Cidade Turismo
Peru

Before you go

Your trip to Chiclayo.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Chiclayo – Lambayeque Destination Chiclayo and Lambayeque Capital

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Internacional Capitán FAP José Abelardo Quiñones Gonzales (CIX) Chiclayo · 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. Chiclayo airport is about 2 km from the center, with flights from Lima of around 1h30. By bus, Lima is about 12 hours away, Trujillo 3 or 4 hours and Chachapoyas 9 or 10 hours; each company has its terminal in the city.

How many days

Three days, with Lambayeque included: the Lambayeque museums one day, Túcume, Pómac and Sicán the next, and Sipán with the town and Pimentel on the third.

When to go

From December to April it is usually sunny and hot, the beach season. From June to October the sky is usually cloudier, with cooler days. Since it hardly ever rains, archaeological sites can be visited year-round.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The center is walkable, and taxis take you to Lambayeque and Pimentel in 20 to 30 minutes. For Túcume, Pómac, Sicán, Sipán and Zaña, an organized tour or a hired taxi is the most practical; there are also shared vans.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Chiclayo
  1. Morning
    Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán

    Go early to Lambayeque for the Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán and the Lord of Sipán's gold.

  2. Afternoon
    Huaca Rajada–Sipán

    Head to Huaca Rajada, near the village of Sipán, to see the excavated tombs and the site museum.

  3. Late afternoon
    Plaza de Armas and Mercado Modelo

    Back in Chiclayo, stop by the Mercado Modelo and finish at the Plaza de Armas with the Catedral.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the center

    Try arroz con pato and northern ceviche at the downtown restaurants.

3 days in Chiclayo

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Museums of Lambayeque

    Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán and Museo Brüning in Lambayeque.

  2. Afternoon
    Centro de Lambayeque

    Lunch in Lambayeque and a walk through the center, with the Casa de la Logia and the iglesia de San Pedro.

  3. Late afternoon
    Pimentel

    Late afternoon on the beach of Pimentel, with the pier and the caballitos de totora.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in Pimentel or Chiclayo

    Fish and seafood on the waterfront, or a return to downtown Chiclayo.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Túcume

    Leave early for the pyramids of Túcume and climb the viewpoint of Cerro Purgatorio.

  2. Afternoon
    Bosque de Pómac and Museo Sicán

    Head to Bosque de Pómac and, on the way back, visit the Museo Nacional Sicán in Ferreñafe.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return to Chiclayo

    Arrival in Chiclayo in the late afternoon.

  4. Evening
    Rest

    Dinner downtown and rest.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    Huaca Rajada–Sipán

    Visit to the excavated tombs of Huaca Rajada and the site museum.

  2. Afternoon
    Zaña

    Continue to the colonial ruins of Zaña, with the arches of the old churches.

  3. Late afternoon
    Mercado Modelo

    Back in Chiclayo, stop by the herbal stalls of the Mercado Modelo.

  4. Evening
    Plaza de Armas

    Last night at the Plaza de Armas, with the Cathedral lit up.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What to eat in Chiclayo?

Arroz con pato, cooked with cilantro and dark beer; ceviche and northern-style fish; cabrito (goat); and for dessert, the King Kong, a large pastry filled with dulce de leche and fruit, typical of Lambayeque.

Why is Chiclayo called the city of friendship?

It's an old nickname of the city, linked to the tradition of welcoming newcomers, in a trading region between the coast, the highlands, and the jungle.

Is Chiclayo at altitude?

No, it's on the coast, close to sea level. Altitude only becomes a factor if the trip goes to the highlands, like Chachapoyas or Cajamarca.

What currency is used?

The sol. There are ATMs and currency exchange offices in downtown Chiclayo; carry cash for villages and entrance fees to the sites.

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