Playa Chinchorro is the main city beach — a long, gently shelving stretch of sand north of the river mouth, well sheltered from the southern swell. It is shallow enough to swim safely and warm enough most of the year (the Humboldt cools things down — the sea is around 18°C even in summer).
It backs onto the city's only seaside promenade with cafes, ceviche stalls and a few hotels. South of here the better surf beaches begin: Playa Las Machas, Playa La Lisera and El Laucho, in descending order toward the Morro. Chinchorro is the family option; the others are for those who want surf.