The Top 7 Things to See and Do in Chosica, Peru

At the foothills of the Andes, Chosica is the best place to start your trip into the mountains without having to go too far from Lima. Only 40 kms (25 miles) from Lima it can make for the perfect weekend trip, getting you out of the smog of Lima traffic and into the mountain air. There are plenty of different hikes to take that’ll have you busy for weeks.

This is the highlight of anyone’s trip through Chosica and one of the main reasons people venture to this forgotten town. The stone forest in Marcahuasi is one of the great mysteries of Peru that is often times overshadowed by other attractions. The stone forest here reveals figures that appear to be carved into various shapes, often times resembling humans and animals. Theories on the orgin of these images range form the most practical (erosion) to the ridiculous (aliens). There’s really only one way to know for your self and that’s by experiencing its great mystery first hand.

Antichuchos, picarones, churros and everything else street food is here. Show up to the plaza in the evening when it turns into a street food lovers paradise. You’ll find streets lined with vendors selling all sorts of delicious Peruvian bites.

For people living in Lima, three quarters of the year you’re enveloped by grey skies and don’t even see the sun. For most people, this is something that can be difficult to deal with. If you don’t want to escape the haze by going to the beaches up to two hours from Lima, Chosica is your place. The fog that covers Lima isn’t felt in Chosica and you’ll get a bit of fresh air.

One of the highlights of any trip here is to be part of its chaotic plaza, which at night really becomes more of a carnival geared towards kids. You’ll find rides, games and toys – everything kids love. For adults there’s vendors selling drinks and plenty of food to munch down on.

For those people living in Lima and wanting to escape the gridlock, mountain camping is about the best remedy you can find. Many backpackers get stuck up in Chosica because of its great prices and outdoor opportunities. One of the main rivers in Peru also runs through the city as it makes its way from the Andes to Lima.

Chosica was once the place to be for Peruvians during the gloomy winter months in Lima. Because of this there still exist old mansions and ranches on the outskirts of Chosica that can be toured. Some have even been turned into hotels.