The other side of Máncora

The sun-baked vacation capital of northern Peru is known for its wide beaches, warm waters, great surf and popular night-life scene. But these are not its only attractions. Take a moment to explore its peaceful dry forests or the thrill of adventure activities on offer.

February 23, 2010 | Piura Guide

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Without Machu Picchu you’ll enjoy the trip of a lifetime

SPECIAL: PERU WITHOUT MACHU PICCHU – Machu Picchu is closed. It will stay that way through all of February at the very least. Do you have your flights booked and are wondering what to do next? Should you cancel or put off your trip to Cuzco?

February 4, 2010 | Travel and Places

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Arequipa is not all canyons and volcanoes, it has beaches too!

This Arequipa leaves behind its snow, its dormant volcanoes and its colonial splendour. It is more humble, much warmer and lets the sea bathe its naked shores that are still untouched by modern man – privilege of few places. Welcome to the beaches of Caravelí, among them, Puerto Inka.

January 21, 2010 | Arequipa Guide

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Tourism and the Town of Pimentel

Here in the north tourist towns are not numerous. To the south of Chiclayo is Huanchaco beach near Trujillo, a distance of 250 miles. North of Chiclayo is Máncora and Punta Sal, a distance of some 200 miles. In our immediate area we’re limited to Pimentel.

December 11, 2009 | Lambayeque & Chiclayo Guide

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Hundreds of Sea Lions poisoned in Colán

A terrible sight on Piura’s most picturesque beach – hundreds of Sea Lions washed up dead on the white sands. In front of homes and hotels, the bodies of these animals rot, all so that the fishermen that poisoned them can continue dangerous and unsustainable over-fishing the seas.

November 14, 2009 | Nature, News

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Lima’s sewage pollutes the ocean [Featured]

Lima, with a population of 9 million people, is home to one-third of Peru’s population. But the coastal city does not have a single sewage treatment facility. With no safe place for raw sewage to go, most of it ends up in the ocean.

Almost as big as the pollution itself, is the apathy that seems to exist towards the problem. Until last year, Peru has never had an environment ministry.

Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo reports on the realities that make going to the beach in Lima a dangerous proposition.

May 14, 2009 | News

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Before & after the beach [Featured]

Rachel Gamarra tells an enjoyable tale of an average day living next to one of Lima’s city beaches, and the chaos that ensues when thousands of people try to make their journeys home all at the same time. A must-read…

March 1, 2009 | Opinion

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Maids Still Banned from Swimming at Beaches? Sadly, Yes [Featured]

US Expat Barbara Drake sums up the discriminatory by-laws enforced by wealthy homeowners at the up-scale beach resort of Asia.

It’s something I wanted to write about two years ago when there was a lot about it in the newspapers and on various Peruvian blogs, but didn’t have the energy. Here Barbara explains that since that time, little has changed…

February 14, 2009 | Opinion

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Lima – Weekend Getaways

So, what is the tourist, with more time in Lima then they’d prefer and no interest in a city experience, to do?

The truth is, Peru is such a magical place that you do not need to go too far outside the city of Lima to find attractions that rival those elsewhere in the country. From desert oases, pretty Andean villages and ancient pyramids to hiking trails, white water rafting and horseback riding – here’s the run down of nearby weekend getaways.

January 26, 2009 | Lima City Guide, Nature

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1250km of Northern Coast: The usual and the little-known

Let’s start in Tumbes, the smallest region in Peru and the one with proportionally the most protected areas: 50% of the territory is covered by mangroves, dry forest and tropical forest. The Usual: From Puerto Pizarro boats can be hired to get to the Isla de Amor where you can enjoy a beer and bathe in the clear sea. The Little-Known: Entering the mangrove sanctuary by taking a boat from Puerto 25, be guided by locals involved in the conservation and protection of this resource, visit the protected area and later dedicate many hours to a refreshing dip in the Zarumilla canal where also, if lucky, you might see a wild crocodile.

Continuing south… The Usual: Stopping off at Zorritos beach, or going straight on to Punta Sal or to Máncora resort towns. The Little-Known: To stay in Caleta Grau at kilometre 1,242, at the edge of Tumbes and Piura. It boasts a large beach lined with simple houses where you can find a good room with bathroom for just 25 soles a night and eat fresh lobster for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

January 9, 2009 | Lima Region Guide

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Pimentel

A ten minute bus ride from Chiclayo, at about 11km, is the most popular beach in Lambayeque where visitors can enjoy a good climate most of the year. A fishing town part of the year in which locals still uses the millennia-old Caballitos de Totora, it becomes a crowded get-away spot in the warmer months.

December 26, 2007 | Lambayeque & Chiclayo Guide

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Huanchaco and the Caballitos de Totora

Huanchaco is a friendly beach town popular during the summer months with the people of Trujillo and known as a excellent surf spot. It is also a popular spot to eat ceviche.

December 13, 2007 | La Libertad & Trujillo Guide

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