Hiya

I need some advice re kitesurfing in Peru and am not getting very far so welcome any personal tips!

I’d like a recommendation for a decent school and resort with reliable wind at the end of Sept (do I chose Mancora or Paracas for example). I am a beginner and could do with flat water, and it not being too crowded. I'm thinking of having 1 lesson and then to hire kit to practice...will I need a wetsuit even?

Any recommendations for me?

Thanks

Caroline

PS I’ll be travelling alone and on a budget but don't want to compromise conditions/quality/safety. Somewhere backpackery standard to sleep/chill/meet people also ideal.

I am thinking about traveling to Peru in November and have similar questions, although I am not a beginner. I did come across some websites, but I feel like they had a sales pitch involved. Always better to hear it from kiters who have experienced the location unbiasedly (is that even a word???).

Which airport is the best to fly into?
Which area has the most reliable kiting?
Which area should I stay in?
I have read that it is a far trip from the airport to the kiting spots, so advice on that is appreciated.
Where should I look for inexpensive places to stay (with good internet since I work online). Is there a local paper with an online classifieds listings? I prefer that it is not a resort.
Any nuances I should be aware of???

Thanks!

Thanks and I agree that all the schools shout that they're the best and I need an unbiased opinion!

Let's hope we get some!

Just got this back from Peru kite camp... He sounds cool...Anyone tried them?

OK Caroline--first thing--relax.This is kitesurfing --not heart surgery.Forget Paracas--boring,cold.Mancora is not flat but it is warm,fun,not crowded but also not ghost town.
I am 54,from Newcastle Australia.I dont bullshit.I am honest.Mancora is no Club Med--its better.I have equipment for rent--$40 per day.Supervision costs $10 a day.Lessons cost $40 per hour.If you need lessons,I will know in the first 5 seconds.If you need supervision then thats what you will get.Assure your Mum & Dad that you are in good hands.My daughter is 22 ,in Geneva with the WHO.I have wetsuits.also harness.Depending on your itinerary,personal wetsuit & harness are always nice.If you are travelling other Peruvian interests,there is an old fashioned luggage storage facility in the Lima airport so you dont have to haul your kit to Machu Pichu.Loki & Kokopelli backpackers are what you want.
Caroline--you will love it here.
SKIP

Skip Schippidinni

You are honest? haha good one

What do you mean by that JBrook?

Most serious and best equipped kite school in Peru is Perukite (Jose Rosas) I believe they have operations both in Paracas as well as Mancora.
In Paracas you will find other schools too: www.anavegar.com (Guillermo Ruiz) who also have very good instructors end equipment, or Jorge Ibañez (don`t have contact details) who might not have such a broad equipment inventory and I don´t know his instructors, but he might be able to offer a full package.
I believe Skipp has been trying to sell his operation in Mancora which might affect his commitment to satisfy his customers.
September/November is a full 3/2 wetsuit season in Paracas, in Mancora you will get by with a shorty.
Bus service along the peruvian coast is very good and reliable, but Peru is a large country, take long travelling hours into account.

Thanks!

Hi Caroline. I do not know your level but if you are a beginner then Mancora from my experience is not the ideal place, the waves can get pretty big there and the wind is not so consistent. The town of Mancora has some nice cheap places to stay, eat and go out but like anywhere in South America you have to be careful of petty crime, theft when travelling on your own etc.

Ok thanks but I'll be in Peru anyway... Do you have other Peruvian resort suggestions for an early beginner at board start stage?