Surfing Spots and Info

There are so many great reasons to surf Peru and so many great waves to discover, we wanted to give you a taste of what's possible. The links on the left will give you an idea of the quantity and quality of waves that await you in Peru. And remember, these are the most famous waves in each area. There are many lesser known waves and many unknown waves still to be discovered!

Unlike many surfing destinations, Peru does not have a well developed surfing tourist industry and those areas you will visit are notably "non-touristy". This offers a great opportunity to relax, get to know the culture, day-to-day life and Peruvian people, without crowds and everything else that goes with tourism. Best of all, it  means there will be few (or no) other people surfing with you in the remoter areas. But, the lack of tourists and tourist infrastructure makes traveling on your own quite difficult and time consuming.

Here are some things you should think about when considering coming to Peru to surf:

• The language: Peru is a Spanish speaking country and very, very  few people speak any English. If you do not speak Spanish, getting around, arranging accommodations and getting food can be difficult, to say the least.

• Transportation: Many of Peru's best waves and beaches are impossible to find unless you are with a guide who knows the area well. Also, traveling long distances by bus with a surfboard is difficult, uncomfortable and not particularly safe (for your board!). Traveling from the highway to the beach (or within towns) with a surf board is a whole other story! Local and regional Peruvian buses are called "combis". They are vans that are infamous for squishing 15+ people (and sometimes animals, crops and anything else you can imagine) in at a time. Not much space for a surf board - and not very comfortable at that, although it can certainly make for a memorable experience and a great story to tell.

• Accommodations: Why waste your time looking for a comfortable and safe place to stay (while lugging all your stuff around) when you could be down at the beach surfing. When you travel with a tour, you don't have to worry about these details and you'll have a lot more time to do what you really want to; surf, chill and see the sites!

• Safety: First of all, let us say, Peru is NOT the dangerous and scary place some people seem to think it is. Overall, it is a very quiet and friendly country. That being said, there are areas you should be and areas you should avoid. Without a knowledgeably guide, it is hard to know which is which. And traveling with a respected local will give you the closest look at the local waves, people, and customs while feeling secure and safe. Food safety is another issue. Many travelers get sick (because of the food and water) while traveling in Peru. With only a limited time to travel, the last thing you want to do is spend your vacation in bed. Our experienced guides know what foods are safe and what should be avoided and will do their best to ensure that everybody enjoys the wonderful food of Peru, without any nasty after effects.

• Time: Peru's coast line is 2300 km long and the possibilities are endless. If you only have a week or two to travel, you want to ensure you spend as little time as possible figuring out the logistics of your trip and as much time as possible enjoying yourself. The best way to do this is by letting us take of the details.

• Cost: While traveling on your own is traditionally the cheapest way to go, this isn't always the case in Peru. That's because locals often raise prices for food, lodging, transportation, etc. for foreigners (often doubling them). Now factor in the possible cost of getting lost, getting sick and the extra time you spend on, well everything, and we think that the cost of a tour turns out to be the much better deal

Obviously, we're a tour operator and we believe that our surf tours are the best way to see and surf Peru. That being said, we certainly understand and support those people who want to travel on their own. We think that traveling on your own is a great way to experience Peru, but is best done by those who speak Spanish, have a lot of time and have some previous experience traveling in a developing country. If that sounds like you, and you are planning on coming to surf Peru on your own, feel free to write us for travel and surfing tips and advice.

We look forward from hearing from you all!

info@eco-innovationtours.com