While most people think of Machu Picchu when they think of Peru, the country actually has one of the most varied coastlines in South America. It runs for about 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) along the Pacific, with everything from warm-water beaches up north to cooler stretches shaped by the Humboldt Current. Some of Peru’s beaches are built on top of ancient settlements, with shell middens showing more than 10,000 years of human presence. With that in mind, here’s our pick of the very best beaches in Peru.
Los Órganos is a low-key beach town in northern Peru’s Piura region. It started out as a fishing village, and while it’s grown a bit, it still keeps that relaxed pace.
The beach is long and sandy with clear water, and it’s one of the best places in Peru to see marine life up close—humpback whales show up from July to November, and you might also catch a glimpse of dolphins, manta rays, or sea turtles.
The waves are manageable for beginner surfers, and there are calm sections that are good for swimming. Beachfront restaurants serve fish and shellfish caught the same day.
To get to this Peru beach, you’ll want to fly into Talara Airport—it’s about a 45-minute drive. You can also land in Tumbes, which is about 2 hours north. Flights from Lima take around 2 hours. From either airport, you can take a taxi or colectivo (shared taxi) into town.
June through October is usually known for sunny weather, with temperatures between 77–86°F (25–30°C). This also lines up with whale season from July to November. The weather in Peru in December to March tends to be hotter and more humid, and there’s a chance of rain.
Huanchaco is just outside of Trujillo and is known for both surfing and history. Local fishermen still use caballitos de totora—traditional reed boats that have been around for thousands of years—and you’ll often see them heading out at sunrise.
The beach has consistent waves throughout the year, so it works for surfers of all levels. It’s not far from town, so you’ve got easy access to places to eat and stay, but it doesn’t feel overdeveloped.
There’s a laid-back energy, and ceviche is pretty much a staple—fresh and easy to find along the malecón. Just a short drive away is Chan Chan, an enormous adobe ruin that once served as the capital of the Chimú Empire.
You’ll want to fly into Trujillo’s airport to get to this Peru beach, then take a taxi to Huanchaco—it’s about 30 minutes. Direct flights from Lima take roughly an hour. There are also frequent buses between Trujillo and Huanchaco if you’re coming from the city. For more tips, see our guide to getting around Peru.
April to November is usually when you’ll get the most comfortable weather, with daily temperatures between 64–75°F (18–24°C). For surfing, March and April are good months to catch steady waves without too many people around. If you want to see the caballitos de totora, go early—between 6–8am.
Máncora is one of the most well-known beaches in northern Peru, thanks to its sunny weather, consistent waves, and relaxed surf town vibe. You’ll get warm ocean water and around 300 days of sunshine each year, which is rare on Peru’s coast.
The beach runs for several miles with soft sand and plenty of space. Surfers head to the main break, while the southern end is better for beginners.
It’s easy to find a place to stay, eat, or hang out—there’s a long strip of beachfront restaurants, casual hotels, and nightlife if that’s your thing. It’s also a good base for other activities nearby, like horseback riding, kitesurfing, deep-sea fishing, or whale watching during the right season.
You can fly into either Talara or Tumbes—both are about 90 minutes away by road. Flights from Lima take around 2 hours. From the airport, just grab a taxi or hop in a colectivo to town.
For beach weather, December through March is the sweet spot, with temperatures around 86–95°F (30–35°C) and lots of sun. Whale watching season runs from July through October. If you're surfing, April to June is a good window with decent swells and fewer people around. For more advice, see our Peru travel tips.
Zorritos is tucked up near Peru’s northern border and is known for having warm, calm water all year—usually around 75°F (24°C) or more. The beach stretches for about 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) and stays pretty quiet, even in the busy season.
You’ll find hot springs and natural mud baths at El Tubo nearby, which many use for skin and joint relief. It’s also a good beach for kids since the water is shallow and gentle (see our guide to Peru with kids).
Food-wise, there’s fresh seafood everywhere, including conchas negras (black scallops), which are mostly found in this part of the country. Zorritos has a few hotels and restaurants but no big party scene—more of a laid-back, local atmosphere.
Tumbes Airport is just 30 minutes north of this Peru beach, and flights from Lima take about 2 hours. From there, take a taxi or colectivo straight into town.
May to November is the driest time, with daytime temperatures around 82–86°F (28–30°C). The water stays warm all year at about 75–79°F (24–26°C). February through April sees some short showers, but it’s quieter.
