How to Spend 24 Hours in Huanchaco, Peru
This ancient and now somewhat-hippy beach town 10 minutes from the city of Trujillo is one of Peru’s most popular beach destinations. You’ll find more yoga classes, surf lessons, volunteer opportunities and vegan restaurants in a square mile radius here than anywhere else in Peru. Here’s your ultimate guide.
Book in for yoga and some surf
Not necessarily in that order, but you get it. Nothing may define the new Huanchaco more than this combo right here – this and maybe eating a vegan meal, bur more on that later. Moksha Surf and Yoga Hostel offers all of this and more. The hostel has a surf school on the property, offering surfers a wide selection of boards to choose from, and has daily yoga classes on their deck with a view of the ocean.
Choose your foodie restrauant
Huanchaco has gained a reputation for being a foodie vegan haven, with health conscious eats all up and down the beach. Otra Cosa is a travelers’ favorite, serving up dishes like fresh hummus and falafel. You also shouldn’t miss out on Moksha’s Sunday vegan brunch. While there are a lot of vegan options, the town all stays true to its Peruvian roots with some of the countries best ceviche and seafood. Restaurante Mococho serves up progressive Peruvian fusion, while El Caribe delivers the delicious classics.
Watch the fishing traditions
You can fit this item anywhere into your day – it’s really the best in the morning, maybe after you surf or do yoga. The town has become famous for its fishermen’s traditions, which date back to the time of the city of Chan Chan. The fishermen create boats called caballitos de totora out of a nearby reed which dates back thousands of years. Today fishermen still make the boats and fish like their ancestors used to. You can get the best view of them doing their thing along the pier. If you’d like, some will even let you ride their boats.
Visit the ruins
Chan Chan is the area’s most popular ruins, and was once the grandest city in the area and largest adobe city in the Americas. The ruins are only about a 15 minute bus ride from Huanchaco, which will cost around 2 soles (USD$0.62). You can choose to take a guided tour of the ruins,or wander around and explore it yourself. Either way, it is a must while you’re in the area.
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