Peru is one of the top contenders for the finest surfing locations in the world and is well-known throughout the world for its ancient ruins, lost civilizations, lush jungles, and stunning natural scenery.
This South American nation spans a variety of climates and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean’s furious waves.
Beachgoers, surfer dudes, and surfer dudes flock south for peace and north for sun-kissed coasts.
Additionally, the sights on Peru’s beaches are surreal, including 40-foot waves, whales, green cliffs, and beaches with red sand. There are also apartments on stilts, old boats, abandoned Victorian homes, and beaches with red sand.
Here is a list of Peru’s top beaches in case you don’t know where to start.
- Las Pocitas — Máncora
Las Pocitas, located south of Máncora, got its name from the tide pools that grow during low tides.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
In Las Pocitas, exquisite golden-white sand and azure waves crash against one another, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
Low tides reveal small marine ecosystems excellent for beachcombing and romantic beach walks.
A Pro Tip
Bring plenty of sunscreens because the Peruvian sun may be agonizing until the afternoon.
Stay at Hotel Las Pocitas for the ultimate oceanfront experience.
- Paracas’ Playa Roja
Even though it takes around five hours to go there from Lima, Playa Roja is a beautifully distinctive beach.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
Playa Roja’s name comes from the red color of the sand, which was created when ancient solidified lava was eroded.
The beach’s craggy golden cliffs surround the shore, giving it an unearthly feel as though you’re on vacation somewhere else in the universe.
A Pro Tip
It is situated in a reserve; therefore, there is a lot of wildlife around.
To get the most out of the destination’s charms, though, organize tours since a large portion of the area is protected and thus inaccessible.
- Máncora
Máncora, a bustling seaside town that fronts some of Peru’s most beautiful beaches, is located higher up on the country’s northwest coast.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
The lovely landscape of Máncora draws large numbers of visitors.
With its fine sand, excellent surf, and consistently sunny weather, Máncora is frequently regarded as having Peru’s most well-liked beaches.
Better yet, the town is bursting with luxurious resorts and seafood restaurants.
A Pro Tip
Although Máncora welcomes exciting beach sports like surfing, diving, and kiteboarding, the town is more than just its lovely beaches.
Visit its mud spas, backroads, and waterfalls as well.
- Punta Sal
Punta Sal is fortunate to have the longest stretch of coastline in Peru’s north, as well as warm waters all year long.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
Punta Sal, is another coastal community with some of Peru’s nicest beaches, with a four-mile shoreline and sand that ranges from brilliant gray to taupe to bright beige.
Expect rustic resorts and eateries within minutes of the sea due to the area’s natural beauty and large beach, which attracts investors.
A Pro Tip
Although the waters of Punta Sal are warm and normally tranquil, many sections are rather rocky, so getting to the ocean will require some walking.
Contrarily, Punta Sal is a better location for fishing, diving, surfing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding.
To see whales, come here at any time between June and October!
- The Paracas National Reserve
There are numerous unidentified picture-perfect beaches, numerous ecosystems, and archeological relics within the 335,000-hectare Paracas National Reserve.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
The preserve offers numerous beaches with a variety of unique landscapes, all of which are framed by the majestic Andes Mountains and the region’s rich coastline natural features.
The waves range from strong to gentle, while the cliffs range from ochre gold to milky white.
A Pro Tip
There are only a handful of swimming-friendly beaches in Paracas National Reserve.
The remainder of the area is excellent for exploring the fauna and archaeology and for taking pictures.
- Pimentel
On Peru’s northwest coast, just 15 minutes outside of Chiclayo, is the vibrant beach town of Pimentel.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
Pimentel is notable for its kid- and family-friendly beach, beautiful boardwalk, posh residences, delectable ceviche, and traditional Peruvian reed boats that have been used by fishermen for 3,000 years.
A Pro Tip
Arrive early because the beach may become crowded, and Peruvian ceviche is only served for lunch.
Visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan in Chiclayo to learn about the local way of life after a morning spent having fun at the beach and a delicious supper at one of the beachside cevicherias.
- Colán
On Peru’s northwest coast, the underappreciated beach town of Colán is located about nine miles from Paita, the main seaport in the Piura Region.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
Colán is a lesser-known yet ideal getaway for people seeking a break from the bustle of cities.
Beautiful beachfront bungalows provide travelers with superb views, food, and service where the clear, sparkling gray sand meets the gentle surf.
A Pro Tip
Although the waters at Colán’s bay are shallow, they are very cold and, depending on the time of year, maybe stingray-infested.
Find out from the locals when and where swimming is safe.
If you have time, visit Colán’s oldest Spanish church, which is also the oldest in the nation.
- Lima’s Miraflores
Only 6 miles away and regarded as having the most to offer tourists, Miraflores is the place to stay if you want to be close to the Peruvian capital.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
In addition to having some of the best beaches in the nation, Miraflores is bustling with bars, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and nightclubs.
Surfers and paragliders are frequently seen along the six-mile-long boardwalk that runs along the lush cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
A Pro Tip
Additionally, Miraflores offers several of Peru’s top attractions.
It has pre-Incan ruins, artisan stores, museums, beautiful parks, and top-notch cuisine.
To fully explore this area, you will need a lot of time.
- Lobitos
The best waves for daring surfers can be found near the ghost town of Lobitos, which is hidden away in the northern desert.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
The best waves Peru has to offer may be found in this historic but abandoned village.
