This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Huanchaco.
Traveling to the south, in Trujillo, capital of the La Libertad province, is the Huanchaco beach. The area is known for the use of the Totora horses, inherited from the Moche culture, preceding the Inca. These boats, made from reeds, made fishing easier for the natives and are currently used for sporting tasks as a surf.
The area preserves tradition and deploys boats along the beach, representative of the place.
The town offers great tranquility to its visitors, as well as the view from its wooden pier built in the early twentieth century. Among the many attributions to the Peruvian cultural life of the Moche culture, it is said that it was in this area that ceviche, one of the most famous dishes of the country's gastronomy, originated.
It is also possible to visit archaeological sites where you can appreciate the splendor of various ancient cultures that settled in the area and that left indelible marks on Peruvian culture.
The ruins of Chan-Chan, the Huacas of the Sun and the Moon, of the Rainbow and in the neighboring province of Lambayeque the Tomb of the Lord of Sipán are some.
The historic center of Trujillo is an architectural gem full of cultural history from across the country. Simón Bolivar and César Vallejo are some of the great figures who made history in this city.
The sociocultural reality of the region is a display of indigenous cultural diversity influenced by crossbreeding with western European culture, Andean, Amazonian and Afro-Peruvian peoples. Dozens of ethnicities, languages, music, and dance show the union that shapes the Peruvian identity.
What to Expect
The best hostel in Huanchaco is easily ATMA Hostel & Yoga.
Huanchaco has the usual tourist facilities you would expect in an established resort – bars, restaurants (mainly seafood), take-away, shops, a lively produce market, bank machines, a crafts market at the southern end, and a long strip of beach.
The main draw for travelers staying at Huanchaco hostels is surfing – it has excellent breaks if the wind and time of year are right. Outside the peak surfing season (December to April), beginners will find things a bit easier and less crowded. Many places offer board hire and lessons, but it's wise to ask around for recommendations. Nights can be lively in the town and some places have very cheap cocktail nights, which are very popular. Out of season things quieten down markedly just as the waves do.
Transport connections to and from your Huanchaco hostel are good, and there are always buses heading along the beach road and on to Trujillo for transport connections to the rest of Peru or north to Ecuador. This is a very relaxing place with friendly locals and a good choice for a stop on your pan-American odyssey.