Visit Trujillo in the coast of Peru!‏

Trujillo is Located in the north of Peru, in the department of La Libertad and was founded in 1534 by Miguel de Estete, and was surrounded with walls to prevent the invasion and attacks by pirates at that time. During Peru’s independence, Trujillo was the capital, but this only lasted a while.

Trujillo is the commercial center of the region, where rice and sugar is cultivated, and also has a very important textile sector. Trujillo is about 6 hours from Lima in a particular car, or about 8 hours by bus, but if you choose to go by air, is less than an hour from Lima airport!!

Trujillo, the same as Lima, is recognized by its great balconies that come from the colony times, and also in Trujillo there are two important churches that are very visited and recognized by its great architecture: “La Compañia” and the cathedral of Trujillo.

Also, to visit in Trujillo, a little outside of the city are the ruins of the pre-incas city of Chanchán, a great citadel to explore, take amazing pictures and learn about the culture that lived there way before the Incas. There are also the Sun and the Moon “huacas”, which are adobe brick temples built by the Moche civilization.

Trujillo also has its own version of the “Marinera” dance, and is in this city where the national Marinera contest takes place every year!

In Trujillo there is also the popular beach “Huanchaco”, home of the “Caballitos the Totora” or “Totora horses”, which are small boats and are used since (at least) the year 1,000 B.C. These boats are made from stems and leaves of reed, a particular kind of plant that grows around the region. This boats were originally used to fish, but nowadays they are still produced mostly for tourism rides and to surf along the Trujillo beaches.

Besides the national marinera contest, in September is held the big “International Spring Festival”, which lasts for about a week and there are parades all over the streets, the houses are decorated and there are contests, dances, and parties every day!

Of course there is a lot more to say about this great city but I will post about each particular attraction soon, meanwhile………..I think I gave you enough reasons for you to be booking your hotel in Trujillo now!!

Visit Arequipa: The White City

The city of Arequipa, which is located in the southern region of Peru is just where the Misti volcano ends, this is why you can have a great view of the Misti almost from any point in the city. Arequipa is located at 7,700 feet above the sea level, so it is located in the mountain region of Peru. The Misti is the main volcano but Arequipa is really sorrounded by many volcanos, and in one of these volcanos is where the famous mummy "La momia Juanita" was found.

Aerquipa in kown as the "white city" because of the color of the ashlar, which is Peru is know as "sillar" and is a volcanic rock, with which the great temples that exist in the city were built, such as the temple "La compañia" and the "Santa Catalina" temple. The beaty of the city, together with its special light and its landscapes really touch the visitots to this great city.

Arequipa is also know as the city with the "eternal bluw sky" because of its grat weather, with sun in more than 300 days in a year and is never too hot but neither too cold so its just perfect!

Near to the city of Arequipa is also located the Colca Canyon, which is really very popular and almost every person that comes to Arequipa also visit the Colca, for its great view and also to see the great Condors...I will make a special post dedicated just to the Colca because is just worthy of it!

When it comes to food in Arequipa, this is where the great "picanterias" of Peru are from, and are known as this because of its distinguised "picante" or spicy flavor........in Arequipa you can eat a delicious "Rocoto Relleno" which is a kind of chili stuffed with meat and other species, or you can also try a great "Chupe de Camarones" which is a soup with really big and delicious shrimps, or for example you can also have an "Ocopa Arequipeña" which is made of potatoes with a thick souce made of species that are typical from Arequipa............

There is just so much to know here in Arequipa and I think you will need at least 3 or 4 days just in this city to discover its great beauty.....there are flights from the city of Lima, the capital every day and more that once in a day so it is very accesible and because is one of the most popular cities in Peru there are lots of hotels and a great variety of options!!! Hope you come soon!!