Stretching along the northern Pacific coast, the sun-drenched resort town of Mancora provides a welcome change in climate and lifestyle for visitors more used to the country’s high-altitude highlights like Machu Pichu. Popular with both backpackers and luxury travelers seeking a slower pace of life, a laidback-and-barefoot atmosphere pervades its driftwood bars and juice shacks through to higher-end boutiques and seaside restaurants; most only a kaftan’s throw from each other along the main strip, Avenida Piura.

Float in infinity pools overlooking several kilometres of powdery coast, eye up the world’s best surfers from your daybed, and sip pisco sours at sunset on Las Pocitas beach – just don’t spread the word too far and wide.