Two different focuses lend themselves to planning a trip to Mala: Plaza de Armas, with its architectural history, cultural events, and green spaces; and Sendero Maleño, with a tourist experience and the opportunity to visit ECODEP. Architecture and local history are one focus, while an experience related to banana processing is the other.

Plaza de Armas: Church, Pavilion, and History

Plaza de Armas de Mala dates back to September 23, 1862. At its heart lies Iglesia Matriz San Pedro de Mala, an architectural monument from the 16th century. The church and the plaza therefore represent different historical points of reference: the church is dated to the 16th century, while the plaza is dated to 1862. If you would like to learn about Mala through its architectural history, you can consider these two dates side by side rather than combining them into a single date.

Glorieta Oriental is the central pavilion in the plaza and serves as a venue for cultural events. It was built as a gesture of gratitude to the Chinese community that had settled in the valley. The plaza thus brings together an event venue and an origin story connected to the community’s history. The plaza itself also received a TUR4all accessibility award, presented by MINCETUR and Impulsa Igualdad. If accessibility plays a role in choosing a destination, this award is a specific point of reference for the plaza.

Green Spaces in the Plaza

Acacia trees grow across a large part of the plaza. There are also well-maintained green spaces with flowers, shrubs, and even banana plants. The plaza can therefore be appreciated for more than its church and pavilion: its planting is also one of its described features. As you look around, you can experience the historic buildings and the different green spaces as distinct aspects of the same place.

Sendero Maleño and ECODEP

In a municipal announcement dated May 6, 2025, Sendero Maleño was described as an inclusive and sustainable tourist experience in the heart of Mala, Cañete. Visitors to the trail can visit ECODEP, a women’s association that processes surplus bananas into handcrafted chifles. This adds a specific organization and processed product to the tourist experience. Check ECODEP’s visiting arrangements in advance, as they may change.

The plaza and the trail offer different focuses: Plaza de Armas centers on architectural history, the pavilion, and green spaces; a visit to the trail adds ECODEP and its processing of surplus bananas. This distinction can help you shape your stay around the themes that interest you most, without having to make both places part of a fixed itinerary.

Getting to the Plaza

From the public transport stop in San Antonio, you can reach Plaza de Armas by combi along a paved road. The route is 3 km and takes 8 minutes. Check the connection before traveling, as transport conditions may change. This gives you a specific point of reference for traveling from San Antonio to the plaza if you arrive in Mala via this stop.

If you are looking for a hotel in Mala, you can first decide whether Plaza de Armas, with its historical and cultural associations, or Sendero Maleño with ECODEP is more important to your stay. Then compare the specific details of each accommodation and choose according to your own requirements.

Discover more destinations: Lurigancho-Chosica, Ate, San Antonio District, Cieneguilla, Lurin, Asia District, Miraflores, Comas

View the wider travel overview: Lima.