The port of El Callao is 15 km from the center of Lima, the only South American capital facing the Pacific Ocean. In the 'chalacas' streets, a name for people born in El Callao, the mansions and balconies stand out, as well as a fortress that evokes times of pirates. The most important neighborhoods are La Punta, with Republican-style buildings and pebble beaches, and Chucuito, a traditional and colorful fishermen's neighborhood where you can still see Gothic or Neo-Renaissance-style houses built between 1900 and 1920 by Italian migrants.
Among the tourist places most desired by tourists who visit the province of El Callao in Peru, without a doubt the District of La Punta steals all eyes thanks to its splendid view and the many activities that can be carried out there.
The district of La Punta is reached by two main roads of the Province of Callao:
When researching the past of La Punta, it is essential to turn to chroniclers, a usual source for reconstructing the events of Peru, often marked by uncertain or dramatic episodes.
One of the oldest testimonies about this area comes from the Jesuit priest Bernabé Cobo. In his work History of the Foundation of Lima (1639), he describes that the first inhabitants were fishermen known as the "Pitipiti". These lived in simple huts located at "the tip of firm land," which would correspond to the current Cantolao Beach.
Almost a century later, the French engineer Francisco Amadeo Frezier, in his book Voyage of Exploration to South America (1716), depicted on his maps the place that would later be known as La Punta, identifying it as "Punta del Callao".
By 1774, maps already showed the contours of La Punta more precisely, calling them "El Puerto del Callao", although without giving the territory a specific name.
On the other hand, during the colonial period, there was a succession of fishing ranches called "Pitipiti Viejo" or San Miguel de Mancera, which connected La Punta with the old Port of Callao. This complex began at the Puerta de Mancera, guarded by the San Luis bastion, and extended to the Playa de la Arenilla and the Playa de San Lorenzo, known today as Cantolao Beach.
In 1836, La Punta and Bellavista were incorporated into the Province of Callao. Years later, on April 22, 1857, Ramón Castilla granted Callao the title of Constitutional Province, elevating it to department status.
On November 18, 1889, under the presidency of Andrés Avelino Cáceres, remembered as "The Wizard of the Andes" for his participation in the resistance in the highlands during the War of the Pacific, the limits of Callao were defined, including the territory of La Punta.
The last reference to La Punta before its creation as a district is found in the Annual Directory of Peru of 1910, prepared by Pedro Paulet. This document indicates that La Punta had two main streets (Medina and Sáenz Peña), two secondary streets (Ucayali and another unnamed street), and a wide square surrounded by elegant hotels and lodgings, places that welcomed the first enthusiastic visitors of the summer season.
The well-remembered La Punta Baths emerged in the mid-19th century and quickly became an attractive place for recreation. Such was the welcome that, according to Agustín Tovar Albertis, the donation of the rails that had served to transport materials during the construction of the Lima Penitentiary was managed. Thanks to these rails, an animal-traction road was set up connecting Paz Soldán street, in Callao, with the baths of La Punta, facilitating the arrival of vacationers.
After a difficult period for the country, marked by conflicts with Spain and Chile, Peru went through a period of apparent calm. During those years, the La Punta Baths regained their appeal, increasing their attendance. Towards the end of Remigio Morales Bermúdez's government, on February 13, 1894, authorization was granted to the Railway Company to extend its service to the hamlet of La Punta, which allowed more people from Lima to enjoy its beaches with greater ease.
The arrival of the railway was key in turning La Punta Peru into a relevant beach resort by 1895. At that time, engineers and workers from companies like the Dock and Dock Company or the English Steamship Company gathered there to enjoy its beaches, while San Lorenzo Island stood as a guardian from the horizon.
Although it was a busy place, it was not until 1889 that La Punta was formally integrated into Callao, under the same political and judicial administration. The influx to the resort promoted the construction of four hotels:
Over the years, the waters of La Punta gained fame. At the beginning of the 20th century, it began to be frequented by social sectors of higher economic standing. Among its distinguished visitors was José Pardo y Barreda, a prominent politician and two-time president of Peru, who vacationed in a residence located on what is now called Malecón Pardo, named in his honor.
During the 1910s, La Punta transformed from a simple fishing village into a preferred resort for affluent families, who used to spend their summers there and move to Chosica in the winter months. This custom is evoked in the childhood memories of the writer Alfredo Bryce Echenique, who witnessed the era when the La Punta Baths maintained their splendor well into the 20th century.
The growing prestige of La Punta Callao and the management of prominent figures of Callao society, such as Antonio Miró Quesada de la Guerra, Agustín Tovar, Alberto Secada Sotomayor, Rafael Grau (son of Admiral Miguel Grau), and Francisco de Alberti, promoted the official creation of the district. Thus, on October 6, 1915, during the second government of José Pardo y Barreda, Law 2141 was enacted, giving legal life to both the district of La Punta and that of Bellavista.
Curiously, the founding of the district coincided with the transfer of the Peruvian Naval School to La Punta, marking a milestone in local history.
In its beginnings as a district, La Punta Lima had around one hundred wooden houses, known as ranches, occupied by their owners or rented during the summer season. The stable population was small and composed of families who are now part of the historical legacy of the place. Possibly, the Pardo y Barreda family would have been among them, were it not for the president's commitments in Lima. They were joined by residents known as Gómez Chepote, Huapata, and Salazar Balandra.
Every inhabitant of La Punta should know that their district has been the scene of key moments in the history of the Republic of Peru. It is, indeed, part of that great narrative where notable figures, both military and civilian, who shaped the course of the country, stand out.
