Surfing & Whale Watching Season in Máncora, Peru

North of Lima, nearly at the border with Ecuador, one finds the small fishing town of Máncora in the sunniest region of Peru. The best sandy beach in Lima stretches for several kilometers, letting it feel more secluded during the daytime despite all the crowding in the town’s clubs at night. Over the last few years, its profile as a beach resort and party town has been rising exponentially. Weary trekkers who want to relax, warm up, and indulge in some light seafood after days of cold hikes and heavy Andean dishes flock to its beaches. Days are filled with sunbathing and surfing the consistently good waves, while the nights are filled with full moon parties. Kiteboarding, diving, and whale- and dolphin-watching are popular as well. (This time of year is when whales breed off the Peruvian coast!)

Prices are still reasonable enough to attract backpackers. Food-wise, you can find everything from fish shacks selling freshly caught seafood to luxury restaurants. You can rent a surfboard for about US$4 for two hours (checking out the tidal charts in order to go at at high tide). The waves are suitable for beginners, so think about taking a lesson or two.

Temperatures hover in the low 80s, and the rainy season is brief and usually limited to March and April. Although tourists visit Máncora year-round, the high season is from mid-December through February, peaking at New Year’s Eve when party buses bring in crowds of partygoers ready to go clubbing and watch the fireworks on the beach. In December and January, prices can double due to increased demand, especially for lodging. (December and January is also when the waves are their strongest, so it’s better for more experienced surfers.)

If you’re interested in adding Máncora to your itinerary, it’s located 18 hours from Lima by bus. You can take a flight from Lima to Piura or Tumbes, continuing by bus or group van to Máncora, about two and half to three hours away from Piura or an hour and a half from Tumbes. For assistance with transport, or with any other aspect of your trip, contact the travel specialists of Pirwa Travel Service, who have more than a decade’s experience organizing tours and trips in Peru and Bolivia.