Sullana(Province of Sullana) 39 km (24 miles) / 35 minutes -Talara(Province of Talara) 118 km (73 miles) / 1 hour and 30 minutes
The department of Piura contains many types of terrain. The coast features the largest desert in Peru, Sechura, which also includes the lowest place in Peru, the Bayovar depression at 37 mbsl / 121 fbsl towards the east, in the Andes, the terrain becomes rougher. The Porculla Trail is located there, (2138 masl / 7014 fasl); it is the lowest Andean trail in Peru.