Peru – Mancora

Mancora is not a place where you have to get up early and do 100 activities a minute. You’re here to chill! Take a nap on the beach, go surfing, share a pisco sour on a terrasse while looking at the beautiful sunset. Just relax and enjoy the year-round, sun-drenched skies.

If you do want to actually do something, go swim with the giant turtles in El Ñuro. You can either go by yourself with a combi but you won’t have any place to keep your bags while you swim. You can also take one of the many tours in he center that include transportation from your hostel to El Ñuro and the boat ride. They don’t usually include the goggles and you should rent them (5 soles) it’s better to see the turtles under the water. The boat will make a little tour to see some rocks shapes like turtles (if you’ve been to Peru you know they are very into shaped rocks) and then you’ll be able to swim with the turtles for about 45 Minutes. The captain will throw octopus to attract them. I’m personally not a fan about attracting supposedly wild animals by feeding them but he assured me that octopus is their natural food so it’s ok (and not fish). In the end, it’s a great experience! The guide will take some pictures and videos of you in the water with the turtles, they are not shy and will turn around you, even bump into you. Please do not touch them because they have a sort of protection on their skin and shell and if you touch them, it will remove it. After the swim, the driver will bring you to a beach in Los Oragnos to enjoy the sun for an hour or eat at the restaurant (not really sure this stop is necessary though). The tours cost from 30 to 60 soles and are pretty much all the same. Bring your own USB key to get the pictures or you won’t be sure to get them (still waiting a few weeks later to get them by WhatsApp..)

For a little piece of waffle heaven, head to Sweet Lady and order a waffle with maple sirop and a juice. Auxiliar Panamerican 306

Maracuya restaurant has a lot of vegetarian options. The dishes have a lot of flavor, I recommend taking the sandwich of he day with a juice for 10 soles. Auxiliar Panamerican

I stayed my whole trip at the Peña Linda Bungalows Hotel. What a delightful place! The pool overviewing the beach and the long chairs in the sun were exactly what I needed to relax! The Hotel is located about 5km from the center so you’ll need to take a tuktuk (about 15 soles one way). You can also walk on the beach for 1-2h which is also a nice activity. The restaurant is simple but good, the pisco soir is a nice touch in the evening.

Even tough the distance, the peace and quite are well worth it! And the beach is also nicer and cleaner than in the center.

Antigua Carretera Panamericana km 1213