The number of surf camps in Peru is growing every single year. It’s as if this country is home to epic lefts that hardly anyone discovered, eh! Here, we’ll look at the ones that we think are standing out from the crowd, and reveal why oh why…
Surf camps in Peru probably struggle a little on account of where they are. Not that Peru lacks waves. It really doesn’t. It’s just more that most people flock to this corner of South America on the hunt for snow-capped Andean peaks and the mystery of Machu Picchu.
Not us! Nope, there’s the small issue of those thousands of kms of coast to get through, not to mention the presence of the thigh-burning lefts at Chicama and Punta and Lobos and wherever else you want to add to the list.
The fantastic surf in Peru has, naturally, bred a surf camp scene to match. We’re only too happy to share our thoughts on the places that are shining and standing out from the crowd right now, from classic Mancora lodges to hidden surf hostels amid the wild northern beaches. Let’s go…
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This is just one part of our complete overall guide to surfing in Peru
La Maison Eco House-Boutique
- Location: Mancora
- Price: 7 days/6 nights starting at $660 (£540) per person
We’ve gone for much-loved La Maison as our overall top pick in Peru right now.
Don’t ask why. Just look: The pad is as cool as they come. It’s like someone went and asked Robinson Crusoe if they could borrow his house for a moment and then swiftly dropped in chillout cabanas and a gorgeous pool.
Mancora is the setting for it. That brings real diversity of waves, with forever-warm waters (or at least the balmiest this South American nation can muster) to boot.
The itinerary has been crafted to really champion the more easy-going side of surf learning. That means it’s not packed with surf, surf, surf and more surf. It’s more about easing your way in, learning while having fun, and making friends.
That translates into 5x lessons throughout the week, balanced out by 5x yoga sessions with the in-house instructors. All your breakfasts are included too, for the uber-fair price of just $660 or so per person.
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Waves Surf Camp Peru
- Location: Different spots across Northern Peru
- Price: 7 days/6 nights starting at $1,300 (£1,050) per person
The guys at Waves Surf Camp Peru don’t mind traveling to get the goods. They’ve crafted this 7-day trip knowing that you often have to make long journeys from beach to beach to seek out the optimal swell angles, offshores, and small crowds in this part of the world. And it works.
For advanced or intermediate surfers looking to taste the creme-de-la-creme of what Northern Peru has to offer, there’s hardly an itinerary that can beat it. You’ll surf well-known locations like Chicama but also off-radar spots like the lefts of Bermejo, all with help from a crew of people that know the ins and outs of this rocky shore like the back of thier hands.
It’s not really like other surf camps out there becuase you stay in different surf towns each night and surf different waves every day. It’s also good for those who want to pack in more in-water action, since there are at least two sessions per day.
Surf Racer House
- Location: Punta Farallón, Ñuro
- Price: 7 days/6 nights starting at $490 (£400) per person
There’s a lot to be said for skipping Mancora and heading south along the famous Peruvian North Shore. Just one or two beaches down, you’ll notice the waves get emptier and emptier, but still benefit from the same plushly angled SW sets that make those left points such a doozy.
Surf Racer House has established itslef right on the edge of some of the region’s finest goofy breaks. Beneath the dry and dusty desert bluffs, thier aim has been about creating a welcoming spot that’s good for pretty much any type of surfer…
They’ve definitely suceeded. Want to surf all day, every day for the whole week? Not a problem. Clean-line lefts pump off Punta Farallón just outside the camp. More about learning the technical stuff and practicing on more sheltered waves? The team have that covered with thier in-depth begginer tuition.
We also should say something about the super fun style of the place. There aren’t many surf camps in Peru with thier very own skate bowl and chillout garden. What’s more, with just a handful of rooms, expect your group to be like lifelong buddies by the time you leave!
Urcia Surf School
- Location: Huanchaco
- Price: 11 days/10 nights starting at $455 (£370) per person
The Urcia Surf House is a great option if you’re not keen on straying too far from a major city or town. It’s plonked on the side of the main beach at Huanchaco, just north of Trujillo city, with lovely wedgy lefts and nice peeling jetty breaks that suit all levels on the doorstep.
We guess the obvious downside here is that you will be sharing the waves with others since this isn’t one of those away-from-it-all coutry camps in the desert. Still, that hardly matters a jot since Urcia is positioned very much for the learner, family end of the market.
They cover all the bases with out-of-water warm ups and very clear and succinct traning sessions that are tailored to groms and people who’ve never really surfed before. The package simplifies things a lot, too, by offering all accomodation, daily breakfast, and as much gear rental as you like for the whole duration.
Oh, and with prices starting at a mere $455 each, it’s also a BARGAIN for 11 days!
Bravo Surf Camp
- Location: Punta Hermosa, Lima
- Price: 7 days/6 nights starting at $330 (£270) per person
If you only have time to surf in Lima then Bravo Surf Camp is certainly worth considering. We think it’s limited a touch in what it can offer because of the waves that exist in the city, but don’t be put off too much because the local breaks revovle around epic Punta Hermosa, which is world-class on its day.
We’ve heard folk describe this one as more of a surf-hostel homestay mashup than a proper camp. Our hunch is that the guys who run it would happily take that, since they’re all about making solid friendships and surfing challenging local breaks with the people who come thier way.
It’s generally a better option for more experienced surfers and it’s certainly on the value side of things, with basic rooms that are clean and comfy. Nonetheless, it would be our top pick among options in the Peruvian capital.
Surf House Chicama
- Location: Puerto Chicama
- Price: Week-long surf stays start at $250 (£210) per person
No list of the best surf camps in Peru could possibly skip out on a stay by the long curling lefts of Puerto Chicama, arguably the longest lefts in the whole darn world.
Cue Surf House Chicama. It’s a quirky pad that mixes the concrete styles of the north Peru desert region with the timber-built shacks more common up in Mancora and the tropics. But it’s well-rated, very comfy, and boasts outdoor patios that spill onto the sidewalks above the epic left handers. We could hammock swing and watch them peeling all day long the views are that good.
There’s onsite board rental at your fingertips and the boats – yes, the boats – that take you out to the main point will wait fro you just below the promenade by the beach.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
