Surfing in Máncora: My Week at La Maison, Algae Surf Camp’s Eco-Boutique Hotel Base
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When 2025 began, surfing in Peru wasn’t even on my radar. But by the end of the first week of January, it was all I could think about.
It started with an email titled “Surf Camp in Sunny Máncora, Peru” from Axel Natali, the founder of Algae Surf Camp. At the time, I was snowbound in Virginia, buried under a foot of powdery snow and braving freezing temperatures. Just seeing the word “sunny” in my inbox was enough to get me dreaming about warm waves and tropical beaches.
Inside the email was an invitation to come experience Algae Surf Camp’s eco-friendly boutique hotel base called La Maison. I had visited Máncora, Peru once before in 2018, but I’d never surfed there, let alone experienced its surprising smattering of Bali-esque cafes, cevicherias, and beachfront smoothie bowl-slinging bars. The idea of revisiting this world-class surf town in Northern Peru—known for its year-round warm water and consistent waves—felt too good to pass up, especially now that I’m two years into my own surf journey. After all, what better way to progress than a week of surfing in Northern Peru?
I quickly replied, “Yes, tell me more!” and within a week, my February dates were locked in, flights booked to Talara Airport, the nearest airport to Máncora, and a new unexpected adventure to one of Peru’s best surf spots was officially on the horizon.
My Experience Surfing and Staying at La Maison in Máncora
I arrived late at night to Talara Airport, where a pre-arranged taxi was already waiting outside the small, no-frills terminal. After an hour-and-a-half ride along the dark coastal highway—and a fare of 150 soles (~$40 USD)—I finally arrived in Máncora.
At the entrance of La Maison, I was warmly greeted by Lua, the resident tail-wagging welcome committee, while Tanya, the manager, checked me into my spacious second-floor room. The wooden tag attached to my key let me know it had a name: Algarrobina—named after the sweet, dark syrup made from the pods of the black carob tree, a native South American species and a staple in Peruvian cuisine.
Even in the dim nighttime glow, I could tell La Maison was a serene eco-boutique retreat, the perfect place to unwind after surfing in Máncora.
My Room: An Eco-Friendly Oasis and a Breezy Night’s Sleep
I hadn’t realized when the arrangements were made that Axel had set me up with one of La Maison’s best rooms. It had a luxurious king-sized bed with a mosquito net draped around it. There was a small private bathroom with a hot water shower attached and a massive private porch overlooking La Maison’s small plunge pool.
The porch was a dream setup: a bistro table with chairs and a lounger, perfect for sipping morning coffee, and a yoga mat neatly rolled up in the corner—something I knew I’d be using daily.
Since I was visiting during February, Máncora’s hottest month, Axel had warned me about the heat. But to my surprise, my fan-cooled room stayed fresh and comfortable all night. The screened windows and eco-friendly design of La Maison allowed for great airflow, making it easy to get a good night’s sleep after long days of surfing in Máncora.
Breakfast & Bonding: What Every Surf Camp in Máncora Should Include
Waking up well-rested and ready to surf, I joined the other guests at the poolside picnic table for breakfast. This quickly became one of my favorite daily rituals—not just for the food, but for the connections it created.
Each morning, we were treated to a delicious, included breakfast, featuring granola-topped tropical fruit, omelets, or pancakes drizzled with honey. But beyond the meal, breakfast was a time for meeting any new arrivals, planning surf sessions together, and swapping travel stories and tips. This simple daily gathering around the breakfast table created a tight-knit, welcoming surf community that lasted my entire stay.
Kitchen & Extras: Thoughtful Perks for Guests
Outside of breakfast hours, the guest kitchen was open for cold meal prep, perfect for whipping up salads and sandwiches. Other thoughtful perks included:
Free filtered water for refilling bottles
Fridge access to store leftovers or ingredients
Honor-system snack bar with cold beers, kombucha, and sweet treats, often baked by Tanya, the manager
Other Amenities at La Maison: Yoga, Massages, and Free Dessert at one of Máncora’s Best Restaurants
One of the perks of staying at La Maison is the wellness-focused amenities right on-site and the guest-only perks in town:
Yoga & Massage: Relaxation After Surfing
Adjacent to the hotel is La Maison’s yoga shala, where daily yoga classes are offered for 40 soles (~$10 USD). This same space also hosts massage services and healing treatments, perfect for post-surf recovery.
While I didn’t personally take a class or book a massage, other guests raved about them, especially the deep-tissue massage—a lifesaver after long surf sessions.
Free Dessert at the Best Restaurant in Máncora: A Sweet Bonus
One perk I did take full advantage of? A free dessert at one of the best restaurants in Máncora, one I ate at least three times in my week-long stay as did pretty much every other guest.
