Puerto Chicama is a plain beach near an ugly town with only a few run-down places to stay and eat. As Chicho, the Huanchaco surfing pro, explains, “the only good thing Chicama has is waves,” which, March–June, form the longest-breaking surf in the world.

The wave ranges in height 1–2.5 meters and runs a reputed 2.5 kilometers. Four separate waves that link together, the megawave is the result of a flat, sandy beach, steady crosswinds, and southern and western ocean currents. Locals joke that surfers need a spare set of legs to surf it and a combi ride to make it back up the beach afterwards.

Long before surfing was in vogue, Chicama was a major port for the sugar and cotton brought by railroad from the nearby Hacienda Chicama. As a result the town has an old pier with railroad tracks and a group of old, wooden casonas along the waterfront.

Getting to Puerto Chicama

Most surfers pitch in and rent a group car to visit here for the day from bases farther north, such as Órganos or Máncora.

From Trujillo, take a bus from Óvalo Grau near the Museo Cassinelli that says either Puerto Chicama or Paiján. Colectivos run to Puerto Chicama often from Paiján.