For getting your bearings in Chilca District, it helps to make a simple distinction: the historic and religious points of interest are around the Plaza de Armas; the La Encantada and La Mellicera lagoons, as well as Playa Punta Yaya, are separate destinations in the district. Fig and pomegranate production adds a local food tradition to these destinations. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first decide which of these aspects you want to shape your stay.
Plaza de Armas and Iglesia de la Asunción
The Plaza de Armas de Chilca is of historic value and is a central meeting place for visitors. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Chilca is located on the plaza. The Baroque religious building was constructed starting in 1718. The church has six bells known as the “Campanas de Chilcaâ€; the oldest apparently dates from 1727. The Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Chilca is located at Jr. San Francisco 356, also on the plaza.
The festival of the Virgen de la Asunción de MarÃa is also associated with the church. It is celebrated on August 15 with religious activities, fairs, and tastings of typical foods. The plaza therefore serves not only as a point of orientation for visiting the Baroque church, but also as a link to a local festival tradition. The building’s history, the bells, and the August festival each offer a different emphasis: architecture, historical heritage, and religious life come together here, without describing the same experience.
Lagoons and Playa Punta Yaya
Laguna La Encantada is located in Salinas, in Chilca District. Possible activities there include mud baths, swimming, enjoying the scenery, and photography. At Laguna La Mellicera, also located in Salinas, mud bathing is listed as a possible activity; a tourist description dated April 5, 2025, mentions this option. By comparison, the activities listed for La Encantada cover several different options, while mud bathing is the focus at La Mellicera.
Another option is Playa Punta Yaya in Chilca District. It is also known as Playa Yaya or Playa Las Salinas and has an average length of 1.1 kilometers. The three destinations can therefore be distinguished by their respective described highlights: swimming, mud baths, scenery, and photography at Laguna La Encantada; mud bathing at Laguna La Mellicera; and the beach as a destination in its own right. When planning, you can first decide which of these local options best suits your interests.
Figs, Pomegranates, and Local Festivals
Chilca is known for its abundant production of figs and pomegranates. The fruits are grown using the traditional “holladas†techniques; the cultivation is visible from the Panamericana. Figs and pomegranates also feature in local liqueur production. The Festival del Higo takes place in February. The 38th edition of the Festival Internacional del Higo was announced for 2026; gastronomic areas and fig products are planned. The festival themes complement a visit to the church with another perspective on local culture and agriculture.
The festival dates also provide different times of year to plan around: the festival of the Virgen de la Asunción de MarÃa is celebrated on August 15, while the Festival del Higo takes place in February. The 38th edition of the international fig festival was announced for 2026. If one of these festivals is a deciding factor for your trip, plan around its respective date. The fig products and tastings mentioned offer a concrete connection between the culinary side of a trip to Chilca and local produce.
Routes from the Plaza and Finding Accommodation
The Plaza de Armas also serves as a point of reference for getting your bearings. The paved walk to the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Chilca is listed as ten meters, or about five minutes. The route from the plaza to Laguna La Encantada is 4.6 kilometers along a paved road, with an estimated driving time of about twelve minutes. For Playa Punta Yaya, the route information gives a paved connection of 1.5 kilometers and an estimated driving time of about three minutes.
By comparison, the listed route to Laguna La Encantada is longer than the one to Playa Punta Yaya; the approximate times also differ. Use these details as a guide for each route and check the route before setting out. When looking for a vacation rental, you can first choose your main destination— the plaza and church, one of the lagoons, or Playa Punta Yaya—and compare the location of a specific listing with your planned visits. This way, you can start choosing accommodation based on the places you actually want to make the focus of your trip.
Discover more destinations: San Antonio District, Catahuasi District, Ate, La Molina, Chontay, Lima, Caleta Vidal, Churin.
Go to the main travel overview: Lima.
