Huanchaco
Huanchaco, Trujillo, North Coast
Huanchaco, a sleepy coastal suburb of bustling Trujillo, is known for its long slow waves and is one of the best surf spots along the Peruvian coastline to learn how to ride a wave. Stroll along the town’s oceanfront promenade, watching fisherman come in with their catch on traditional reed boats called caballitos de totora.
The Basics
Travelers may enjoy charming Huanchaco by suiting up and surfing, taking surf lessons, walking along the promenade and dropping into an oceanside restaurant for the local ceviche, which some consider the best in all of Peru. More extensive tours add on visits to nearby archaeological sites like the Temple of the Dragon known for its amazingly detailed friezes, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chan Chan, the once grand capital of Peru's Chimú civilization.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Suitable for solo travelers, couples, families.
- Huanchaco has informal schools where beginners can learn how to surf.
- Remember sun protection, swimwear, towels.
- For surfers, the swell is consistent throughout the year, and sea temperatures range from 62F - 72F (16.6C - 22.2C) in summer.
How to Get There
Huanchaco is located 7 miles (11 kilometers) outside of Trujillo and is accessible by taxi; expect les than a 30-minute ride and the cost to be about US$5. Public buses (micros) and vans (combis) driving between Trujillo and Huanchaco, operating between 5am - 9pm. If taking this mode, do not bring big bags; backpackers might be asked to pay a small fee to stow their baggage.
When to Get There
The summer months of January - March are the best for tanning at the beach, with winter months of May - September are often cloudy and cool. Trujillo enjoys a subtropical desert climate, with a warm season (January to March), and a cooler season (June to November.). Trujillo International Spring Festival takes place late September. It's one of Peru’s largest and most popular festivals, with horse shows, fashion shows, dance contests, and floats of flowers and beauty contestants.
For Land-Lubbers
For non-surfers, there's plenty to do while in Huanchaco: enjoying a ceviche lunch on the beach, and the traditional fishing boats that offer a colorful ambiance to the village. In town, there’s the market where fishermen hawk their catch, and on a hill there’s a pretty white colonial church, Santuario de la Virgen del Socorro, the second oldest church in Peru. Also a short taxi ride away are the fabulous archaeological ruins of Chan Chan, the center of the Chimú Empire.
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