Máncora travel guide

Máncora Tourism | Máncora Guide

You're Going to Love Máncora

A beach resort town on Peru's northwest coast, Máncora draws surfers and land-loving tourists alike. Also known for its hot springs and mud baths, the city is a favorite among those looking for rest and relaxation.

A former haunt of Hemingway's, Máncora also attracts nature lovers to the Mangroves and the Amotape Hills National Park, whose equatorial dry forests contain orchids, thorn trees, spectacled bears, boa constrictors, American crocodiles, and over a hundred bird species.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Máncora

1. Surf's Up

Though good all year round, surfing is best from November to February when the water is warmest and the waves won't overwhelm beginners.

2. Head to the Mangroves

Boats can be rented to tour the mangroves and islands that house over 350 crocodiles and other fauna. Tours also include stops at the beaches of Punta Sal and Zorritos.

3. Local Artisans

On Avenida Piura, there's a colorful outdoor market where locals sell handmade jewelry, crafts, clothing and food.

4. Live the Nightlife

Visitors play hard during the day and night in Máncora. The party scene is centered at the hotels, which feature theme parties, live DJs, and dancing until dawn.

5. Sample the Seafood

Máncora has the freshest fish imaginable. Try the pescado a lo macho with garlic sauce, octopus, shrimp, and squid, chupe, a soup with shrimp or crab, or ceviche, fish marinated in lime juice and onions.

1. Surf's Up

Though good all year round, surfing is best from November to February when the water is warmest and the waves won't overwhelm beginners.

2. Head to the Mangroves

Boats can be rented to tour the mangroves and islands that house over 350 crocodiles and other fauna. Tours also include stops at the beaches of Punta Sal and Zorritos.

3. Local Artisans

On Avenida Piura, there's a colorful outdoor market where locals sell handmade jewelry, crafts, clothing and food.

4. Live the Nightlife

Visitors play hard during the day and night in Máncora. The party scene is centered at the hotels, which feature theme parties, live DJs, and dancing until dawn.

5. Sample the Seafood

Máncora has the freshest fish imaginable. Try the pescado a lo macho with garlic sauce, octopus, shrimp, and squid, chupe, a soup with shrimp or crab, or ceviche, fish marinated in lime juice and onions.

What to do in Máncora

1. Ranch La Caprichosa

Get away from the noisy city and venture into the tropical forests of northern Peru. The Caprichosa Ranch offers you the opportunity to get lost in an ecological heaven. If you love heights, strap yourself in and launch into 1600 meters of zipline fun. Accompanied by a guide, you'll go on a two-hour bird's eye view tour. For extreme adventures, take the Rope Circuit course, a mixture of bridges, cables, networks, and trapezes hung on 10-meter poles. Afterwards, seek out Peru's forest birds such as white hawks and magpies and capture them with your camera. Once you are done with your activities, relax with a massage, Reiki or Acupuncture session inside the Eco-ranch.

2. Snorkel With The Sea Turtles

If you love animals, El Ñuro Beach offers the opportunity to swim and snorkel with the sea turtles. Visit this fisherman's cove in Máncora and embrace the warm tropical climate, blue seas, and amazing creatures all around. The comfortable tropical climate is ideal for activities such as diving and swimming with dolphins. Snorkel, explore the ocean floor and observe birds, sea lions, and whales. You'll bond with these marvelous animals and have the opportunity to photograph the ocean floor, its rocks, reefs and more.

3. Piura's Central Square

Stroll down the Plaza de Armas and admire the colonial architecture decorating the peaceful square. You'll notice the 24 tamarind trees donated by Fernando Reuche. You'll also see ficus and poincianas surrounding the square. The hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes lining the street bring vibrancy to Piura. A stunning marble statue of Pola, a female symbol of Piura's liberty, sits in the plaza's center. Pola is Piura's oldest statue and recognized for having been donated to the city in 1870 by President Jose Balta.

4. Home To 14 Magical Lagoons

Hire a guide and hike the Lagunas de Las Huaringas, a green field housing 14 lagoons rumored to have magical powers that come from the ground's minerals. Visit Lago de Turquesa (Turquoise Lake) and marvel at its greenish-blue waters that give birth to the Huancabamaba River. Visitors around the world visit the lake in their quest to be healed by curanderos at their healing ceremonies. The area is located at soaring altitudes combined with a cold and humid climate, so make sure to bring warm clothing and sunscreen to protect your skin while exploring the archaeological sites.

