On 28 July 1821, José de San Martín declared Peru’s independence from the Spanish empire and thus began its history as a sovereign state. More than 200 years have passed, with this South American nation undergoing great changes and its various different industries evolving along with its society, which has some ingrained Peruvian customs known as Fiestas Patrias – their national holidays.
Some people prefer to visit historical places of independence or the provinces of the country as part of a tourist impulse pushed by the different governments, others prefer to spend time with the family, but eating traditional Peruvian food, considered one of the best in the world, and for others it is the perfect opportunity to wear the colours of their homeland: red and white.
During the month of July, it is an obligation to have a flag on houses or buildings, while tradition at school makes them recreate historical scenes, wear the cockade or draw the flag with the coat of arms in the centre. Listening to the national anthem has become a custom, as has listening to Creole music, especially at peñas and traditional food venues.
Here we are going to tell you about four customs that Peruvians have during the Fiestas Patrias, a special date in the calendar because they are considered national holidays and provide the opportunity for various industries to generate more income. It is one of the most important holidays in Latin America.
Peru has a total of 25 provinces, including Callao, and each one of them has a bit of magic and a story to tell. Cusco is the city that receives the most visits annually, both from national and foreign tourists. Dazzled mainly by Machu Picchu, it is considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world and standard of Peruvian culture.
It can be reached by train from the centre of Cusco and then by bus from the picturesque town of Aguas Calientes, or if you like adventure you can take one the Inca Trail which guarantees you a whole lot of adrenaline and beautiful landscapes along the way. But the centre of the Inca empire – which had a presence in several South American countries – is not the only major tourist attraction in the country.
In the middle of Ica you will find Huacachina, an oasis town with a lake and surrounded by sand dunes. It’s the perfect scenery for sandboarding and also for those seeking adrenaline as you can ride buggies, defying the laws of gravity with speed. Nearby are the Nazca Lines, discovered in 1927, they depicte drawings such as animals as well as geometric figures that some specialists say were a form of worship to the gods. To get to see them in more detail, there are light aircraft flights to enjoy them in all their splendour.
On the other hand, although the beaches in the north of the country are not considered a historical place yet, the beauty of their waves and sand have made them stand out as one of the favourite destinations for relaxation. Cabo Blanco, Máncora, Zorritos or Punta Sal not only stand out for their chilled vibe, they are also a reference point for surfers looking for the right place to perform the most daring pirouettes on a surfboard.
If you are considering culture, Chan Chan is a very special place as it was an important pre-Columbian city located in Trujillo and a little further north, in Chiclayo is the Lord of Sipan, known as the king of the Moches who was buried with many gold items to mark his importance.
One cannot fail to mention Kuelap, the Uros Islands, Paracas, Choquequirao, the Colca Canyon or the Manu National Park. All these places are visited by hundreds of Peruvians as well as international tourists who enjoy not only the place, but also the gastronomy.
As part of a tradition and other Peruvian customs – but as well as being included in the citizens’ obligations – every house or building must put a flag on its facade. Some even decide to put more elements such as the cockade or some red and white borders. The same thing is done by restaurants that also decorate with the traditional Peruvian colours.
It is a special time for several industries, since in July companies give an economic bonus that encourages Peruvians to make purchases or even to travel. All companies take the opportunity to make offers on Fiestas Patrias and also stand by the red and white decoration.
Most people who live in the capital, Lima, have been to the Military Parade at least once in their lives. This is a spectacle where the country’s Armed Forces (FAP, military and marines) and the police parade, which attracts the attention of the whole country as it is also attended by the current president and many of today’s politicians.
It is one of the main traditions in Peru on Fiestas Patrias, which only in 2020 could not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The two subsequent years it was held in a ceremony closed to the public, although it is expected to return to the traditional Avenida Brasil, which consists of more than 40 blocks, where you can see the Armed Forces, police and even Firefighters of Peru.
Many families came together to enjoy the military parade, which consisted of tanks, fire trucks, horses, motorbikes and even police dogs. The usual activities also include the Te Deum – thanksgiving mass – on 28 July and then the presidential message where a balance of the last year in office is given.
The National Holidays known as Fiestas Patrias is the perfect opportunity for Peruvians to get together as a family and enjoy what is considered to be the best gastronomy in the world, after Peru was voted best culinary destination in the world ten times by the World Travel Awards. Food in this country is a symbol of happiness. A special dish can take you back in time, to be compared to your mother’s chicken with rice or your grandmother’s secret recipe for picarones.
But for those who prefer to go out, as part of another of Peru’s traditions, there are plenty of options for fine dining, whatever the budget. In Lima lies Central, by the chef Virgilio Martínez, considered the second best restaurant in the world according to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022. In 11th place is Maido, a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant, and Mayta in 32nd place.
But many people prefer to eat something more traditional such as anticuchos, rice with duck, grilled chicken, ceviche, causa limeña or enjoy a hot dessert such as a combination of mazamorra and rice pudding to combat the cold weather in Lima at this time of year. Thanks to technology, this can also be ordered from one of the many different apps that exist where you can get food delivered to your door.
The national holidays are also a time for Peruvians to return to their origins, and in the houses and dwellings the traditional “criolla” music is played, which enters through the ear and is danced with the feet, with the powerful voice of ‘Zambo’ Cavero or the chords of Óscar Avilés. The peñas, known for having shows of this Peruvian music, are quite crowded on the dates of the 28th and 29th of July. This is the perfect occasion to enjoy a Pisco Sour.
If you don’t know Peru yet, here is a list of important reasons to visit the country, especially during the national holidays. If you want to know more about the Inca country and other customs of Latin American nations, you can check our blog. And if you need a PR agency in Peru, you can contact us for a tailor-made proposal of the services you need.
