The Coast South of Lima Prepares for Beach Season

September 24, 2009

As the cooler season begins to fade away, the coastline of Peru starts preparing  for the sunny warmer season, where thousands of local and foreign visitors flock to the beaches to enjoy the sea, the sun, water sports, fun and a relaxing atmosphere, accompanied by the always delicious local gastronomy and seafood platters.

Among the most popular beach locations is the coastal route to the south of Lima, the capital or Peru.  The trip is not only beautifully scenic but rich in culture and people.  First stop on a normal tour south of Lima is Chorrillos, a beachfront enclave with colonial houses, many of them nicely restored, and the traditional “Malecón”, the city’s Waterfront Promenade. The area’s highlight is of course the sandy beaches that make Chorrillos so popular.  Bikers and hikers are found making their way, in more healthy and sporty ways, along the coastal highway.

Another landmark of the area is the fishermen’s wharfs where the fishing boats anchor and deploy their fresh catch of the day.  The fish market is well known for the freshness and quality of the products and the amazingly good prices.  The “Club de Regatas” provides an exclusive location for a marina and water sports activities, with sailing being one of the most popular. Chorrillos fascinates the visitor for its architecture, colorfully painted homes, plazas and fountains, in addition to the ocean front and the charm of its own.

Continuing south on the coastal highway, mountains and cliffs reach directly into the ocean, providing stunning views of rock and sea merging into a strip of foam, the venue for many excursionists to run their sailing boats or Jet skies, while others, on land, roam the shoreline scouting for shells or rocks to collect. You can see people enjoying the water with their sailing ships and Jet Skis. Nearby is the well known Salto del Fraile (“The Friar’s Jump”) restaurant, located atop a rocky cliff with impressive views of the sea below and a very nice atmosphere to enjoy the magnificence of the Peruvian coast and its renowned cuisine.

Within the area is the picturesque Playa de Herradura which has a sandy beach which is also popular, especially in the warmer season (November to march). Surfers, divers and sea lovers start making their way to these locations, perhaps not to well known by foreign visitors, nevertheless close enough to Lima and attraction filled places for an outing to bring you into always interesting, off the beaten track, experiences.