Huarmey is a province in the Ancash region that has a beautiful coastline where you can spend your next summer vacation. In addition to standing out for its incredible beaches, it has excellent gastronomy and very cordial people who receive visitors in the best way. Today we tell you which are the best beaches in Huarmey and we invite you to enjoy a few days with family or friends in this peaceful destination.
The port city of Huarmey is the capital of the province and an excellent base to start exploring the beaches. It is located less than 300 km from Lima, connected by the Panamericana Norte. This relative proximity makes most of its beaches quiet destinations where you can rest without much noise.
The rosary of beaches that Huarmey's coastline offers has as its constant a turquoise sea, golden and white sand, rocks and dunes that create a landscape setting of great beauty. Added to this are amazing sunsets, delicious dishes based on fish and shellfish, and accommodation options very close to the beach.
The beaches of Huarmey, a port city, are located in the province of Huarmey, Áncash. To get to Huarmey you need a 4-hour trip from Lima. The Panamericana Norte highway will be your guide throughout the journey.
Because the beaches of Huarmey are neither so close nor so far from the city of Lima, it is an interesting place to rest without so much hustle and bustle. Without going too far from the city, there you can enjoy not so crowded beaches.
You can travel from Lima to Casma in bus companies (approximately 7 hours), and then go by car to Huarmey in a journey that lasts approximately 1 hour. If you do this tour you can take the opportunity to get to know beaches like Tortugas.
The average annual temperature in Huarmey is 18°C. In the summer months (from the end of December to March) it has the highest temperature throughout the year, 22°C. It is for this reason that it is the perfect place to spend a good vacation. The tan is more than guaranteed!
The beaches of Tuquillo and La Pocita are the most famous in Huarmey. However, there are many more options that you will discover throughout the article.
The Huarmeyan coastline extends over 50 km and has more than 10 beaches, most of them virgin and with beautiful coastal landscapes. On the beaches of Huarmey you can enjoy pleasant walks along the coast, watch the sunset, camp, fish, swim, surf, eat fish and shellfish, take pictures or simply relax.
As if that were not enough, the beaches of Huarmey enjoy a perfect climate (in fact, it is one of the main points in favor of the province). Throughout the year the temperature fluctuates between 18° and 25° C; so it is ideal to escape the cold, without suffering from excessive heat.
Tuquillo is not only one of the most beautiful Huarmey beaches, but also one of the most popular resorts in northern Peru. It is located in a small bay and bathed by the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. Very close to the coast, there are rocky mounds that give a distinctive touch to the beach landscape.
Tuquillo was chosen as the Best Rural Beach in Peru by the National Eco Beach Contest. The purity of its turquoise waters are ideal for fishing, from which delicious dishes with seafood are prepared.
In fact, Tuquillo's gastronomic offer is the best of the Huarmey beaches. In addition, it also has high-level hotel services (many with sea views), tour operators, and stalls selling handicrafts made with seashells.
Regarding the characteristics of the sea, Tuquillo enjoys calm waters with little waves, ideal for swimming and for the little ones to enjoy safely.
Are you a photography lover? On one side of the beach there is a small hill that you can climb and capture the beach from different angles.
Tuquillo beach is located just 6 km from the city of Huarmey and about 4 hours from the city of Lima, at km 303 of the Panamericana Norte. Getting to it is not a problem. All you have to do is go to the Plaza de Armas in Huarmey and take a minivan that for a price of 3 soles (0.77 USD) will leave you on the beach in less than 15 minutes.
If you talk to a Huarmey inhabitant, they will most likely tell you that he learned to swim in La Pocita. This beautiful beach consists of small natural pools with crystalline waters that are formed by the rocks of the sea.
Of course, if you are going to visit La Pocita you will have to wear shoes suitable for water, since the sand is rocky and sea urchins live in the depths. Taking this care, the beach becomes the ideal place to go with small children.
La Pocita is full of crustaceans and shellfish, so in the early hours of the morning you will see the shellfish collectors collecting the raw material with which delicious marine dishes are made. The area around the beach has several local restaurants where you can eat delicious and at a good price.
If, in addition to swimming, you like walking, you can go beyond the beach and explore the coastline full of rocks, marine flora and fauna.
