Surf Trip: Puerto Chicama, Peru
I recently got back from a surf trip to Chicama, Peru (where locals claim is the home of the longest left in the world), and to sum it up into one word, the trip was “amazing”. I have grown up in Southern California near some pretty incredible and well-known surf spots, and for the past two years I have wandered and surfed a handful of spots on Oahu’s coastline. Taking this into consideration, and also the fact that I have traveled to several other great spots, I was a little skeptical of whether or not I would be overly impressed by Puerto Chicama. To my pleasant surprise, being simply impressed by this wave is a complete understatement.
The best way to describe a wave at Chicama is to have you think of the longest ride you have had at a normal beach break and then times that length by three. I’m talking about a wave so long that the thought of pulling out early crosses your mind simply because your legs couldn’t possibly handle another hit on the face. It is honestly an unreal experience, and since it’s a left, all you goofy-footed surfers might find it impossible to leave.
I would say that the main point break is best suited for intermediate to professional surfers (all depending on the intensity of the swell and where you paddle out from). But Chicama is also equipped with numerous other breaks that provide waves for surfers of every level. The surf trip was super cheap for the ten days that I spent there, and it was well worth the money. If you are looking for a fun and affordable trip, I suggest looking into Puerto Chicama. You will not regret it.
This is just an intro to my new favorite surf spot. Make sure you check future posts for more information about Chicama that will help you plan the perfect surf trip.
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Definitely on my list of places to go.
that wave looks like heaven on earth to me. now if it had a teds bakery across the street, it would be even better. but i’ll be happy with that left. goofy paradaise. post some sweet pics you took. that would be neat.
Wow the pic at the top is awesome!
Wish you had linked up with us for your trip to Chicama, but I’m stoked that you scored the longest left in the world! Chicama is really a natural wonder like the Grand Canyon or Victoria Falls and we are working to have it declared a National Park so that future generations will also be able to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this amazing wave. Despite our best efforts, it often happens that unreal surf spots get ruined by crowds, predatory urban development and polution. So I’de suggest that if you want to check out Chicama you do it soon… Also hope you got to meet our partner El Zorro, a great local photographer and one of the earliest local surfers, much respected by all. No matter how you get down to Chicama, and we do hope you look us up, stop by El Zorro’s shop and pay your respects to the local legends, Zorro may even have some amazing shots of you to bring home as a souvenir. Ekolu Kalama will be down there with us in August and we have a lot planned for the coming months, so check us out at:
http://www.machapuadventures.com
Aloha and Muchas Gracias for showing respect to Chicama!
Great blog! I’m trying to get down there and in the begining stage of planning. You mentioned it was inexpensive. Do you mind disclosing the hotel you stayed in and how much you spent on rooms, food and transportation. Also, which airline did you fly?
Thanks for blogging your trip.
It all depends on how cheap you want to be. I stayed in a small little hostel right on the break. It was $7 a night and the owner would cook great food for about $3 a meal. The hostel is called “El Hombre” and you can find it in several travel books on Peru. I flew in on Aeromexico but there are several cheap airlines worth looking into including Taca (which flys out of LAX). Once I landed in Lima I stayed one night then took a 9 hour bus ride on a bus line called “Cruz del Sur” to the city of Trujillo for about $18. (It’s a nice bus and it’s over night so you can sleep the whole way). Then from there you can take a local bus for about $2 or a taxi for more money into Puerto Chicama. It’s a small little village and not too hard to find things. Another option would be to look at flights into Trujillo. It costs more but it’s faster and easier. If you don’t mind spending some money check out the Machapu Adventures post on the surfingblog. They do everything for you.
http://www.thesurfingblog.com/machapu-adventures-plan-your-next-surf-trip-to-peru
Hope that helped a little. Good Luck with the planning!
Puerto Chicama, my childhood beach, the best beach to practice safe surfing stuff near Trujillo. Punta Huanchaco is a good spot for surfing too, but Chicama is the longest and safest. I been in another left handed Pichilemu(Punta de Lobos) i would try there too, but you have to be fit and ready to became an spider climbing the rocks if u survive a fell in that wave.
Another good things about the south american beaches, is that you don´t have to worry about white sharks or something similar like here in Australia.
hasta la vista!
Cheers,