The 8 most beautiful sunsets in Peru
Due to its history and geography, Peru is also known as ‘The land of the sun’. It is that the Incas worshiped the Inti, the star that illuminated men with life. Today the sun continues to illuminate the different corners of the country. In some places it offers spectacular sunsets that are difficult to see in other regions. Get to know the eight most beautiful sunsets in Peru: from Lake Titicaca in Puno to the Huacachina oasis in Ica.
Content
Can I see the sunset at Machu Picchu? Machupicchu is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Peru. It is open every day of the year from 6 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. Many tourists come there to watch a beautiful sunset. However, due to the high mountain geography, seeing the last rays of the sun is difficult. Around 5 in the afternoon you can see beautiful sunsets, but hidden under the high peaks of Cusco. That time, between 4 to 5 in the afternoon, is the best to get photos in Machu Picchu.
Lake Titicaca in Puno
Lake Titicaca is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Peru. It covers an extension of 8,559 square kilometers. It is located at an altitude of 3,812 meters above sea level -the highest navigable lake in the world-. In Inca times it was believed that Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, the children of the sun, emerged from its waters. It is that the star shines beautiful and imposing in the sunsets. For something the lake is a ‘pakarina’ or sacred place according to various cultures of ancient Peru.
Lake Titicaca is home to various communities that adapted to the difficult climatic conditions and geographies to build floating islands such as the Uros Island (43 kilometers by boat from the port of the city of Puno. From there you can get beautiful views sunset on Lake Titicaca.The Uros can be visited on your own or through an all-inclusive tour from Puno.
- Location: Puno Region at 3,812 masl (altiplano).
- Visit price: The 4-hour tour to the floating island of Uros costs between 50 and 100 Peruvian soles depending on the tourism agency you choose.
Yarinacocha Lagoon in Ucayali
The Yarinacocha lagoon is located in the Yarinacocha district in the city of Pucallpa (Ucayali region). It is a huge lagoon of 4 square kilometers that varies according to the volume of rainfall. It originates from a section of the Ucayali River. It has a significant population on its banks such as the communities of San José, San Juan, San Francisco and even a population of the Shipibo-Konibo ethnic group.
From the banks of the Yarinacocha lagoon or on its waters in a boat you can appreciate one of the most beautiful sunsets on the planet. On the shore of the lagoon there are viewpoints, restaurants, bars and rides in local boats (prices that vary between 40 to 120 Peruvian soles). Unfortunately, the waters of the Yarinacocha lagoon are contaminated due to the waste that communities dump on their waters.
- Location: In the district of Yarinacocha, province of Coronel Portillo in the city of Pucallpa, Ucayali region (Peruvian Amazon). It is 5 kilometers by road.
- Visit price: Boat rides through the Yarinacocha lagoon to other communities cost between 40 and 120 Peruvian soles.
Puerto de Pimentel en Lambayeque
Pimentel is the name of a tourist resort located 11 kilometers from the city of Chiclayo in the Lambayeque region (northern Peru). It is famous for its waters, its beach where reed boats can be seen, as well as its beautiful sunset, one of the most beautiful in the country. In Pimentel it is also famous for its immense pier, the longest in Peru, which reaches 695 meters in length.
The port of Pimentel is one of the most touristic resorts in the Lambayeque region. Thus, the district and the beach have increased the tourist offer with cafes, restaurants, hotels and bars. The best way to visit it is on your own, especially in the summer months (January, February, March and April). The boardwalk is available every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: In the Pimentel district, Chiclayo province (11 kilometers from the city center), Lambayeque region.
- Visit price: The walk through the Pimentel pier has a cost of 2 Peruvian soles per tourist.
Punta Sal in Tumbes
Punta Sal is one of the most visited and preferred spas by tourists in northern Peru. It is located 80 kilometers from the city of Tumbes, in the district of Canoas de Punta Sal (province of Contralmirante Villar). The reason for its popularity is its warm waters and fine sand beach, ideal for spending the summer and cooling off. The average temperature of Punta Sal is above 24ºC.
The popularity of Punta Sal as a point of reference for vacationers from all over Peru and abroad increased its hotel offer with hostel services, three, four and even five stars. The most famous activities are the practice of adventure sports, water games, fishing and even swimming with turtles and the marine fauna of the region. In addition, the sunsets in Punta Sal are considered one of the most beautiful in Peru.
