What to see there

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.                                

Province of Talara

Los Organos Beach
175 km / 109 miles north of Piura (2 hours by car) at kilometer marker 1152 of the Pan-American Highway North. This large, wide beach is located at the foot of the Peña Mala hill. There are small groves of carob trees and a dock for the professional fishermen.                              

Mancora Beach Resort
187 km / 116 miles from Piura (2 hours by car) at kilometer marker 1164 of the Pan-American Highway North
Because of the warm water and radiant weather, this resort is considered to be one of the most important on the Peruvian coast. The waves make for perfect surfing and body boarding. The beach, located between the Fernandez (Mancora) and Cunulsa Breakers, is wide and features small wells depending on the amount of sea water infiltrating the area. Mancora has hostels, restaurants, surf shops, and handicraft stores.                       

Barro Pool
Northeast of Mancora (30 minutes by motorcycle-taxi, 2 hours by horse, 1 hour by bicycle, or 4 hours on foot)
A natural, hot water pool that has curative properties.

The Fernandez Breaker Pillars
West of the Barro Pool (1 hour and 30 minutes on foot from the village of Fernandez)
It contains three natural swimming pools, separated by small water falls. The place is popular with camping and nature lovers.

Cabo Blanco Beach
3 km / 2 miles from the District of El Alto (5 minutes by car) and 153 km / 95 miles north of Piura (2 hours and 15 minutes by car)
It is considered a marine paradise thanks to the wealth of plankton that feed a variety of fish, among these being the sword fish and the marlin. It is ideal for fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.                           

Punta Balcones
1 km / 0,6 miles from the city of Negritos, passing the San Pedro fishermen’s cove
This is a crescent shaped beach with crystal clear water and excellent waves just right for water sports like surfing and fishing. It is the home to fur seals of all sizes who make their dens in the rocks.