Today Peru is becoming very popular place for the international surfing circuit. The country owns 1,500 miles of rugged coastline, monster waves that rival those of Hawaii’s legendary northern shores.

In northern Peru is located the small village of Máncora. This village enjoys an almost mythic reputation among surfers for its balmy water, endless sunshine and crowd-free breaks. As well as there’re a lot of fruit vendors and restaurants along the Pan-American Highway in Máncora.

There are no surf shops — boards and gear must be rented or bought in Lima — and only a handful of hotels like Luisfer’s, a no-frills hostel where surfers bunk up, five to a room. Between sessions, guests can be seen doing yoga atop their board bags in the courtyard.

Dining options are limited, too. The sidewalks are lined with cheerful stands that serve ceviche and seafood carpaccios that look amazing, but are far from stomach friendly. The enterprising and friendly locals, however, make up for the lack of infrastructure. The town’s surf museum, for example, is actually the private home of an old-school surfer, José A. Schiaffino. I stumbled upon the 1950s surf shack one afternoon while walking back from the beach.

Several airlines including Continental, American and LAN Airlines fly direct from New York area airports to Lima, starting at about $650 for travel next month, according to a recent online search. To get to Máncora in the north of Peru, fly from Lima to Piura on Aerocondor.