At check-in, Tanya let me in on a secret: mention you’re staying at La Maison, and this restaurant (that I will leave unnamed) will send over a complimentary dessert at the end of your meal. I gave it a shot, and sure enough, a plate of deep-fried banana maki and chocolate-drizzled ice cream magically appeared at our table—on the house.
WiFi On-Site & Close to Work-Friendly Cafés in Máncora
La Maison offers some of the fastest and most reliable WiFi in Máncora, making it a great option for digital nomads. During my stay, I experienced some occasional connectivity issues, but I’ve since learned this was an unusual situation.
When I needed a stable connection, I headed into town to La Biodega Cafe, one of my favorite bakery cafés in Máncora. It’s a great spot for grabbing a coffee, catching up on emails, or just enjoying fresh pastries or a veg-friendly lunch in a cozy setting.
Surfing in Máncora: The Waves, The Board Rentals, and The Vibes
Máncora is one of Peru’s best surf spots, offering year-round warm water waves with a consistent left-breaking point break. While La Maison is the base for Algae Surf Camp, you don’t need to sign up for a full surf camp experience to enjoy the surf. I didn’t—and still had an incredible time renting boards, taking lessons, and surfing at my own pace.
Surf Lessons & Board Rentals in Máncora
One great option for surf lessons in Máncora is Pilar’s Surf School, a woman-owned school located at Del Wawa Hotel, just a five-minute walk from La Maison. A major perk of taking a lesson with Pilar’s is that your board rental is included for the rest of the day, so you can keep practicing on your own. Tanya at La Maison can provide recommendations for surf schools and local instructors, or you can reach out to Pilar directly via WhatsApp at +51 994-015-628.
In general, no matter who you rent or take a surf lesson with, these are the rates in Máncora:
Private surf lessons → 80 soles (~$22 USD)
Board rentals:
Full day → 40 soles (~$11 USD)
Two-hour session → 20 soles (~$5.50 USD)
I often just rented a board for sunset sessions, but I also booked lessons with local surf pro Gianmarco Chapi—an amazing instructor I’d highly recommend. However, unlike Pilar’s, his lessons don’t include a free board rental for the rest of the day. You can contact him via his Instagram or on WhatsApp at +51 913-550-775.
The Vibes: Friendly Crowds & Endless Lefts
Máncora’s surf crowd is surprisingly welcoming, even when the lineup is packed. Unlike other places where locals dominate the waves, here they often encourage you to share the wave with them—something that caught me off guard at first!
Best Times to Surf:
Midday (1 PM - 3 PM): Often empty & pumping, just lather up on zinc and sunscreen as the sun is fierce in Máncora
Sunrise & Sunset: Gorgeous, but crowded, and it’s not at all uncommon to share the water with sea turtles at sunrise or spot a rainbow just as the sun’s setting
As a goofy footer, I loved how Máncora’s point break delivers endless, machine-like lefts. It’s one of the few places I’ve surfed where perfect waves roll in pretty much all day, every day. During my mid-February trip, I surfed daily, except for one day when the swell was too big for my advanced beginner level.
Water Temperature & Surf Conditions
Unlike the cold-water surf spots further south in Peru, Máncora benefits from the warm Equatorial Current.
Water Temp: 72-81°F (22-27°C) (No wetsuit needed!)
Wave Consistency: Year-round surfable waves
Best Time to Surf in Máncora
April - November: Bigger swells, glassy morning conditions
December - March: Smaller, beginner-friendly waves all day
May - November: Peak windsurfing season due to stronger afternoon winds
Book Your Stay or Surf Camp at La Maison in Máncora
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5-Day Surf Camp & Stay Package - from $480
Includes: 4 surf lessons (all levels), 4 surfboard rentals, airport transfer to and from Talara Airport, 4 nights in a private room at La Maison, daily breakfasts
Book Here
7-Day Surf, Stay, & Yoga Package - from $665
Includes: 5 surf lessons (all levels) with boards and rash guards included, 4 yoga classes, 6 nights in a private room at La Maison, airport transfer to and from Talara Airport, daily breakfasts
Book Here
5-Day Intermediate Surf Camp Package - from $580
Includes: personalized coaching & technical feedback, premium surfboard rental and wetsuit for the week, morning and sunset surf sessions daily, 4 nights in a private room at La Maison, airport transfer to and from Talara Airport, daily breakfasts
Book Here
Design Your Own Surf & Yoga Retreat at La Maison
Book Just the Stay: You can book just the stay at La Maison and then pick and choose your surf lessons and yoga classes day-by-day once there, like I did.
Book Here
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