Photo: Profonanpe
The Maleño Trail tourist route, between sea, culture and valley, is your best option if you are looking for a unique experience that combines nature, gastronomy and the story of women who lead sustainable and environmentally friendly eco-businesses, since they use waste oil and organic waste to produce innovative and ecological products such as bio-fertilizers, grease removers, soaps and balanced feed for birds.
Designed to highlight the cultural and environmental richness of the area, this sustainable and inclusive initiative allows visitors to discover beautiful landscapes, ancestral traditions and unparalleled cuisine while supporting the economic development of the community.
Photo: Profonanpe
How to get there from Lima
From Lima, you can take a bus to Mala at the Atocongo bus terminal, which operates companies such as Turismo Mala, Flores, Maleño VIP, among others, with fares between S/8.00 and S/10.00 per way. The trip, with some stops, lasts approximately one hour. All buses will leave you in the heart of this coastal district. If you like, you can do it by private car!
What to see and do in Mala?
The Maleño Trail tourist route, which is part of the destinations recommended by the Y tú qué planes platform, has been designed to offer an enriching and accessible experience for all visitors. Some of the unmissable points are:
- Bujama Beach: A paradise of fine sand and calm sea, ideal for a day of relaxation and connection with nature. Here you can find pergolas made of bamboo, where you will find information panels and swings where you can have fun to the rhythm of the sea waves. Entry to the beach is free.
- Playa Barcelona: With 760 meters of golden sand and calm waves, this beach is a perfect environment for bird watching, such as the blue-footed booby or the curved-billed curlew. If you go into the beach, you will discover the Barcelona archaeological site, whose vestiges will connect you with the rich history of the ancient inhabitants of the region. Entry to this beach is also free of charge.
- Historic Center of Mala: Discover the essence of the district walking through its streets, the main church of San Pedro de Mala and the main square, whose oriental gazebo will completely catch your attention, as it was a donation from the Chinese population to the locals, in gratitude for their good treatment and hospitality.
- Valley of Mala: Enjoy agricultural landscapes and learn more about the local production of bananas, one of the area’s emblematic products, by visiting the Mi Viejo Querido farm. The tour of this agricultural farm includes tilapia fishing. You will also find a 100-year-old grape tree. Admission is priced at S/5 per person, prior coordination through (social networks or phone number can be included).
- Tourist viewpoint of San José del Monte: From this point you can appreciate the valley of Mala in a panoramic way. It has a photographic frame in the form of wings, made from recycled bottles. The lookout was built by about 30 people, mostly women, who also erected about 133 steps that connect it to the trail. In addition, a few meters away is the chapel of San José del Monte. This chapel was built in 1982 thanks to the collective effort of the villagers and devotees.
Photo: Profonanpe
Each stop has information panels that tell the history of each of the tourist resources. It also incorporates wooden walkways so that people with motor disabilities can move around comfortably, Braille texts, QR codes with videos in sign language and 3D images for the visually impaired, demonstrating a firm commitment to accessibility.
Local gastronomy: unique flavors of Mala
You can try the popular Sopa bruta, a hearty traditional Malay dish, accompanied by carapulcra, very similar to Manchapecho (price from S/35) and the delicious picarones in the main square (price from S/3.00).
Tourism with purpose: A circular economy that transforms lives
Your visit cannot end without having tasted the delicious Chifles Puquchi, produced by the Ecodep association, made with plantain and by empowered women who give added value to the district’s flagship fruit. With this action they contribute to avoid the loss of crops due to the change of soil use and the decrease of subway water.
You should also learn about the inspiring work of the Probima association, which produces Nutriyawar biofertilizers, 100% organic and with high nutrients. It also produces grease removers and laundry soaps, whose main input is the residual oil used in the preparation of chifles.
Finally, in Mala you will find a bioconversion plant that transforms organic waste from the markets into balanced poultry feed by raising larvae of the black soldier fly, which transforms organic waste into a high value-added product. For this purpose, larvae of the black soldier fly are raised, which transform organic waste into a high value-added product. At Mala, nothing is thrown away!
Thus, with less than S/100, you can live an authentic experience promoted by Profonanpe, Peru’s environmental fund, and Compañía Minera Condestable. This initiative promotes sustainable tourism and supports local entrepreneurs, allowing travelers to enjoy an unforgettable tour with an affordable budget.
If you want to know more details about this touristic route, we invite you to review this information box: click HERE.
