Southern Peru

10 Surf spots
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Positives
  • Good consistency
  • Variety of breaks
  • No crowds
  • No rain Very friendly people
Negatives
  • Cold water
  • Remote area 4WD required
  • Bad winter weather
  • Pollution from Ilo copper smelter

Southern Peru surf travel guide

Peru, South America's third largest country, is one of the great surf countries in the world. Curiously, its lengthy, 2400km (1500mi) coastline has only been explored in patches, and many waves still go unridden. Most surfers focus on the endless left points of Chicama or Pacasmayo in the La Libertad area, or else the high density of spots around Lima and Punta Hermosa. Those seeking consistency and big waves should seriously consider heading south to Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna, the country’s southernmost regions, where all that is needed is a spirit of adventure, a good wetsuit and ideally a 4WD. It’s a varied, dusty terrain, where the rocky desert is gouged by torrential coastal rivers into valleys, gorges and canyons. With the Pan Am highway veering away from the sea, access to the breaks requires patience, but this southernmost part of Peru is super consistent during winter S swells from the Antarctic's lows.

Surf spots in Southern Peru

Research the 10 surf breaks in Southern Peru and discover what spots suit the current conditions.

Break lowdown

We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 10 breaks in Southern Peru.

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When to go

Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Southern Peru

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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
a
c
Visas

Visa free travel for nearly all nationalities for stays of up to 183 days. EU countries get 90 days.

Getting There

See Costa Verde zone. Arequipa (Peru’s second largest city) is served by Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP). Peruvian air has cheapest domestic flights from Lima to Tacna (1h30, $220/rt) or to Arequipa (1h50, $190). $31 dep tax, sometimes inc in ticket.

Getting Around

Pan American Highway wanders too far inland, so public transport is not very suitable to explore the coast. No surf tours/camp to drive you around. To negotiate the trails, rent a 4x4 in Arequipa (www.gygrentacar.com) or Tacna. Arica is ultra-close.

Accommodation

Ilo has different levels of hotels, facilities, and is strategically situated near all the surrounding waves. Cheap hotels are Arequipa, Porteno, El Eden, Romicor, San Martin, Paraiso). For more comfort try Gran Hotel ($30/dble). Hospedaje El Tigre en Boca del Rio. Incredible seafood, excellent wines and piscos produced near Tacna.

Activities
cultureoutdoorurbanwatersports

On a flat day visit the Algarrobal museum (archeology & agriculture) near Ilo or the Naval Museum in town. Sandboarding in Boca del Rio. Miculla is an extensive petroglyph site east of Tacna, estimated to be 1,500 years old.

Hazards & hassles

No sharks cruise the area. Massive winter waves, rocky bottoms and strong currents constitute the main risks, along with earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions (2001 southern Peru earthquake was a magnitude 8.4, the most devastating earthquake in Peru since 1970). Theft is a minor problem in southern Peru.

Handy Hints

Bring a medium size board plus a gun for some breaks! Peruvian boards are good and inexpensive (surf shops in Arequipa and Lima). Bring ding repair and extra leash. During austral winter, fog named 'garua' is quite depressing and water is cold so bring a 4/3 wetsuit and booties. Camping not recommended (winter is cold). Basic Spanish essential.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.

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