Huanchaco's appeal is unhurried and rooted in the sea. The caballito de totora — the ancient reed boat still used by local fishermen — is unlike anything else in South America, and simply watching the fishermen launch and return through the surf is a highlight. The beach is long and the waves are reliable; board and wetsuit rental is available along the seafront. The colonial church of La Virgen del Socorro crowns the hill above the town, and the old pier offers views up and down the coast. Nearby Chan Chan, the vast Chimu citadel, is the region's essential archaeological site.