Huanchaco: a destination known for its beaches and surfing

Far too many visitors get caught up in a whirlwind of archaeological site visits during their trip to Pérou and end up missing the most delightful moments. It's true that Pérou in general has immense culture and archaeological heritage, and the Trujillo region is a perfect example of this.

If you've done enough sightseeing and are looking for a place or activity to unwind, why not hop on a bus to Huanchaco, a small village just 10 minutes from Trujillo? This fishing village is known for its beautiful beaches and surfing. The main activity of this Peruvian coastal resort is fishing, but in a most original way! The fishermen kneel on a kind of surfboard-shaped vessel made of woven reeds…

This technique has existed since the Mochica era, over 2,000 years ago, and the vessel known as "caballitos de totora" is said to be the ancestor of modern surfing! Indeed! Once again, we discover a side of Pérou we never suspected—Pérou may have invented surfing. We should also recall the Kon Tiki expeditions of Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, who sought to demonstrate that the Incas could have crossed the Pacific Ocean and may have even reached Polynesia on reed vessels, like the "caballitos de totora"… If you'd like to try your luck on the waves with this original watercraft, it will cost you just 5 soles, and Huanchaco's fishermen will be delighted to initiate you!

Other activities to do in Huanchaco

Enjoying some sun-soaked leisure time is obviously on the agenda, but if you want to discover more of Huanchaco, we recommend 3 things to do while you're there:

• Surfing through one of the many surf schools on the beach, as Huanchaco is famous for its annual world-class surfing and longboard competitions! There are lessons for all levels. Prices vary from school to school, but on average you can expect to pay between 45 and 65 soles for two hours.
  
  
• Climb to the top of the hill near the village where you'll find the Iglesia de la Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro. From up there, you'll encounter one of Pérou's oldest churches, built in 1535. The panoramic view over the entire bay is magnificent, especially at sunset!
  
  
• Why not venture to the end of the long pier stretching from Huanchaco? Built in 1891, this pier measures over 100 meters long and offers wonderfully unique photo opportunities from an unusual vantage point. Entry to the pier costs 0.50 soles.

Around Huanchaco

Near Huanchaco, you can visit the pre-Columbian sites of Chan Chan, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world's largest adobe city, Huaca del Brujo, home to the fascinating and modern Señora de Cao Museum, dedicated to a leader of the Mochica civilization whose tomb was discovered at the huaca.

The beautifully restored and enhanced village of Magdalena de Cao, the Cartavio rum distillery near the village of the same name surrounded by endless sugar cane fields, which you can visit on your way to Huaca del Brujo, are the perfect complement to a wonderful day exploring the Huanchaco area.