The sunny climate, friendly people, and good food make Piura a delightful stop on your way north. Since most of the major flight and bus routes to the North Coast beaches travel through Piura, stopping here is not just easy, it's often required.
As a central commercial hub and the country's fifth-largest city (population 380,000), it's hard to believe how relaxed and friendly Piura is to tourists. Historically, however, it's a community used to transition. Founded in 1532 by Francisco Pizarro before he headed inland to conquer the Inca, the community changed locations three times before settling on the modern-day setting along the banks of the Río Piura.
