Buena Vista: Coast, Views and Culture

In the municipality of Chimbote, island and coastal attractions meet a viewpoint featuring religious art; further afield in the region is Playa El Dorado. The locations differ in landscape and access, so you can consider which themes you want to shape your stay.

Isla Blanca: Island and Birdlife

Isla Blanca is a small island in the Pacific Ocean, west of the city of Chimbote and about four kilometers off the coast in Chimbote Bay. The trip from Muelle Artesanal de Chimbote takes about 20 minutes by lancha or boat. Check the schedule and availability in advance. Activities on the island include walking along the guano trail, observing guano birds, swimming at the beaches and kayaking in calm waters.

The island’s history is also closely connected to guano birds: in 1845, during Peru’s guano era, the harvesting of bird droppings for export began; as a result, the number of birds on the island declined sharply. One of the most popular stories about Isla Blanca is about a rock that resembles a sea lion.

Cerro de la Juventud: Views and Art

The Mirador Cerro de la Juventud, also called Cerro de la Paz, is a natural rise north of Chimbote. Its highest point is about 350 meters above sea level, and the viewpoint is at around 323 meters. From the natural viewpoint at the summit, you can see the city of Chimbote and the bay. The uphill route leads from the Panamericana Norte via Vía de la Solidaridad. The six-kilometer path has 14 crosses; several painted panels feature short phrases and anecdotes about how the route came to be.

The Cruz de la Paz stands at the viewpoint: it is 25.50 meters high, and its arms measure twelve meters. Plaza del Niño, Plaza de la Amistad and Plaza del Rosario are also on the hill. The Santuario de la Vida is a small church at the viewpoint. Inside is a 3.20-meter-high wooden image carved from a single piece by the artist Agustín Rivas. The Santuario also includes the Catacumba de los Mártires. Its dark tunnel is considered a symbol of death and life in darkness; after passing through it, visitors emerge into the light.

Malecón Grau and La Caleta

Malecón Grau runs along the seafront in Chimbote Bay, parallel to Avenida José Pardo and two blocks from Chimbote’s Plaza de Armas. It is included in city tours; its modern architecture is connected to the city’s fishing industry. At La Caleta, walking, painting the landscape and taking photographs are activities for the school holidays. Beach volleyball and beach soccer are also played on the beach in the Caleta area.

Playa El Dorado in the wider region

Playa El Dorado is in Nuevo Chimbote. It can be reached by taking the exit at kilometer 423 of the Panamericana Norte westbound and following the access route through the village of Villa María. From there, a 9.5-kilometer route leads to the beach, passing wetlands, dunes and hills along the way. A 100-meter stretch of beach is suitable for sunbathing and beach sports. The water is considered calm, clean and suitable for swimming. The beach is visited from January to March, during summer. Tourist activities promoted there include boat trips, jet ski rides and underwater fishing; availability may vary by season.

The routes differ considerably when planning your trip: Isla Blanca is reached by boat, the uphill climb to the Cerro is six kilometers long, and the route from Villa María to Playa El Dorado measures 9.5 kilometers. These details can help you compare the destinations by their respective access routes and attractions.

Discover more destinations: San Juan District, Huarmey, Caraz, Mancos, Huari, Yungay, Anta, Carhuaz.

For the main travel overview: Ancash.