What is the first image that pop into your mind, when you are thinking of Peru?
Many thoughts go straight to Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain.
Many interesting places are skipped over by travelers rushing to the wonders of the South. I wanted to give a try to the Peruvian coastline and explore the best beaches in Peru.
When it comes to beaches, I feel free to call myself a hidden beach hunter. Jumping from one to the other off the beaten track destination, gives me the opportunity to go deeper into culture and taste the real adventure.
When traveling along the Peru’s beautiful coastline, I came across some of the most incredible beaches! Here is a list of 5 my favorite beaches in Peru!
1. Red Beach, Paracas
Where the desert meets the ocean.
Without a doubt, the Red Sand beach is one of the most impressive beaches in Peru and the most photographed in all of the Paracas National Reserve. The red sand coast gets its tint from erosion of porphyry rocks. And seriously the high-contrast color between the deep-blue water and red sand is a visually pleasant experience for the viewer.
The Paracas National Reserve has been designed as Unesco World Heritage Site for its rare natural diversity. The protected area has a large variety of wildlife, known as the one of the most biologically productive in the World.
2. Miraflores Beach, Lima
Looking for the best beaches in Peru, come to Miraflores in Lima! Being one of the most attractive neighborhoods in Lima, Miraflores is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. I used to come here, to listen the sound of the waves, soak up some sun and walk along a six mile stretch of sidewalk full of cafes and workshops. If you are not really a city person like me, this is a place for you in Lima. If you want to feed your adventurous side, you can try paragliding, a very popular attraction here. Can you image jumping off the cliffs and soaring into the sky above the city and the ocean? Like a big colorful bird?
3. Huanchaco Beach
Oh, what a discovery!
Moving along the coast in Peru, I stumbled upon this little spot on the map. After reading some cool staff about this little fishing town, I could not satisfy myself without discovering this place.
Huanchaco beach seems to be one of the most friendly beach to learn surfing in Peru. It is known for easy and super-consistent waves for beginners and intermediate surfers. Lined with surf shops, backpacker hostels, cool cafes and restaurant with excellent sea food, Huanchaco is a great place to soak up the summer vibes!
Moreover, the place still keeps a nearly 3000 year old tradition! Here, you can still watch fisherman or surfers using the traditional totora reed boast called the caballitos de totora. If you are looking for stunning local beaches in Peru, you should definitely stop in Huanchaco.
4. La Mina Beach, Paracas
This place stole my heart!
Playa la Mina is definitely my favorite beach in Peru. It sits hidden in a secluded area between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the golden desert. It is a place like no other. The waters are calm in this little bay making possible to swim and enjoy the sun. Playa La Mina belongs to the Paracas National Reserve and it is very protected area in Peru.
Coming here by bike, was a quite adventurous and challenging choice, but completely worth it!
5. Mancora Beach
Welcome to Mancora beach in Peru! I like to call it, the Peruvian’s Best Kept Secret, as the laid-back village full of charm and cool vibes, seems to be the local-only hideaway. Set along long stretches of white sand and crystal water, Mancora is a fantastic place in Peru for beach-goers and sport enthusiasts.
It is blessed with cool breezes almost every day, so popular activities here include surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
What is your favorite beach in Peru? Share your experience and leave a comment below. Thank you!