Dating back to the 10th millennium BCE, Peru has one of the longest histories of civilization in the world. Due to its location in the central and western parts of South America, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile, Peru is an incredibly diverse and vibrant country in culture and also in landscape. Across its miles of coastal desert, mountain ranges, and tropical rainforests, the climate of Peru ranges from arid and hot where it touches the Equator to humid and tumultuous towards the basin of Lake Titicaca in the south east. This variety of terrain and climate makes Peru the home of many beautiful landmarks, wildlife, activities, and sports like polo.
Lima, Peru
Lima, founded in 1535 as “the City of Kings” is the capital city of Peru. Though the city is mainly located in the desert zone of the coastal plains of Peru, the city stretches into the city of Callao to access its seaport. With one third of the population living in the vast city, Lima is one of the most developed and prosperous areas of the country. Travelers are attracted to its museums, food, and historical significance.
Although this vast city could hardly be explored in a day, some of the most highly rated attractions are the Plaza de Armas, which is known as the birthplace of Lima. This location is perfect for photos of a trip to Peru with its bronze fountain and Municipal Palace dating back to the 1650s. The Huaca Pucllana, far from the Municipal Palace, is an active archaeological site in the middle of the Miraflores neighborhood. The Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI) is packed with Peruvian art from over 3,000 years of history.
Polo in Peru
However, with so many enriching and beautiful locations to visit, many visitors miss the opportunity to visit the most prominent polo club in Peru; The Lima Polo Club. With over 120 years of history, the Lima Polo Club is the oldest polo club in Peru. This private club, though small in its membership base, has competed on a variety of international stages. One of the Lima Polo Club’s most notable achievements was its victory over the U.S. in a high goal tournament at the Newport Polo Club in 2017. Although it was Peru’s first visit to Newport, the team won with 11 goals to seven against the seasoned U.S. competitors. Today, the member base continues to grow at the Lima Polo Club and Newport and other locations are excited to see the competition they put forth in upcoming seasons.
Additionally, polo fans and athletes can head to El Cortijo Polo Club based in Lima. The club was founded only 18 years ago back in 2007 and was started as a home field for El Cortijo Polo team founded by Guillermo Li Chau. The club eventually expanded to become a breeding and training operation further helping with the development of polo in Peru.
Written in collaboration with Lily Brennan