Destinos Principales en Peru

Peru's best surfing is along the North Coast. Máncora is something of a fishing mecca, with consistent, left-breaking waves that rarely exceed 10 feet (3 m). This makes it perfect for both beginners and more advanced surfers.Make your next vacation the best of both worlds — part beach vacation and part adventurous getaway. A Peruvian surf vacation is awaiting you!

Surf getaway destinations

Although the town of Chicama is unexceptional, the beach here has the world's longest-breaking surf, with waves that range from 3–8 feet (1–2.5 m) in height and are reported to run as long as 1.5 miles (2.5 km). The beach of Huanchaco has mellow waves and is a good place to learn the surf.

Punta Hermosa, a half hour south of Lima, is a major surfing destination in Peru. That's because South America's largest wave, Pico Alto, forms here. In May, this wave can reach up to 40 feet (12 m) in height. There are also smaller, less intimidating waves to surf at Punta Hermosa.

Local surfers ride waves in Lima proper, but the water is often polluted, so we don't recommend surfing here. The country's long coastline means that you have no shortage of Peruvian beaches to choose from. It's better to head north or south of Lima to breaks like Punta Rocas, Playa Grande, or La Herradura in Chorrillos. For even more of Peru's best surfing, check out our Peru Surfing Guide.

Prepping for your surf getaway

Peru's entry requirements are fairly simple, so you can pretty much grab your passport and proof of travel, and head for the sun, sand, and waves. Getting to Peru is fairly simple too — if you're short on time, you'll probably fly, but if you want to take the scenic route, buses and boats are an option.

Surprisingly, December to March can be some of the best months to visit Peru's beaches. So, if you're used to winter and early spring being chilly back home, a surf holiday in a warmer locale is a great way to close or start a year. Pack typical beach gear, but you should also read this article about what to bring to Peru, because you will likely go on a few other exciting excursions. One thing you definitely do not need to bring is your own surfboard (unless you really want to) — there will be rentals aplenty.

The best places to go fishing include the coasts off Cabo Blanco, Máncora, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Tumbes, and Lima.If you can tear yourself away from soaking up the sun on Peru's beaches, you can do some excellent fishing. The best time to head to Peru really depends on where you plan to go fishing in Peru.

Órganos, a small beach town south of Máncora, has good deep-sea fishing 5–25 miles (8–40 km) off the coast. Fish for mahi mahi, tuna, and striped marlin here. The best fishing is in July and August and from December to April.

The lakes around Huaraz are stocked and provide the opportunity to catch freshwater fish. It's also possible to catch rainbow trout in the rivers that flow through the Central Andes.

In the Amazon Basin you can fish for piraña. To do this, you're provided with a hook and a chunk of meat. Toss the baited hook into the water and you'll soon feel a tug. Be careful when reeling in these fish, as they have razor-sharp teeth. Other fishing can be done along the Amazon and Tambopata rivers.

Areas along the South Coast near Ica also boast good fishing for sea bass and flounder.

So how do you make your dream fishing getaway a reality?

• Determine how you want to get to Peru — you can enter the country by air, land, and sea.
• Make sure you're able to meet all of Peru's entry requirements before you depart.
• Pack everything you need for your trip to Peru.
• Easily plan your best vacation ever by choosing Anywhere.