There are a few residents in the village, chiefly surfers and fishermen, who choose to rebuild Lobitos despite its current notoriety.
A Pro Tip
In 1968, the military ordered the British residents of Lobitos to depart, and the government erected military facilities there.
In the 1990s, the military occupation came to an end.
So don’t miss the chance to see what’s left, which now resembles a post-apocalyptic Victorian town.
- Paracas’ Playa de la Mina
Playa de la Mina, one of the few swimmable beaches in the Paracas National Reserve, is a well-liked beach in Peru.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
Playa de la Mina, a little beach in the Paracas Nature Reserve, is surrounded by rocky promontories that shield the shore from the savage surf of the Pacific.
Being the reserve’s best swimmable beach, it can get busy here, especially in the summer.
A Pro Tip
Since the waters in La Mina may get rather chilly, most visitors come from January through March, which is Peru’s summer.
The nearby beach, El Raspón, is likewise swimmable and less popular if you wish to avoid crowds.
- Punta Negra and Playa Santa Rosa
The Punta Negra District is located on Peru’s southern coast and is bordered by a beach that is well-liked by the country’s top surfers.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
With waves that may reach 13 feet high, Playa Santa Rosa is undoubtedly one of the best surfing beaches in Peru.
Although the waves are excellent year-round, locals and frequent visitors agree that March through December is the ideal month to visit.
A Pro Tip
Note that swimming is not permitted at this beach.
Instead of surfing, non-surfers can go camping, fishing, beach walking, and sunbathing here.
- Huanchaco
Huanchaco, which can be found in the province of Trujillo, is situated directly between the ocean and the desert.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
The beach city of Huanchaco is renowned for its outstanding surf breaks, historic sites, historic vessels, and ceviche.
In fact, ceviche originated here, and in 2012 it was designated a World Surfing Reserve Site.
What was once a peaceful fishing village quickly developed into a popular tourist attraction because of its relevance to Peruvian culture.
A Pro Tip
Don’t pass up the opportunity to discover Huanchaco’s heritage firsthand.
Experience their waves, go in historic reed boats, see the Chim ruins, and eat authentic ceviche!
- Los Organos
Los Organos, which is a tranquil and peaceful alternative to Peruvian seashore cities, is located about 15 minutes from Máncora.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
Beach bums usually go to Máncora, so anticipate having Los Organos to yourself!
Take in the sights of fisherman hauling in the day’s catch or turtles foraging near the dock.
This hamlet is well-known for its whale sightings and opportunities to swim with enormous turtles.
A Pro Tip
The catch of the day can wind up on your plate!
Visit Los Organos and sample some authentic Peruvian cuisine.
At the same time, you help the fishermen support their way of life.
- Cabo Blanco
On Peru’s northwest coast, there are several little fishing communities. However, Cabo Blanco is unique among them because it holds the record for the largest black marlin ever caught.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
The 1950s and 1960s saw a resurgence of Cabo Blanco among fishermen all around Peru.
One of them was Ernest Hemingway, the author of novels.
But because of overfishing brought on by its renown, Cabo Blanco is now more of a surfer’s paradise than an angler’s.
Surfers from all over the world go to Cabo Blanco because it has some of Peru’s most difficult waves.
A Pro Tip
Both novice surfers and swimmers should avoid Cabo Blanco.
Even if you’re an experienced surfer, you need to exercise additional caution in Cabo Blanco from October to January since the biggest waves can reach heights of 12 feet and crash against the rocks.
- Santa Maria del Mar, Lima
Despite the rumors that Lima’s beaches are dirty, Santa Maria del Mar consistently receives positive evaluations.
In fact, the nicest swimming beach in Peru is located in this sunny region.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
Santa Maria del Mar is a charming little beachside neighborhood with charming oceanfront apartments and homes. In the summer, the sun draws families from all over the world, with gentle winds and waves, colorful umbrellas, and Santa Maria del Mar.
Beachgoers in need of food can head to the local establishments in town or by the water to order ceviche and Peruvian beer.
A Pro Tip
The most kid-friendly beach in Santa Maria del Mar is at Embajadores, where during the summer, hardly any waves or currents form in the waters.
There is a boardwalk nearby as well, and at night the views are spectacular.
- Cerro Azul
The fishing community of Cerro Azul is located close to the center of Peru’s coastline and was formerly a commercial port.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
The waves at Cerro Azul are so well-known that a Beach Boys song referred to them.
Cerro Azul is still a mostly undiscovered beach resort, but that also means you may have it all to yourself. It is distinguished by a British pier from the early 1900s, pre-Inca structures, an abandoned lighthouse, and a great variety of species.
A Pro Tip
Other popular beach activities include fishing, picnics, sunbathing, riding 4x4s and jet skis, and rafting. These activities are in addition to surfing.
The vacation rentals are found south of the pier if you plan to stay for a while.
- Punta Hermosa
The closest significant beach to Lima is Punta Hermosa, which can be reached in just under an hour.
Reasons for Listing This Beach
Because Punta Hermosa offers Peru’s best surfing beaches, renowned surfing competitions and events are frequently conducted there.
Here, the swells from the Pacific can reach a height of 40 feet!
While the winds and waves are calmer during the summer, which draws thousands of beachgoers to its resorts, hotels, and shoreline.
A Pro Tip
Go to Pico Alto in Punta Hermosa if you’re an experienced surfer with the guts to take on huge waves.
Be aware, though, that sea urchins and stones increase the difficulty!
Even if you lack experience, you can still have fun in the warmer months.
