The small city is the site of the Chancay Mega-port, a deep water port built by China as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.

The main attraction is El Castillo, a faux castle, recently repaired but constructed in the nineteenth century.

[6] The port of Chancay began operation in November 2024[8] and was formally opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

[2][3][4] Concerns have also been raised about reparations for damaging effects of the construction in nearby areas, particularly from a tunnel that is part of the port complex.

The dredging of the port, which sucked sediment from the seabed to create a shipping channel 17 meters (56 feet) deep has affected fish breeding grounds, according to locals.