Chiclayo Tourist Information and Tourism

The northern coastline of Peru is home to many wonderful attractions, such as the city of Chiclayo and its tremendous tourism offerings. Founded during the 16th century by a group of Spanish missionaries, Chiclayo quickly outgrew the neighbouring towns within the Lambayeque Region, becoming something of a bustling Peruvian metropolis.

The popularity of Chiclayo is further boosted by its proximity to a series of surrounding ancient towns and sites of archaeological interest, relating to past Chimu and Moche civilisations. Also of note is the Mercado Modelo, a fascinating flea market boasting a maze of stalls, where it is possible to buy almost anything, within reason.

Nearby, the Plaza de Armas stands in the centre of Chiclayo and is flanked by many grand buildings. A handy tourism booth is situated on the Plaza de Armas, while only a matter of blocks away and to the east, the Centro de Informacion Turistico (Tourist Information Centre) is to be found along the Saenz Pena and off the Vicente de la Vega.

CHICLAYO TOURIST INFORMATION AND TOURISM: TOP SIGHTS

One of the leading tourist attractions within the Chiclayo area, the Lord of Sipan Tomb (El Senor de Sipan) is a vast archaeological site and filled with Moche history, and only discovered as recently as the late 1980s. The promenade known as the Paseo de las Musas is always a good place to enjoy a stroll and is lined with an array of classical Greek statues and formal gardens. Chiclayo is also home to its very own cinema, the Cine planet, where the latest blockbuster movies are always screened. The main landmarks of Chiclayo tend to surround the Plaza de Armas and it is here where the city's elegant cathedral stands, dominating the easterly side of the square.

Really rather hard to miss, the cathedral was built almost 100 years ago and features a pale yellow exterior with stone columns, arches and a pair of towers, topped with cupolas.

Home to all kinds of fascinating Peruvian history and information about past civilisations, the museums of Lambayeque are for many, a real holiday highlight, and one of the reasons that such a large number of people choose to pay a visit to the city. In particular, the Sican National Museum and its priceless gold artefacts deserve to be experienced, although it is the striking Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum in the adjacent town of Lambayeque that really attracts the biggest crowds and actually resembles the pre-Columbian pyramid where to famous tombs of Sipan were discovered. The Bruning National Archaeological Museum also deserves a mention and houses a large collection of important relics, relating to the Chavin, the Chimu, the Inca and the Moche civilisations.

MORE CHICLAYO INFORMATION / FAST FACTS AND ORIENTATION

• Country: Peru (north-west)
• Location: Lambayeque Region / Province of Chiclayo
• Status: city / regional capital
• Population: approximately 700,000
• Language: Spanish
• Currency: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
• Time zone: UTC - 5
• Country dialling code: +51
• Telephone area code: 074
• Average daily Chiclayo January temperature: 30°C / 86°F
• Average daily Chiclayo July temperature: 25°C / 77°F

Chiclayo Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

Many of the tourists who arrive in Chiclayo each year come to visit a variety of different attractions, with the archaeological site of Sipan usually appearing at the very top of their sightseeing list. The Lord of Sipan Tomb has become a leading tourist attraction and is conveniently located next to Chiclayo and on the city's south-easterly outskirts, in nearby Sipan, in the heart of the Lambayeque Valley.

Further tourist attractions reside around the Plaza de Armas and within Chiclayo city centre. Other recommendations include the promenade known as the Paseo de las Musas and its collection of statues, while on a rainy day, the Cine Primavera movie theatre soon fills up.

PASEO DE LAS MUSAS

Address: Sipan, Chiclayo, Peru, PE

A stroll along the Paseo de las Musas is also very much recommended if you have the time. The Paseo de las Musas is close to both the Avenida Balta Sur and the Avenida Bolognesi, and set within an open park, where it showcases a selection of classical-style statues, depicting characters from Greek mythology. As you explore, you will discover further attractions in the form of stone pavilions, manicured formal gardens and seasonal colour. This is a very good place to enjoy a picnic on a sunny day.

Open hours: daily - 24 hours

Admission: free

LORD OF SIPAN TOMB (EL SENOR DE SIPAN)

Address: Sipan, Chiclayo, Peru, PE

This whole archaeological site is one of the biggest of all the tourist attractions within the entire area and each day hordes of tourists flock here to see this important Moche history close up. The site of the Lord of Sipan Tomb is referred to locally in Peru as the 'Huaca Rayada' and its extraordinary royal Moche tombs were discovered as recently as 1987, after looters began selling its treasure on the black market. Look out for the Sipan mounds, which at first glance many appear to be nothing more than hills, but are in actual fact the remains of a series of large pyramids, constructed by using literally millions of local adobe bricks.

Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00

Admission: charge, discounts for children

PLAZA DE ARMAS CHICLAYO

Address: Plaza de Armas, Chiclayo, Peru, PE

The Plaza de Armas is also the perfect place to indulge in a spot of people watching, being regularly filled with interesting characters, such as evangelical preachers and even some shoe shiners, particularly as the evening approaches. Around the square are a number of mature trees, green spaces and plenty of benches.

Open hours: daily - 24 hours

Admission: free