5. Homage To Admiral Grau

Marvel at the belts, buckles, guns, medals, and furniture housed in Casa Grau. The home of Admiral Grau, one of Peru's naval heroes, is now a museum full of preserved patriotic artifacts. You'll be amazed at the elegant and pristine dining room decorated with polished wood and portraits of the long-gone inhabitants. A scale model of the Huascar, the ship Grau lost to war with Chile, rests inside a glass cabinet.

1. Ranch La Caprichosa

Get away from the noisy city and venture into the tropical forests of northern Peru. The Caprichosa Ranch offers you the opportunity to get lost in an ecological heaven. If you love heights, strap yourself in and launch into 1600 meters of zipline fun. Accompanied by a guide, you'll go on a two-hour bird's eye view tour. For extreme adventures, take the Rope Circuit course, a mixture of bridges, cables, networks, and trapezes hung on 10-meter poles. Afterwards, seek out Peru's forest birds such as white hawks and magpies and capture them with your camera. Once you are done with your activities, relax with a massage, Reiki or Acupuncture session inside the Eco-ranch.

2. Snorkel With The Sea Turtles

If you love animals, El Ñuro Beach offers the opportunity to swim and snorkel with the sea turtles. Visit this fisherman's cove in Máncora and embrace the warm tropical climate, blue seas, and amazing creatures all around. The comfortable tropical climate is ideal for activities such as diving and swimming with dolphins. Snorkel, explore the ocean floor and observe birds, sea lions, and whales. You'll bond with these marvelous animals and have the opportunity to photograph the ocean floor, its rocks, reefs and more.

3. Piura's Central Square

Stroll down the Plaza de Armas and admire the colonial architecture decorating the peaceful square. You'll notice the 24 tamarind trees donated by Fernando Reuche. You'll also see ficus and poincianas surrounding the square. The hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes lining the street bring vibrancy to Piura. A stunning marble statue of Pola, a female symbol of Piura's liberty, sits in the plaza's center. Pola is Piura's oldest statue and recognized for having been donated to the city in 1870 by President Jose Balta.

4. Home To 14 Magical Lagoons

Hire a guide and hike the Lagunas de Las Huaringas, a green field housing 14 lagoons rumored to have magical powers that come from the ground's minerals. Visit Lago de Turquesa (Turquoise Lake) and marvel at its greenish-blue waters that give birth to the Huancabamaba River. Visitors around the world visit the lake in their quest to be healed by curanderos at their healing ceremonies. The area is located at soaring altitudes combined with a cold and humid climate, so make sure to bring warm clothing and sunscreen to protect your skin while exploring the archaeological sites.

5. Homage To Admiral Grau

Marvel at the belts, buckles, guns, medals, and furniture housed in Casa Grau. The home of Admiral Grau, one of Peru's naval heroes, is now a museum full of preserved patriotic artifacts. You'll be amazed at the elegant and pristine dining room decorated with polished wood and portraits of the long-gone inhabitants. A scale model of the Huascar, the ship Grau lost to war with Chile, rests inside a glass cabinet.

1. Ranch La Caprichosa

Get away from the noisy city and venture into the tropical forests of northern Peru. The Caprichosa Ranch offers you the opportunity to get lost in an ecological heaven. If you love heights, strap yourself in and launch into 1600 meters of zipline fun. Accompanied by a guide, you'll go on a two-hour bird's eye view tour. For extreme adventures, take the Rope Circuit course, a mixture of bridges, cables, networks, and trapezes hung on 10-meter poles. Afterwards, seek out Peru's forest birds such as white hawks and magpies and capture them with your camera. Once you are done with your activities, relax with a massage, Reiki or Acupuncture session inside the Eco-ranch.

2. Snorkel With The Sea Turtles

If you love animals, El Ñuro Beach offers the opportunity to swim and snorkel with the sea turtles. Visit this fisherman's cove in Máncora and embrace the warm tropical climate, blue seas, and amazing creatures all around. The comfortable tropical climate is ideal for activities such as diving and swimming with dolphins. Snorkel, explore the ocean floor and observe birds, sea lions, and whales. You'll bond with these marvelous animals and have the opportunity to photograph the ocean floor, its rocks, reefs and more.

3. Piura's Central Square

Stroll down the Plaza de Armas and admire the colonial architecture decorating the peaceful square. You'll notice the 24 tamarind trees donated by Fernando Reuche. You'll also see ficus and poincianas surrounding the square. The hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes lining the street bring vibrancy to Piura. A stunning marble statue of Pola, a female symbol of Piura's liberty, sits in the plaza's center. Pola is Piura's oldest statue and recognized for having been donated to the city in 1870 by President Jose Balta.

