Mancora KiteSurf

HOW TO GET TO MANCORA

You will arrive in Lima, then getting to Mancora can either be done by plane or bus.

By plane - fly to Piura or Talara or Tumbes (approx 1.5 hours flight, about US$200 with return) and then catch a taxi to Mancora (between 1 to 2.5 hours drive, about US$60 - $80 or around 200 soles). Ask us about our private pickup and group transportation prices.

By bus it is a 16 hour drive, which sounds bad - but actually is super nice! They leave Lima in the afternoon and you will get to Mancora the next morning. Some of the companies have 180 degree bed seats, movies, dinner and breakfast and its affordable and you don’t need to deal with taxi rides from the airport and waking up at 3am in the morning! Contact us for more advice.

EXCHANGE RATE

2.8 soles for US$1 approx.

THE TOWN OF MANCORA

A cool little beach town right on the Pan-American Highway, Mancora is a great base to explore Peru’s north coast. With incredible restaurants serving world-class ceviche (a local delicious fish dish), fresh tuna steaks and seafood, and plenty of chill bars to have a couple beers after a long day on the water, you will be delighted by Mancora’s laid-back vibe.

Non-kiters will enjoy the picturesque beach and perfect sunny weather (80F, 28C), and can entertain themselves with yoga, massage/spa, surfing, spear fishing, snorkeling, whale watching tours and deep sea fishing. Please request more info during the reservation process.

Mancora has several ATM’s, internet (including wireless throughout town), surf shops, clothing stores, pharmacies, and everything else you need.

WHERE TO EAT

Mancora has many excellent restaurants with world class food like tasty fresh Tuna dishes, Pastas, Ceviches, Salads etc.

Some of the restaurants we recommend you visit while in Mancora are La Sirena, El Tuno, Tao, La Bajadita, Sushi, Antika, Geko and Don Giovanni Ice Cream Shop on the beach.

WHERE TO SLEEP

There are many hotels in Mancora for all budgets.

Kimbas, La Quebrada, Las Olas, Pink Parrot (ex Wawa), Mancora Bay, Casa Palmero, Samana Chackra.

These are some of the hotels we recommend and they might not be the cheapest ones - but they are nice and you will feel comfortable and safe, plus usually the owner are surfers so the vibe in the place is mellow.

WHAT TO DO

Other than surfing and kitesurfing there are several things to do like - big hikes, whale watching, Hobbie Cat yacht rides, marine tours, snorkeling, an exciting Zip Line - a really long one, bird watching, yoga, mhua thai etc. Let us know and we will book anything you need while in Mancora.

KITESURFING IN MANCORA BEACH

Mancora is a nice left that breaks for 200 to 300 meters long depending on the size of the swell. Waves can be anything from 2 feet to 6 or 7 feet (2 meters) on a good day. The bottom is rounded rocks that are not really dangerous. In low tide though it is easy to break a fin if you are not careful. Downwind from the point break is all sandy bottom.

Mancora is the perfect place to start kite waveriding as it’s an easy point break that allows you to experiment and learn if you are new to the sport or if just want to try some new tricks in waveriding.

The wind blows constantly from 10 to 25, or 30 knots on some days. The wind in Mancora blows side shore allowing you to relax if anything goes wrong with your equipment, because Mancora Beach is a bay so you and your equipment will end on the beach downwind from the point break.

For beginners Mancora has lots of days were the surf is just 3 foot or less, so you just get out past the waves and ride. If something goes wrong you will end downwind on the beach - no problem!

MANCORA ESTEROS/ESTUARY

A small lagoon with incredible flat water - great for freestyle. Sometime it can be a little shallow.

WHAT TO BRING FOR KITESURFING

9 meter is the magic number!

•Kite Equipment: kites you are comfortable with in 15-30 knot winds (7/9/11m is the most common quiver). 9m is the most common size ridden. Women usually ride 7-8m. Bring your twin tip board, but to truly shred you will need a directional surfboard (check our deal with Klimax surfboards - fully custom boards waiting for you here in Peru!). A 3/2 full wetsuit is advisable for spots south of Mancora, although some people wear shorties. Any extra kite gear you care to bring - supplies are limited and kite equipment is easy to sell and trade!

•Clothes: Mancora has very pleasant weather year round. April to December sees warm days and cooler nights. Bring at least a pair of long pants and a sweatshirt for the evenings and something warm to climb into after a day kiting in cool water.

•90 day Visas are issued upon arrival to Peru for residents of most Western countries.

SURFBOARD DEALS!

Klimax surfboards are top of the line boards made in Peru, ridden by all of our guides and Peruvian pro surfers (www.klimaxsurf.com). Strapped or unstrapped, these boards are unsurpassed.

We offer you the opportunity to order a custom board that will be ready for you upon your arrival at special dealer prices. Ask us for details.

KITESURFING DESTINATIONS IN PERU

MANCORA

You will arrive in the capital of Peru - Lima. Getting to Mancora can be done by plane to Piura, Talara or Tumbes airports and then after that you will have to take a taxi to Mancora (talk to us about our easy transport option).

PACASMAYO

7 hours by bus from Lima.

Or to fly - airports can be Trujillo (hour and half drive south of Pacasmayo) or Chiclayo (one hour drive north of Pacasmayo).

In Pacasmayo its pure waveriding, this is a super left that with a good swell can be up to 3 meters and maybe 4. The wave breaks so perfectly and for more than 1 km long! The small days are super fun too.

PARACAS BAY AND RESERVE

Paracas is located 2 hours south of Lima so it doesn’t take too long after you get out of the plane to be on the water.

The bay of Paracas is perfect for beginners and people that want to push their limits because its flat with no waves at all.

There’s a boat rescue for the students. Full Kiting courses are offered, check the packages page.

In Paracas you can go around the peninsula to find some decent waveriding (but nothing compared to Pacasmayo or Lobitos).

Were to stay in Paracas

Paracas is a National Reserve and a really beautiful place with lots of stunning houses and hotels, some of them are 5 and 6 stars Hotels that are definitely not cheap, but you can also find decent prices in some hotels that are not next to the ocean.

El Amigo and El Corito are a couple of decent places to stay without killing your budget.

Paracas Hotel, The Hilton and La Hacienda are top of the line resorts, then you can find something like El Condor that is right in the middle of those budgets.