Yumaque Beach is inside Paracas National Reserve and feels more remote than Peru’s northern beaches. Here you’ll find reddish-gold sand, bright turquoise water, and dry desert cliffs all in one view.
It’s not built up at all—no restaurants, no shops—so it’s best if you’re hoping to see nature and don’t mind bringing everything with you.
The beach is part of a protected marine area, and it’s a good place to snorkel if the water’s calm—you might see sea lions, dolphins, or schools of fish. It’s also a nice place for a quiet afternoon if you want to get away from crowds.
Start by getting to Paracas town, which is about 3.5 hours from Lima by bus or car. From there, head into the reserve—it’s about 15 minutes south. You’ll want a 4x4 for the sandy roads, or you can go with a local guide or tour that includes transport. Some tours bundle Yumaque with nearby spots like the Ballestas Islands.
December through April is when you’ll get the warmest weather, around 72–82°F (22–28°C), with clear skies. Mornings between 8 and 10 a.m. are best for swimming before the winds pick up.
Asia Beach is a private coastal area about an hour south of Lima, set along the desert stretch of the Panamericana Sur. It’s mostly made up of gated communities where upper-class Limeños spend their summers, either in their own beach houses or rented condos. The scene feels more like a resort complex than a beach town—with shopping centers, restaurants, bars, and clubs packed on summer weekends.
The beach itself is long and sandy, with strong waves that aren’t great for swimming but make for a dramatic coastline. It’s not really a laid-back beach trip—it’s more about the social scene and escaping the city.
To get there, take the Panamericana Sur highway about 60 miles (100 kilometers) south from Lima. It’s around an hour by car without traffic. Most people drive themselves or use private transport.
Asia gets going in the summer—December through April—with January and February being the peak. That’s when restaurants and clubs are open and most beach houses are in use. Daytime temperatures hit around 86°F (30°C).
Playa La Mina is found inside the Paracas National Reserve and gets its name from a nearby coal mine. It’s a curved beach with clear water and tan cliffs that block most of the wind, which makes it one of the few beaches in the area where swimming feels safe and easy.
Even though it’s not far from Paracas town, it feels quiet compared to more built-up beaches. It’s a good place to relax, have a swim, and maybe spot sea lions or seabirds from the shore.
Some people camp overnight to stargaze, especially during clear, moonless nights. The area has basic infrastructure like bathrooms and some shaded picnic areas, which makes it easy to spend a full day there. For more places to camp, see our guide to Peru's national parks.
First, head to Paracas, which is about 160 miles (260 kilometers) south of Lima—around 3.5 hours by car or bus. From town, go into the Paracas National Reserve via the main entrance, where you’ll pay a small entry fee. Then drive about 20 minutes through the reserve to the parking area. From there, a short path with railings leads down to the beach.
If you want to avoid crowds, aim for April through November. The weather stays mild, usually between 72 and 77°F (22 and 25°C). Early mornings are calmest, and the water tends to be glassy. Wildlife activity picks up between June and September, and if you're camping, new moon nights are best for clear skies.
Punta Sal is one of the most well-known northern Peru beach areas, not far from the Ecuadorian border. You get about 4 miles (6.5 km) of shoreline here, and what sets it apart is how warm the water stays throughout the year—usually around 75°F (24°C), thanks to the El Niño current and the equatorial location.
There are two main sections. Punta Sal Chica is a small, crescent-shaped stretch between two rocky headlands, while Punta Sal Grande is longer and tends to feel more laid-back.
Development has picked up in recent years, so you'll find a range of restaurants and resorts close to the beach. Some parts are rocky, so you may need to walk a little to find a good place to swim, but overall it’s a solid place for fishing, diving, and wind-related water sports like kitesurfing.
If you're here between June and October, there's a chance of seeing humpback whales offshore.
Most people fly into Tumbes Airport (about 1.5 hours from Lima), then take a taxi or bus south for around 50 miles (80 km), which takes roughly an hour. If you want more freedom to move around, you can rent a car in Tumbes. A lot of hotels can also help arrange transfers once you’re in the area.
May through November is the dry season, with mostly sunny days and temperatures around 82–86°F (28–30°C). Whale watching is best from June through October, and August tends to be the most active. Early mornings (6–8 AM) are quiet and good for beach walks or catching the sunrise.
Lobitos is a bit of a time warp. It used to be a British-run oil town, then later a military base, and now it’s a quiet surf destination with a rugged, slightly abandoned feel. Old buildings, rusted equipment, and empty barracks are scattered across the dry coastal desert—it’s not polished, but that’s part of the draw.
