World > Latin America

Hacienda San José

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<p>Everything feels oversize here. Whitewashed arches tower above wide porches. King-size beds and massive armoires don't begin to fill the vast rooms. Although San José is a simple hotel, its amenities—an attractive pool, tasty food, and pleasant service—add flair. The hacienda was built in 1688, and its sugarcane plantation was originally run by Jesuits, until it was sold in 1767. Its current owners, the Cillóniz family, purchased San José in 1913, and it is one of the few haciendas in Peru to have survived the land reform measures of the 1960's. Tour guides explain the antique farming and household implements in the common areas and lead guests through the eerie catacombs. Chincha itself is a predominantly Afro-Peruvian community, where traditional music and dance are performed on holiday weekends. <strong>Getting There </strong>San José is 130 miles south of Lima, off the Pan-American Highway. </p>