5 Ways to Enjoy Peru’s Independence Holiday

5 Ways to Enjoy Peru’s Independence Holiday, Aracari Travel

Fiestas Patrias in Peru

On 28 and 29 July each year Peru celebrates Fiestas Patrias, the national holidays to commemorate the country’s independence. It’s the biggest holiday in Peru after Christmas and the whole country takes part in the lively festivities.

28 July marks the official day when Jose de San Martin declared Peru’s independence from Spain in 1821. Then 29 July is a day in tribute to the country’s national police and armed forces.

If you’re in Peru during Fiestas Patrias, here are our 5 top picks to soak up the atmosphere and join in the fun.

1. Parades through the streets of Lima

As the official national celebration of independence, there’s a lot of pomp and ceremony that goes along with this important day. Head into the city centre of Lima to watch the raising of the flag at the Cathedral and the 21 gun salute on 28 July, followed by the huge parade through the streets on 29 July. These are great ways to see Peru’s national pride in action. There are also parades, festivals and fireworks in other towns and cities throughout Peru.

2. Understand the story of Peru

Peru’s story of independence spans many centuries, through different periods of transition and change for the country. To understand how Peru arrived at its independence celebrations of today, let Aracari take you on a journey through the country’s past. With specialist guides taking you to the top historic sites and museums for private tours, understanding the past is a great way to appreciate modern day Peru.

3. Fly the colours

You’ll see that all public buildings in Peru proudly fly the Peruvian flag for Fiestas Patrias, and decorate their buildings in red and white. Even vehicles, bicycles and pets get in on the action. Peru’s flag is red and white, colours chosen by Jose de San Martin, The Liberator. The coat of arms in the centre of the flag features a llama and a chichona tree, important symbols of Peru, and the cornucopia represents prosperity. Join the celebration by wearing red and white and flying the flag!

4. Magic Water Circuit

Located in Parque de la Reserva in Lima, the world’s largest water fountain complex puts on a special show for Fiestas Patrias. Each show lasts 20 minutes and will be continuously played throughout the four day holiday weekend between 8.15pm and 9.15pm. The spectacular water and lights show tells the story of Peru’s history, with imagery, film, and traditional and modern music.

5. Patriotic Food & Drink

What better way to celebrate Peru than through its amazing food and drink? Try some classic local dishes like ceviche, anticuchos, lomo saltado and causa. Of course, you’ll have to wash that down with a perfect pisco sour or Ponche de los Libertadores, the traditional drink to toast the country’s independence! Aracari’s Lima with Zest is the perfect culinary tour to introduce you to the tantilising tastes of Peru.

The best way to understand a country, its history and traditions is to experience it firsthand. Aracari is all about experiential travel – if you’re considering a trip to Peru that coincides with any festivals or national holidays, we offer tailor made trips to ensure you have a unique and authentic experience.

Ready to plan a trip to Peru? Contact us or email travel@aracari.com.

Related Post
The Marinera: An Interview With Marcela Ganoza Guillermo Ganoza, the father of Marcela Ganoza Bombieri- a dear friend of Aracari- is credited with saving the marinera dance and elevating its status...
The Best Beach Houses on Peru’s North Coast Beach houses have always been a popular accommodation choice for those enjoying long vacations or traveling in  groups. As lockdown restrictions aroun...
Festival Season in Peru June through September marks festival season in Peru, an especially vibrant time in which you’ll find large-scale festivities and celebrations in citi...
Maria Julia Raffo – Peru Gastronomy Expert Culinary Travel in Peru Aracari’s Peru Gastronomy expert and PR advisor, Maria Julia Raffo, tells her part of the Aracari story. She shares what it's...
Corpus Christi Cusco: 5 Tips for Enjoying the Festival Corpus Christi Cusco Festival  Corpus Christi, a Catholic holiday celebrated worldwide, is very distinct in Cusco. It’s the city’s most important rel...
Our Favorite South American Adventure Road Trips After a year of such stasis, we are predicting that slow travel is set to make a return to bucket list adventures. Continental and domestic flights sw...