Peru is famous not only thanks to Machu Picchu. It has definitely much more to offer even for the most demanding travelers. As an example of unique things which you can find in this lovely country, today I would like to talk more about perfect places to practice water sports. Yes, yes! Peru is a great water sport destination, with for example perfect waves for surfers as well as with a very good wind for kitesurfing.
Till now I visited a lot of places in south part of Peru, mostly in Andes; I did a lot of trekking in Cusco and in Huaraz region; I climbed some high snowy peaks; I visited many archaeological spots and did thousands of different activities. I also touched a little Peruvian jungle, like for example Iquitos and its area, where I spent several days. But there was a big area of the country, still waiting for me, which I have not explored yet – the northern part of Peru. To know better this part, I decided to move to the north of Peru and visit the most important places. I was afraid that I will not find here to many things to do. I love hiking, climbing, in general everything what is contacted with mountains, so I was not sure if I will have here something what will really engage me, except all archaeological complexes which are of course amazing and worth to visit. But to my surprise the reality become completely different.
Pacasmayo – my main base for exploring the most important archaeological spots in norther coast of Peru
Port in Pacasmayo
As the main base for exploration the north part of Peru I chose Pacasmayo. At the beginning I knew almost nothing about this town and the whole region, but very quickly I realized that this place has huge potential.
First, I discovered that Peru as well as Pacasmayo itself is very famous for great, long and high waves, about which surfers from all over the world dream each time they are in the water. I have never been interested in water sports, so my knowledge about them was rather poor, but thanks to my adventure with Pacasmayo I had great opportunity to become familiar with this topic and get a lot of knowledge about it. Lovers of surfing know perfectly, that Peru and some beaches of the north of the country, like for example beaches in Pacasmayo and in some towns nearby, are one of the best places on the earth to surf.
What made me even more surprised was, that Pacasmayo is one of the best places in Peru where surfers can catch as they often say – the best waves of their lives. When I arrived here I heard many times that it is a heaven for the surfers, who dream not only about good waves but also who wish to enjoy them without a crowd around. The surfers very often choose Pacasmayo because they want to avoid big crowds, which exist in other tourist towns in the coast of Peru. Pacasmayo still is considered as a place which is not touristic and there are a lot of lovers of water sports who value it for that.
If anyone is interested in the waves even 3 meters high, and in the same time would like to have these waves almost only for them, I am sure will have this in this cozy town.
Because I heard so many good things from surfers about this place, I even decided to take some surfing classes here, what turned to be an incredible experience.
First steps as a surfer, Pacasmayo beach
Now I am not only big fan of climbing, biking, kayaking, hiking, but also lover of surfing. I have a new addiction.
Besides surfing Pacasmayo offers also other possibilities, like kitesurfing or windsurfing. But Pacasmayo is not only water sports base. This city and its neighbourhood have definitely much more to offer. Pacasmayo is a small town located in the region of La Libertad in Peru. It looks like one of many other small towns in the coast of Peru famous among surfers, but there are some things which make this city definitely more interesting than others. It is situated in the middle between famous cities like Trujillo, Chiclayo and Cajamarca, what makes this place great base for excursions to many different destinations.
The view form the hotel el Mirador in Pacasmayo
Below I prepared the list of some of the most important places which you can visit while you are in Pacasmayo.
- Archaeological complex El Brujo and museums Dama de Cao (Laddy of Cao) around 55 km from Pacasmayo
- Archaeological complex Pakatnamu ruins around 30 minutes by car from Pacasmayo
- Dos Cabezas (Two heads) around 15 minutes by cas from Pacasmayo
- El Bosque y Complejo Arqueológico el Cañoncillo (Archaeological Complex of Cañoncillo) around 45 minutes by car from Pacasmayo
- Beaches in Chicama and in Puemape (San Pedro de LLoc) around 25 minutes from Pacasmayo and in Huanchaco around 2 hours by bus from Pacasmayo
- Archaeological complex Chan Chan near Trujillo around 2 hours by bus from Pacasmayo
- Huaca de la Luna and Huaca de la Sol near Trujillo around 2 hours by bus from Pacasmayo
- Archaeological sites such as Sipan, Túcume, Batán Grande and Huaca Rajada in Chiclayo and in its neighborhood around 2 hours by bus from Pacasmayo
Pacasmayo – where to sleep?
During my time in Pacasmayo I stayed in Hotel el Mirador.
Hotel el Mirador in Pacasmayo
It is very good place, situated only around 250 meters from the beach and from the city centre. The owners of the hotel and the restaurant Pastimar which is also in that place are very friendly and ready to help in every situation. I met here a lot of surfers from all over the world, who helped me to understand this sport more. In the hotel you will find very nice public area, where there you can enjoy pin pong, billard, table football, tv and bar. The prices of the rooms in Hotel el Mirador are higher than in the hostels but definitely much more reasonable than in other hotels in Pacasmayo. If you are looking for some compromise, it can be good choice for you.
Beautiful room in the Hotel el Mirador
Pacasmayo – where to drink coffee?
All depends what kind of coffee you like.
If you like italian style, you can enjoy the coffe in the Restaurant Pastimar, which is in the Hotel el Mirador. They serve this type of coffee in the mornings during the breakfast. They also serve for the breakfast very good juices. Breakfast is included in the price of the room.
Delicious coffee in the Hotel el Mirador
If you like cappuchino, frappuchino or other coffee made from the special coffe machines, you would rather enjoy more either Mochica Café Restaurant or 49 Café.
Definitely the best coffee place in Pacasmayo
Pacamayo – where to eat delicious chocolate cake and other desserts?
The best chocolate cake I had opportunity to eat in Pacasmayo, was in the Restaurant Pastimar. Unfortunately the staff of the restaurant do not prepare it every day. But if they will have it, necessary try how it tastes.
Second place in Pacasmayo, which I can recommend to eat cakes is 46 Café. They offer different desserts, always fresh and very delicious. My favourite one is torta de chocolate and torta de guanabana.
I also tried chocolate cake in Mochica Café Restaurant. It was good too, just different. If you will stay longer in Pacasmayo I recommend you to try cakes in all that places and choose which you like the most.
Pacasmayo – where to eat fresh, delicious lunch and dinner?
I ate in 3 places in Pacasmayo. First was Restaurant Pastimar in Hotel el Mirador. I liked a lot the food there, because it was very fresh, many times I had opportunity to taste here typical Peruvian dishes. They also have some dishes with pastas and pizzas. If you decide to stay in the hotel, you can have the lunch and dinner for lower price. They have special offers for the Clients of the hotel in this area, what is a very good idea. Among others you can have here breakfast with homemade marmalade from strawberry, pineapple or other local fruits. Delicious!
Homemade marmalade in the Hotel el Mirador
The other place where I liked to eat was Mochica Café Restaurant. I tried here fried fish with French fries and loved that dish. They put on the fish my favourite garlic cream – if you like these kind of cream you are going to love it.
Mochica Cafe – my favourite restaurant in Pacasmayo
I also tried some dishes in Café restaurant. It is small place with good Chinese food. If you like these kind of food you can check also this option.
I hope you will fell in love in Pacasmayo like me. Enjoy great weather, sun and all possibilities which this region of Peru has to offer you!
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