Huanchaco

Huanchaco, a little more than an hour's flight north of Lima, is a world away from the capital city's noise and pollution. This small coastal fishing village has long been a destination for international surfers due to its year-round surf that caters to all levels. The waves close to shore are gentle enough for beginners, but experienced surfers can venture further out to catch larger swells.

Apart from a few newer apartment buildings and restaurants, the town hasn't changed much over the years. Every morning, fishermen set out to sea in small handcrafted boats made from reeds grown in a nearby protected marsh. It’s not unusual to see them mending their nets in front of their homes during the day.

Even though the town has a population of around 70,000 people, the majority of the activity and businesses are concentrated in the small traditional beachside section of town. This is what tourists and locals think of when they describe Huanchaco. Geographically, the town extends quite far in all directions. It takes about an hour to walk the length of the beach and back to your starting point. And the beach runs parallel to the main road from one end of Huanchaco to the other.

Although the surf appears to spit up a new batch of rocks and pebbles onto the sand in front of the town every morning, there are still vast stretches of pristine smooth sandy beach only a few minutes' drive or walk north or south.

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.0/5
Location: Huanchaco, Peru