About
The Sechura Desert, also known as the Desierto de Sechura, lies on the Pacific coast of northwestern Peru. It is the largest desert in the country, stretching along the shoreline and giving visitors a wide, open landscape of sand dunes and dry forests.
What to expect
The scenery is defined by its contrasts. Large expanses of sand dunes meet patches of dry forest, a combination that makes the desert feel varied rather than uniform. Because it runs along the coast, the sea is never far from the landscape, and the desert's edge is part of what gives the region its character.
- Sand dunes covering large stretches of the coastal plain
- Dry forests growing in parts of the desert
- A long Pacific coastline running alongside the desert
Planning a visit
The Sechura Desert suits travellers who enjoy wide, quiet landscapes and the experience of crossing a desert by the sea. It is a destination best approached as a place to explore slowly, with the coast and the surrounding northwestern region forming the wider context for a trip. Visitors interested in the landscape will find it a distinctive stop within Peru's diverse geography.
