This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Máncora.
Máncora is a lively Peruvian beach resort of ten thousand inhabitants; it is a good stop if you are on your way to Ecuador, as it's only two hours by bus from the frontier city. The beach here is the main draw, and it’s around ten kilometers long – ideal for morning runs. It’s beautiful; walking along it, you quickly leave the hotels and hostels behind, and it's just you, the ocean and the sands.
There is an excellent selection of accommodation available in Máncora, including camping and surf camps with basic huts or hammock dormitories. Prices are a little higher than the rest of Peru.
Best hostel in Máncora: Casa Nomade Mancora
There are lots of restaurants selling some good deals on almuerzas (set meals) and good ceviche (Peru’s national dish) is served all over town. For self-caterers, there is a market behind the main square.
There is a nightlife pulse in Máncora, but it tends to be a beachfront sound clash among the beach bars – an incongruous mess with reggae, techno, and chill-out mashed together from different sound systems. It's also nice to sit away from this on the beach and buy some beers or wine and listen to the waves.
The town is a mecca for surfers and a renowned kite-boarding venue; there are places to get lessons from along the beach. You can hire surfboards by the hour or day. On a windy day, it's great fun to watch them out on the sea pulling tricks. Ask for more information at your hostel's reception desk.
Máncora Beach
The hospitable atmosphere and the popular Peruvian ceviche adorn one of the most visited beaches among young people from all over the world. The main street is home to a number of restaurants where you can find all kinds of seafood, as well as bars and cafés. Some papas a la huancaína, tamales, or anticuchos can be found among the menus in the area.
Having a glass of cold chicha or a pisco “sour” are the best antidotes to the heat of the coast.
A small town center offers benches and flowers to feel the sea breeze for a while, as well as crafts where wooden pieces and souvenirs of all kinds abound. Among those who show their pieces there are artisans from Peru and many other travelers who look for their support in creation.
A visit to the market square gives a perspective of the variety of smells and flavors between spices, fruits, and vegetables native to the area.
Close to Máncora it is possible to visit other beaches such as Punta Sal, Zorritos and Organos, also attended by locals and foreigners. Nature reserves, biosphere and national parks conserve and protect ecosystems, communities and protected species that can also be visited in the area.
