At 42 kilometres North of Lima travellers will find the beautiful Beach Resort of Ancón; embedded in the homonymous Bay, protected from the winds by a rocky spur from the ancient Coastal mountain range.

Neither the beach zone nor the interior get atmospheric moisture. There is no evidence of vegetation, save the nearby dunes, which are always covered by fog. The phenomenon called "Lomas" (hillocks) occurs there.

However, and in spite of the aridity of the zone, the ocean is prodigal in fish and other seafood. It is currently not only a modern Beach resort in use during the Summer months, but an active cove for local fishermen as well.

Ancón is an old town known as the "Fishermen's Town of Lancón" during the Colonial period. Its waters are really calm and attractive for those who like sailing and aquatic sports.

It treasures some of the most important archaeological remains of the Peruvian Coast on its grounds. The first graves of a great Necropolis were discovered in the year 1870, during the digging for the construction of the railway bound to Chancay, a Town located a few kilometres further North.

A group of prestigious archaeologists carried on with the excavations and the studies during the following years. They concluded that there were three well defined occupation periods in the area. One very old with influence of Chavín de Huantar, an intermediate with elements of the Huaura Culture, and a recent one dominated by the Chancay Culture and the Incas.

In 1959, archaeologist Jorge C. Muelle found pre-ceramic remains under the layer of the oldest period, and pushed back Ancón's prehistory to several thousand years B.C.

The Bay of Ancon has been used as a natural Port on many occasions. One of them was during the War of the Pacific, the bloody war that Peru sustained with Chile during the time period of 1887 - 1883. The Historic Treaty that put an end to the conflict was signed there on the 20th of October, 1883.

ATTRACTIONS OF ANCON

VISIT TO THE ISLES

They are located before Punta Mulatos, a coastal elevation at the Southernmost part of the Bay of Ancón. There are 13 islands and promontories in total.

Although the whole group is known as Grupo Pescadores, it is formed by the following groups: El Solitario, formed by the Isles El Solitario, La Viuda, Dos Hermanas, Pata de Cabra, Mal Nombre and Lobos; Las Huacas, at two miles Westward from the previous group, is conformed by two medium size Isles and three small ones; Islas Grandes, at two and half miles Westward from the latter group, is formed by the Isles of Gallinazo, Grande and Torbadero.

Each one of these Islands or Isles are a permanent or temporary habitat for the following marine birds: Peruvian Gull (Larus belcheri), Guanay Cormorant (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii), Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi), Inca Tern (Larosterna inca), Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) Peruvian Booby (Sula variegata)., Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and marine mammals such as the South American Sea Lions (Otaria bironya or flavescens), who are concentrated mostly on the island known as Pescadores. The average population group of Sea Lions is of around 50 individuals.

The best season to visit these Isles is during the months going from September to March. It is the time when the birds inhabiting the isles cease to migrate and bathe and fish in the surrounding area. It is an unparalleled spectacle.

The boat taking you for the tour navigates 15 miles offshore from the port, which is located 200 metres away from the Main Plaza.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

NECROPOLIS

The bay of Ancón was a privileged place for human life due to its abundant marine resources. A large population must have lived in the area judging by the huge area dedicated to the Necropolis.

The sepulchres form layers or strata which are positioned one on top of the other. There are about 35000 tombs yet to be studied. There are remains of three well defined periods: Early Horizon (900 - 300 B.C.), Late Intermediate (900 - 1400 A.C.), and Late Horizon (1440 - 1532 A.C)

Address: 300 metres away from Ancón's Main Plaza. A five minute walk.

MUSEUM OF THE CENTRE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF ANCÓN

Archaeological pieces of the pre-Hispanic cultures of the Central and Northern Coast are exhibited in here.

Address: Prolongación Jorge Chávez.

HOW TO GET THERE

42 kilometres away from Lima going North on the Pan American Highway.

By car: 45 minutes

By bus: one hour and 15 minutes.

Season: From January to March for the Beaches; all year round for visits to the Isles and the Archaeological sites.

Services: basics.