With some of the longest surf breaks in the world, Peru's northern coast region of La Libertad is one of the top surf spots in the world. If you are up to being carried nearly a mile down the beach on a good day, these waves will give you some of the most memorable rides of your life.
Surfing is no stranger to these shores along the Peru's Pacific coast. Peruvian locals have been riding the waves for over 3,000 years in their caballitos de totora - reed fishing boats that some argue are the origins of surfing.
Peru: A Budget Traveler's Prime Destination
For the budget-minded, Peru is ideal terrain. Dorms beds can be found for as little as $4; a double-room with en suite bath and ocean view are easily found for $25 and factoring in that full meals can be found for $5, it's not difficult to see how you can easily travel Peru on $25 per day.
The Relaxing, Slow-paced Fishing Village of Huanchaco
The tranquil fishing village of Huanchaco near the city of Trujillo in the region of La Libertad is a regular destination for sun and surf seekers. With its remote location (an eight-hour bus ride north of Lima) the coastal village manages to keep things undisturbed during the week with just a handful of people strolling the main street, some with surfboards under their arms.
When the weekend comes, Huanchaco enjoys a slight increase in vitality as locals from Trujillo drive the roughly 30-minutes to the sand to relish time off lounging on the beach and roaming the main drag as they pass restaurants, food carts and craftspeople selling their wares of jewelry and small reed boat souvenirs.
Surf Schools Abound
Huanchaco has several surf schools ready to give surf lessons and rent all the gear required for an unparalleled surfing holiday. The charge for lessons generally run $15 per lesson and all-day surf equipment rentals average $9, this includes surfboard and wetsuit.
Many surf schools are scattered along the beachfront main street near the steel pier called "El Muelle" which was built in 1891. The gentle waves here are perfect for beginner surfers. Experienced surfers will encounter more challenging waves at the entrance of town where surfing contests are held annually.
Logistics of Traveling
In keeping with the great budget value that Peru is, the government does not require a visa or entry fee for United States, European, Australian or New Zealand citizens - only a passport is required. This can save you about $130 USD compared to other countries in South America.
International flights arriving into Lima (Peru's capital) land at Jorge Chavez International Airport. A flight from Delta's hub in Atlanta, Georgia takes generally seven-hours heading directly south to Lima.
From Lima, just grab a ticket on one of the many plush double-decker buses heading to northern Peru. For just $35 one-way you can make the eight-hour journey to Trujillo - Peru's third most populous city. From Trujillo, Huanchaco is just $5.00 and a 30-minute taxi ride away.
Once you arrive in Huanchaco, take your pick of inexpensive accommodations ranging from hostels with $4 dorm beds to $25 per night private double rooms with en suite bath for two people.
A Surfer's Paradise
For many Huanchaco is a world away, but for any diehard surfer it is an ultimate surfing experience and well worth the effort to get there. With hostels as little as $4 per night, full meals for $5 and surf breaks that will carry you a mile down the beach, Huanchaco is hard to beat as a surfer's paradise. One trip to Huanchaco and you'll be filled with a lifetime of memories from this distant and ancient seaside town.
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