With the exception of the 52 rivers that split the narrow sandy coastal strip on their way down to the Pacific Ocean, the Peruvian coastline is an arid desert that fringes the sea with sweeping beaches, hidden coves, rocky cliffs and towering rock formations carved out by the wind and waves. In some areas, armies of sand dunes march down to the sea; in others, meanwhile, the sun glitters on the salt flats in a world by the sea that appears to be uninhabited. However, the landscape gives way drastically and definitely to one of the richest oceans to be found on Earth, a world teeming with life.
The Peruvian coastline offers lovers of the sea many advantages: a stable climate that seldom sees rain, no hurricanes and slight variations in temperature during the daytime and throughout the year; beaches bathed by cold waters and others that feature warm waters; solitary beaches where dolphins and sea lions are the lone companions of the visitor; waves so long-running and perfectly shaped that they never seem to come to an end; and, by combining the right time and place, there’s the chance to acquire that perfect tan or practice water sports practically 365 days a year.
