Recommendations
Never fly alone. Amateurs are strongly advised to hire the services of companies or experts who can provide them with equipment and information on the best spots for flying. Always use safety gear. In Peru, no license for this type of gliding is needed, although there is an association that regulates and monitors the sport. Avoid areas near airports, airstrips or high voltage power cables.
Other Adventure Sports
Windsurfing and Sandboarding
Despite the fact these sports are newcomers to Peru, open air sports like windsurfing and sandboarding have been gaining increasing numbers of followers in recent years. Windsurfers flock to the breezy bays of Paracas (Atenas, Mendieta and Yumaque) as well as certain areas along the north coast such as Pasamayo, El Pa-raíso and Medio Mundo, the most popular spot.Villacuri and Ica, an ideal area to take to the steep sandy slopes of the desert.
Hot Air Ballooning
Since 1988, a company based in Cusco, Globos de los Andes, has been running tourist hot air balloon flights over the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The one-hour flights cost US$300 per person. Setting off in the morning from the community of Maras, 55 km from the city of Cusco, balloonists take to the air and enjoy an unusual view of the Cusco countryside, its snow-capped peaks, several archaeological sites and main towns. The company also runs flights dedicated to bungee jumping over the Cusco area, including the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
Underwater Fishing and Scuba Diving
Underwater fishing has been popular in Peru for decades. The Peruvian sea provides excellent fishing, with a large variety of scenarios to practice water sports, which has made underwater fishing one of the most popular sports in coastal cities and ports. The coasts of Pucusana, Paracas and Ilo to the south, and Tumbes and Piura to the north, are the most popular spots among fishermen. Scuba diving, meanwhile, is not widely practiced in Peru. The coasts do, however, offer ideal conditions, with unexplored beaches, huge schools of Coastal sea fish and colonies of playful sea lions. Although in few spots along the Peruvian coastline are waters as clear as in the Caribbean or the Atlantic, they are home to a greater diversity of species, making Peru an exceptional place for those looking for a unique and different experience.
Peru: Location and Climate
Peru is located on the central section of South America, and its coasts are lapped by the Pacific Ocean. The country has a population of 24 million and a territory of 1.285.215 square kilometers (the size of Spain, France and Italy combined), making it one of the 20 largest countries on Earth. Due to its location, the Peruvian coast has always been a vital link for maritime routes and trade with the subcontinent. Peru also lays claim to 200 nautical miles of ocean off its coasts and has rights over a 60 million hectare stake in the Antarctic.
Due to the effect of the cold Humboldt current and the presence of the Andes to the East, the coast is a vast and arid desert, a land where it never rains. The central and southern coast of Peru has two well-defined seasons: winter from April to October, and summer from November to March. During the winter, a thick layer of cloud blankets the skies, and it frequently drizzles. Despite the sensation of low temperatures sparked by the high humidity, it is rarely colder than 12 °C. During the summer, on the other hand, the sun shines brightly and temperatures often top 30 °C.
