Located about 2 hours from Lima is the sleepy fishing village of Pucusana, a fishing port that comes to life for a couple of months each year. During the summer, thousands of Limeños descend upon the beach while the richest of the bunch hide out in their luxury homes and apartments that line it one side. They come for the sun, sand and ceviche that’s served fresh every day. Here are a few spots to cool off with a drink in Pucusana, Peru.
Ladies bring a nice white dress and gentlemen bring your finest white cigar shirt—you don’t have to though, they’ll still let you in. While it’s casual attire, all members are usually awash in white with cocktails in hand. It’s one of the nicest spots to grab a drink in Pucusana. There’s a beautiful view of the harbor and on most nights they have a band to enjoy your drinks to. On some nights the dance floor even gets grooving. If you’re hungry, they have a cure for that too. You can find ceviche and some fried fish amongst other seafood options.
One amongst many—that’s at least the way it seems as you walk down the cluttered boardwalk in Pucusana. One side of the street is lined with restaurants and aggressive waiters trying to sell you eating at their place. Do your best to shrug off the distraction and pleading waiters as you make your way to “El Marisco.” During the day, when Peruvians love to eat their seafood, El Marisco operates as a restaurant, but at night you can enjoy some cocktails and beers watching the sunset.
Another gem amongst the crowded restaurants and bars along the boardwalk. They have a decent cocktail list and all the classic Peruvian beers—Pilsen, Cristal and Cusqueña. You can enjoy some of the area’s best ceviche alongside your frothing pisco sour. The view from here is nice, and you’re on the boardwalk, so there’s great people watching.
He sets up a bar stand right on the end of the boardwalk, selling all the classic Peruvian cocktails like the chilcano and pisco sour. Pull up a chair and enjoy no bar experience like you’ve had before. Toes in the sand, cocktail in hand while hanging out on the beach—it doesn’t get much better than this. Well, maybe it does: he’s got the best cocktail deals around.
This is the best place to hangout while at Naplo beach, a short 10 minute walk from Pucusana beach. This bar/restaurant anchors the beach and is your best option to cool down with a cold beer or cocktail. There’s daily happy hours and an ocean view—what’s not to like?
A short swim from Playa Pucusana lies the island of Chuncho. It is one of the nicer beaches in the area with volleyball nets and this little beach bar. Short on niceties, you come here for the drinks and head back to the beach. It is, however, the best spot to grab a cold one on the beach.
At the beginning of the dock lies a couple of no-name beer stands with the best views of all the action. From a plastic table and chair you’ll see fishermen hauling in the day’s catch to be shipped off to Lima. Occasionally you’ll see marlins and sharks hauled into the dock. You’ll know by all the commotion it causes: a frenzy of people with mouths’ agape is the dead giveaway. The best time to come here is during the afternoon when all the fish are arriving to the port.
