Surfing Peru

Enroute to Lima, Peru. First of all I have to say, wireless internet at 30,000 is a thing of genius. My girlfriend and I will be in Peru for 17 days. Original plans were to kite along the North Coast, most likely Mancora. The near forecast looks like shit for wind, so maybe an audible to surfing is in order.

We will be in Lima for a few days, and then play it by ear. Both of us are beginning surfers, but competent kiters. Where are the more beginner friendly surf breaks? We will also need to rent boards. Any Help?

go to pacasmayo. ask for otto. he runs a surf hoste there (i think its hostel duke). he'll set you up.

and go to chicama! a must-see spot.

Not the best season for surf. Stay north, skip chicama, it is shit town and it really only breaks on sizeable south swells. When it does turn on everybody from Lima descends on the break. Watch your back and your stuff. Beware of the public buses. Security and bandits are a very real threat along the coast. There are sections of the Pan American highway that pretty sketchy. Don't travel after dark. Years of Maoist insurgency and the brutal put down of that movement has left lots and lots of guns in the country. Don't trust the cops they are more interested in shaking you down for money then helping you out. Pacasmayo is good central location and picks up more swell than any other spot along the central coast. Dukes is the biggest tourist hotel there. Plenty of other places to stay, spend the dough for the higher end its worth it.

That said the surf can be truly epic. I have surfed numerous world class points with only one or two other folks. Local guides are generally worth the money, hire one. Have fun and definitely spend the time and effort to get into the Andes.

If you want to kite, go South to Paracas. Some of the most consistent afternoon wind in the world. Great trad surf spots all the way down the coast. No need to trek north of Trujillo this time of the year, IMO.
Buenas Fortunas!