Surf Camp Peru: Week-Long Surf Retreat in Punta Hermosa

A typical day at Waves Surf Camp starts with breakfast — bread, eggs, fruit, coffee — then a 90-minute surf lesson for beginners or a guided session for more experienced surfers. The camp's instructors speak English, Spanish and Portuguese, and they'll take you to whichever beach is working best that day: Punta Hermosa's own breaks, or further afield to El Revés, Playa Sur, Señoritas, Punta Rocas, Punta Negra or San Bartolo. Lunch and dinner are cooked at the camp, and the menu is local Peruvian — ceviche, lomo saltado, arroz con pollo, fresh fish depending on the catch.

Afternoons are free for a second surf, a bike tour along the coast, or an ATV ride through the district. The camp runs a seasonal 'special' tour that changes through the year. On the all-inclusive trip, you'll surf two or more times a day at more than five uncrowded spots in Northern Peru, including Bermejo, Centinela, El Elio, El Point, Barranca, Playa Grande, El Cape and El Faro. That package also includes tours of the Chan Chan ruins and Paramonga fortress.

The accommodation is a private room with private bathroom and ocean view, subject to availability. Rooms are simple but clean, with Wi-Fi that works on all three floors. The camp is a short walk from the beach and a few minutes from the restaurants and bars of Punta Hermosa.

What sets this camp apart is the range of packages. You can book a one-week beginners course with equipment included for 590 USD, a full surfing week without equipment for 430 USD, or a one-week all-inclusive road trip up north for 1300 USD. There's also a 10-day Surfing & Machu Picchu trip that combines five days at the camp with four days in Cusco and Machu Picchu, and a 7-day Surfing & Sand Board Oasis Ica package that adds a day at the Huacachina dunes. For shorter stays, the weekend package for two people costs 160 USD per person and includes one night, breakfast, lunch and a surf lesson.

The camp is run by local surfers who know the coast well. They've been taking guests to these breaks for years and can match the session to your level — whether it's your first time standing up or you're looking for overhead barrels. The vibe is relaxed and social; most guests are solo travellers or couples, and evenings often end with a beer on the terrace.

What's included

- Transfers to and from Lima airport or Lima city (most packages) - Private room with private bathroom and ocean view (based on availability) - Meals as specified per package (breakfast, lunch, dinner or continental breakfast) - Transport to local surf breaks in a late-model van or car - Bilingual surf and tour guide (English, Spanish or Portuguese) - Daily 90-minute surf lesson (beginners package) - Seasonal 'special' tour - Equipment rentals (beginners package only) - Wi-Fi on all three floors - Surfboards and wetsuits (Surfing & Machu Picchu and Surfing & Sand Board Oasis Ica packages) - Tours as specified in multi-day packages

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Equipment rentals (full surfing package and all-inclusive trip) - Accommodation in Cusco (Surfing & Machu Picchu package) - Air tickets Lima to Cusco (Surfing & Machu Picchu package) - Optional ATV and bike tours - Alcohol and soft drinks - Tips and gratuities