La Pocita is located on the left Tuquillo beach. In fact, a rocky hill separates both beaches, so you just have to cross it to get there.
To the right of Tuquillo is Maracaná, another of the Huarmey beaches that we recommend you visit. In fact, both spaces are separated by a strip of sand of less than 100 meters, so it does not represent a problem.
But, unlike Tuquillo, Maracaná beach is characterized by its deep waters and intense waves that attract surfers. If this sport is not your thing, you can walk to a raised rocky area from which you get some very nice views of the spa.
Maracaná beach is wider than Tuquillo and also quieter, since it is far from the restaurant area. That is to say, if you want to eat you must move to Tuquillo.
Like Maracaná, Antivito beach offers one of the best surfing experiences in Huarmey. The waves are huge and the winds strong, to the point that it is recommended that only experienced surfers test their skills in this place.
Antivito is a small beach guarded by two high hills and, like the previous one, it has a very beautiful landscape setting. Undoubtedly, another of the Huarmey beaches that is worth knowing.
Antivito is part of the Tuquillo Beach Circuit. It is located about 7 km from the city of Huarmey, heading north along the North Pan-American highway and south of Maracaná beach. From Tuquillo it can be reached on foot in less than 15 minutes.
To the south of Antivito beach is Marín, another of the beaches most frequented by lovers of surfing and bodyboarding.
But, they are not the only sports that are practiced there, since its cliffs usually congregate fishermen who come in search of sole and cheetahs. It is these fishermen who supply the restaurants in the area with the best fresh products from the sea.
Another of the best experiences offered by Marín beach is to climb to the highest part of a small hill from which you can appreciate the entire coastal landscape. It is best to go in the late afternoon and wait for the magical moment of sunset. You will take one of the best postcards of Huarmey.
Tamborero is a long sandy beach with many rock formations around it. The sea is turquoise, quite calm and the water temperature is somewhat cold. Even so, it is an excellent option for taking walks along the coast and exploring the caves that are nearby.
Tamborero beach also has a long natural breakwater that people use as a pier to fish. It is even a good area for snorkeling and discovering the varied marine flora and fauna of these coasts.
It is also one of the many beaches in Huarmey where camping is allowed. In fact, it is quite common to see groups of young people and families camping near the coast. The nights here have a special stamp. Of course, remember to set up the tent in areas protected from the winds.
The beach is located next to Tuquillo, between km 261 and 262 of the Panamericana Norte. You will have to leave the car at the top of the square, where the road passes, a point from which you can take the opportunity to take beautiful photos of the turquoise sea. To enter Tamborero you have to go down some fairly steep stairs.
Very close to Tamborero beach is Las Zorras, another of Huarmey's beaches that are very charming. Like the previous one, it is not a crowded destination, so you can enjoy the beach and the sea with great peace of mind.
Las Zorras is a wide and deserted beach where there are considerable sand dunes (where unfortunately there is usually garbage). The sea is quite cold and usually there are not many waves.
Very simple, after passing Tamborero you have to continue driving until km 264 of the Panamericana Norte, the point where this beach begins.
Playa Médano is one of the best beaches in Huarmey. It is located north of Punta La Cocinita and southeast of Isla Erizo.
The beach is wide, clean, calm and a perfect place to camp. The sea is calm, perfect for swimming and cooling off after sunbathing. The environment that surrounds it is extremely charming and lends itself to taking hundreds of photographs.
Médano beach has parking, restrooms and space for camping. Of course, if you plan to spend the night on the beach you will have to bring everything you need, including food and drink, since services of this type are scarce.
Médano beach is located at km 303 of the Panamericana Norte, about 15 minutes from the city of Huarmey, heading north.
Playa Princesa is one of the largest and most beautiful in Huarmey. Here the sea is calm and the waters are clean and crystal clear, so if you have a snorkel mask, be sure to take it.
Playa Princesa is another beach where you can camp, delight your eyes with beautiful sunsets and enjoy a blanket of stars at night. The fact that the only noise you hear at night is that of the waves is priceless, so seriously consider the idea of going to this beach with your tent. Of course, the services are scarce, so be sure to have everything you may need at hand.
La Olla is not the typical beach where you lie down to sunbathe. Rather, it is a spectacular seaside located at km 305 of the Panamericana Norte. This beautiful beach is a whim of nature full of orographic details.
