Ancon, the spa par excellence of Lima Norte

At the beginning of the 20th century, Ancon began to establish itself as a well-known seaside resort in Lima. Its elegant mansions, its summer atmosphere, and its calm beaches made it one of the main destinations for rest and recreation. The current Ferreyros boardwalk, opened in 1954 and named in honor of the patriot Manuel Bartolomé Ferreyros, has been transformed into an ideal space to walk, look at the sea, and enjoy the sea breeze.

A walk through Ancon Peru is an experience that combines history and tradition. Visitors can see the artisanal port, walk along its piers, and relax on its serene beaches, naturally separated by breakwaters. Although today other beach resorts in southern Lima attract more people, Ancón keeps its historical value and a unique charm, since in its time it came to rival the most exclusive resorts in the capital.

Currently, Ancón continues to be a meeting point for those who want to enjoy the summer in Lima with family, breathe fresh air, and learn about the history of one of the places where beach tourism was born in Peru.

Location of Ancón

Ancón is located about 40 kilometers north of the center of Lima and today it is part of the districts that make up the Peruvian capital. This resort stands out not only for its beaches and pleasant climate, but also for its historical and cultural value. Since pre-Hispanic times it was an important meeting point, especially for cultures like the Chancay, which left significant traces in the area.

Important facts in Ancón

During the colonial era, Ancon was a simple fishing cove, but in 1821 it gained great importance by becoming one of the ports where the liberating squadron landed on the way to the independence of Peru. Years later, it had a key role in the country's history, as the talks that ended the War of the Pacific took place on its lands. Already in the 20th century, Ancón became one of the most popular and fashionable resorts for people from Lima, attracting both families and visitors looking for rest and recreation.

Interesting fact: Ancón is also known for its important archaeological finds, including pre-Hispanic cemeteries with mummies and ceremonial objects, which today are part of museums in Peru and abroad.

Melting pot of cultures in Ancón

Ancón has changed over time, but it keeps a special mark: it has remained a pedestrian beach resort, without giving up its space to vehicle traffic. Unlike the busy Costa Verde that crosses districts like Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, Magdalena and San Miguel, Ancón offers a calmer environment, where locals and visitors can walk its boardwalk and streets. Its houses and buildings, decorated with black and white tiles, evoke a past full of history.

In addition to its architecture, Ancon Peru stands out for its marine ecosystem and for the role it has had throughout history. During the 20th century, it became one of Lima's most important beach resorts, a place of rest and summering for Lima families. Its name, according to historians, comes from the word "ensenada", which means a quiet space like a bay. In the case of Ancón, it is a closed bay that gives it that peaceful air that still defines it today.

Origin of the word Ancón
The name Ancón has several interpretations. One of the most accepted ones holds that it means "hidden corner", in reference to its location between the sea and the desert. This geographic condition gave it a special character, making it an ideal place for human settlements since ancient times. Its calm waters, protected by mountain formations that act as natural barriers against the waves, allowed different populations to use its marine richness for fishing and trade.
Throughout history, Ancon has been recognized not only as a beach resort, but also as a point of great archaeological value. On its soil, important pre-Hispanic remains belonging to ancient Cultures, famous for their funerary bundles and ceramics, have been found, which shows that the area was inhabited and revered since ancient times.

Its museum and its history

Ancón not only stands out for its calm sea and its natural richness, but also for its great historical and archaeological value. In this area, pre-Hispanic cemeteries and remains of ancient hunters and gatherers were found who populated the Peruvian coast thousands of years ago, which makes it a key place to understand the life of the first inhabitants of the coast.

To preserve and spread this legacy, the Ancón Museum was opened in 1993, as a result of an agreement between the Lima Art Museum and the Patronage of Ancón. This cultural space offers a complete view of the cultures that lived in the area, from the ancient local inhabitants to more developed societies like the Chavín, Chancay and even the Inca Culture.

The museum has recreations of pre-Columbian burials, in addition to a valuable collection of textiles, ceramics and funerary pieces, which allow appreciating the high artistic and ritual level of these civilizations. Thanks to this, Ancón is not only an attractive resort, but also an archaeological landmark that helps to understand how the sea and the desert were the sustenance of great cultures of ancient Peru.

The transport point to get to Ancón

Getting to Ancón from Lima is easy thanks to the variety of transport options. From the city center and different districts, you can take public transport that runs along the Panamericana Norte Highway, the main road that connects to this resort. Among the best known are the traditional "Anconeros", white buses with a blue stripe in the shape of waves and another yellow line, which for decades have been the most popular means of transport to the beach, especially on weekends or in the summer season.

Currently, in addition to the classic buses, there are interprovincial transport lines, colectivos and private services that offer greater comfort and speed. Another option is to arrive in your own vehicle or by taxi app, which allows for a more direct trip. The journey from the center of Lima to Ancón usually takes between 1 hour and 1 and a half hours, depending on traffic.

Ancón is not only a beach destination, it is also a space full of history and culture. But what stands out most is its sea, considered part of one of the richest ecosystems in the world, which makes it a true natural treasure of Peru.

Important Fact: The main terminal and bus stop for the "Anconeros" is in downtown Lima, on Alfonso Ugarte Avenue, from where buses depart daily to the resort.

Best Tours in Peru

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and more

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.