Safety in Huanchaco

Traveler Advice

By Lorraine Caputo

Please remember: Regardless of where you choose to pull up a piece of sand for a little beachside relaxation, be sure your belongings are always attached to your person and never leave anything unattended while you swim. A number of clever robberies have recently occurred on Huanchaco's beaches, and in most cases, it was the theft of a bag sitting right beside its owner. Don't forget the sunscreen. Even on cloudy days the sun at Huanchaco is deceptively strong.

Wild camping on the beach is not recommended, due to safety concerns. It is okay at Christmas-New Years holidays, at either end of the beach, when safety comes in numbers. However, still practice common sense measures to protect your gear.

The village has evacuation plans in the case of tsunamis. Green signs along Avenida la Ribera point out the routes. Follow instructions and head for higher ground, like the Santuario de la Virgen del Socorro up on the hill.