Lima Surfen, Chorrillos & die Pazifische Strandkultur
Lima's surfing culture (Peru is one of the top surfing destinations in the world — the Peruvian Pacific coast produces some of the longest and most powerful waves in the world, including the legendary 'El Pico' left-hand point break at Punta Hermosa (50 km south of Lima) and the world-record wave at Puerto Chicama (600 km north of Lima — the longest left-hand wave in the world at 4 km)): Lima's urban beach culture and the historic Chorrillos fishing district are the Pacific soul of the city.
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Punta Hermosa — Peru's Best Surf Break, 40km South of Lima
Punta Hermosa (40km south of Lima, 45 minutes via Panamericana Sur) is Peru's premier surf destination — Pico Alto (a reef break that generates the largest waves in South America, up to 12m during May–October South Pacific swells) hosts Peru's national surf competition; La Isla (a left-hand point break) is consistent from 1–3m and is accessible for intermediate surfers; board rental S/30/hour.
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Miraflores Beach Clubs — Surfing the City
Miraflores's Costa Verde beaches (Playa Makaha, Playa La Pampilla, Playa Redondo) offer surfing minutes from the city's financial district — the wave is a beach break (1–2m, best December–April from north swells); La Herradura (Chorrillos, the bay visible from the Larco Mar clifftop) is a sheltered beach with a calmer Mediterranean-style atmosphere; paddle boarding and kayaking are available from beach concessions.
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Lapoint Surf Camp Lima — Learn to Surf in 3 Days
Lapoint Surf Camp (Punta Hermosa, operating since 2009) offers the most organized surf instruction near Lima — beginner packages include transport from Miraflores, equipment, instruction, and accommodation at the camp's beach house; the Punta Hermosa bay provides a sheltered learning area (1m white-water waves) separate from the advanced breaks; 3-day packages start at $350 including all meals.
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Peruvian Surfing — Caballito de Totora (2,000-Year-Old Wave Riding)
Peru has one of the world's oldest surfing traditions — the caballito de totora (reed fishing boat, 2,000+ years old, used by Mochica and Chimú fishermen on the north coast near Huanchaco) is ridden prone through the waves as a method of returning to shore after offshore fishing; the Huanchaco fishermen continue the tradition today; the caballito predates Polynesian board surfing by at least 1,000 years.
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La Punta — Lima's Fishing Village Peninsula
La Punta (Callao, the narrow 1km peninsula at the tip of Lima's port district) is Lima's oldest beach resort neighbourhood — elegant Republican-era mansions (1890s–1930s) face the Pacific from the quiet residential streets; the Club Regatas Lima (1875) maintains its boat sheds on the peninsula; the fish market at the port of Callao (4am–9am) supplies Lima's cevicherías with the morning's catch.
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Circuito Mágico del Agua — World's Largest Fountain Complex at Night
The Circuito Mágico del Agua (Parque de la Reserva, Jesús María, 13 lit fountains in a 7-hectare park, entry S/4) holds the Guinness World Record for the world's largest fountain complex — the 120m tunnel of water jets, the Magic Fountain (80m jet height), and the nightly fountain-and-light show (Thursday–Sunday, 7:15–10:30pm) are the highlights; the park is a beloved Lima evening destination accessible by foot from Miraflores.