Barranco

The Point hostel is located in Barranco. Barranco is the bohemian district of Lima, a strong concentration of bars and clubs that in the after-dark hours becomes the party heart of town. There are many quirky attractions and some great viewpoints overlooking the pacific. It is less well known among backpakers than miraflores (which it borders), though is far richer in terms of history, culture and nightlife.

All of the sights and attractions here are within 5 minutes walk from The Point Lima, within 2 minutes walk are some of the best restaurants in Lima like the famous el muelle just 1 minute from the hostel!


Boom your bed now at www.thepointhostels.com
or email direct at Lima@thepointhostels.com

Beach Cabins at The Point Mancora

Ever wanted your own private cabin on the beach? yet want to keep the fun and friendly hostel atmosphere?

Beach cabin mancora

Double bed upstairs

Now you can with The Point Mancora beach cabins, situated right on the beach with ocean views the cabins are far enough away from the bar so that you can enjoy the peace and quite yet when you want you can come and join in the debauchery in the hostel. So the best of both worlds!

View from the room

Good morning

 We have the following cabins:  Private Cabin for 3 people S./40 pp
                                                  Private Cabin for 2 people S./40 pp
                                                  Private Cabin for 1 Person S./60 pp

To book go to our official website www.thepointhostels.com
or email the hostel direct Mancora@thepointhostels.com
Beach cabins mancora, Mancora Beach Cabins, Private beach maBeach cabins mancora, Mancora Beach Cabins, Private beach mancora

Best Market in South America?

Markets are a big part of South American culture, from San Telmo in BA to Polvos Azules in Lima, markets prevent the perfect place to buy gifts, meet the locals and absorb the culture. Often however they are tourist traps and as authentic as Chinese takeaway so here is my opinion on the best market in south America

Forget about the witches market in La Paz, about 30 mins and 30 cents in bus or 15 minutes and 30 Bs in a taxi outside of la paz brings you to the mercado 16 Julio, at el alto, on Thursday and Sunday this is a heaving market with stunning views of La Paz the market has just about everything from turtles to car parts. But for me its a second hand clothes fans dream, shirts, jackets, suits, t shirts leather jackets, all for rock bottom prices.

Spectacular views on the journey to the market

Shirt $1, Shoes $1.5

Stools included piles of American football shirts, suits and shirts, T shirts, Knitwear, Jeans and hundreds of casual shirts. I bought check shirts for $1.50 American football jumpers for $0.75, t shirts for $1 and a collection of 80s style jackets for the upcoming fancy dress party all for $1 each. I came back another day and stocked up on knitwear for around $1 - $2 a piece and then i found a stool with designer aftershave bottles all old and haggard and only about a quarter full but for around $1.5 and then another $2 I bought 2 bottles and i am sure it was genuine most probably stolen items.

Navigating around this market is difficult as it is so huge and being high up it really takes it out of you, the sun is also a factor and I came back like a tomato the first time I went. The locals told me not to go as it was dangerous and I am sad to admit that one of the girls I was with had her purse taken with all money and cards in, which blighted the whole thing. I advise people to go here but to exercise extreme caution and only bring what you are prepared to lose. But don't let this deter you from stocking up on some absolute bargains!

Happy Shopping

"Gringo" hostels and snobbery

Often maligned so called "gringo" hostels seem to come in for some stick from a certain section of traveller. While it’s always nice to meet some locals and get to know there culture the fact is that a large majority of travellers love to socialize with people from their own cultures or even countries. It is nearly always far easier to bond make friends and have a laugh if people speak the same languages. Sometimes differences in culture and humour are just too great even when the locals speak English or vice versa, so often we all too often head to the so called gringo hostels to meet people and party, and why the hell not? Some so called hippy travellers will try to dismiss these hostels as uncultured etc but those know that it is just all about fun times and making friends. 

The misconception that people who go to gringo hostels like The Point, Loki, Wild Rover is that they are uncultured and or only interested in getting drunk. Indeed partying is a big part of the experience, however, many of the people who stay in these hostels have juts as much interest in cultural activities and experiencing local life as any other traveller.  Or perhaps one sometimes goes off and stays in small hospedajes or B and Bs while exploring places off the gringo trail and so it’s always nice when coming back to a big city or traveller hot spot to have some unashamed fun in a gringo hostel. This hostel snobbery that some people seem to have is completely arrogant and unjust in its routes, and really has no place in my travel world.

