Huanchaco
Huanchaco is known as the 'Spring Capital' of Peru. Residents enjoy rather pleasant and seemingly endless beach temperatures varying between 13 and 25 degrees throughout the year. Furthermore, it almost never rains in Huanchaco.
Despite the recent tourism boom, Huanchaco is still a very low-key and easy-going place that retains its fishing village ambiance. Especially during weekdays, life is fairly quiet (except for the Christmas and New Year season when the entire beach is occupied by national and international tourists!) making Huanchaco the ideal place to settle down for some time during your travels through South America.
Huanchaco is also known for its famous and ancient tradition of the Caballitos de Totora, the reed fishing boats, which are still used by the local fishermen every morning. Get to know the local fishermen on the beach as they bring in their day's catch and they might just take you for a ride in their caballito. These boats were depicted on Moche ceramics some 1500 years ago. The fishermen of Huanchaco are the only ones who still master the craft of making these canoes.
Otherwise, there is always surfing to keep you occupied. If you like long beachwalks, walk all the way up to the shipwreck way up to the north. For culture lovers, Huanchaco boasts one of the oldest churches in Peru. And when the day comes to an end, watch the sun go down from the end of the 130-metre-long wooden pier.
For more information on Huanchaco, click on one of the links below;
- www.huanchacovivo.com (The official tourism website)
- www.huanchaco.com
- www.turismohuanchaco.com
Huanchaquito
Recently discovered in 2010, Pampas de Gramalote, located close to the town hall of Huanchaquito, is believed to be the first village inhabited by fishermen of the Guañape culture from c. 2000AC.
According to archeologists from Yale University, this site is equivalent to the archeological complex in El Brujo. After several weeks of patient and meticulous work, they found more than five thousand ceramic pieces, as well as 200 items of cotton fabrics. However, it was the remains of a decapitated body, three 'complete' adult bodies (2 females and a male), and 2 children found in a vertex of the main structure that had caught investigators’ attention. On the other hand, 18 different types of fish, such as Toyo, Robalo and Corvine, along with 60 types of mollusk, such as clams and choro azul were also found in the area. Archeologists also found more than 10,000 remains of crabs and birds, such as pelicans and cormorants which could be proof of primitive urbanism, and also of the use of the Caballitos de Totora as a fishing vessel.
Allegedly, the site was abandoned by its ancient inhabitants due to climate changes or alterations in the waves. However, the local population now hopes that this recent discovery and the following zeal among some of archeologists will lead not only to academic achievements, but also to new possibilities for those who continue to shape the lives and the reality of Huanchaquito.
Chan Chan
Chan Chan was the empire of the Chimu civilization. They ruled the northern part of Peru for 600 years before the Incas took control. Its remnants are the largest pre-Columbian city in Americas, dating from c. 1300AD. The huge mud structure city used to house approximately 60,000 people on a surface of 28 square kilometers. The ruins can be easily visited from Huanchaco, just a 10 minute bus ride away. You can also visit the much smaller Huaca Esmeralda and Huaca Arco Iris ruins with the same ticket you purchase for entrance to Chan Chan, as long as you go to all 3 sites within 2 days.
Trujillo
Trujillo is the capital of the department of La Libertad and the third biggest city in Peru. It is a beautiful colonial city, established in 1535 with an impressive Plaza de Armas, stunning colonial architecture and nice museums. The city is only 12 kilometers away from Huanchaco and can be easily reached by local transportations within 30 minutes.
For more information, please refer to following links:
Keep in mind when searching the internet yourself there is a Trujillo in Spain and in Venezuela, so be sure to choose the right one!
Huaca de la Luna y Huaca del Sol
The Huaca del Sol (Sun Temple) is the largest single pre-Colombian structure in Peru! It is absolutely huge, built out of 140 million adobe mud bricks. Excellent views from the surroundings can be enjoyed from the top of this 45 meter high ceremonial site including the Huaca de la Luna (Moon Temple) which is not currently open to the public. Both sites are only 10 kilometers away from Huanchaco and can be easily reached by public transport within an hour and a half.
El Brujo
El Brujo (the witch) is located about 60 kilometers away from Trujillo. It is comprised of Huaca Prieta and Huaca Cao. The Huaca Prieta site is where hunters and gatherers used to live around 3500 to 2300 years ago. The Huaca Cao is a more recent Moche site and is comprised of a 27-metre-high truncated pyramid. For more info please visit here.
El Señor de Sipan
This marvelous site was only discovered in 1987. It has been praised as the greatest archeological discovery since Tutankhamen in Egypt. It also belongs to the Moche civilization established around 1500 years ago. For more information please visit here.
Sugarcane Plantations
If you are already experiencing acute ‘ruin fatigue’, there is good alternative for you - visit the Casa Grande and Hacienda Cartivo Sugarcane plantations where the local rum distilleries are open to visitors.
Otuzco
Tired of the coastal heat? Head out to Otuzco at a refreshing 2627 metres above sea level. It’s a beautiful 2.5 hour ride through sugarcane fields up through the mountains. The pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin de la Puerta takes place yearly on 15th December.