- Location: In the district of Canoas de Punta Sal, in the province of Contralmirante Villar, in the Tumbes region (80 kilometers from the city center).
- Visit price: The hotel rates in the Punta Sal resort range from 50 soles (hostels) to 800 soles per night (5-star hotels).
Pacaya Samiria in Loreto
Pacaya-Samiria is a national reserve of Peru located in the province and region of Loreto in the Peruvian Amazon. It covers an immense area of 20,800 square kilometers, being the largest in Peru. In addition to its immense size (almost half of the territories of countries like Costa Rica, Denmark, Switzerland or the Netherlands); It is famous for its great diversity of flora, fauna and ethnicity. It is that 56 native communities live there.
The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve was created on February 25, 1972. It has a geography of dense vegetation surrounded by important rivers such as the Marañón and the Ucayali. Its objective is to protect different species between primates, dolphins, the aguaje, the yarina, the river wolf, the paiche, the black lizard and more. The region can reach temperatures that exceed 30ºC. During twilight this is reduced. Then the landscape turns into a very beautiful fiery red.
- Location: In the province and region of Loreto, in an area of 20,800 square kilometers of the Peruvian Amazon.
- Visit price: The 1-day tours of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve cost between 200 and 400 soles, depending on the tourism agency of your choice.
Miraflores boardwalk in Lima
The city of Lima is the only capital of South America with a view of the sea. Among the many viewpoints in the city, the Miraflores boardwalk offers one of the best views of the sea. It is a public space with parks, ravines, bike paths, sports areas and even shopping centers. During the summer days (January, February and March), the boardwalk offers one of the most beautiful sunsets in Peru.
The Miraflores boardwalk is in turn divided into four boardwalks: the Marina boardwalk, the Cisneros boardwalk, the Reserve boardwalk, and the 28 de Julio boardwalk. Public spaces such as Parque del Amor, one of the most beautiful in Lima, are also famous. The Larcomar shopping center is also famous, one of the most famous in the city. From there you can see the circuit of beaches, also called Costa Verde.
- Location: In the tourist district of Miraflores, 12 kilometers from the Plaza Mayor of Lima.
- Visit price: The landscapes of the Miraflores boardwalk are free for everyone. There you can do activities such as yoga classes or paragliding adventures.
Oasis of the Huacachina in Ica
La Huacachina is an oasis in the Ica desert, located 301 kilometers by road from the city of Lima (just 5 kilometers from the city of Ica). Its greenish sulfuric waters have an underground origin. This caused the proliferation of natural vegetation such as palm trees, eucalyptus and huarangos. The result is a spectacular landscape, which stands out more during sunsets in the Ica desert.
The Huacachina oasis is one of the most photographed natural landscapes in Peru. In its sands and waters you can practice everything from boat rides, walks on the desert to tubular rides and sandboarding. The Huacachina is visited at any time of the day, but the vast majority of visitors do so at sunset, between 5 and 6 in the afternoon. The landscape over the desert at that time is spectacular.
- Location: 5 kilometers from the city of Ica (301 kilometers from the city of Lima) in the district, province and region of Ica (desert of southern Peru).
- Visit price: The half-day tour to the Huacachina with the so-called ‘Ruta del Pisco’ costs between 70 and 120 soles per tourist.
Tres Cruces de Oro viewpoint in Cusco
The Tres Cruces de Oro viewpoint is recognized as the eastern balcony. It is that from there you have the view of one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world. It is located 105 kilometers by trail road from the town of Paucartambo in the Cusco region. Every year, the winter solstice (between June 20 and 22) a rare natural phenomenon of the sun called ‘Tres Cruces de Oro’ is appreciated, in which the sun is distorted.
The Tres Cruces de Oro viewpoint is located in the upper mountainous part of the Manu National Park. For this reason it is also known as the eastern balcony. The cost of admission is 10 Peruvian soles per tourist. One of the best dates to visit it is during the festival of the Virgin of Paucartambo (July 15). For this it is necessary to take a night transport from Paucartambo and be prepared to camp under the stars and temperatures of 0ºC.
- Location: In the Manu National Park, in the province of Paucartambo, 105 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco.
- Visit price: The entrance to the Tres Cruces de Oro viewpoint costs 10 soles per tourist.
By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 23, 2023