Information -- www.vivamancora.com is a very good site with information on entire area, including distances, details on the best surf spots, breaks and equipment and lessons, and fishing and diving.

Getting Around

Unless you have a rental car, getting around the region is almost entirely by mototaxis (S/2), which are as ubiquitous as the tiny crabs on the beaches. For a couple of soles, you can go about anywhere the dirt roads will take you.

Getting There

By Air

LAN (tel.01/213-8200; www.lan.com) flies daily to Piura or Tumbes from Lima. The drive to Máncora from Piura is longer (2.5 hours), but flights arrive throughout the day, giving you daylight hours to make it to your destination. Flights to Tumbes, about an hour north of Máncora, depart daily only at 7:15pm, arriving at 9pm. Flights start at about $115 one-way. From the airports, private taxis to Máncora run about $80 from Piura and $40 from Tumbes; buses make the trip for $6. Máncora Travel (tel. 073/258-571; www.mancoratravel.com.pe) arranges shared and private minivans from Piura and Tumbes ($50-$150). Piura is 185km south of Máncora; Tumbes is 102km north.

By Bus

The bus from Lima is about 16 hours (overnight is recommended); fares range from $20 to $35. Cruz del Sur (tel. 01/311-5050; www.cruzdelsur.com.pe), Oltursa (tel. 01/708-5000; www.oltursa.com.pe) and CIVA Transportes (tel. 01/418-1111; www.civa.com.pe) are the best options.

Car Rental

Most car rental agencies are located in Piura. Rent-a-Car San José (tel. 073/303-240) has good cars ($40-$50 per day) in Piura and meets travelers at the airport.

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