During the second half of the 19th century, Peru was experiencing a period of prosperity thanks to the exploitation of guano, coveted in Europe as fertilizer. During Pezet's government, tensions arose with Spain, which demanded payment of the debt for independence. In this context, a Spanish fleet, presented as scientific but actually military, occupied the Chincha Islands, the country's main source of fiscal income. This led to the signing of the Vivanco-Pareja Treaty, considered detrimental to Peru.
Faced with this, Mariano Ignacio Prado led a revolution that overthrew Pezet and annulled the treaty, declaring war on Spain. No South American country was in a position to sustain a large-scale naval conflict, so an alliance was formed between Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and Bolivia, with Peru and Chile being the main protagonists. The war was decided on May 2, 1866.
La Punta played a decisive role thanks to its location. Although the Spanish fleet represented a threat, it is true that Spain did not have the capacity to reconquer territories, as it lacked sufficient troops to carry out landings. Its main intention was to obtain economic benefits, both from the pending debt and from the guano. The confrontation focused on the southern flank, using the Real Felipe Fortress and several defensive towers.
It was impossible for the Spanish to bypass La Punta Peru, except by trying to go around the two large nearby islands, a slow maneuver and easy to detect. In addition, the seabed between the peninsula and the islands is very shallow (hence the phenomenon known as El Camotal), which would have grounded their vessels. This allowed defenses to be concentrated in a single sector, except for a battery located on the rear flank as a precaution. During the battle, La Punta became a key point of attack, housing different fronts:
Thirteen years later, La Punta callao once again became a war zone, this time during the War of the Pacific. With Chile advancing towards Lima, the Port of Callao became the first line of defense, immediately strengthening. The Real Felipe resumed its central defensive function.
In 1879, two Delgran cannons and two additional batteries with nine artillery pieces were installed in La Punta, although many were inoperative. The defenses built in 1866 persisted, though damaged, such as:
On April 22, sporadic clashes began in El Callao. The explosions became so frequent that many inhabitants, initially evacuated, returned to their homes despite the danger. On May 27, Chilean forces attacked the pier and populated areas, culminating on the 29th with the partial sinking of the Peruvian squadron.
Seventy years later, La Punta was embroiled in another crucial episode: the October 3, 1948 Revolution. In the third year of José Luis Bustamante y Rivero's government, the country faced an economic and social crisis, worsened by political tensions after the dissolution of Congress and the establishment of a military cabinet. APRA, losing influence, promoted an uprising.
In the early morning of October 3, a large part of the Navy's General Staff rebelled. One of their first actions was to take the naval high command itself prisoner, held in the home of the Zagal family, residents of La Punta.
Around noon, the situation became more critical. The Army and Air Force intervened to suppress the rebels, with the confrontation concentrating in Cantolao. After intense fighting throughout the day, the Armed Forces issued an ultimatum to the Navy, threatening to bomb the Naval School. Under pressure, the rebellious marines chose to surrender.
The civilian population was caught in the crossfire. No one could enter or leave the district. Even so, curiosity led several neighbors to approach Cantolao to observe the events, despite the danger of bullets and tanks moving through the streets.
There were civilian victims, such as Lorenzo Giraldo and Julio Piachigua Cárdenas, co-founder of the La Punta Fire Department. Others were wounded, such as Jorge Pardo Figueroa, who received a shot in the abdomen, though without vital damage. Transporting the wounded was very complicated due to movement restrictions, but finally, friends managed to take Jorge to Callao, where he received medical attention.
There are no lack of surprising anecdotes from those days. It is said that a newlywed couple, instead of taking shelter, went out into the middle of the combat zone to visit their relatives in Callao Peru. They even brought their one-month-old baby. After confirming that their relatives were well, they returned dodging bullets, taking refuge behind the cornices of the houses.
Another story tells how a group of neighbors approached a soldier who had set up a mortar on the Calavera court to ask him, quite naturally, to move it a little further away. The soldier, far from complying, proceeded to fire the mortar, but the projectile barely moved a few meters before falling without exploding, to the relief of everyone present.
Particularly noteworthy is the Balneario del Distrito de La Punta, a picturesque, traditional and perfect place to get out of the routine and monotony generated by cities. There tourists can enjoy the beach, breeze and sea that everyone longs for on their vacations
To this is added a majestic boardwalk, which is attended by many foreign and national visitors. Of course, the Inca gastronomy cannot be left aside either, which shines due to the number of restaurants that can be found there. Tourists are undoubtedly the most delighted with the many dishes that they can taste in the Balneario del Distrito de La Punta.
To visit Callao is to make a forced stop in the quietest district of said province, which is La Punta. Characterized by grouping the descendants of the first Italians in Peru, it preserves its culture and typical expressions of the residents of Punte as Chucuitanos.
This Chalaca area houses many places full of history, but it is its main square that draws the attention of visitors, since, despite the years, it retains its ornamental beauty that blends perfectly with the current buildings.
Located in Jirón Medina, block 3 with Bolognesi Avenue, this square has a roundabout, a replica of a pergola that was in that same place in the middle of the 20th century, being the most attractive for those who come to the place.
At present, and in order to meet the expectations of locals and foreigners, it has a totally free Wi-Fi zone. In addition, in its surroundings are the Municipality of La Punta, the Fire Company No. 34 - La Punta and the Pardo boardwalk.
So do not hesitate to visit the most beautiful district of Puerto Chalaco that also offers a wide variety of seafood restaurants facing the sea, and you can try the characteristic "rebozado" of pejerrey.
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