Piura – North
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Positives
- Consistent, barrelling lefts
- SW & NW swells
- Offshore winds all year
- Beginner to expert waves
- Warmer Mancora water & plenty of sun
Negatives
- Short N swell season
- Crowded hotspots
- Sharp rocks
- Variable water temps and cold winds
- Prices rising
Piura – North surf travel guide
Most of the Peruvian coastline is chilled by the Humboldt Current and rocked by S swells, but the northwest corner of the country is an area that enjoys very different conditions. The southern extremity of the Panama Current warms the northern waters of Piura, creating a large temperature differential along the region's coastline throughout the year. The swell pattern is also blatantly two-faced as many breaks only accept NW Pacific swells, while others stay true to the country's S swell addiction, yet still leaving quite a few spots that are happy to take it both ways.
It’s not as consistent as the rest of Peru as the S swells lose some height and power where the opposing currents collide, which is usually just off Cabo Blanco where you can see the different colours mixing, but this region has such a good range of quality waves that somewhere will be firing on any given swell. The general consensus is North Piura is only worth visiting in the middle of the Northern Hemisphere winter, but that is to discount the great S swell spots that adorn this beguiling 200km coastline.
Surf spots in Piura – North
Research the 15 surf breaks in Piura – North and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 15 breaks in Piura – North.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Piura – North
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 4,419,000
- Population
- 32,971,854
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- PEN
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 3.18 PEN PEN
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +51
- Dialing out
- 00
- Language
- Spanish, Quechua
Electricity
- Plug Type
- ac
Visas
Visa free travel for nearly all nationalities for stays of up to 183 days. EU countries get 90 days.
Getting There
The best bet is to fly from Lima (LIM) to Talara (TYL), which takes 2h and costs min $80 each way + boards. Several airlines fly daily to Piura (PIU) but it is a longer transfer than Talara (1.5hrs v 30mins). Another (bad) option is flying to Guayaquil (GYE) in Ecuador and then taking a 6-8hr+ bus ride over the border to Mancora. The bus journey from Lima takes 18hrs and costs fr$30 each way. The cheapest buses can be uncomfortable and unsafe - spend more on long-haul trips.
Getting Around
If you want to make the most of Piura, then hire a car to access other waves. Hiring a 'collectivo' mini-bus/van is a possibility if there's a group of you and you want to get to somewhere a little more remote. If you're travelling between main towns, expect the collectivo to constantly stop to pick up and drop off. Buses are cheap (from $1), reliable and plentiful - boards also present no problem. A bus travel pass is a good investment for those intending to spend a long time in Peru going to many cities. Talara is 60km (40mi) from Mancora. Lots of dirt roads around Lobitos but 4x4 not essential to get around.
Accommodation
Development in Lobitos has been rapid and now there are quite a few decent accommodation options including the original quality option called Buena Vista. Run by the Correa surfing dynasty, it has clean, comfortable rooms, solid breakfasts, great lounging areas, gym, pool and a view of the point from the tower (fr$25). Aloha is also well-appointed and is right in front of the break. Mancora has grown a big summer party scene and has many beachfront and town options. Las Olas is right in front of the wave and next to the legendary restaurant and accommodation of Hotel Del Wawa. El Merlin is another hotel option. Negritos has a new kite-surf hotel under construction and Talara also has a big range of accommodations for all budgets as the oil industry uses it as a hub. Cheap, incredibly good seafood - ceviche & rice costs about $8. El Ankla is the surfers' choice for dependable lunch and dinner meals but the best food in Lobitos is found next door at the more expensive but gastronomic Akwa.
Activities
Much of coastal Peru is desert. It's a long trip inland to the Inca ruins of Cajamarca. Renowned big-game fishing for giant swordfish. During El Nino years, all the fish vanish. Good kiteboarding later in the year when the winds pick up. Lots of raging nightlife in Mancora and all that entails. Skate parks in Lobitos and Piura.
Hazards & hassles
Mancora is all action at night so be careful with your valuables. Many taxis refuse to drive the Pan Am at night. Recent political upheaval has seen much of Peru crippled by strikes with major and minor roads blockaded for days on end, trapping everyone until it is lifted. Usually 2 or 3 times a year there will be some low-level oil leaks leaving spots and sometimes bad fumes, with Negritos often bearing the brunt. Sewage treatment is rudimentary at best in some towns with open sewers going into the sea in town in Lobitos, but some of the hotels and accommodation have 4 stage bio-digesters and reuse the water for the plants.
Handy Hints
Surf shops in Mancora and Lobitos, plus there are usually good board repair services too. Don't drive on the beaches as they are often turtle nesting sites and the local environmentalists will be unhappy. Basic Spanish is essential if you're travelling here without a guide, but more English is being spoken everywhere. This area could be combined with a trip to Ecuador, but it means long bus connections or flying back to Lima.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.