Jiuay : Unblemished beach with white sand, blue sea and which is bereft of beach houses. The upper reaches of the beach feature a great deal of abandoned terracing and the pre-Inca citadel of Ayparipa. North of Jiuay lies Champeque, with a lovely beach, ancient grainhouses and an island (Santa Rosa) teeming with sea lions.
Mollendo : Long the traditional beach haunt of Arequipa residents, Mollendo is a picturesque town lined with quiet streets and sweeping beaches. Those looking for less-frequented beaches, however, can rent a boat at the port of Matarani and head for the cliffs that separate Mollendo from Quilca. The virgin coastline features beaches such as Huayquiray, Arantas, San José, La Huata, Honorato and Punta Hornillos.
Mejía : From Mollendo, a coastal road winds down to Moquegua, passing through Mejía, a pretty beach, not just because the town has conserved the old wooden houses dating back to the early twentieth century, but also because it lies in the middle of an exceptional landscape studded with vegetation and lagoons which teem with flocks of migratory birds.
When visiting any beach in Arequipa and Peru remember the following:
Accessibility: Several of the beaches in Peru lack services for visitors. So when visitors travel to unfamiliar beaches, they should always bring enough food and water. Don't forget sunblock and a light windbreaker for the afternoon winds, as well as plastic bags for garbage.
Driving: Do not venture onto dirt or sand roads unless accompanied or experienced in rough terrain driving. When driving on sand, let out some air from the car tires to avoid getting stuck in a rut.
Services: For those who are fond of their creature comforts, many beaches, especially those located near the big cities, feature restaurants and lodgings that are generally open from December to March. Visitors should bear in mind that these spots are packed with visitors during national holidays, so make your bookings with anticipation.
Stingrays: On some beaches, swimmers risk being stung by stingrays, known locally as pastelillo. In these spots, the best thing to do is to enter the water dragging one's feet, which frightens them away, or to use closed rubber sneakers. If despite taking precautions you get stung, the best thing is to wash the wound with plenty of soap and water, and then bandage the spot. While the effect varies according to the person and the size of the ray, the local solution is the most effective: to bury one's foot immediately in hot sand or suck the poison from the wound.
Camping: Campers have a wide range of beaches to choose from. Excursionists are recommended to camp in groups, especially when visiting isolated beaches. Fishing villages are good spots to rent boats and buy fresh fish and supplies, as well as for repairing outboard motors.
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