Peru has a long coastline, with more than 3,000 km. of beaches that are located one after another.
With so many, it’s difficult to choose the best one, so we decided to make a list with one favorite beach from every coastal region of Peru.
Here they go.
Punta Sal – Tumbes Region
This is perhaps the most paradise-like beach in Peru.
It has calm, transparent and warm water, with an average temperature of 24°C. It’s not very far from the border with Ecuador, so you can enjoy some of the perks of the tropical climate. It’s the best destination if you want to disconnect from the world and rest.
And if you like diving, this is your place, because there are some reefs where you can see colorful fish, due to the warm tropical currents, and silver fish coming from cold currents. There are also octopuses, turtles and seahorses.
If you don’t like to breathe through your mouth, between July and August you can see marine life without getting into the water, because humpback whales and dolphins, visit the waters of this place.
Máncora – Piura Region
Máncora is one of the best known beaches for tourists who come to Peru, because it has everything: warm climate the whole year (with temperatures that average 25°C and reach 35°C in summer), beautiful beaches of crystal clear water and many things to do.
Here you can practice different sports, such as surfing, diving, bodyboarding, underwater hunting, windsurfing and a lot more. Máncora has accommodations for every budget, ranging from luxury hotels to beach hostels with colorful hammocks.
When you visit this place, don’t miss the ceviche, made with fresh fish brought directly from its fishing cove.
Pimentel – Lambayeque Region
Our next best beach in Peru is Pimentel beach, located in the province of Chiclayo.
It’s a beautiful place, famous for the reed boats used as transport by local fishermen, who maintain this traditional way of fishing until today.
The long beach of Pimentel is crossed by the longest pier in Peru (measuring 695 meters). Besides walking over it you can also walk down the boardwalk, where you can eat fresh fish and seafood directly from the sea.
Puerto Chicama (Malabrigo) – La Libertad Region
In Peru there are many beaches suitable for surfing, but Puerto Chicama is the best. Here you can find the so-called “chicamera waves”, which professional surfers qualify as the longest perfect left waves in the world.
But not only surfing is practiced in this fishing port, here you can also fish and do some stand-up paddle. If you go be aware of the wind, because this beach lives up to its name (mal abrigo = bad shelter) and it’s very, very windy.
Tuquillo – Ancash Region
Tuquillo is four and a half hours from Lima and it’s known for its turquoise waters and fine sand. Thanks to the U-shape of the beach, the waves have less impact and make it an area of calm waters, especially the right side, which looks like a quiet pool.
If you like birds, a few meters from the shore you can see small islets, which serves as habitat for different species of guano birds.
Tuquillo is known by its good state of conservation, cleanliness and care for the environment: in fact, many of its houses and restaurants are made of recovered materials. This is a good example of how we can all take care of a place together and keep it clean. Here and at every beach, remember to mind your waste.
El Silencio – Department of Lima
If you are in Lima and want to escape from the capital, just 30 minutes away by car you will find El Silencio beach, in the district of Punta Hermosa.
This long, white sand beach is one of the favorite weekend destinations of the limeños, so if you don’t like too many people in one place, it’s better to visit it during the week, when it is quieter.
Apart from the waves and sand, one of the attractions of this place is its coastal edge, full of restaurants where the specialty are chalaca style mussels. And during the night, you won’t get bored, because there are many pubs and clubs.
La Mina – Ica Region
La Mina is a beautiful beach with transparent waters, surrounded by hills of sand within the Paracas National Reserve. This reserve was created to preserve a portion of the sea and the desert of Peru, giving protection to various species of flora and fauna, such as dolphins, sea lions, flamingos, peruvian terns, etc.
To enter the National Reserve you have to pay an entrance fee of S/ 11 (USD 3.5), that grants you admission to a lot of places, such as El Candelabro geoglyph and La Catedral (a rocky arch structure on the shore). For an extra cost you can go through the dunes on a buggie or sandbording.
Puerto Inca – Arequipa Region
We’re going to the south, because Puerto Inca is considered the best beach in this area. The golden sand, the deep blue clean water and its cliffs, make it a perfect site to spend the day.
But Puerto Inca is not only the beach, its main attraction is the Inca Trail of the Coast, a route created by the Incas, among hills and dunes, to interconnect the coastal provinces with the capital of the Empire. Legend says that the maximum sovereign of the Inca Empire was brought from Cuzco to this summer spot to enjoy the sea.
If you still have doubts about its beauty, you can believe the story.
In this place you can also practice various water sports and take a boat ride. About accomondation, the good news is that you can camp on the beach and do a picnic.
Pozo de Lizas – Moquegua Region
Only 7 km from the city of Ilo, you’ll find Pozo de Lizas. This beach of 6 km. long, with fine and clear sand, calm and shallow waters, perfect for those afraid of waves. The beach, unlike many others in Peru, is wide and long, and you can get down to it without making so much effort, because it isn’t hidden behind the hills.
If you get bored of swimming, from here you can visit Punta Coles, a rocky formation with cliffs, surrounded by islets where different animals coexist: bats, penguins, boobies, sea otters and octopuses.
Boca de Rio – Tacna Region
The Boca del Rio summer spot is 52 km. southwest from the city of Tacna. Its wide and flat beaches, and its calm and shallow waters, make it one of the favorites beaches during Summer.
But during Winter it doesn’t lose its charm: between January and April, during the rainy season, the flow Sama River (located next to the beach) increases and forms a bridge of sand used by shrimps to go from one kind of water to the other while thousands of birds try to catch them.
Also, this place has a small market and restaurants with good food and low prices.
As you can see, Peru is not only famous ruins and gourmet cuisine, there are also beautiful beaches where you can relax and have fun.
So don’t wait any longer and enjoy Peru; Stasher takes care of your bags while you have a good time in the sea!
Hi! I am George and I am the Content Lead for Stasher.com. I love travel, writing, making music and meeting new and interesting people.