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Surf in Lima- person on board riding a wave, shot from above — Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash

Surfing started in Peru centuries ago, only to swell in popularity on international shores yet remain on the fringes in of its home culture. It’s actually natural that surfing started in Peru. The long, lazy waves that eventually lick the rocks and sand are easy on the newbie. And being one myself, I finally took up an invitation to surf in Lima.

My Experience

It became evident that this is truly a Peruvian sport. Although I rose early (for a Saturday), this wasn’t necessary. You can rent a board any time of the morning or afternoon in Miraflores.

So, punctuality isn’t an issue. Definitely a very Peruvian thing.

The weather was sunny but the water frigid. My black swimsuit, a rental, made me feel like a warm sushi roll. Maybe this explained surfing’s relative lack of popularity. There are about 10 million people in the city, but only ten came to surf in Lima that day.

My arms spun and legs kicked as I followed my friend in the water. To the uninitiated, a surfboard is like a bigger, heavier boogie board. And that makes the simple act of getting in position a workout itself.

I tried to follow my friend’s instructions after turning the board to face the shore. And I shut down the voice in the back of my head saying “it’s OK if you don’t get up, a lot of first timers don’t“. My interest was in riding waves, not feeling pity for myself.

Now or Never

View of ocean waves from above — Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash

My legs moved madly upon selecting a wave and in trying to not lose it. But before I knew it, the wave was taking me. One lingering breath to loosen up later, my feet got in position on the board.

It was the moment of truth. Steadily I stood as the board continued on its own pace towards the rocky edge.

Yet all of a sudden, I was up. And to my somewhat disbelief, I wasn’t falling. My shoulders relaxed and rolled back as a hesitant smile crept over my face.

The exhilaration of knowing I did it meshed beautifully with the thrill of being on top of the sea, and the ocean air added its own particular pleasure as the board moved left and right as I saw fit.

To the right was the Rosa Nautica, a famous restaurant at the end of a pier. Straight ahead past the rocks, the Costa Verde had its traffic. And slightly above on top of the cliffs was the popular LarcoMar, an outdoor mall attracting tourists and Lima’s most fashionable residents.

As is the standard scene in Lima, these were all packed, and the surfing beach was not.

Those people in LarcoMar are fools, I said to myself.

After Sport, Food

We ended the morning satiating ourselves with pork chicharon sandwiches. Chicharron is probably the most popular weekend breakfast in the streets of Peru, and it should be.

While munching on sweet potato fries, I observed that nobody else had come from the beach. Everyone in Miraflores had another way to spend their morning.

I hoped for their sake they changed their minds the following weekend.

How to Surf in Lima

If you go, be ready to pay in cash. You can rent a board + suit for S/ 20-30 (under $10 USD!!!) for an hour. There are also lessons available. Prices depend on the number of people.

Of course, you can bring your own board. I recommend surfing at the bottom of the cliff in Miraflores. Just take the sidewalk from the Malecon or Parque Kennedy to the beach. This is the same place where you can rent boards or take lessons.

Conclusion

Surfing is a great way to have fun, work out, and conserve the environment. In Peru, waves are conserved by surfing and conservation groups. This prevents development or construction that may destroy superb surfing spots.

And the more people who surf and show interest, the more powerful these groups become!

Check out my article on what else to do in Lima to learn more about the city!!

Have you surfed in Lima or want to? Leave a comment below!

Surfing Party Waves in Mancora

Years ago, the parties were fewer and the surfing in Mancora drew in most visitors. Today it’s a mini-mecca for backpackers in addition to beach lovers. There are cafes, international restaurants (few places in Peru have Thai food), and also tried-and-true surf spots. Some might say the current Mancora is kitsch; others say it just has more flavor now.

If you take the tediously long busride from Lima to Peru’s northern coast, you’ll see the desert stubbornly but surely give way to palms and other tropical trees. Step off the bus at any of the stops and you’ll feel the warmth of the nearly equatorial sun brighten your senses. The grey of Lima dissipates from memory. You’ll wonder why you were crazy enough to be on a bus for 20+ hours. And you’ll second-guess if the relatively few dollars saved was worth it.

But all that melts away when you FINALLY get to the beaches such as Mancora. Here you can surf and dance away the stress from being inside that closed box on wheels. The excellent surfing opportunities, endless parties, and perfect sunsets make this part of Peru unique.

Hang 10! (or even 11)- What to Do in Mancora

Obviously, surfing is the name of the game in Mancora. Some of the best spots in the country are in & around town. You don’t need a wetsuit, unlike the beaches near Lima. Rentals are easy to find as well.

For nearby surf spots, check out Cabo Blanco, Lobitos, Los Organos and Zorritos. Cabo Blanco is said to have the best left-breaking curve in the world. Los Organos is unique in that it has white sand and is a popular fishing spot, too. Lobitos is also famous for its tubes, and is popular for windsurfing too. And the surfer’s paradise of Zorritos is the northernmost, so its waters are the warmest. All of these are within an hour’s drive of Mancora.

Check out the town of Fernandez if you’re itching for a hike. The town’s dry forest and waterfall are popular attractions.

There are other water activities in Mancora such as kitesurfing and banana boats, too. At sunset it’s popular to take a horse ride along the shore. Last but not least, the body surfing is ideal.

horses and straw roofs on Peruvian beach.By Theodore Scott from Houston, USA - P1020365, CC BY 2.0, //commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4788011

How to Get There

The best way to get to Mancora is to steadily make your way up the coast, stopping at beaches like Huancacho in La Libertad to break up the journey. Otherwise it’s a 21-hour bus ride from Lima, and it costs S/ 150-200 for a good seat that reclines all the way. Trust me, you do not want to skimp on the seat.

Mancora is also 8 hours from Guayaquil, Ecuador and 4 from the department capital, Piura. Oltursa and Cruz del Sur provide these bus routes. But If you’re low on time, the most efficient route is to fly to Piura from Lima. The flight takes less than 2 hours.

Destination	Trip Length (Hours)	Cost (Soles)
Guayaquil	7-8	S/ 70-80
Lima	21-22	S/ 200
Piura	4	S/ 30-80

sunset over a pier with boats and palm trees in Mancora

Where Should You Stay?

There are lots of party hostels and bungalows in Mancora, at various price ranges. The classic backpacker stop, Loki del Mar, is beach-adjacent with its own pool and bar. The bar is great, the party doesn’t stop, and the crowd is active and lively.

If you want a more relaxed vibe, there’s Psygon surf camp, which has a good reputation.

You should reserve in advance, since Mancora is the most popular beach destination in Peru.

The Final Say If You Go Surfing In Mancora

Surfers approaching the waters on a sunny beach day in Northern Peru

Mancora is warm, dry, and sunny year-round. The exception is during El Nino years, when torrential rains can drench the northern Peruvian coast from April to October.

Mancora attracts a lot of tourists, and unfortunately, this can mean pickpockets too. For this reason I recommend being mindful of one’s belongings, especially in large crowds or when alcohol is involved.

Mancora is located in the department of Piura, which claims to have the best ceviche in all of Peru. I can verify that they deserve this claim. So definitely have a great ceviche mixto with a beer to pass an early afternoon!

Of course, bring what you normally would for a wet, sunny adventure. At least have a swimsuit and sunblock.

Ready to Make An Itinerary?

You can make Máncora part of your trip to Northern Peru. If that interests you, here’s a link to our sample itinerary for Northern Peru.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the sun!!

Tag: Peru beaches

Surf in Lima- Why It’s An Awesome Experience!