Most people go to Chincha for the beaches, as an escape from the gray of Lima. It’s a reliably sunny place with a wide sand beach. However, there is also plenty of ancient and modern history that is worth checking out.

La Centinela

La Huaca Centinela in Tambo de Mora, also called La Centinela, was an administrative center for the Inca from around 900-1450CE. It was the center of the pre-Inca Chincha culture, which were a people who lived from the sea. Among the archeological findings are several large pyramids.

After the Spanish invasion, it became the home of escaped, then former slaves, who the Spanish had brought from Africa. The music, food and folklore dances still have strong African influences. About half an hour southeast of the center of Chincha is the Church Nuestra Señora Del Carmen. The virgin Carmen is still the patron saint for the local African diaspora who host a festival for her on December 27th.