Islilla: Discover Nature and Fishing Traditions

Nature and Excursions

La Islilla is a settlement with artisanal fishing in the district and province of Paita, in the Piura region of northern Peru. Two themes are especially helpful for getting your bearings at this destination: its fishing tradition and the nature around Isla Foca. Both shape different aspects of the place.

The Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau was established on April 26, 2024, by D.S. N° 003-2024-MINAM and is under the jurisdiction of the Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado (SERNANP). The ecologically valuable zones included in the protected area include Isla Foca, La Tortuga, and La Islilla. Isla Foca is an ecological enclave in the populated center of La Islilla, in the province of Paita. For geographical orientation, it helps to distinguish between the three: La Islilla is the settlement, Isla Foca the refuge, and the Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau the protected area.

From La Islilla, you can take boat trips to observe marine fauna and various bird species. This is a way to experience the natural side of the destination through a specific activity. If you are particularly interested in wildlife observation, this excursion offers a suitable starting point for planning your trip.

Fishing and Cultural Heritage

Knowledge of navigation and the traditional practice of fishing with balsillas made from balsa wood remain alive in La Islilla and are passed down from generation to generation. Through Resolución Viceministerial N° 173-2024-VMPCIC-MC, dated June 26, 2024, these practices were declared National Cultural Heritage. Both the knowledge of navigation and traditional fishing are therefore at the heart of the place’s cultural heritage.

The wooden balsillas are also part of the relationship between the residents of Caleta La Islilla and Isla Foca: they use the boats to reach the island. This local practice should be distinguished from boat trips to observe marine fauna and birds; it describes how residents use the boats.

The celebration in honor of San Pedro includes a traditional regatta with balsillas powered by oars and sails. The celebration also includes a trip around Isla Foca. During it, fishermen who have lost their lives at sea are remembered. The regatta and commemorative trip give the celebration distinct accents: on the water, both the traditional boat and collective remembrance take center stage.

The work of women artisans also forms part of La Islilla’s cultural character. They create artistic works from marine resources, including pictures, decorations, and bracelets. Their work reflects the community’s creativity and cultural identity, adding another form of local expression to the fishing tradition.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

The tourist route from the Plaza de Armas in Paita to Plazuela La Islilla is 21 km long. The journey by tourist minibus on a paved road is estimated to take about 35 minutes. Check the specific travel arrangements before departure so you can put this approximate time for this particular route into context.

If you are looking for hotels in Islilla, you can first consider what you would like to focus on during your trip: observing marine fauna and birds, or the cultural themes of fishing and navigation. This helps you choose a destination based on specific natural and cultural themes of the place.

For a broader travel overview: Paita.