by Rebecca Hollman
updated Dec 20, 2018

Huanchaco, Peru

Huanchaco is a popular beach town only 20 minutes north of Trujillo. It is famous for its surf, ceviche, and for its traditional fishing boats that are still in use by fishermen today. Huanchaco is a popular spot for backpackers and tourists who want to learn to surf, and many people spend a week or two here just enjoying the relaxing beach vibes. The main tourist part of town is actually not in the main section of Huanchaco and is along the beach called Playa Huancarute. The main strip of hotels and restaurants follows the beach road, but there are some more local restaurants and spots inland towards the residential part of Huanchaco.

Restaurants

1. Otra Cosa - This was hands-down my favorite restaurant in Huanchaco. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and have a nice outside seating area, and also some smaller seats and couches inside. It is a perfect place to get a coffee and work and they have good wifi. They also have amazing dinner options, including the best falafel I’ve ever eaten in my life. Oh and the best part is that it is a totally vegetarian restaurant.

2. El Mochicha Restaurant - Huanchaco is famous for its ceviche. There are heaps of ceviche restaurants located along the beach strip, that are especially popular with Peruvian tourists visiting Huanchaco. Besides El Mochicha, there is also Huanchaco Paradise Restaurant, Big Ben Huanchaco, El Sombrero Restaurant, and La Esquina. These all have almost the exact same vibe and the exact same menu so just pick one and you’re sure to get some good ceviche.

4. Surfer Burger - A tiny, little spot kind of hidden off the main road, Surfer Burger is a cool hole-in-the-wall with good burgers, some comfy seating, vibrant walls, and surfboard rentals.

6. Mandala - Besides being a hostel, Mandala also transitions into a full restaurant. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner on the first floor of the hostel. Once it gets later at night, it transitions more into a bar with good drinks and music.

7. Moksha - Another hostel that also offers a restaurant, Moksha offers a breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant and café on the first floor of the hostel. They are known for their vegan Sunday brunch which is all you can eat for S/ 18! They have tons of vegan and vegetarian options, but also offer meat on the menu. They also serve espresso drinks, smoothies and fresh-pressed juices.

8. Sabes - Sabes is mostly a bar, with interesting and unique cocktails and bar games. They have pool tables and an upper deck looking out over the beach to chill on. They also serve dinner options like pizza to go along with your cocktails.

9. Meri Café/Bar - This is a tiny, little spot that has two or three tables outside where you can get coffee and snacks during the day, and alcoholic drinks at night. They also rent surfboards during the day.

10. Chocolate Café - This is my second favorite restaurant in Huanchaco. This is the perfect café to sit and do work, which is important to me being a digital nomad. They have big communal tables to work at and also smaller two person tables and a couch. The wifi is great, the coffee is great, and the food is great. They have great breakfast combos which includes coffee, juice and either eggs/french toast/pancakes/etc. for around 15-20 soles. It is only open for breakfast and lunch.

11. Huanchaco Barinsta - This bar is located on a prime spot right on the sand of the beach. Most of the building is open-air patio seating right on the ocean. Most people come here for drinks and to watch the sunset. It is mostly a bar but they also offer food, mostly appetizers, and some ceviche and seafood options.

12. SumKella - This restaurant is located pretty far down from the main tourist strip. However, it is worth the walk because it has a beautiful pool, tons of lounge chairs, and is right on the sand of the beach. On the other side of the pool is a huge area with tons of seating out in the sun. They offer mostly ceviche and seafood, and also offer beer and drinks.

Hotels

1. Caballito de Totora - Around $40-50 USD a night, this hotel is located farther to the left along the strip (if you are looking at the ocean). This hotel is simple and clean and has a nice pool with lounge chairs to lay in the sun. There are lots of hotels in this price range in Huanchaco. A few others include Hotel Huankarute, Hotel Bracamonte, Huanchaco Paradise Apartments, etc.

2. El Sombrero Hotel - This hotel is one of the taller buildings in Huanchaco with 6 floors of rooms. It has great views of the ocean, beautiful decor, a good location, a pool, a bar and a restaurant in the hotel. Prices per night range around $60-100 USD.

3. Hotel Riviera Muchik - This is one of the nicer hotels in Huanchaco, with views of the ocean from most rooms and right in the middle of the tourist section. The lobby and each of the rooms are well decorated and nice. Prices per night range around $60-100 USD.

Find Places to Stay in Huanchaco

Hostels

1. Casa Fresh - This surf hostel is farther to the left if you are facing the ocean and so is a little bit farther out of the business of town. Everything to the left of town is a little bit nicer, with paved cobblestone sidewalks, gardens, nicer hotels, expensive vacation homes, etc. This average hostel has way more chill vibes than any of the other hostels in town and draws in the real surfer crowds. Plus, its location farther down the beach actually puts it on better surf breaks than the one very chaotic spot everyone tries to surf at to the right of the pier.

2. Mandala - One of the other few hostels in town, Mandala is multiple floors and has a hippie/trippy vibe. All of the walls are covered in graffiti and art and it has a cool vibe. The first floor is a full-on restaurant for dinner and is open to anyone, not just people staying there. A lot of backpackers stay here though so it can be a bit pretentious and also can get rowdy on the weekends.

3. Moksha - Moksha is a “surf and yoga hostel” and also has a little café in the front where they sell breakfast and coffee. This hostel has awesome murals everywhere and looks really cool. A lot of backpackers stay here though so it can be a bit pretentious and also can get rowdy on the weekends.

4. Naylamp - A hostel and campground, Naylamp is pretty unique. Average hostel accommodation, but big green spaces where you can put your tent up and camp for cheaper.

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