Why Honeymoon in Máncora
Máncora is the easiest way to add warm beach time to a Peru trip without leaving the country. A short flight from Lima and a drive bring you to a coast of long sandy beaches, steady sunshine and a laid-back surf culture.
It suits couples who enjoy a mix of activity and rest. One of you can take a surf lesson while the other reads under an umbrella. You can both swim with sea turtles, ride horses on the beach or join a boat trip to see whales.
The food is another draw. Fresh fish and shellfish appear on every menu, from roadside ceviche stalls to hotel restaurants. Prices are generally lower than in the Caribbean, so a week here can be good value.
When to Go
Máncora is sunny for most of the year. December through April is summer, with the hottest weather, the warmest water and the busiest beaches. Christmas, New Year, Carnival and Easter week bring crowds from Lima and higher prices.
May through November is slightly cooler and quieter, with occasional cloudy mornings. Humpback whales are usually present roughly from July through October, making those months a good time for wildlife. Surfers find the best waves in winter swells, often from about November through March.
Avoid the end of July if you want quiet, since Fiestas Patrias, Peru's national holiday, fills the coast. In some years El Niño conditions can bring heavy rain to the north coast, so check forecasts if you travel during summer.
Where to Stay
Stay outside the town center for peace. Las Pocitas, just south of Máncora, has small hotels and beach houses on a rocky shore with tide pools and calm water at low tide. Vichayito, a few miles farther south, has long empty sand and boutique bungalow hotels set among palms and dunes.
Los Órganos, about 15 minutes south, is quieter and has a few upscale hotels. Punta Sal, about 30 minutes north, has broad beaches and the Royal Decameron Punta Sal, a large all-inclusive.
In Máncora itself, hotels are livelier and close to bars and restaurants, which suits couples who want nightlife. Expect roughly $100 to $350 a night for boutique hotels for two, as an approximate guide, with higher prices on holidays.
Romantic Things to Do
Swim with green sea turtles at El Ñuro, a fishing pier near Los Órganos where turtles gather in the clear water. Go early, follow the guides and do not touch or feed the animals.
Book a whale-watching boat trip in season. Humpbacks breach, slap their tails and sing offshore. Some tours combine whales with dolphins and seabirds.
Take a surf lesson on the gentle waves near town, or watch experienced surfers at the point. Ride horses along the beach at Vichayito. Visit Cabo Blanco, the fishing village where Ernest Hemingway came to fish for marlin in the 1950s. Soak in the warm mud of Poza de Barro, a natural mud bath inland. End each day with a sunset walk and a pisco sour on the sand.
Getting There and Around
Fly to Lima (LIM), which has nonstops from many US cities. From Lima, domestic flights reach Talara (TYL) in about 1.5 to 2 hours, followed by a drive of about 1.25 hours to Máncora. Tumbes (TBP) is another option, about 1.5 to 2 hours by road. Piura (PIU) has more flights but is around 3 hours away.
Most hotels can arrange transfers. Comfortable overnight buses also run from Lima, but the trip takes many hours.
In Máncora, mototaxis are the usual way to get around town and to nearby beaches. Agree on the fare before you go. Keep bags close. For longer trips, book a car with driver through your hotel.
Food and Drink
Seafood rules. Order ceviche made with mahi-mahi or grouper, tiradito, grilled octopus and fried calamari. Conchas negras, black clams from the mangroves of Tumbes, are a local favorite in ceviche, though they are an acquired taste.
Restaurants range from beach shacks to stylish open-air spots in hotels. Many are casual, with plastic chairs on the sand and food that is fresh and affordable. Dinner tends to start late.
Drinks include pisco sours, chilcanos and fresh fruit juices. Seco de cabrito, a slow-cooked goat stew from the north, is worth trying. Ask locals where the fishermen eat.
Honeymoon Tips
- Respect the ocean. Rip currents can be strong, even on calm days. Swim near others and ask hotel staff about conditions.
- Use sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. The equatorial sun is intense.
- Bring insect repellent. Dengue occurs on Peru's north coast, so if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
- Keep valuables out of sight, especially at night and in mototaxis. The US State Department rates Peru Level 2.
- Avoid illegal drugs. Penalties are severe and scams are common.
- Book early for holiday periods, when prices rise and rooms fill.
