Best Surf Spots in South America

Travelers in South America will likely spend a lot of time on the coast, and surfing is a big deal. Check out these surf towns if you want to catch some waves.

Mancora in Peru combines good waves with great nightlife, and the water is friendly enough for beginners to learn. Things can get busy in high season, around January and February.

Another firm favorite is Montañita in Ecuador. Again combining surfing and partying, this little town is super fun. High season sees visitors from across Latin America.

On the Atlantic coast, the Brazilian town of Santa Catarina offers waves for all abilities. The swell is best April to October.

Colombian surf culture isn’t as developed as in other South American countries, but things are slowly opening up. Head to Nuqui on the Pacific coast June–October to surf and you might be lucky enough to spot whales at the same time.

Chile is also fairly unexploited as a surfing destination, but there is a great swell at Arica. It’s near the Peruvian border so you can stop off on the journey between the two, or hop over