Máncora
From Wikitravel
Máncora is a small beachtown smacked on the PanAmericana at the Peruvian Northern coast.
During holidays people come all the way from Lima to spend their holidays at the beach. It turns in a real partytown with bars competing for the loudest music day and night and a overcrowded beach.
[edit] Get in
Due to it's location on the Pan Americana it's easy to catch a bus south as far as Lima and north to Tumbes or even to Guayaquil in Ecuador.
The bus station is located 4 blocks north of the main tourist area. You can walk or take a mototaxi for S/.1.
[edit] Get around
Most of the bars, restaurants and hotels are clustered on two blocks along the PanAmericana.
[edit][add listing] See
[edit][add listing] Do
- Huge waves break along the beach during December and January, making for good surfing. Some surfshops won't rent out boards during this time, afraid it won't come back as one part.
- Also popular is Kiteboading. You can rent a kit at a few places. For first timers, a 3-day certification course is requirerd and is about $360. You spend the first 2 days on the beach learning how to handle the kite.
[edit][add listing] Buy
There are many stalls set up by "hippies" near the main road where you can buy hand made jewellry out of pearls, coral, semi-precious stones, and beads. There are also handicrafts and beach wear. Don't be afraid to bargain.
[edit][add listing] Eat
There are a lot of restaurants, most of them serving fresh seafood.
Service is generally very slow but the seafood is fresh, cheap, and delicious.
On the beach, restaurants will bring a mini-tent, table, chairs, menus, and food to the sand for you.
[edit][add listing] Drink
If you don't mind loud music there should be enough bars to still your thirst.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
During holidays it can be hard if not impossible to find accommodations. Most of the accommodations are located next the bars, making them very noisy.
Hostal Sol Y Mar is most recommended by the locals, private rooms around a central area, all with private bathrooms. Also has a pool. From S/30pp (Oct 2007). Rooms are a bit shabby, hotel needs some renovations. No hot water.
There are several hotels along the beach where to stay. Some are very basic while others offer more comfort. The nicest hotel in Mancora was used by world famous writer Mario Vargas Llosa's daughter - Morgana - for her wedding.
[edit] Stay Safe
Be careful for pickpockets.
The sea current can be dangerously strong.
[edit] Get out
Ormeño [1] are the most frequent long distance buses south from Mancora. There are frequent kombis to Piura & Tumbes. For surfers, Transportes Linea [2] have frequent buses from Piura & Chiclayo through Pacasmayo to Trujillo. Buses leave Trujillo for Huanchaco frequently, & Trujillo's Santa Cruz terminal for Puerto Malabrigo (aka Puerto Chicama) every 2 hours.
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