Celebrate Peruvian Independence during Fiestas Patrias this July
If you’ll be traveling through Peru in July, get ready to string up your red and white streamers and don your Peruvian flag pin! One of Peru’s largest celebrations of the year is Independence Days, celebrated the 28th and 29th of each July. The atmosphere is festive, with red and white decorations appear throughout the streets, and many Peruvians take advantage of the long weekend to travel and to celebrate with their families, enjoying traditional regional dishes throughout the country such as ceviche and causa in Lima, goat stew in the north, roast guinea pig and alpaca in the Andes, and stuffed chili peppers in Arequipa to name just a few. Throughout Peru there’ll be fairs and street parties, outdoor concerts and fireworks shows, impromptu serenades in the plazas and parks, folkloric dance parades, and bullfights.
Photos: Celebrating Fiestas Patrias in Lima
If you’re lucky enough to be in Lima on July 24th, you’ll be there in time for National Pisco Day, when the fountain in Lima’s main square is filled with Pisco for revelers to drink. To commemorate San Martin’s declaration of independence on July 28th, the day is marked by folkloric and Creole serenades in the plazas and parks. Ollanta Humala will make his address to the nation after a series of flag-raising ceremonies and 21-gun salutes. The following day, July 29th, is the military parade. On both days you’ll be able to see folkloric parades with dancers and musicians along the main streets, enlivened with ubiquitous street vendors. If you really want to take in some local flavor, try and catch a traditional Marinera Limeña dance contest, bullfight, or Peruvian Paso Horse Show.
Photos: Celebrating Fiestas Patrias in Pirwa Colonial Hostel in Cusco
Cusco’s celebrations are all about fireworks and firecrackers, bouncing clubs with private parties, and street parties. The liveliest bars and clubs of Cusco tend to be concentrated in either the Plaza de Armas or San Blas, great if you’re in the mood for a pub crawl. Unfortunately many places will charge a cover on these days, or charge more. Peru’s 2nd City never misses the chance to compete with the capital, so you can expect the White City to produce some exuberant parades with floats, costumed dancers and musicians into the night. While traditional bullfights take place in Lima and other cities, Arequipa offers another alternative bull fighting which is actually two bulls fighting!
Toast to Independence
Ever since they first swore independence, Lima’s Congress has been toasting to independence annually with a drink that’s become known as Liberator’s Punch:
Ponche de los Libertadores: Mix 1oz Pisco, 1oz White Rum, 1oz Golden Rum, 1 oz Algarrobina (Carob Syrup- very common in Peru), 1½oz Stout Beer, 1½oz evaporated milk, and 2oz cane syrup together, warm and then blend with 1 egg. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve hot.
You can’t go wrong however, with Peru’s national drink, the classic Pisco Sour:
Pisco Sour: Blend 7½oz Pisco, 2½oz Key Lime Juice and 2½oz Sugar Syrup (the basic formula is 3 parts Pisco to 1 part lime juice and 1 part sugar syrup) with enough ice to double the volume. Add 1 egg white and blend some more to create foam. Serve with a drop of Angostura bitter in each glass.
Keep in Mind
- Secure your cash flow in advance, because banks and other services will be closed.
- Book transport and lodging that falls over this 4-day weekend in advance, as demand is high and many places hike up their prices. (Don’t worry about Pirwa, however- our prices stay constant all year!)
- Watch your pockets in the crowds- especially small electronics like cells, mp4s, and cameras.