Hi, I am heading to Chile next month, on to Ecuador for Amazon trip but taking my SUP as I want to surf spots along the 1000's of kms of coast. I thought I would check out Pichilemu but it might be too big and too cold (don't really want to take my steamer) then head to Peru - Chicama area maybe and then after Amazon trip Galapogos and Ecuador coast. Might head to Central America for winter. Has anyone had any experience surf travelling here? Any recommendations? I thought I could hire a SUP in some places but an owner of a place in Ecuador told me to bring it as their cafe/surf hut was destroyed in large earth quake last year.
Anyone going? Want to meet up?
Happy SUP surfing
Merrilee
Hi Mlee,
i was work in Ecuador the country is nice and they are very nice persons and they live from the tourist, so the country and the airport had all the facility's, they main attractions is the Galapagos, but they had a small town call Montanita... this is the tipical small town 100% surf people, very friendly and fun at night, all night.... They say what happend in Montanita, stays in Montanita....!!
I take my family for a surf trip on Montanita, is nice and safe, the currency en Ecuador is the american dollar, but in this small town there are only 2 ATM, so take care to bring cash, but in the town you almost can pay all with plastic debit or credit.
In this occasion my wife bring from Mexico my inflatable board, Wide Point 8.2 x 32 i was the only SUP surf all aroud only short boards and body boards. Also is very limited the rent of SUP boards. Is a fun beach break, but with a nasty strong current. There is a lot restaurants on the beach, people on the beach have fun but not all for surf. In this place is a nice right wave.
The only places they have 2 SUP for rents is in balsasurfcamp.com/surf-camp/ Also they have a beautiful hotel very surf style you must meet the owner, is very nice person also a sharper for balsa boards wood. And a very good surfer.
You have to fly from Quito to Guayaquil, and from there you can take the bus or taxi. Taxi is almost 70 dls the Bus is cheaper. All the people speak English and Spanish. The food is really nice you should tried the Ceviche of fish...!!
Have fun in Ecuador...
Just make sure to take safety taxis on Quito, you will find on the Hotels and they can give the phone for radio taxi. Is not safe take taxis on the city there are pirates taxis. But is you used the safety taxis you gonna be ok. I was there almost 2 years and nothing happens.
Hi Merrilee,
the ocean in Chile is pretty cold, even in summer it may only be 17-18 degrees. I attempted to body-surf there in the early summer of late 1980 (December), and got an instant ice-cream headache diving into the briny on a glorious sunny day. It was just south of Valparaiso.
Peruvian waters are also quite chilly around Lima, & Lima is often overcast, adding to the chill.
Huanchaco & Chicama, further north, get good waves, and a springy should suffice there.
