Top 10 Beaches in Peru

When you think of Peru, you may think of it is as strictly a trekker and historical lover's dream vacation with all of the ruins to tour and the Andes to cover. This country, however, faces the Pacific coast, offering 2500km of exotic beaches, some are labeled as the most beautiful in the world.

Punta Sal Beach

This beach is top rated for a reason. It falls along the North coast of Peru where Mother Nature welcomes you with tranquility and sunshine year round. It is a smaller beach found amongst layers of sand dunes and walls of carob trees. The gentle waves of brilliantly blue water lap the semi-circle beach located at the Department of Tumbes. Punta Sal is a welcoming paradise.

Mancora Beach

A favorite beach among surfers found in Piura. The sun is said to shine from sunrise through until sunset every single day at this beach, blanketed by a clear blue sky. There's a mysterious energy that flows around this area with rich flora appearing in the surroundings. The sea changes from emerald through shades of blue over the course of the day and the sunsets in a completely uncluttered sky. There is just something magical about this beach.

Las Pocitas Beach

Here is the perfect beach for working on your suntan or swimming in natural pools formed by low tides. It offers a comfortable family environment, where everyone is calm, all sharing the same magnificent breeze. The beach is perfect for fishing or diving due to the diversity of marine life and you can even swim with the dolphins here. You are welcome to stay in hotels right at the beach here or travel ten minutes to Mancora's town.

Chicama Beach

Chicama Beach – Welcome to the beach with the longest wave in the world offering a pipeline of four sections that can reach two meters. Strong rips and strong winds is what this beach is known for. It finds its home in La Libertad on Peru's North coast. Locals here will tell you this beach is not the place to learn to surf but if you have experience then this is your dream location.

Vichayito Beach

Absolute tranquility is what you will drink in here. The beach has no rocks which makes it ideal for swimming. The area has grown a lot mainly due to people falling in love with the beach and building houses and cottages. Winds are strong from April untl November making it a perfect spot for windsurfing and kite-surfing. This modern, yet “chill” beach is located in the Los Organos district and welcomes you with a small sign with green lettering that reads “Vichayito.”

Zorritos Beach

The warm El Nino current doesn't let the water get cold here and there's a tropical sensation that wraps around you. The beach is cozy and charms you with a nice boardwalk. This spot is perfect for a beach atmosphere and doubles as a fisherman town found 28 kilometers south of Tumbes. It offers you some light waves and small thermal baths from underground hot water.

Tartacay Beach

Located in the city of Huacho, this is the largest and most beautiful beach in the area. It is very open with stunning landscaping found between the sand dunes and the sea. It is next door to Playa Centinela Beach, home to some excellent waves and on the other side is Hornillos Beach with a seawall full of flowers. You'll find plenty of great fishing here.

Conchitas Beach

This beach received its name due to the abundance of sea shells that are delivered by the sea. It is a good place to learn to surf as it has smaller waves at times but mainly offers calm water. It gets very steep, very quick so be careful! Conchitas can get a bit crowded but has neighboring beaches of Playa Hermosa and Santa Rosa all in walking distance.

Los Organos

This is the beach for people looking for less noise and much more silence. It is 13 kilometers to the South of Mancora, located in the the Los Organos district. Surfers find three surf points here known locally as Casablanca, Organitos and Los Organos which happens to be the best waves in Peru. There are plenty of bungalows, hotels and restaurants near the beach to feed your hunger after riding the waves all day.

Cabo Blanco

If you're looking for a less crowded beach in Peru, then this one is definitely for you. It is said to have some of the whitest sands in the county with breathtaking blue/green water. It is located at a small town where there really is only one restaurant and the locals welcome you like family. There is something captivating about this quiet beach that makes you never want to leave.