Peru Surfing

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On top of all the travel gems like Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, Peru is also a surfer's paradise. With some of the highest, longest and least crowded waves around, Peru attracts surfers from every corner of the world and still remains a haven for beginners.

The best Peru surfing is along the northern coast outside the towns of Trujillo and Máncora. These destinations boast world-class surf breaks and lack large crowds, a perfect combination for both beginning and advanced surfers. With their laid-back vibes and late-night festivities, these destinations have a strong following in the surf crowd. Of course, there are also charming city squares, nearby ancient ruins, and mangrove forests to explore when you need to be on dry land.

The beaches outside Lima also have awesome waves, so you can get into the surfing spirit as soon as you arrive. And there's no need to travel with gear or be a pro here — you can rent boards and take lessons in all of these destinations.

Destinations

Peru highlights: Peru Surfing

Not sure where you want to go yet? Get inspired and browse the best places to visit in Peru

Trujillo

As well as being a bustling coastal city, with charming plazas and colorful colonial architecture, Trujillo is located near some of Peru's best surf. Closer to Lima than the northern surf town of Máncora, this is a great place to go if you want to try Peru's surf without venturing too far. Huanchaco is the area to head with your board, with surfable waves for all abilities. Topping the must-surf list, though, is the left-hand break off of Chicama, just 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Trujillo, which is the longest surfable left-break in the world. Trujillo is also known for its historic ruins and archaeologists have found pottery in the area that depicts images of fishermen riding their reed boats to shore. Could Peru's ancient Moche and Chima fishermen have been the first surfers?

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Mancora

As the unofficial surf capital of Peru, the northern coastal town of Máncora has all you could need for a surf vacation. Of course, there are the first class waves — long, tubular, and just the right height. Then, there's the city itself. When you need to get back to dry land, Máncora boasts plenty of hotel options, from cheap and cheerful to beachfront luxury. A diverse range of restaurants line the beaches and backstreets to help you fuel up between waves and after dark is where the real fun is to be had. Máncora is famous for its nightlife, most probably influenced by the rowdy international and local surf crowd. Summer is the best time for surf in Máncora when big, warm north swells hit for near-perfect rideable waves. With plenty of surf schools, Máncora is also a good place for beginners, even if you don't know what a north swell is!

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Cabo Blanco

Cabo Blanco is known among the local and international surf community for its tricky 'pipeline' break. When the conditions are just right, a beautiful left-hand barrel can be ridden over the shallow reef. As with all reef surfing though, these waves are for confident surfers only. The seas close to Cabo Blanco are also famous for their abundance of marine life; record-breaking marine game catches have been made here. Plenty of famous men with a love of fishing have made their way to Cabo Blanco and it is thought that the area gave Ernest Hemingway the inspiration for "The Old Man and the Sea" in the 1950s. Interestingly, ancient pottery in this area depicts a combination of these two ocean activities with images of fishermen riding their reed boats to shore. Could Peru's ancient Moche and Chimu fishermen have been the first surfers?

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Trujillo

Mancora

Cabo Blanco

Destinations

Peru highlights: Peru Surfing

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Anywhere Peru

Insider-led Peru Design & Concierge

Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.

Get Started

Private drivers; English-speaking available.

Avoid the crowds in private day tours.

Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.

Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.

24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.

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