Surfing in Mancora

Whether you are a beginner or Kelly Slater, Mancora provides surfing to satisfy all levels. It is also the ideal place to make your base as your explore Northern Peru’s list of legendary breaks.

Mancora
This friendly left-hander is good for all levels. It is very consistent and the main break is a point break at the southern end of the beach. Surfboards can be hired at a very reasonable price and wetsuits….you don’t need a wetsuit cause the water is so nice!

To the South

Punta Ballenas
Immediately south of the point in Mancora – only about 2 minutes walk. This can be good if the Mancora break is too small, though be careful of the rocks.

Los Organos
Just 20 minutes drive south of Mancora; Los Organos is home to a left-hand reef break that can be powerful and tubey, and holding swell of up to 2.5 metres.

Cabo Blanco
One-hour south of Mancora, Cabo Blanco is for advanced surfers. It is strong and tubular, holding swells of up to 3 metres and is known as the best tubular wave in Peru. After catching a bus to Talara, you need to take a combi along the road to Cabo Blanco.

Los Lobitos
Says Globalsufers.com: Perfect wave. Perfect barrel, easy to catch, and very good velocity. Just be aware, there really is nothing in Los Lobitos other than waves.
To reach this spot, you take the bus to Talara (about 1.5 hours south of Mancora) and from there take a combi (another 30 minutes). Alternatively, there are numerous surf trips run by surf shops in Máncora, which cost a little more but are extremely convenient if making a day trip.

La Piscina
This is a fun, small wave just five minutes walk north of Los Lobitos. Good for beginners, it is also a good option for when Lobitos is too small. A word of warning: La Piscina is controlled by the nearby army and sometimes they take offence to surfers on their beach. Don’t worry, they always fire a warning shot first!

To the North

Punta Sal is 30km away and Cancas is a 50km stretch of beach, largely deserted. Combis can be taken along the coastal road, allowing you to hop off at the unspoilt, scenic spot of your choosing.

In and around Mancora

Poza de Barro is a thermal mud bath located 40 minutes by taxi from Máncora.

At 36 degrees Celsius, the clear waters provide a relaxing bath and the mud on the sides is used as a rejuvenating face pack. The cost of travel by mototaxi should be approximately 25 soles round trip. The cost is 2 soles for entry, however bring your own water for drinking.

To the west of the Poza de Barro there is the small village known as Fernandez. There where the river bends on its way to the ocean you’ll find beautiful natural baths fed by waterfalls.

Overlooking Máncora is a lighthouse from which you can get a fantastic view of the surrounding area. This can be reached by following the goat paths that climb the cliffs. Heading inland from this point, you can explore the two valleys, enjoying splendid views, high walls and interesting rock formations.

The next stop after Mancora on your travels…?

If heading up to Equador there are two common ways of doing so:
Ormeño has buses leaving Mancora early in the morning, going directly to Guayaquil. This bus is relatively expensive, costing US$ 20, however it is probably the safest and most convenient because they will drop you off and wait for you at the border crossing.

The more economical option is to take the combi to Tumbes for 5 soles. From Tumbes you can take a CIFA bus for US$ 6, which leave every 1 – 2 hours.

For both of these options it is necessary to go to border migration and get your passport stamped. If there are queues this can take around an hour. When doing so, do not leave belongings that you value on the bus. Another general rule for travelling on these routes is only take combis from the official combi pickup and drop off points.

If you are heading south along the coast, there are CIAL and Cruz del Sur buses heading to Lima, taking17 hours. You can also take the Dorado bus to Trujillo, taking 8 hours.