3 Best Sights in Chiclayo, The North Coast and Northern Highlands

The enormous Chiclayo cathedral, dating from 1869, is worth a look for its Neoclassical facade on the Plaza de Armas and its well-maintained central altar.

For some fresh air and great people-watching, head to this pedestrian walking path. It borders a stream and has classical statues depicting scenes from mythology.

Archaeology aficionados looking to see some ancient sites in their crude state will enjoy this pyramid complex, located 35 km (22 miles) north of Chiclayo. Grand but largely unexcavated, it's the site of Huaca Larga, one of the largest adobe pyramids in South America, as well as dozens of smaller structures spread across a dry desert. Most are badly deteriorated. A small museum, Museo de Sitio, offers tours with English-speaking guides to learn about the history of the complex.

The rugged desert landscape, sprinkled with hardy little algarrobo (mesquite) trees, is probably very similar to what it looked like when—so the legend goes—a lord called Naymlap arrived in the Lambayeque Valley and with his dozen sons founded the Lambayeque dynasty. It was this line of Sicán rulers who built the pyramids seen today. Keep an eye out for burrowing owls as you make your way from the entrance toward the pyramids.

Adjacent to the archaeological site is a lovely hotel designed from adobe and algarrobo wood, Los Horcones de Tucume (951/831–705, www.loshorconesdetucume.com), whose architect-owner seamlessly incorporated pre-Columbian designs into the walled complex. There are 12 airy guest rooms with private terraces and a small pool at the hotel. The staff can arrange various horseback-riding trips through algarrobo forests and meetings with local curanderos, or shamans.