Ask Cancuk about backpacking/independant travel.

[Cancuk]

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Just discovered this thread. Good sh,it.

"In Peru: Northern Peru town of Mancara.. surfing town, awesome.. best beach I saw on the west coast of South America. Cool feel."

I'm leaving for a town just south of Mancara, called Lobitos, at the end of next week. We're flying from Miami down to Guyaquil (sp?) and then taking the bus to mancara, then a cab down to Lobitos. my buddy's been there before and says the surfing is great but the people are uber-sketch. I plan on dressing like a bum and not bringing anything valuable other than my passport and our surfboards. Any other advice about staying safe? Do I need any vaccines? Any insight about the general area would be awesome.

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Um, when I was in South America I didn't get any vaccines, but that's a pretty stupid thing to do. You should google to see what is recommended.

Ya, just be careful with your stuff. Bring a couple of locks (pad lock and rope lock) and just be careful... but also don't worry about it to much so it ruins your whole trip..

I only stayed in Mancara in that part of Peru, so I can't comment on Lobitos. But Mancara wasn't really sketch at all. Good feel there: lots of backpackers, nice beaches, good partying.. lots of surfing as well... i'm sure you'll spend some time there.

If you're in that area, you should go to Montanita, Ecuador. It's about 3 hours north of Guyaquil.. it's awesome. Surfing there too (not sure how good, I don't surf) but it's a sweet place. Go there for the full moon party, good times. a little bit more touristy than Mancara, but we were only there during Full Moon time, so that probably explains it.

Have fun man.