Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [313]
Las Pocitas (25-8432; www.laspocitasmancora.com; d S195/225; ) Las Pocitas’ rooms have white-stone walls timbered with bamboo, that are cool, inviting and bespeckled with shell decorations (in case you’d forgotten you were at the beach). Patios with a hammock and sea views are standard and a children’s playground, table tennis, foosball, sapo (a game in which brass disks are tossed into a table with holes in it) and a grassy lawn are featured.
Balcones de Máncora (76-2617; 8-person bungalows S360) If you have money to burn, let this be your pyre: this place easily wins the ‘most beautiful bungalows’ plaudit. Set on a cliff overlooking the beach, these three deluxe bamboo-and-thatch dwellings have giant overhanging roofs, a full kitchen (complete with microwave), two bedrooms, a living space and lots of glass frontage for an unimpeded panorama of the coast. Inside, they’re elegantly decorated and have all the creature comforts needed for extended stays. The upstairs double bedroom is completely open to the ocean and has its own bathroom. At the time of writing, plans were afoot to build smaller, cheaper, double bungalows.
Los Corales (25-8309, 969-9170; s/d incl breakfast S110/165; ) The alluring little rooms here are filled with seashell decorations and painted in cheery colors. All have balconies, cable TVs and hammocks, though only some have sea views. There is a tiny pool and a small children’s playground and the beachfront is rocky.
Las Arenas (25-8240; www.lasarenasdemancora.com; d S360-420; ) A 5km mototaxi ride from Máncora brings you to this spruced-up resort with a slick, angular pool. Enshrined amid a fastidiously trimmed lawn, the Mediterranean-style white-and-blue bungalows are scattered along the beachfront and come with air-con and DVD players (with a free movie library). The staff is very professional and there’s a kiddy playground to keep the tots entertained. Sea kayaks, bicycles and horse rides are available.
Vichayito (436-4173, in Piura 99-410-4582; www.vichayito.com; d S243, 6-person bungalows S447; ) About 8km south of Máncora, this is an attractively constructed hotel with lovely cane, bamboo-and-wood bungalows, all finished in soothing white tones and sporting soaring roofs. Isolated and quiet, the minimalist styling here makes it a great place to unwind. Travelers with cars can reach the hotel by turning off the Pan-American Hwy at Km 1155 (2km north of the village of Los Organos), and following the Antigua Panamericana for 3km to the hotel.
Eating
Seafood rules the culinary roost in Máncora, while other ingredients tend to be pricier due to transportation costs. There is all manner of ceviches, majariscos (a mix of seafood nibbles), chicharrones, sudados (seafood soup or stew) and just plain pescado (fish) on offer. It’s good and always fresh. Most midrange hotels have their own restaurants, but in town there are loads of other eating choices.
Jugería Mi Janett (Piura 250; juices S1-3; 7am-2:30pm & 5:30-10pm Mon-Sat, 7:15am-3pm Sun) The best juice place in town – come here for massive jugs of your favorite tropical fruit juice.
La Bajadita (25-8385; Piura 424; dishes S3-8; 10am-10pm Tue-Sun) This is the place to sink your sweet tooth into some great cakes, including tiramisú, pecan pie, brownies and the ever-popular apple pie. They also do small meals and all-day breakfasts here.
Angela’s Place (25-8603, Piura 396; breakfasts S4-14, mains S5-12; 7am-8pm) Angela the Austrian bread wizard started selling her delicious sweet potato, yuca and wheat breads from her bicycle years ago. Now you can get them at her cheery cafe on the main drag, along with creative and substantial vegetarian (and vegan!) dishes, energizing breakfast combos and sweet pastries.
El Faro Lounge (9745-2928; Piura 233; meals S6-14; 6-11pm) Packed to the rafters nightly with salivating gringos,