Attractions of Chimbote

There are really only three reasons to visit Chimbote. If you have a strong interest in the fishing and steel industries, the city will make an interesting stop. Chimbote is also the starting point for buses to Huaraz going through the spectacular Canon del Pato. Also, there are some interesting archaeological sites in the nearby Santa Valley. Otherwise, it is best to avoid the city altogether.

There is nothing really worth seeing in Chimbote itself, although there is a nice view of the bay from Plaza 28 de Julio, next to the Hotel Chimu. There are several archaeological sites in the valleys surrounding the town, however.

The Petroglyphs of Palamenco are 300 stones with carvings of local flora and fauna. They date from 1,000BC to 200AD and were made by cultures relating to the Sechin and Chavin cultures. They were probably made by shaman and used as a place of contemplation. The site is 45 kilometres from Chimbote, and combis can be taken from the 6th block of Av. Buenos Aires in Chimbote for USD 1. Combis return around 2pm.

Getting in Chimbote

Chimbote has an airport, although there are currently no flights to or from the city. Chimbote has a new bus station, opened in 2000, which makes travelling to and from the city easier and safer. Most companies have offices in the terminal, although Cruz del Sur does not. Its office is at Av. Bolognesi 716. A taxi to the bus station from the centre costs just over USD 1.

Lima

There are plenty of bus companies with services to Lima. Ittsa has a bus-cama service for USD 10 that leaves at midnight and takes 6 hours. Ormeno also has different levels of services to Lima. Most buses leave in the evening.

Trujillo

There are services to Trujillo every half and hour, or so with Transportes El Sol, taking 2 hours, for USD 1.50.

Huaraz

There are plenty of bus services to Huaraz. The Canon del Pato route is the most spectacular, although the road is unpaved. There is also an unpaved route via Camsa. Both routes take about 10 hours. The more common route is on the Pan-American Highway to Pativilca and from there following a paved road to Huaraz. This takes about 8 hours.

Turismo Huaraz has a service taking the Canon del Pato route leaving at 8am, and a route via Casma at 7.30pm, both costing USD 6. Yungay Express has a bus via the Canon del Pato leaving at 8am for USD 5, and via Casma at 6am and 1pm at the same price. Movil Tours has a bus via Pativilca leaving at 9pm for USD 6 and a more comfortable bus with a toilet and heating leaving at 10.45pm for USD 7. Rodriguez also has a service with toilet and heating via Pativilca at 9.30pm for USD 5.

Colectivos to Casma leave from the 8th block of Av. Jose Pardo, next to the market. These take 45 minutes and charge USD 1.

Introducation of Chimbote

Chimbote is the largest city in the Ancash Region of Peru. It is also the capital of the Santa Province and the Chimbote District. The city is located on the coast in Chimbote Bay, south of Trujillo and 422 kilometers north of Lima.

Chimbote is the largest fishing port in Peru. Chimbote has more than 30 fish factories, and has some of the world’s finest fish-packing equipment. During the 1970s El Nino, an earthquake, and overfishing drastically affected the fishing industry, and restrictions were added. However, more than 75 percent of Peru’s fishing industry occurs in Chimbote. The Chimbote-Huallanca rail line, built in 1922, serves as a railway for coal and iron mines on the interior and a railway for the river valley by transporting rice, cotton, sugarcane, and bananas.

Peru’s current president, Alejandro Toledo, grew up in Chimbote. The city is known for its ceviche, a Peruvian dish. Chimbote forms a conurbation with Nuevo Chimbote District to the south. Between these districts, the Humedales de Villa Maria, a beautiful swamp, is home to a local species of heron, along with many species of frogs and fish. The swamp is formed by the Lacramarca River.

o the south, there are many beaches, such as Vesique, Los Chimus, Tortugas and Caleta Colorada.Also located near Chimbote is the Isla Blanca (white isle, in English), that takes its name from the white colour of its ground.

The tourist can also visit the Isla Blanca Boulevard - which has many beautiful marble sculptures and fountains. Chimbote has two important celebrations during the year: Holy Week and San Pedrito’s Party (also called Chimbote’s Civic Aniversary).