The main reason people come here is for the waves. You get consistent left breaks, and swells can reach over 8 feet. It’s not a beach for lounging around—it’s for surfing, unplugging, and maybe getting a few good photos of the crumbling architecture against the ocean.
Lobitos is also pretty close to other beaches like Máncora and Cabo Blanco, so it can fit into a longer northern coast trip.
The easiest route is to fly into Talara Airport (about 1.5 hours from Lima), then take a 45-minute taxi. You can also fly into Piura (2 hours from Lima), then bus to Talara (about 2 hours) and taxi from there.
Surf is best between September and November, when the north swells come in and waves stay around 4–8 feet. Morning winds tend to be offshore, which keeps the surf clean, and temperatures are usually around 77°F (25°C). Early morning sessions (around 5:30–9:00 AM) are ideal.
Punta Rocas is one of the main beaches for surfing in Peru, located in the Punta Negra district about 29 miles (46 km) south of Lima along the Panamericana Sur.
This is a reef break with consistent waves throughout the year, drawing in surfers from beginners to pros. The right-hand wave here is strong and can hold its shape even when it gets big—hence the nickname “Peru’s Rocky Point.” The beach has hosted a number of surf competitions, including international events.
The waves break over a rocky bottom, so it’s better suited to intermediate and advanced surfers. Conditions can get powerful, and there are hazards like rip currents, submerged rocks, and the occasional fishing line near the shore.
There’s also a surf training facility here—the High-Performance Center (CAR)—built for the 2019 Pan Am Games, which includes stands for around 1,200 spectators. Even if you’re not surfing, it can be worth the trip just to watch.
Getting here from Lima is pretty direct. Just take the Panamericana Sur highway south for about 29 miles (46 km) to the Punta Negra district. Look for signs for Punta Rocas, or take the older highway at around mile 22 (kilometer 35). Any kind of vehicle can reach the beach, and there’s parking close by.
Waves are usually good year-round, but conditions vary depending on the season. Summer (December to March) tends to bring cleaner waves with offshore winds, especially in the morning. Autumn is best for bigger swells.
Playa El Ñuro is a small beach in northern Peru, around 14 miles (23 km) south of Máncora in the Los Órganos district. The main draw here is the chance to swim with green sea turtles that gather near the fishing pier. These turtles are here year-round, and you can often see them right near the shore or join a boat trip for a closer look.
The water is clear and calm, with golden sand and a dry, desert backdrop. The town itself started as a fishing village and has slowly grown into a low-key destination for people looking to see marine life up close. Researchers from the local ecOceanic organization have identified more than 310 individual turtles here, and some of them are over 3 feet (1 meter) long.
Besides the turtles, people come here to snorkel, swim, or have lunch at one of the small beachfront restaurants. There’s also a small visitor center that explains the ecosystem and local conservation work, plus restrooms and other basic facilities.
From Máncora, head south on the Panamericana Norte for about 14 miles (23 km). You’ll first pass through Los Órganos, then continue another 4 miles (7 km) to reach El Ñuro. If you're coming from farther away, you can fly to Piura or Talara, then take a bus or taxi to Los Órganos and on to El Ñuro.
The best time to go is during Peru’s summer and early autumn, from December through April. If you want to see turtles, aim for early morning between 7 and 9 AM, when they’re most active and the pier is less crowded.
Playa Las Sombrillas is a mellow beach in Lima’s Barranco district, right below the cliffs along the Costa Verde. It gets its name from the umbrellas that used to line the shore, though these days it’s a bit more bare-bones.
Still, it’s a convenient place to catch some sun or cool off without leaving the city. The beach is sandy, usually has gentle waves, and tends to draw a mix of locals and low-key visitors.
Because it’s right in Barranco, you can pair your beach time with a walk through the district’s street art, museums, or cafés. There are no lifeguards, so it’s swim-at-your-own-risk. Facilities are minimal, but you’ll find restrooms nearby and a small free parking area—not always easy to snag a spot, especially on weekends.
It’s not the cleanest stretch of coast, but if you’re after a casual beach day close to food, bars, and galleries, this Peru beach is easy to get to and easy to enjoy and is certainly one of the best things to do in Lima.
Driving from central Lima, follow Avenida La Marina to the Circuito de Playas and head south. For public transport, take the Metropolitano BRT to the Balta stop and either walk about 20 minutes down to the beach or grab a colectivo heading that direction.
