Buena Vista

Buena Vista is an archaeological site covering about 8 hectares in the foothills of the Andes, with ancient structures including ceremonial centers and stepped pyramids. The ruins contain remains spanning thousands of years, with the oldest dating back around 10,000 years.

The site was inhabited during several pre-Columbian periods, with the Temple of the Fox dating to around 2200 BCE and representing a significant pre-Inca civilization. Its continuous use over thousands of years shows how important this location remained for different cultures in the region.

The temple entrance displays a mural showing a fox within a llama, reflecting how the local people saw connections between animals and survival. This kind of artwork reveals what mattered most to those who lived and worshipped here.

The site is located about 40 kilometers from Lima in the Chillon River Valley and is relatively easy to reach from the city. Visitors should prepare for uneven ground and bring weather-appropriate clothing, as the open-air ruins can become slippery in rain.

Part of the site contains stone markers that functioned as an astronomical calendar, tracking important events like the summer solstice. This system reveals the sophisticated knowledge that ancient residents had about the movements of the sky and how they wove it into daily life.