South American Explorer

It’s time to welcome some sun back into our lives, as summer in South America is nearly upon us. This month, we have decided to ask SAE Lima’s wonderful intern Catriona Spence for her top seven favorite beaches along the coast. So now you have no excuse – get out there and catch a wave!

Surfing along Peru’s Giant Coastline

Mancora

Huanchaco

1. Mancora: Despite the crowds, this is a really cool beach to hang out, get a tan or party at and also serves as a good base to explore the nearby beaches of Los Órganos and Punta Sal. If you want to escape the party scene, stay in Vichayito – a few kilometers away.

2. Chicama: Ride the world’s longest wave! Reaching nearly 1km in length and up to 4m in height this break is the world’s longest. Hang out here and ride the wave, or simply look on in awe. There are also many other beaches in this area suitable for all levels of experience.

3. Huanchaco: This beach just outside the city of Trujillo is definitely worth a visit! It’s great for surfing, but also it’s here where the locals use the caballitos de totora or reed boats (originally from the Moche period) to fish in and then surf the waves back to the beach. You can even get a ride on one for a few soles!

4. Punta Sal: Easily the prettiest beach on the north coast and great for relaxing at after a good day surfing.

5. Cabo Blanco: Panic Point here is one of the best breaks in Peru. Aside from this Cabo Blanco is also famous for being visited by Ernest Hemmingway.

6. Huacachina: Heading to the south of Peru and getting an urge to surf, but don’t like the cold water? Head to Huacachina to go sand boarding.

7. Punta Hermosa: The beach with the best facilities on the south coast near Lima, and with breaks suitable for all abilities (surf board hire available on the beach), this is our favourite beach in Lima.

TOP TIP!

Check out the latest copy of Tablista magazine while you are there. This Peruvian surfing magazine is the oldest in South America.

Money-saving Tips!

Last edition we looked at some of our best money-saving tips and we asked our readers to email us with any others that we had forgotten. Our favourite was from Mark Kennet from Silver Spring, MD, who wrote:

 

In your water-bottle tip, you didn’t mention that you can buy a backpacker’s filter – good for filtering any microbe – and have a continuous supply of fresh, clean water at zero cost (of course, these are a bit expensive, but worth it).

 

Thanks Mark, that is a great idea and it’s good for the environment too! Just the sort of thing that SAE members love – Ed.

April Competition Winners:

The winners of our April competition are Irmgard Bauer, Arnold Pachter, Chantal Ouellette, Richard Jenson and Felicia Kieselhorst. They will receive a copy of Along the River that Flows Uphill. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered.

*Don’t forget that you still have until the 27 September to enter our competition to win a copy of our new ‘hot-off-the-press’ North Coast Peru Information Packet. Don’t miss out!*