Buses from Miraflores and San Isidro (like routes 18 and 19) go toward Barranco as well. If you're planning a trip to the city, see our guide to how many days you need in Lima.
Summer in Lima runs from December to March, when it’s warm—usually 68–82°F (20–28°C)—and generally sunny. Early mornings are quietest and best for a swim before things get busy. If you want to catch a sunset, late afternoon is a good time to go—and it puts you in a nice spot to head straight into Barranco afterward for food or drinks.
Playa Roja is found inside the Paracas National Reserve and is known for its red sand, which comes from nearby volcanic rock. It’s a quiet, undeveloped beach with no facilities—just the landscape, the sea, and the sound of the wind. You can’t swim here due to strong currents, but it’s a peaceful place to walk around, take photos, or just look out at the coast.
The red color really pops in the right light, especially against the blue of the ocean and the yellow cliffs around it. You might also catch sight of wildlife—penguins, sea lions, and flamingos—especially in the surrounding reserve areas, which is one of the best things to do in Peru.
From Lima, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive or bus ride to the town of Paracas. Once you’re there, you can join a tour into the reserve (most include Playa Roja), rent a bike, or hire a taxi for the day.
Try to go between 9 and 11 AM for the best light and fewer people. December to March tends to be the warmest and driest time, though you can visit year-round. Weekdays are generally quieter. Early mornings are also your best chance for seeing wildlife nearby.
Playa Tuquillo is a small bay on Peru’s central coast, just past Huacho in Huaura province. The water’s calm thanks to the surrounding cliffs, which block most waves, so it’s great for swimming.
The sand is light and soft underfoot, and it doesn’t usually get too busy—even in summer.
It’s a good beach for a relaxed day, especially if you’re looking for something easygoing. There are basic amenities here: restrooms, showers, some shade rentals, and food stands selling things like ceviche or fried fish.
If you’re up for a short walk, there are rock formations and caves nearby, plus views from the cliffs above.
From Lima, drive north on the Panamericana Norte to Huacho (about 3 hours), then follow signs through Huaura to Tuquillo. You can also take a bus to Huacho and grab a colectivo for the final 20-minute ride to the beach.
January to March is the best window for swimming—water temps hover around 70°F (21°C), and weekdays are quieter. If you go early in the morning, you’ll catch a peaceful stretch and might see local fishermen coming in with their catch. Sunset light around 5–6 PM hits the cliffs nicely if you’re sticking around.
Vichayito is found between Máncora and Los Órganos in northern Peru and tends to stay quieter than both. It’s a long stretch of sand backed by desert hills, with a handful of eco-lodges, glamping tents, and seafood restaurants right on the beach.
The wind picks up most afternoons, so it’s popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but mornings usually stay calm for swimming. The water is warm and often clear enough to see sea turtles or schools of fish near shore.
The easiest way is to fly from Lima to Talara (90 minutes), then take a taxi for 45 minutes to the beach. If you're traveling by bus, overnight services to Los Órganos take around 16 hours, followed by a short colectivo ride (10 minutes) to Vichayito. If driving, watch for the turnoff at kilometer 1163 on the Panamericana Norte.
December to March has sunny beach weather, with highs around 85°F (29°C). If you're coming for wind sports, July to November is the windiest stretch, with breezes picking up in the afternoons. Humpback whales sometimes pass by in early February—you can often see them from shore in the mornings.
Puerto Inka is a quiet beach south of Chala in the Arequipa region, known for the Inca ruins just above the shoreline. This was once a coastal outpost connected to Cusco by footpaths, and you can still hike some of those trails (some of the best hikes in Peru).
The beach itself is tucked between cliffs and has a peaceful, isolated feel. The sand leans golden-brown, and the water stays clear.
Facilities are simple—there’s a campground with bathrooms, cold showers, and a restaurant that usually serves fresh seafood.
From Lima, it’s about an 8-hour drive south on the Panamericana Sur. At kilometer 610, look for signs to Puerto Inka, then turn onto a dirt road for about 4 miles (7 km). If you’re coming by bus, ask to be dropped at Chala, then take a taxi to the beach.
Late April or early May tends to have the best conditions—mild temps around 75°F (24°C), light wind, and fewer people. Mornings (6–9 AM) are great for photos and swimming, and if you’re camping, full moon nights light up the cliffs and ruins nicely.
written by
Dre Roelandt
updated 26.05.2025
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