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Chulucanas
Located about 55km east of Piura, just before the Sechura Desert starts rising into the Andean slopes, Chulucanas is known Peru-wide for its distinctive…
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Piura
After several hours of crossing the vast emptiness of the Sechura Desert, Piura materializes like a mirage on the horizon, enveloped in quivering waves of heat. It’s hard to ignore the sense of physical isolation forced on you by this unforgiving environment – the self-sufficiency imposed upon early settlers may explain why they identify as Piuran rather than Peruvian.
Being so far inland, the scorching summer months will have you honing your radar for air-conditioning, as you seek out chilled venues in which to soothe sweltering skin. It's not a hugely attractive city, a fact not helped by severe flooding in 2017 that damaged some urban areas, but remnants of narrow cobbled streets and some colonial houses make up for the fact that there’s little else for visitors to do here.
Its role as a hub for the northern towns means you’ll probably end up spending some time here.
Explore Piura
- CChulucanas
Located about 55km east of Piura, just before the Sechura Desert starts rising into the Andean slopes, Chulucanas is known Peru-wide for its distinctive…
- NNarihualá
Narihualá was the capital of the pre-Inca Tallán culture and is one of the premier archaeological sites around Piura. Covering 6 hectares just south of…
- CCatacaos
A bustling small town 12km southwest of Piura, Catacaos is the self-proclaimed capital of artesanía (handicrafts) in the region. And justifiably so: its…
- CCasa Grau
This restored colonial home is the birthplace of Admiral Miguel Grau, born on July 27, 1834. The house was restored by the Peruvian navy and is now a…
- CCathedral
The cathedral was originally constructed in 1588, when Piura was finally built in its current location. The impressive early 17th-century, gold-covered…
- MMuseo Municipal Vicus
This four-story monolith offers a sparse but decent look into Vicus culture, highlighted by the underground Sala de Oro (admission S4, 9am to 4pm Tuesday…
- GGrau Monument
Miguel María Grau Seminario was a well-known naval hero whose monument in the middle of a major traffic circle is now an urban landmark.
- BBolognesi Monument
Monument to the Peruvian military hero Francisco Bolognesi Cervantes (1816–80) in the middle of a busy traffic circle.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Piura.
- See
Chulucanas
Located about 55km east of Piura, just before the Sechura Desert starts rising into the Andean slopes, Chulucanas is known Peru-wide for its distinctive…
- See
Narihualá
Narihualá was the capital of the pre-Inca Tallán culture and is one of the premier archaeological sites around Piura. Covering 6 hectares just south of…
- See
Catacaos
A bustling small town 12km southwest of Piura, Catacaos is the self-proclaimed capital of artesanía (handicrafts) in the region. And justifiably so: its…
- See
Casa Grau
This restored colonial home is the birthplace of Admiral Miguel Grau, born on July 27, 1834. The house was restored by the Peruvian navy and is now a…
- See
Cathedral
The cathedral was originally constructed in 1588, when Piura was finally built in its current location. The impressive early 17th-century, gold-covered…
- See
Museo Municipal Vicus
This four-story monolith offers a sparse but decent look into Vicus culture, highlighted by the underground Sala de Oro (admission S4, 9am to 4pm Tuesday…
- See
Grau Monument
Miguel María Grau Seminario was a well-known naval hero whose monument in the middle of a major traffic circle is now an urban landmark.
- See
Bolognesi Monument
Monument to the Peruvian military hero Francisco Bolognesi Cervantes (1816–80) in the middle of a busy traffic circle.
Guidebooks
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