Piura was one of the first cities to be founded by Spanish in Latin America, in this case by Francisco Pizarro in 1532. The name of Piura comes from the word “Pirhua” that in quechua means barn or supply storehouse. In times Piura was a storehouse base to quechua inhabitants. It’s also known as “the carob tree city”, due to its leafy vegetation in the summer rainy season. Numerous ethnic groups have lived in Piura throughout History; among those settlers, the tallanes, vicus and yungas stand out.
Hotels in Piura
If you want to visit the northern city and stay for more than a day, you can choose from the following accommodations that include breakfast, a pool, and more.
⭐Hotel Solec Piura
- Adress: Jr. Jorge Chávez Pedro de Leon 504, Piura
- Services: Each room is equipped with a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Each room at the hotel has air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Breakfast included.
⭐Grau Business Hotel
- Adress: Diamantes, Piura
- Services: This 3-star hotel offers free Wi-Fi, room service, and 24-hour reception. The hotel also has family rooms. Breakfast included.
⭐Costa del Sol Wyndham Piura
- Adress: Av. Loreto 649, Piura
- Services: Centrally located, it features a casino, swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, and gym. Wi-Fi and parking are free. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily.
⭐Dom Hotel
- Adress: Calle Santa Maria 243 Mz G Lt 6 Urbanización Santa Isabel, Piura
- Services: Some rooms include a minibar, while the suite is equipped with a hot tub. Some rooms have a balcony with city views. Breakfast included.
Restaurants and Bars in Piura
La Plaza Bar & Grill
- Adress: Av. Ramon Mujica S/N Urb. San Eduardo, Piura
- Services: Offers signature dishes using delicious regional ingredients such as lomazo piurano, pollo al chimichurri, and lomo saltado.
Alba Rooftop
- Adress: Av. Ramón Mujica 108 Piso 7, Piura
- Services: A carefully curated menu with the flavors that are Piura's pride and cocktails designed to delight your senses.
Tayanti
- Adress: Los Ejidos km 1.1, 300 meters from UPAO University, Piura
- Services: Peruvian, Pizzeria, International, Sushi, Grill.
Typical Dishes of Piura
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Seco de chabelo: A traditional Piuran stew made with green bananas and beef, cooked with local spices and served with white rice.
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Piuran ceviche: A refreshing seafood dish of fish marinated in lime juice, onions, and chili peppers, usually served with sweet potato and corn.
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Arroz con pato (rice with duck): Rice cooked with duck and cilantro, absorbing all the rich flavors of the broth.
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Chifles: Crispy fried green plantain chips that are enjoyed as a snack or side dish.
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Piuran tamales: Steamed corn dough filled with chicken or pork, olives, raisins, and peanuts, wrapped in corn husks.
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Copús: A traditional underground-cooked dish where meats (such as chicken, turkey, goat) and sweet plantains are slow-cooked in clay and blankets.
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Sudado de cachema: A fish stew (often made with white fish like cachema) cooked with spices and chicha de jora, served with boiled yuca and criolla sauce.
Tourist Attractions in Piura
Máncora Beach
Máncora is one of the most popular beach destinations in Peru. With warm waters and white sands, it's ideal for water sports like surfing, or simply relaxing and enjoying the sun. The nightlife is also vibrant, with restaurants and bars offering fresh seafood.
Cabo Blanco
Famous for its fish-rich waters, Cabo Blanco is a paradise for fishermen and nature lovers. This place attracted celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, who was inspired by his fishing experiences here. Additionally, its beaches are perfect for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
Catacaos
Known for its craftsmanship, especially toquilla straw hats and silver filigree work, Catacaos is a town near Piura that offers a glimpse of local culture and tradition. It's also an excellent place to enjoy typical Piuran cuisine, such as seco de chabelo.
Cerros de Amotape National Park
This national park is ideal for ecotourism lovers. You can appreciate a wide diversity of flora and fauna, including endangered species. The park's trails offer opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying unique landscapes.
Narihualá
Archaeological site located in Catacaos that preserves the vestiges of the ancient Tallán culture and a site museum with valuable historical pieces.
Important dates in Piura
| January 20 |
Feast of Saint Sebastian |
A religious celebration honoring Saint Sebastian with Masses, processions, and traditional cultural activities that bring together locals and visitors. |
| March or April (movable date) |
Holy Week |
One of Piura's most important religious celebrations, featuring processions, liturgical ceremonies, and reenactments of the Passion of Christ. |
| March 30 |
Anniversary of the Foundation of the Piura Department |
A civic celebration commemorating the creation of the Piura Department with parades, cultural events, and official ceremonies. |
| September |
Piura Tourism Week |
A week dedicated to promoting Piura's tourism, gastronomy, handicrafts, and cultural heritage through fairs, exhibitions, and family-friendly activities. |
| October 1–8 |
Piura Jubilee Week |
A citywide celebration commemorating the Spanish foundation of Piura with parades, concerts, cultural performances, exhibitions, and civic events. |
Things to Buy in Piura
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Toquilla Straw Hats: Handwoven by skilled artisans, especially in Catacaos, these elegant hats are among Piura's most iconic souvenirs, celebrated for their craftsmanship, quality, and tradition.
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Silver Filigree Jewelry: Catacaos is renowned for its exquisite silver and gold filigree. You'll find handcrafted earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings made using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
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Chulucanas Pottery: Famous for its distinctive black-and-natural finishes, Chulucanas pottery blends ancestral techniques with contemporary designs. Popular items include vases, sculptures, tableware, and decorative pieces.
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Traditional Sweets: Take home delicious local treats such as alfajores, natillas, nougat, preserved figs, alfañiques, and other handmade sweets prepared with traditional northern Peruvian recipes.
How to move around Piura?
Getting around Piura is easy thanks to the various transportation options available, allowing you to travel both within the city center and to nearby districts and tourist attractions.
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Buses and minibuses: These are the most economical way to get around the city. They cover routes connecting the city center with districts such as Castilla, Catacaos, and Veintiséis de Octubre.
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Taxis: These are available throughout the city and are a quick and comfortable alternative for traveling short distances or getting to the airport, bus terminal, and main tourist attractions. You can also request taxis through mobile apps.
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Motorcycle taxis: These are widely used for short trips within neighborhoods and residential areas. They are a practical and economical option for quick journeys, although they do not operate on some main avenues.
How to get to Piura?
Piura by bus: If you travel from Trujillo to Piura, you'll cover approximately 422 kilometers along the Pan-American Highway North. The bus trip takes an average of 7 hours and 45 minutes, depending on the bus company and road conditions.
Piura Facts
Piura stands out from other cities in the north because it has different religious art museums and painting galleries, where you can find famous artists such as Luis Montero, Cossío del Pomar, and Julio Cálle, among others. In addition, its popularity is also thanks to its delicious gastronomy, where its seasoning and marine food predominate since the proximity of the sea means that fish and seafood are prepared fresh, which gives another flavor to Peruvian dishes. During independence, the residents of Piura happily received the expedition of Don José de San Martín and independence would be proclaimed on January 4, 1821. Its economy is based mainly on the agricultural, fishing, and mining industry, with tourism, slowly advancing thanks to the number of visitors that are received annually and that increases over the years.
Bus Operators to Piura
- Ittsa Bus
- Transportes Chiclayo
- Linea