World Surfing Reserve
Surf all year round
Huanchaco's waves are good all year long, which is why surfers love it, and the town's surf schools make it easy to learn.
A World Surfing Reserve on Peru's Pacific coast
Life inHuanchaco
Waves all year, reed boats on the sand, ceviche on the seafront and a sunset every evening. Here's what your life looks like when the working day is done.
A fishing village for three thousand years, and a surf town today.
A town of two sides
Where you'll live, and where you'll work
Huanchaco is a small, friendly coastal town of about 5,000 people. Surfers, Peruvians from nearby cities and backpackers all mix here, and it still keeps its relaxed, fishing-village feel. You'll find cafés, restaurants, yoga studios, surf schools and a gym, with the city of Trujillo just 15 minutes away.
On the edge of town are informal settlements, home to many families who have moved from the highlands or from other countries such as Venezuela. You'll live in Huanchaco, but most of our projects are in one of these communities, Cerrito de la Virgen. Seeing both sides is part of what makes volunteering here so meaningful.
Postcards from Huanchaco
Wish you were here
A few of the things our volunteers write home about.
3,000 years of tradition
Caballitos de totora
Local fishermen still head out on reed boats called caballitos de totora ("little reed horses"), as they have for three millennia.
Eat like a local
Markets, ceviche & picarones
Browse the stalls at golden hour, then try fresh ceviche on the seafront, papa rellena (stuffed potato) and sweet picarones doughnuts.
Just down the road
Chan Chan
The largest pre-Columbian city in South America is just minutes from Huanchaco. Wander its vast adobe walls on a free afternoon.
Every single evening
Pacific sunsets
Finish the day on the pier or the beach as the sun drops into the Pacific. Sunset surfs are a volunteer favourite.
Into the hills
Desert & mountain hikes
The hills behind town are made for hiking, and local guides run tours at reasonable prices.
Weekend planner
Plan your first weekend
Your weekends are yours. Pick a few favourites, from a surf lesson on your doorstep to the snow-capped Cordillera Blanca, and we'll add plenty of local tips when you arrive.
Wish you were here…
My weekend
Tap a few activities to build your perfect weekend in Northern Peru.
Hiking tours are run by local guides at reasonable prices. Journey times are approximate.
Spanish lessons
¿Hablas español?
Not yet? No problem. Many roles need no Spanish at all, and we can arrange affordable lessons with local teachers so you pick it up fast.
- One-to-one or groupChoose from several local teachers, individually or with other volunteers.
- Online before you flyGet a head start from home with online lessons before your trip.
- Practise every dayAt the REC, in the market, at our Spanish nights: you'll use it constantly.
Perks of volunteering
We look after you beyond working hours
We want you to enjoy the whole experience, not just your time on the projects. We organise trips and activities, share our best recommendations for where to go and what to do, and make sure everyone feels welcome: in OCN, in town and in the group, which soon becomes a second family.
- A weekly volunteer lunch
- Weekly socials, from volleyball to Spanish nights
- Trips, like Chan Chan, and tips for travelling further
- Barbecues, games nights and sunset surfs
Volunteering with OCN has been an incredible experience that I will remember forever. Some of my favourite memories have been playing with the kids at the REC, going for sunset surfs and learning to dance salsa!
Mhairi2022 volunteer, UK