The Costa Verde is the strip of pebbly beach at the foot of the cliffs below Miraflores and Barranco, reached by a coast road and a series of paths and elevators. Lima is built on a desert coast and the beaches are not classic tropical sand — they are dark grey shingle, with cold Humboldt-current water — but the surf is reliable year-round.
Playa Makaha is the local surfers' beach, busy from dawn with longboards. Punta Roquitas and Playa Redondo have surf schools and board hire. Swimming is best in February (warmest water) but always cool. The road can be congested on summer weekends. The beaches are crowded in January and February when Limeños head down at lunchtime.