Little reed horses
Boats of reed.
SantiagoGG — CC BY-SA 4.0 · David Almeida from Lima, Peru — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Melissamarzo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · JYB Devot — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Henry__Spencer — CC BY 2.0
A small Pacific fishing town near Trujillo, once the port of Chan Chan, famous for its traditional reed boats, called «caballitos de totora», «little reed horses», because the fisherman rides one as he would a horse. Fishermen build these long boats with raised bows from bundles of tied totora reed, and similar boats appear on ancient Moche pottery, so the tradition goes back many centuries. Some fishermen still take them out to sea, and dozens stand propped upright on the sand to dry in the sun, the town's best-known sight. The beach runs beside a long wooden pier rebuilt in the late nineteenth century, from which you watch the waves, surfers and boats. Huanchaco is one of Peru's best-known surf spots, declared a World Surfing Reserve in 2012. Seafront restaurants serve ceviche made with the morning's fish. The ocean is cold because of the Humboldt Current, and the currents are strong, so do not swim far out.
Boats of reed.
Views of the surf.
The morning's fish.
Huanchaco seaside town, about 12 km north-west of central Trujillo
Yes: some fishermen on the beach offer short rides for an agreed price, but the sea is cold and the waves strong, so follow their instructions.