Hacienda San José is a 17th-century colonial estate in Chincha, once one of Peru’s largest plantations. Today, it’s most known for the slave tunnels beneath the hacienda, where enslaved Africans were brought ashore and kept in inhumane conditions before being forced to work on the plantations. Walking through these tunnels is a sobering, emotional experience that sheds light on a dark part of Peru’s history many travelers aren’t aware of.

Visiting Hacienda San José was heavy but important. It felt very different from the usual tourist stops. Standing in those tunnels, we could almost feel the weight of the past. Learning about Afro-Peruvian history here gave us a deeper understanding of the cultural mix that shapes Peru today.

Pro Tip: Go with a guide, as the context and stories they share bring the hacienda’s history to life. Pair the visit with a stop in Chincha to experience Afro-Peruvian culture, food, and music in a more celebratory way. We visited with PeruHop on our way to Paracas.