'''Mancora''' is a small beachtown smacked on the PanAmericana at the Peruvian Northern coast.

During holidays people come all the way from Lima to spend their holidays at the beach. It turns in a real partytown with bars competing for the loudest music day and night and a overcrowded beach.

Get in

Due to it's location on the Pan Americana it's easy to catch a bus south as far as Lima and north to Tumbes or even to Guayaquil in Ecuador.

The bus station is located 4 blocks north of the main tourist area. You can walk or take a mototaxi for S/.1.

Get around

Most of the bars, restaurants and hotels are clustered on two blocks along the PanAmericana. Mototaxis are everywhere but the town is small enough for walking.

See

The beach. In addition to tanned bodies, you might spot some pelicans and crabs there.

Do

  • Huge waves break along the beach during December and January, making for good '''surfing'''. Some surfshops won't rent out boards during this time, afraid it won't come back as one part.
  • Also popular is '''kiteboading'''. You can rent a kit at a few places. For first timers, a 3-day certification course is requirerd and is about $360. You spend the first 2 days on the beach learning how to handle the kite.
  • Enjoy the sun and take a swimm at the '''beach'''.
  • Buy

    There are many stalls set up near the main road, touristy items can be obtained here.

    Eat

    There are a lot of restaurants, most of them serving fresh seafood. Service is generally very slow but the seafood is fresh, cheap, and delicious.

    On the beach, restaurants will bring a mini-tent, table, chairs, menus, and food to the sand for you. The main road is lined with restaurants but for the cheapest meals (5 sol), go to the road leading to the beach.

    Drink

    If you don't mind loud music there should be enough bars to still your thirst.

    Sleep

    During holidays it can be hard if not impossible to find accommodations. Most of the accommodations are located next the bars, making them very noisy.

    There are several hotels along the beach where to stay. Some are very basic while others offer more comfort. The nicest hotel in Mancora was used by world famous writer Mario Vargas Llosa's daughter - Morgana - for her wedding.

  • Hostal Sol Y Mar is most recommended by the locals, private rooms around a central area, all with private bathrooms. Also has a pool. From S/15pp (Apr 09). Rooms are a bit shabby, hotel needs some renovations. No hot water.
  • La Posada. lose by to the bridge. ./15 (dorm). A basic hostel with a pool, a nice yard and hammocks. Becareful! DO NOT STAY in "La Posada de Mancora" is the worst place and service. Just check the reviews.

  • Loki Hostel. vienda Piura #262 . ocated on the main road through the town.. 051-73-258484 . ttp://www.lokihostel.com/mancora. /25(dorm) S/76 (twin). Loki del Mar, the newest member of the Loki family and this time they've hit the beach. With a prime plot of land stretching from the main drag to the beach, they have designed and built a new hostel, giving backpackers the perfect place to take that well deserved break from their travels. Fully equipped with the usual Loki comforts, good clean rooms, internet, hot water etc., they have one major addition, a 26 meter swimming pool tolaze around and soak up the sun. And after one of Mancora's breath taking sunsets, they have the biggest Loki bar to drink the night away in.

    </sleep>

    Stay Safe

    Be careful for pickpockets.

    The sea current can be dangerously strong.

    DO NOT STAY in "La Posada de Mancora" is the worst place and service. Just check the reviews.

    Get out

    '''Los Organos''' 15 minutes away from Mancora there is a beachtown called Los Organos. This place is great if you are looking for a quieter town and a lonely beach. You can also practice some water sports like surf, kitesurf, deep sea fishing and scuba diving. The food is cheaper than in Mancora, but the accomodations are a little bit more expensive. If you don't mind the hot water, you can find a cheaper place to stay.

    '''Talara''' is the closest city, one hour and a half from Mancora. If you need something you can't find in Mancora, you should probably find it in Talara. The city is not very beautiful, but it might be useful in some cases.

    '''Eppo''' [http://eppo.com.pe] is a bus company which offers short distance buses. From Mancora, they go to Los Organos (for 1,50 soles), El Alto, Talara (for 5,50 soles), Sullana and Piura, from 04:00 am, every half an hour. The buses are a bit old, but the service is really good as they are very punctual and the rates are cheap.

    '''Ormeno''' [http://www.grupo-ormeno.com] are the most frequent long distance buses south from Mancora. There are frequent kombis to Piura & Tumbes. For surfers, '''Transportes Linea''' [http://www.transporteslinea.com.pe] have frequent buses from Piura & Chiclayo through Pacasmayo to Trujillo. Buses leave Trujillo for Huanchaco frequently, & Trujillo's Santa Cruz terminal for Puerto Malabrigo (aka Puerto Chicama) every 2 hours.