Laredo: Festivals, History and Regional Cuisine

You can get to know Laredo through its festivals, local history and cultural sites. There are different things to focus on when planning your trip: the Carnaval de Conache takes place in February, and the Feria del Combinado in July. In Laredo itself, the Iglesia Jesús y María, the Biblioteca Municipal José Watanabe Varas and the Plaza de Armas offer further points of interest. You can decide whether to plan your trip around festival traditions, history or cultural activities.

Festivals and regional dishes

The Carnaval de Conache takes place every year from 15 to 18 February in Conache, in the district of Laredo. Typical dishes include salted fish, cuy with potatoes, rice with duck and beans, and chicha de jora. The food gives the festival a culinary focus that differs from the dishes served at the Feria del Combinado.

The Feria del Combinado takes place once a year on 22 July, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Plaza Principal de Laredo. A raffle gives away ingredients for the typical dish, including pasta, potatoes and fish. The fair also features stalls selling combinado dishes for a chef to sample, as well as traditional dances from Peru and the region. Check the fair’s current schedule before your trip.

The two events take place in different months and have different focuses: the Carnaval is associated with Conache and several typical dishes; the Feria centers on the combinado, the raffle of ingredients, tastings and dances. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, this difference can help you choose when to travel.

Church history and architecture

The Iglesia Jesús y María in Laredo Pueblo was elevated to parish status on 18 July 1962 by Decree No. 326/62. This specific date and its elevation to parish status offer a clear point of reference for travelers interested in the town’s religious history.

Near Laredo, but outside the town itself, lies the Huaca de los Reyes, a temple with a U-shaped ground plan that opens to the east. Several buildings are arranged symmetrically around a main axis. The opening and axis describe the site through its shape and layout: here, the focus is on architectural structure, while the Iglesia Jesús y María is primarily associated with its religious history.

Cultural sites and getting around

The Biblioteca Municipal José Watanabe Varas is a local cultural and educational center named after the poet José Watanabe Varas. It reopened in May 2007 and has a reading room as well as a reading area for young children. The dedicated area for the youngest readers adds an educational focus alongside the town’s church history and festivals.

The Plaza de Armas de Laredo hosts cultural events, craft fairs and tourist activities that contribute to the region’s economic development. The Plaza Principal, where the Feria del Combinado takes place, is linked to a specific annual event. This is the difference between the information given about the two squares: the Feria has a stated date and time slot, while no regular schedule is provided for the other activities at the Plaza de Armas.

The tourist information office of the Municipalidad Distrital de Laredo is located in the Ex Cine. If you would like to use this resource during your trip, check its current opening hours and operating details in advance.

Plan your trip around your interests

When looking for a holiday apartment in Laredo, your travel dates and interests can help guide your choice. If you plan your trip around the Carnaval or the Feria, take their different dates into account and check the Feria’s current schedule. If you are more interested in history and architecture, the church and the Huaca offer different thematic focuses; the library and squares add cultural and educational perspectives.

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