Peru

Peru is known for its Inca archeological sites, tropical forests and majestic mountains, but that's not all. This country is also home to some of the best surfing beaches in the world, with powerful waves and perfect conditions for beginners and advanced surfers. With over 2000 km of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, Peru offers a variety of beaches for all levels of surfers, from gentle waves for beginners to powerful waves for professionals. Surfing is a popular activity in the country, attracting surfers from all over the world to enjoy the incredible waves, beautiful scenery and the local culture rich in history and cuisine.

The History of Surfing in Peru

Surfing has a long history in Peru, dating back to pre-Columbian times. Indigenous fishermen used reed boats called "caballitos de totora" to navigate the waves of the Pacific Ocean to catch fish. Over time, surfers began to use these boats to ride the waves, creating the beginnings of modern surfing.

In the 1960's, surfing gained momentum in Peru with the arrival of foreign surfers. Surfers began to explore Peruvian beaches, discovering incredible surf spots along the coast. Surfing competitions also began to grow, attracting professional surfers from around the world.

Surfing is now a popular activity in Peru, attracting surfers from all over the world to enjoy the incredible waves, beautiful scenery and the local culture rich in history and cuisine. Peruvian beaches offer a variety of surf spots for all levels of surfers, from gentle waves for beginners to powerful waves for professionals. Today, surfing is considered one of the most popular sports in Peru, and is an integral part of the country's coastal culture.

Máncora and the northern beaches

Northern Peru is a surfer's paradise, with beaches ideal for all levels, from beginners to professionals. The most famous beach for surfing in this region is Máncora, a small seaside town located in the department of Piura. The waves at Mancora are considered some of the best in Peru, with long and powerful waves that attract surfers from all over the world. Surfers can find waves all year round, with a peak season from December to April.

Besides Máncora, there are several other beaches in the north of Peru that offer ideal conditions for surfing, such as Cabo Blanco, Lobitos, Los Organos, Vichayito or Punta Sal. These beaches are also popular for other water activities such as kitesurfing.

The beaches of northern Peru also offer ideal conditions for relaxation and beach life, with temperate waters and pleasant temperatures throughout the year. Visitors can take advantage of the beach to rest, sunbathe or explore the surrounding area by kayak or boat. Between August and October it is also possible to observe humpback whales. The beaches of northern Peru also offer local cuisine rich in seafood, as well as quality accommodations for all budgets.

Chicama "the longest left in the world

Chicama is a small fishing village located in the department of La Libertad, Peru, famous for its legendary wave. The wave of Chicama is considered the longest in the world, stretching for more than 4 kilometers along the coast. Surfers can ride the wave for over two minutes, making it a unique and memorable experience. The wave is created by a natural phenomenon where winds and ocean currents create a constant swell, allowing a long and perfect left.

Surfers from all over the world come to Chicama to ride this unique wave and challenge the elements. Chicama's waves are considered challenging, requiring good physical condition and advanced surfing skills to ride them successfully. Professional surfers from around the world have participated in international competitions held at this beach, attracting spectators from all over the world.

The wave of Chicama also received special legal protection in 2010, when it was declared a nature reserve by the Peruvian government. This declaration was made to preserve the natural environment of the beach and to protect the wave from any activity that could disturb its unique ecosystem. Surfers must abide by strict rules to protect the beach and the natural environment, making it an ecotourism destination for nature lovers and surfers.

In conclusion, Chicama is a must-see destination worldwide for surfers looking for spectacular and unique waves. With the longest wave in the world and special legal protection, Chicama beach is a natural gem that deserves to be discovered and preserved for future generations.

Surfing in Lima

**Lima, the capital of Peru, is a coastal city with a number of popular surfing beaches for beginners and advanced surfers. Some of the most popular beaches for surfing in *Lima* include La Herradura, Punta Roquitas, and Waikiki beach.

La Herradura is a popular beach for beginners because of its gentle and consistent waves. Punta Roquitas, on the other hand, is known for its powerful waves and tubes, making it a popular destination for experienced surfers.

For surfing beginners, there are several surf schools in Lima that offer lessons and advice on how to improve surfing skills. Some of the most popular surf schools in Lima include Waikiki Surf School, Miraflores Surf School, and we especially recommend El Gordo de Punta Roquitas, the only surf school and board rental on the secluded beach of Punta Roquitas, with passionate instructors who can get you up and running on a surfboard in no time.

In addition to surfing, the beaches of Lima also offer a range of other activities, such as kayaking, paragliding and stand-up paddling. The beaches of Lima also have a festive atmosphere, with many restaurants, bars and cafes along the coast.

In conclusion, Lima offers a variety of beaches for all levels of surfers, as well as surf schools for beginners and incredible waves for professionals. The beaches of Lima are also an ideal destination for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the lively atmosphere of the city. It is not uncommon to see surfers in wetsuits and bare feet in the streets of Miraflores, coming back or going to the beaches at the foot of the cliffs.

The beaches of the south of Lima

The beaches located south of Lima, such as San Bartolo and Punta Hermosa, are considered the best places to surf in the Lima area. San Bartolo is a small fishing village located about 50 kilometers south of Lima. This beach is known for its powerful and fast waves, which attract experienced surfers from all over the world, the nearby beaches of Peñascal, Muellecitos and Huayco are also well known to thrill seekers. In addition to surfing, San Bartolo is also a popular destination for fishing and scuba diving.

Punta Hermosa, on the other hand, is a larger beach resort located about 40 kilometers south of Lima. This beach offers a variety of surf spots, ranging from gentle waves for beginners to even extremely powerful and high waves for experienced surfers. Punta Hermosa is also a popular destination for international surfing competitions.

The beaches of San Bartolo and Punta Hermosa also offer a range of activities in addition to surfing, such as paragliding, jet skiing and stand-up paddling. The beaches are also lined with restaurants, bars and cafes that offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

For beginner surfers, there are several surf schools in San Bartolo and Punta Hermosa that offer lessons and advice on improving surfing skills. The surf schools also offer board rentals for surfers who are unable to bring their own equipment.

In conclusion, the beaches of San Bartolo and Punta Hermosa offer a unique surfing experience for all levels of surfers, with powerful waves for professionals and gentle waves for beginners. These beaches are also ideal destinations for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the lively atmosphere of the Lima area.

Peruvian Champions

Peru has produced several world-renowned surfing champions. Among the most famous are Sofia Mulanovich, who won the women's world title in 2004, and Felipe Pomar, who won the first world surfing championship in 1965. Carlos "Huevito" Arellano, who has won several international surfing competitions, is also considered one of the best Peruvian surfers of all time.

Peru is also a popular competition venue for professional surfers from all over the world. Each year, the country hosts several world-class surfing competitions, including the Peru Surf Open, which is a stop on the World Surf League world surfing circuit. The powerful and consistent waves along the Peruvian coast attract top professional surfers to compete in world-class surfing events.

In addition to professional competitions, Peru also hosts surfing events for amateurs, including junior surfing competitions and competitions for local surfers. These events help promote surfing in the local community and encourage young surfers to develop their skills and passion for this incredible sport.

In conclusion, Peru has produced some of the best surfers in the world and hosts world-class international surfing competitions throughout the year. With incredible waves along its coastline, Peru is a world-class surfing destination for both professional and amateur surfers.