Write a comment
La Punta, Callao

The District La Punta

Municipalidad de La Punta

Address
Av. Sáenz Peña 298
District
  • La Punta
City (Peru)
Callao
Postal Code
Callao 5

La Punta is one of six districts that make up the Constitutional Province of Callao. It is located on a peninsula in the western part of the province and is almost entirely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, except on its eastern side, where it is bordered by Callao downtown. The first inhabitants of La Punta were fishermen.

Before and during the Inca era and at the beginning of Colonial times a small fishing village, called Piti-Piti, existed in La Punta. But the area didn't have a proper name at this time and was always referred to as "Punta del Callao" (the point/end of Callao). Like the whole Callao area, La Punta was also completely destroyed by the devastating earthquake and the tidal wave of 1746.

La Punta recovered quickly and already by the end of the 19th century it had developed to one of the most popular spas in the region. In 1910 La Punta was basically formed by two main streets (Jr. Medina and Jr. Sáenz Peña) and two side roads (Jr. Ucayali and a road without name). A spacious, open plaza with hotels and summer houses gave it a rustic, but elegant appearance. Even though many visitors from the Limeñan bourgeoisie came to La Punta, life was peaceful and quite.

On the 6th of October 1915 La Punta was officially established as district of the Constitutional Province of Callao.

In the 1930s and 1940s many Italian immigrants settled in La Punta. Their legacy can still be seen in the district. La Punta is mostly an upper middle class district, where Callao's most prestigious families have historically lived. Many of the district's old houses are still conserved.

Today the beautiful district attracts many visitors during the summer months. La Punta's beaches called "Cantolao", "Malecón" and "Arenillas" are popular with surfers, swimmers and sun lovers. Almost one third of La Punta is occupied by the Peruvian Naval School.

Places to visit & attractions in La Punta

Museo de la Fuerza de Submarinos

(Base Naval del Callao, La Punta, Callao)

The museum shows the captivating history of the Peruvian submarines starting in 1912 until today. You can find more info about it on our museums pages.

Boat Tour to Callao's Islands

(Piers of La Punta and Callao)

One of the highlights of a visit to Callao is a boat trip to the islands offshore. Discover the "Mysterious Island" of San Lorenzo, The Island of Death "El Frontón" and the Palomino Islands with their unique wildlife. Boats depart daily in the morning from the piers of La Punta and Callao. You need to book a tour in advance at one of the numerous travel agencies or at the tourist booth of the Municipality of Callao. Depending on the tour you choose, the trips takes around 4 hours.

Map

Swap Start/End
Say something here...
characters left
or post as a guest
All comments MUST be in English and will be moderated before publishing.
They will appear below within 24 hours.
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.

Be the first to comment.

Peru Newsflash

Peru Event Calendar

Latest Content...

Latest Video

Maria Reiche - Memories

Maria Reiche - Memories

Submitted by: Tintin
05 December 2021

Long Reads...

  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The Mystery of the Nazca Lines in Peru

    In the 1920s, when people first flew across southern Peru, they made an astonishing discovery. Stretching below them,…
  • Peruvian Personalities & Founders

    Francisco Pizarro González (1474-1541)

    Francisco Pizarro, a peasant from Spain, was one of the least well-equipped conquerors in history. However, in the name…
  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The colorful Fabrics and Textiles of Peru

    Europe’s first knowledge of Peruvian textiles was acquired following the Spanish invasion of Peru in 1532, when the…
  • Peruvian Legends, Myths & Tales

    The Jeweled Frog and the Condor

    By a quiet pond, at the side of a cloud-topped mountain in Peru, lived a small green frog and his large green family.…
  • Peru Info

    Peruvian Economy

    The Peruvian economy is an emerging, social market economy highly dependent on foreign trade and classified as an upper…