As it is hard to describe in words, the best thing you can do is get closer and see it with your own eyes.
To get to La Olla you can drive with your car along the Panamericana Norte highway up to km 305. If you do not have your own mobility, you have the option of taking one of the buses that go from Huarmey to Culebras, one block from Plaza de City weapons. When you get to km 306 you have to go down and walk 1 km from the highway until you reach La Olla.
We continue touring the beaches of Huarmey and arrive at another enchanting space: Punta Patillos. The sea has practically no waves, the entrance to the water is gentle and the perfect environment to disconnect from the city and the crowd.
Did you know? The name of the beach refers to a species of guano bird that unfortunately is threatened by hunting, since it is an ingredient used to make a special type of ceviche.
Punta Patillos is another of the best beaches in Huarmey for camping in an atmosphere of deep peace. It also has an ecolodge in total harmony with the environment. It is perfect for taking walks along the coast and spotting many species of seabirds, such as seagulls and pelicans, and for enjoying leisurely sports such as fishing, swimming, and kayaking.
Punta Patillos is located 25 km from the city of Huarmey, at km 318 of the Panamericana Norte and very close to Culebras. To get to the beach you have to overcome 3 km from the road, so it is recommended to go with your own transport or by taxi. You can also take one of the buses that go from Huarmey to Culebras and walk 3 km to the beach.
It is not only considered one of the best beaches in Huarmey, but in the entire Ancash region. Here the crystalline waters and the rocks make up an incredible landscape, where once again the whims of nature are noted when it comes to shaping its scenes. In front of the beach is the island that gives it its name: Pan de Azúcar.
Pan de Azúcar is a beach with crystal clear waters and little waves, making it perfect for families traveling with small children. Its calm atmosphere invites you to rest, disconnect from the city and enjoy magical sunsets. It is also another beach that is highly chosen by tourists for camping.
Pan de Azúcar is located at km 320 of the Panamericana Norte, 30 minutes from the city of Huarmey. It is recommended to go in a 4×4 vehicle, since from the road to the beach you have to navigate a 7 km track that is not in the best conditions.
The beaches of Huarmey are also close to tourist attractions that you can visit during your stay in Huarmey.
If you are interested in archaeological centers, you can visit Los Gavilanes, which is located at kilometer 294 of the Panamericana Norte. This archaeological center is estimated to have been built between 2200 and 2700 B.C. This center was used to deposit corn production under the sand. This was due to favorable terrain conditions.
Another important place is the Huarmey Castle, belonging to the Chimú culture. This is located 1 kilometer east of the city of Huarmey. The archaeological zone is comprised of a complex of rooms made of adobe and mud.
Also, there is the Punta Lobitos Port, where more than 200 sacrificed pre-Columbian fishermen have been found. This was discovered as a result of excavations at the Huarmey Castle and the Old City.
If you are more of enjoying nature, there are also the Loberas de Huarmey. This is a navigation of an hour and a half in which you can observe the different animal species of the region. Among these species you can find blue-footed boobies, Peruvian gulls, Humboldt penguins and a large number of wolves.
Gastronomy is a fundamental point of any trip. That is, whatever site you have chosen to visit, you will surely want to eat well. Fortunately, the beaches of Huarmey have a very good gastronomic offer.
The culinary wealth of this province has its raison d'être in the long tradition of shellfish collectors and fishermen on the Huarmeyan coast. With the products obtained in the early hours of the morning, the cooks give life to dishes such as ceviches, stews, marinades, chupes, chilcanos and many more foods that give Huarmey gastronomy a lot of prestige and level.
What dishes can you eat on the beaches of Huarmey? Many! We can begin by mentioning the ahogado de siños, which are obtained from the rocks of the cliffs of the Huarmeyan coast. Stews, spicy dishes and ceviches are also made from them.
Huarmeyan ceviche is another of the star dishes of this coastal province. The secret lies in the quality and peculiarity of its seafood (pausa, waffle, tongue, chanque and white), which are reputed to have aphrodisiac properties. This fresh regional dish is also made with a good dose of lemon and a spicy touch of ají arnaucho that makes it a unique dish. It also has finely chopped onion, cassava or sweet potato.
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