Moquegua Peru: Main Tourist Attractions

Moquegua is the perfect intermediate between sea and countryside. Gorges, rock formations and deserts welcome you to a region where good gastronomy is present. Come and enjoy the picturesque towns, mansions, exclusive wines and piscos of a city that has a lot to tell. Ready to visit it? It has one of the most pleasant climates in Peru. In turn, the most beleaguered beaches in southern Peru parade in their domains. In this coastal area, there are many countrysides that provide wonderful landscapes to anyone who dares to visit them. And if that doesn't seem enough, there are routes to savor the best piscos in the area and taste the best dishes of its varied gastronomy. All this and more is Moquegua. This region, located in the southern coastal zone of Peru, is one of the smallest in the Inca country. However, the enormous warmth of its people will make you feel comfortable from your arrival. To access Moquegua from Lima, the Peruvian capital, you have two alternatives: take a flight from the Jorge Chávez Airport to the Hernán Turque Podestá Aerodrome, located in the city of Moquegua, which takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. The other alternative is a trip by bus or car along the entire Panamericana Sur highway, where the adventure moves to a 16-hour ride, where you can make small stops in the regions of Ica and Arequipa before reaching your final destination. Whichever route you take, you will arrive at the starting point which is the city of Moquegua. Here, you can take advantage of doing a little sightseeing and visit the Plaza Mayor, where you can appreciate old houses with high architectural value, such as the Casa de la Flor and the Casa Chocano, as well as the Old Public Jail. In turn, you can take a short walk to see the Santo Domingo Cathedral, the facade of the old Iglesia Matriz Santa Catalina de Alejandría or the imposing Ornamental Fountain, with its 7.50 meters high and colonial style inspired by Greek mythology.

Dream Attractions

The real adventure begins with a walk along the beaches of Ilo, one of the most important attractions in the region. Fine white sand, strategically located for camping, with caves with petroglyphs for history lovers, imposing cliffs, calm waters and varied gastronomic and hotel offers await you in Wawakiki, Platanales, Boca del Río, Puerto Inglés, Pozo de Lisas, Tronco de Oro, Jaboncillo and other coves that expect a large influx of tourists throughout the year. If you want to connect with nature, visit the Moquegua countryside. Here you will find beautiful landscapes in the Torata district, which is a paradise of woody trees. This area is also known for its picturesque homes, which take you back in time, as well as being producers of quality fruit that borders on excellence. Be sure to try their delicious olives, which are abundant in this location. Do not forget to visit the Archaeological Zone of Cerro Baúl, a 600-meter-high mountain with a completely flat summit. Impressive, right? Moquegua also has experiences that will satisfy your palate. Enjoy the Pisco and Wine Route, which takes you through the most emblematic wineries in the region. In turn, be sure to try the delicious Moqueguan gastronomy, which is based on seafood. A delicious octopus pork rind, a finger-licking seafood Spicy or the inevitable Patasca moqueguana have to parade through your table. Among the main natural tourist attractions of the region we find:

Putina thermal baths, hot springs originating from the Ticsani volcano, 20 km to the north of Carumas. These waters emerge along the Putina River and reach temperaturas up to 90°C; They also have multiple healing properties. they meet two hours and a half from the city of Moquegua.
Suches Lagoon, is located in the district of Carumas at 4,450 meters above sea level. It has a wide diversity of flora and fauna species; however, its waters are also used for mining.
Mollesaja waterfall. It is located 6 km from the town center of Yacango, located at slopes of Cerro Baúl. The waterfall originates with the fall of the waters of the channel of the dam Pasto Grande towards the Torata river.
Puente Bello, is a natural formation located in Titire, a town located on one side of the highway to Puno, 160 km from the city of Moquegua. In this place you can see innumerable thermal pools where bluish water emerges due to its high iron content and sulfuric.
Punta de Coles, is a nature reserve that covers 180 hectares. wide guards island guano reserves due to the presence of coastal birds such as the guanay, pelican and booby; Likewise, you can find sea lions, Humboldt penguins, seagulls, among other species.
Beaches. The coastal zone of the department has with a large number of beaches, being "Pozo Lizas” the most popular and frequented. The coast Moqueguana is very visited for the tranquility from the sea and its attractiveness for camping.
Ubinas volcano, is located in the district namesake of the province General Sánchez Hill. It has an altitude of 5,672 meters above sea level. and if well, it constantly comes into activity, the volcanic massif is suitable for carrying out climbing. It is easier to get there from the city of Arequipa.

Regarding cultural attractions, in the region we find:

The Church of Santo Domingo, where the present body of Santa Fortunata is venerated since 1798. It has an English clock, very striking for its thunderous chimes.
Casa Chocano, was built by Nicolás Jacinto Chocano. It has a wide façade stone with a cover where the initials of its owner are included. Also, when entering there is a paved patio decorated with a great variety of flowers and a well at the center of this House of the 10 Windows, property with two floors made of thatch. has a cover stone and, as its name indicates, it has ten windows adorned with metal bars. It is currently the headquarters of the Central Post Office of Moquegua.
Plaza de Armas, was the center of Moqueguan life since the year 1600. Formerly it was found the Mother Church of which only the cover remains. On the other hand, it has a pool in the center, surrounded by wooden benches and various ficus trees in the gardens.
Contisuyo Museum, located in the Plaza de Armas of moquegua. In it we can find 70 thousand remains archaeological sites, from prehistoric times to the cultures pre-Hispanic that inhabited the region.
Cerro Baúl, located in Torata, province of Mariscal Nieto, at 2 500 m.s.n.m. It is a mountain in the shape of a truncated cone and, At its peak, there is a small citadel walled, with high walls and courtyards around belonging to the Wari culture.
Chen Chen geoglyphs, are located behind the Hill Chen Chen, on the way to Toquepala. Its origin dates back to the arrival of the Tiahuanaco in the area between the years 700 and 950 AD.
Glorieta José Gálvez, was built in 1915 and is attached to the pier and the square Billinghurst by two wooden bridges. In that place you can appreciate the marine fauna that inhabits the island shores.
Ilo, a city settled in the bay of a rich sea at 99 meters above sea level, has beautiful beaches along its coastline where you can practice sport fishing; the main beaches are Punta Coles, a place to observe marine fauna, made up of colonies of sea lions and guano birds, as well as Pozo de Lizas, Boca del Río and La Glorieta.
Omate, known as the "Villa de Omate", presents a beautiful landscape, the town is It is located in the middle of orchards, among which stand out the vineyards in which they are made wine and pisco.

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.

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.