Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pacasmayo
044 / POP 25,700
This lively, mostly forgotten beach town is crammed with colonial buildings in various
states of disrepair and blessed with a pretty stretch of beach. Dedicated surfers often drop
in, particularly from May to August, when there is a decent offshore break. It's also a
great place to spend some time away from the more popular resort towns and get swept up
in the ageing nostalgia of the whole place.
Sights & Activities
A few kilometers north, just before the village of Guadalupe, a track leads toward the
ocean and the little-visited ruins of
Pacatnamú
, a large site that was inhabited by the
Gallinazo, Moche and Chimú cultures and is regarded by archaeologists as one of the
coast's most impressive.
PIER
Muelle Pacasmayo
(admission S1)
What's said to be the longest pier in Peru has a storied history. Originally
constructed between 1870 and 1874, it initially clocked in at a whopping 743.4m. Today,
it stands at 544m after a chunk was swept out to sea in 1924. In the '40s, two overloaded
train cars fell into the sea from the pier as well.
Balin Surf Shop
(Junín 84)
Rents boards and does repairs.
SURFING
Sleeping & Eating
There are several cheap, basic-but-clean hotels in town and some swisher converted colo-
nial mansions and new constructions along the beach.
HOTEL
Hospedaje El Mirador $
( 52-1883;
www.pacasmayoperu.com
; Aurelio Herrera 10; s/d/tr from S40/60/90;
)
All tiles, bricks and Brazilians, this surfers' hangpad has good rooms varying from
económico
(basic) to
de lujo
(luxury); all have hot water, communal balconies and wall-
mounted flat-screen TVs with international channels; the nicest rooms have kitchens and
DVD players.
