Chiclayo is much more than just a hidden gem in northern Peru; Pope Leo XIV spent crucial years of his bishopry here. A journey to the city that left a lasting impression on Robert Francis Prevost.
Since his election as pope, Leo XIV has been the focus of global attention. Whether as a moral counterpoint to Donald Trump or as a beacon of hope for a younger generation, there is a great deal of interest in him. Less well known are the places that shaped his journey. Falstaff TRAVEL is heading to Chiclayo, Peru, where Robert Francis Prevost served as a bishop. A worthwhile destination?
When Leo XIV greets Peru and the Diocese of Chiclayo in his first address, the world’s attention turns to a city that had received little attention until then, one that impresses not with grand gestures or iconic backdrops, but with its character.
The legacy of Leo XIV is recounted today along the Ruta de León, also known as the Ruta del Papa or Los Caminos del Papa León XIV. Those who follow her will discover places where faith, everyday life, and history intertwine. Despite its religious origins, the Ruta de León does not follow a marked pilgrimage route. Rather, it connects places of activity; loosely, openly, and without claiming to be exhaustive.
From Callao, near Lima, it runs through the regions of La Libertad and Lambayeque all the way to the far north of Peru, to Piura and Chulucanas. Chiclayo is not only the geographical center of this route.
The city was Robert Francis Prevost's creative hub before he was appointed to Rome in 2023. Chiclayo comes across as a functional, lively city. Low-rise houses made of stuccoed brick, simple concrete buildings, and scattered remnants of colonial facades in between. Streets teeming with activity, vendors unloading their goods, buses, motorcycles, voices. Nothing seems staged. Chiclayo was founded during the colonial era as a settlement with strong religious ties and grew into a regional center in the 19th century as agriculture and trade expanded. The city still bears traces of this layering today: colonial street layouts, religious institutions, later overlaid by pragmatic, everyday architecture.
At its center lies the Parque Principal, where public life converges. City Hall, small shops, the cathedral; everything is close together. Chiclayo isn't a place to just stroll around; it's a place where you can immerse yourself in real life and the country's authentic culture.
The Catedral Santa María de Chiclayo stands in the middle of the square. Completed in 1939, it is characterized by neoclassical lines. The cathedral is the seat of the diocese and the focal point of the church life that Robert Francis Prevost shaped here over the years; an oasis of peace and reflection in the heart of the bustling city center.
You won't find any fine-dining restaurants in Chiclayo. Here you'll find everyday cuisine; down-to-earth, hearty, and generously seasoned with cilantro, garlic, and ají chilies. Chiclayo really comes alive where people are doing business. At the Mercado Modelo, piles of fruit and herbs, baskets of corn, rice, and spices are stacked high. At the “Mercado de Brujos,” the so-called witches’ or shamans’ market, Chiclayo reveals its most authentic side. Here you’ll find herbs, ointments, and tinctures for a wide variety of ailments, dried snakes, amulets, and implements for shamanic ceremonies, remnants of a body of knowledge that existed long before Christianity took hold in this region.
Chiclayo isn't a typical bucket-list destination, but it is a worthwhile stop on a trip through northern Peru, which is still relatively undeveloped for tourism. Lima is a good place to start, and the best way to end the trip is on the coast near Máncora, with its peaceful lodges, spas, and kilometers of sandy beaches. Here, your trip comes to a luxurious and relaxing conclusion at places like the “Kichic Lodge” or the “Eco Lodge Mancora.”
Fausto, Lima
A particularly charming hideaway in the trendy Miraflores neighborhood, right in the heart of the capital. This charming accommodation is located in a neoclassical building from the 1920s. The bright rooms feature a design that is both thoughtful and stylish. A home for art and design lovers.
Hotel B, Lima
A beautiful, meticulously restored Belle Époque building and, at the same time, the only Relais & Châteaux hotel in Lima. What really excites art lovers’, however, isn’t necessarily the (stunningly beautiful) design of the rooms, but rather the role art plays in the hotel; more than 300 works by local artists turn a stay here into a veritable visit to an art exhibition.
Kichic, Máncora
An adults-only retreat right on Máncora Beach. This small, luxury boutique hotel was once a private residence and was designed with the intention of creating a place where guests can unwind and connect with nature. Local natural materials define the attractive design of the nine spacious rooms, while the restaurant enchants guests with its thoughtfully prepared cuisine.
Eco Lodge, Máncora
Located just 250 meters from the beach, this property is in a pleasantly quiet setting, yet close to the city center. Nature and sustainability define the experience; light colors, plenty of wood, and natural materials create a warm atmosphere.
Winmeier Hotel, Chiclayo
Located in the heart of the city, about a ten-minute walk from the Catedral Santa María, it is ideal for anyone who wants to explore the city center and the surrounding area. Comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool, and warm, friendly service round out the offerings.
Arennas, Máncora
A luxurious paradise on the Pacific coast that brings out the best of both indoor and outdoor living, with stylish, spacious rooms featuring ocean views and a setting that inspires yoga, relaxation, and exercise.
Enchanting Travels
The tour operator, which specializes in customized luxury and private tours, offers a variety of trips to Peru, including Chiclayo. The service includes the complete organization and coordination of the trip, including a visit to the Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán.
Naturamerica Travel
Specializes in travel to Central and South America. They handle all aspects of travel planning; from the initial planning through to your return. Chiclayo is part of the four-day Northern Peru – Chiclayo & Trujillo tour, which combines nature, culture, and adventure.
