PIURA

Piura

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 chicherias (taverns where chicha, a local drink, is served).

The coast of Piura offers many diverse attractions. Mancora, 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. Colan 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.