Surf: Playa Norte is another popular summer beach with weekend visitors from Lima, causing the rights at the north end to get busy. The mix of boulders and sand can have some shape along the beach although it is usually short slammers for the bodyboard crew. The rights will work better on the push and are a small swell option as the beach gets real heavy and closes-out with some short barrels. Around the headland to the south is El Paso, a powerful, punishing righthander over boulders in a strong S-SW swell. Environment: Decent surfers only as beginners will get punished here. The rocks are covered in shells and urchins nest in the cracks. Even the Pico Alto boys are wary of this place when it is big, as getting out the back can be a real nightmare.