A Digital Nomad Travel Guide to Máncora, Peru

Where you might cancel your next plans, and stay much longer than expected

Máncora is a small beach town in the north of Peru where most people stop by for a few days. But here’s the thing: most people also end up staying longer than planned. I’m one of them. What was supposed to be a long weekend turned into two full months—split between Máncora and nearby Los Órganos.

If you’re a digital nomad or remote worker craving ocean breeze, surf breaks, not so crowded kitesurf spots, and a slower pace of life, this might just be your place. While I saw a post on reddit that the WI-FI was not reliable, that was from 10 years ago and I have never had issues in the two months that I have been in this area.

Here's everything you need to know if you’re planning to live and work in Máncora for a little while.

🌴 Where to Work as a Digital Nomad in Máncora

While Máncora isn’t (yet) a hotspot on the global remote work map, it has a few great cafés and places that welcome laptops—and don’t give you the side-eye for staying a little too long over one cappuccino.

Here are a few highlights (and for the full breakdown, check my café guide to Máncora for digital nomads):

• Palmeras Eco Tienda y Café: Hands-down the best coffee in town, fast Wi-Fi, smoothie bowls that keep you full all day, and a peaceful outdoor space. If you’re only going to work from one spot, make it this one.

• Café con Mar: Right on the beach with views of the surf spot Punta Ballenas. Great smoothie bowls and a melty brownie worth remembering. Not the most practical for charging devices, but probably the most dreamy.

• La Biodega Café: Quiet, spacious, and with decent Wi-Fi. There’s also a yoga studio upstairs, so you can stretch between calls.

For late-night work sessions, Kdulce (with the Starbucks logo) is open into the evening (a rarity here) and has surprisingly good dessert options to keep you going.

Smoothie bowl and vegan cappuccino in Palmeras

🛏 Where to Stay in Máncora

If you’re planning a longer stay, there’s only one place I recommend wholeheartedly: Kinti Guesthouse. It's not just another hostel—it’s the kind of place you keep returning to. Breakfasts here are legendary (fresh, homemade, and different every day), and the vibe is somewhere between home and creative haven. Oh, and the WI-FI is good!

The owners, Jessica and Dénis, go out of their way to help guests—whether it’s a last-minute taxi or local recommendations. I came for a few nights and ended up staying over a month.

In September 2025, they are opening a second Kinti that is specifically targeted to digital nomads and functions as a Co-Living space. Here there will be a large kitchen, dedicated work spaces, and spacious private rooms with desks for people that seek a community of like-minded working travellers.

✨ Creative Container & Co-Living

In November 2025, I’ll be hosting a 2- or 4-week co-living and creative work container at Kinti. If you’re working on a creative project—writing, content, filmmaking, art, a new initiative—you’re welcome to join.

There will be two co-working blocks each day and I will organize various workshops and sessions (on creative writing, finding your ikigai, and more). Mornings will be for surfing, yoga, or the gym—or sleeping in—followed by homemade breakfast prepared by Kinti staff. In the afternoon you can join co-work block, go kitesurfing, or enjoy resting on the beach. I will arrange various discounts for (kite)surf classes and rental and yoga.

Besides breakfast, various meals will be included while leaving space to enjoy the delicious restaurants that Máncora has to offer. Each week there will also be various community events that you can choose to attend, such as reggae concerts, the weekly movie night at cultural center El Deck in Vichayito, or join us at the daily sunset spot with various community members from Máncora.

I’ll be using a tiered pricing system to make it more accessible. Interested? Follow me on Instagram or sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know when doors open.

🐬 What to Do in Máncora

Sure, you could just lie in a hammock for a week—and honestly, you probably should. But if you want to balance work with some play, there’s no shortage of things to do:

• Surfing: Máncora surfpoint is the main surf break, beginner-friendly but also fun for intermediates. Early morning is best. For more experienced surfers that know how to handle the reef, Punta Ballenas sometimes even has barrels.

• Kitesurfing: April to December is kite season. I learned at Wild Kite Máncora and would absolutely recommend them. When there is no wind they will take you to a remote kitesurfspot in Capo Blanco about an hour away.

• Yoga: Try Algae Studio at La Maison or the yoga space above La Biodega.

• Sunsets at Vichayito: Possibly the best sunset swim of my life.

• Cultural events: El Deck in Vichayito hosts movie nights, live music, and ice bath and yoga days.

• Whale watching: From July onwards, you can see humpbacks—and yes, it’s affordable.

For a full list of activities (including where to spot flamingos and get the best brownies), check out my slow travel guide to Máncora.

🍲 Where to Eat in Máncora

From affordable menus at the market to creative Peruvian fusion, Máncora has something for every budget.

Some of my favourites:

• Chef Benitos and Sabor Chiclayano: the first in and the second one near the local market. Here you can get a delicious plato del día for 15-20 PEN.

• La Sirena de Juan: Fancy and a bit more expensive if you also decide to eat their delicious (but very sweet) pastries, but delicious! Great for date nights or when you want to wear something other than beach clothes.

• Atlier: Elegant, fresh, and full of flavour. Their curry with coconut rice and plantain gnocchi are amazing.

• Tukoyo: Lovely staff and great sushi — especially the vegetarian and vegan sushi options — and poke bowls.

• El Italiano: The best pizza and ravioli in town! Owned by an Italian, you will not be disappointed here.

• Black Sheep Café: The best vegan burgers in town (yes, plural—they have three options: black bean, lentil, and chickpea!).

I’ve written a full guide to where to eat in Máncora with lots more picks.

🌊 When to Go

• Surf season: Surf season in Máncora is from December to April (cleaner waves, less wind). However, when I was here in June and July we had some great swells coming in. The only time not to go when you want to surf is around August and September, that is when Máncora rarely receives swell and most surfers go to Lobitos instead.

• Kitesurf season: Kitesurf season is long in Máncora and lasts from April to December. Wind kicks in around noon and with the waves being cleaner or absent, this is a great place to kite in the ocean.

• Whale season: To see whales in Máncora, you have to be there for whale season that is from July to October. During these times there are whale watching tours, but make sure you check beforehand on their ethics because there are some unethical and unecological ones. If you are very lucky, you might even spot orcas, but that is very rare.

• Best weather: May to September is dry season in Máncora, but even in "winter" it’s 25–30°C and sunny almost every day. Summer gets a bit hotter, but with the ocean wind and some rain it (or so I have heard) is still comfortable.

💸 Budget

Máncora is still relatively affordable—especially if you’re used to prices in Lima or Cusco.

• Dorm bed: ~30–50 PEN/night

• Private room: 70–150 PEN/night

• Café lunch: 15–30 PEN

• Nice dinner: 40–70 PEN

• Surf lesson: ~80–120 PEN

• Whale watching tour: ~100–120 PEN

Most places are cash-only or charge ~5% extra for card. Wonderwing where to get cash in Máncora? MultiRed ATMs don’t charge withdrawal fees (the others do).

🌞 Final Note

You don’t have to be productive here every day. In fact, if you’re drawn to Máncora, chances are you probably need to stop, breathe, and let yourself settle for a moment. I have heard some people leave this place because it “makes them think about their lives too much.” I say: that’s the point.

Let yourself stay longer than you planned and get to know the local (expat) community a bit better. Máncora has a way of reminding you what really matters.

Have tips or updates? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Instagram @iam_allovertheplace.

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