The Peruvian coastline along the Pacific Ocean, particularly the area of Callao neighboring the capital, Lima, could undergo an unprecedented urban transformation in the coming years through an ambitious project to construct an artificial peninsula inspired by Dubai’s artificial islands.
The initiative, known as “Dubai Chalaco,” aims to reclaim 200 hectares of marine land to create recreational spaces such as public beaches and water parks, alongside real estate developments and maritime ports.
The estimated cost of the venture is around $800 million, with expectations for completion within three to four years, according to the Proinversion Agency, which is responsible for promoting private investment in Peru.
The project will span three areas in Callao: La Perla, Callao Cercado, and La Punta. It will feature an artificial beach covering 280,000 square meters, an outdoor park extending over one square kilometer, and a water park of 300,000 square meters.
Introduced in 2021 by a consortium of companies including “Puerta del Pacifico” and “Van Oord,” the design of the project is influenced by the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
The new peninsula will be physically connected to the La Perla area, with two cable car systems linking the project to the mainland.
Proinversion refers to the project as the “Artificial Peninsula – Gateway to the Pacific,” highlighting its aspirations to create a modern, technological infrastructure that will reshape the coastal landscape of one of the country’s main ports.
Mario Hernandez, the private projects director at Proinversion, noted that the project has been under review since the end of 2024 after obtaining preliminary approval from the Ministry of Housing.
An “Expression of Interest” regarding the project is expected to be published next October, allowing a three-month period for other companies to submit competing offers. If no alternative proposals emerge, the project will be awarded directly to the consortium that initiated it.
According to Hernandez, Callao’s coastline was chosen for the project because it serves as the maritime outlet for the capital, indicating a high population density and demand for urban spaces of this nature.
The project will follow a model of “private asset projects,” meaning it will be fully financed by the developing consortium without financial contribution from the state, which will primarily facilitate administrative procedures and permits.
Despite the project’s ambitious scope, it has drawn criticism from several experts, including architect Brian Castillo Dávila, the head of the Callao Architects Association. He expressed reservations about the initiative, stating, “It’s a private project that does not address any real needs or urban gaps in Callao; we need to discuss the needs of local residents, especially since the project will be implemented near their beaches.”
Castillo Dávila further added that the urban plan includes commercial areas that closely resemble the creation of an entirely new residential district.