Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are a more likely catch than black marlin, which have declined and are now rarely over
100kg. Fishing competitions are held here and 300kg specimens are still occasionally
caught. From November to January, magnificent 3m-high pipeline waves attract hard-core
surfers.
Deep-sea fishing boats with high-quality tackle can be rented through Hotel El Merlin
and other hotels in the area for S1350 per six-hour day, including drinks and lunch. Janu-
ary, February and September are considered the best fishing months.
Hotel El Merlin
( 25-6188;
www.elmerlin.webs.com
;
s/d with breakfast from S60/
100; )
has 14 massive rooms with handsome stone-flagged floors, private hot water
showers and balconies with ocean views. This cavernous hotel doesn't get many visitors.
Cabo Blanco is several kilometers down a winding road from the Pan-American Hwy
town of Las Olas. Catch a ride in one of the regular pickup trucks that ply the route (S2,
20 minutes).
THE NORTH COAST'S TOP FIVE SURF BREAKS
Dedicated surfers will find plenty of action on Peru's North Coast, from the longest break in the world at Puerto
Chicama to consistently good surf at Máncora. Most spots have reliable swell year-round. For the inside scoop on
surfing throughout Peru,
Click here
.
Los Organos
(
Click here
) A rocky break with well-formed tubular waves reaching up to 2m; it's for experienced
surfers only.
Cabo Blanco
(
Click here
) A perfect pipeline ranging between 1m and 3m in height and breaking on rocks;
again, experienced surfers only.
Puerto Chicama
(
Click here
)
On a good day, this is the longest break in the world (up to 2km!); it has good
year-round surfing for all skill levels.
Máncora
(
Click here
)
Popular and easily accessible, with consistently decent surf up to 2m high; it's appropriate
for all skill levels.
Huanchaco
(
Click here
)
Long and well-formed waves with a pipeline; it's suitable for all skill levels.
Máncora
073 / POP 9700
Peru's worst-kept secret, Máncora is
the
place to see and be seen along the Peruvian coast
- in the summer months foreigners flock here to rub sunburned shoulders with the frothy
