Casa Hacienda San Jose

A picture at San Jose Ranch from 1834 shows African slaves already performing the Festejo. Today, Peruvians know it as a festive dance celebrating freedom, though many don’t know how or where it began. Luis explained that it grew out of freedom from slavery in Peru. He also told us how African-Peruvian culture became an integral part of Peru through the slave trade from the 18th century. Anticuchos, for example, came from enslaved people using the cow and chicken innards that owners discarded. Over time, it became a very Peruvian dish. For the full review and details of our five months of Round The World RTW travels, visit 2bearbear today!

There’s a really relaxed feel to the place, with lots of activities and areas to explore. I’d never stayed in a proper hacienda before, and the closest comparison I can think of is maybe the Huntington. The rooms are first class, and our suite had a bath as well as a shower. Wow, definitely an experience.

Lots of history here. A lovely place to stop on the way from Lima to Paracas.

We stopped by briefly last month. The property is beautiful, but I can’t get my head around staying somewhere with such a haunting past, above the old slave tunnels, including the torture rooms.