4. Home To 14 Magical Lagoons

Hire a guide and hike the Lagunas de Las Huaringas, a green field housing 14 lagoons rumored to have magical powers that come from the ground's minerals. Visit Lago de Turquesa (Turquoise Lake) and marvel at its greenish-blue waters that give birth to the Huancabamaba River. Visitors around the world visit the lake in their quest to be healed by curanderos at their healing ceremonies. The area is located at soaring altitudes combined with a cold and humid climate, so make sure to bring warm clothing and sunscreen to protect your skin while exploring the archaeological sites.

5. Homage To Admiral Grau

Marvel at the belts, buckles, guns, medals, and furniture housed in Casa Grau. The home of Admiral Grau, one of Peru's naval heroes, is now a museum full of preserved patriotic artifacts. You'll be amazed at the elegant and pristine dining room decorated with polished wood and portraits of the long-gone inhabitants. A scale model of the Huascar, the ship Grau lost to war with Chile, rests inside a glass cabinet.

Where to Eat in Máncora

La Mosca en la Sopa specializes in grilled beef, pasta dishes, and smoked fish. Entrees average S/. 100. El Mero Murique serves ceviche, grilled fish, and chicken. Entrees average S/. 100.

When to visit Máncora

Máncora in January
Estimated hotel price
£14
1 night at 3-star hotel
Máncora in January
Estimated hotel price
£14
1 night at 3-star hotel

The best time to visit Máncora is during high season, January to February.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Máncora

Plane

The closest airports are in Piura, Tumbes, or Talara. International visitors need to layover in Lima before taking a flight to one of the three cities. A taxi from the airport is roughly S/. 392. A shuttle bus is S/. 294.

Car

The drive to Máncora from Lima is approximately 21 hours along Route 1S - Carretera Panamericana Sur.

Bus

The bus from Lima to Máncora takes 16.5 hours and costs S/. 143.

Plane

The closest airports are in Piura, Tumbes, or Talara. International visitors need to layover in Lima before taking a flight to one of the three cities. A taxi from the airport is roughly S/. 392. A shuttle bus is S/. 294.

Car

The drive to Máncora from Lima is approximately 21 hours along Route 1S - Carretera Panamericana Sur.

Bus

The bus from Lima to Máncora takes 16.5 hours and costs S/. 143.

Airports near Máncora

Airlines serving Máncora

Delta
Good (4,590 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,534 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (828 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (979 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (5,710 reviews)
JetSMART
Okay (76 reviews)
Sky Airline
Good (58 reviews)

Where to stay in Máncora

Las Pocitas - Las Pocitas offers surfing, kite surfing and windsurfing, kayaking, water skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, boat tours, as well as restaurants and nightlife.

Popular Neighborhoods in Máncora

Avenida Piura - Avenida Piura is the central shopping district as well as the location of most city clubs and bars.

La Poza de Barro - the mud baths at La Poza de Barro, with their high mineral concentration, are said to have healing properties.

Avenida Piura - Avenida Piura is the central shopping district as well as the location of most city clubs and bars.
La Poza de Barro - the mud baths at La Poza de Barro, with their high mineral concentration, are said to have healing properties.

Where to stay in popular areas of Máncora

Most booked hotels in Máncora

Las Olas
3 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
£67+
Arennas Mancora
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
£186+
Suites Del Mar
3 stars
Poor (0, Poor reviews)
£61+

How to Get Around Máncora

Taxi

Elvis Taxi provides private service in Máncora to the Piura and Tumbes beaches, as well as transfers to the Talara, Piura, and Tumbes airports. Fares start at S/. 6.54.

Car

Car rentals in Máncora start at S/. 115 a day.

Taxi

Elvis Taxi provides private service in Máncora to the Piura and Tumbes beaches, as well as transfers to the Talara, Piura, and Tumbes airports. Fares start at S/. 6.54.

Car

Car rentals in Máncora start at S/. 115 a day.

The Cost of Living in Máncora

Shopping Streets

Avenida Piura hosts most of the shops in Máncora with the outdoor artisans market, as well as surf shops with swimwear, sandals, and accessories.

Groceries and Other

Ultimarket Marlon Máncora stocks all staples and Fruteria Macharé sells fresh fruit. Máncora is relatively inexpensive. A Coca-Cola costs S/. 2.50.