Karl Sheedy

The Gocta Falls

Many of us have undoubtedly met someone who has done something that was “not even in lonely planet” or “so local” but the Gocta Falls in Peru are certainly something that can be considered off the beaten track.  The falls are 771 meters (2,529 feet) high and located in Chachapoyas and actually not that arduous a task to reach.


 Debate has raged over whether they are the 3^rd highest or whether a two tier waterfall should not be counted as one, nevertheless the falls are one of the most spectacular sights in Peru and relatively easy to reach. The most bizarre thing about this natural wonder is that it only came to light in 2005 after a German working for the portable Amazon water company found it while hiking in the region.



Tours are now being arranged by companies from the nearby village of Cocachimba in the district of San Pablo, to take in the surrounding area and the falls itself, the falls are a 6 hour hike from the nearby village along the walk you can enjoy the scenery rich with toucans, hummingbirds, and monkeys; and end with a refreshing dip in the waterfall’s pool.

According to local legend, the waterfall is home to a beautiful blonde mermaid, who keeps a golden bowl guarded by a giant serpent. The reason it was not discovered was because locals kept its location secret for fear of provoking the serpent if it was discovered.

Peru Romance Guide

 Peru dating and romance guide

“Sexual interactions between locals and travellers are common” – Lonely Planet 2009

Well that’s about as realistic as lonely planet can get about the realities of travel, and yes it is true and hooking up with locals is all part of travelling. So writes Coelina Johnston with help from Karl Sheedy.

Beware of this devious sex pest

In general dating Peruvian girls and guys is great fun, Peruvian girls and guys are sexy, fun and live for the moment, often paired with there less attractive Bolivian neighbours Peruvians seem to have a bad reputation for there looks among travellers. That is until they go out any Saturday night in Lima or Trujillo and Arequipa and see the scores of beautiful women around. Peruvian men are very "Latino" and can dance well compared to the gringos and show a lot of affection which is always nice. The men are generally smaller than the gringo men and fiercely macho, though to a lot of Peruvian men being "macho" means being sexist, immature, wolf whistling, heckling, never cooking, hating gays and the new thing to show how tough you are seems to be having a silhouette of a soldier on your car, how tough! But as I discovered after time there were also men with handsome Latino looks who were gentlemen as well, perfect!

If you have blonde hair be prepared for a lot of attention (male or female). For some this is great for others it is a nuisance that becomes increasingly annoying. The writer of this actually cut off her blonde hair because she got fed up with the attention, but some girls will love the attention and enjoy every minute of it. Often they will be seen as a rather unattractive girl back home and will relish all the attention from these rampant Latin men.


In Lima you will find the most trendy and beautiful Peruvian guys and girls and because not many travellers hang around too long because its "so dangerous" so it is easy to meet someone just about out anywhere (a friend even hooked up with a policeman) , and as there are lots of universities and money about people often speak English so you may not even need to know Spanish.  People talk about Colombian women (true) and Brazilian women (myth) but no one talks about the Peruvians and they really are beautiful people! Peruvian men may not be as handsome as Argentines or Brazilians but they are a lot better than Bolivian, I can’t think of anyone who has hooked up with a Bolivian man…


There are some strange stories going around in Peru, if you are in Peru a while you will surely hear the word Brichero/a. These are are often mentioned as money grabbing Peruvians who will try and suck as much money from a poor gringo as possible, indeed this can often be the case as people can "punch above their weight" and date a gorgeous girl or hot surfer dude in return for splashing out on them relentlessly. Stories have been passed on of gringos paying for latinas to travel a month with them for free or buying shopping trolleys full of food for their family, stories have even surfaced of gringos paying for some long lost grandmas medical treatment. Some bricheras even have a national reputation as a professional bricheras who never work but just live off gringo/a´s, these can allegedly be found lurking mostly in Cusco and Mancora. Or is all this talk just nonsense... Well probably,  people spend money on their partners all over the world without getting labelled something so why Peru is different is very strange...

In Cucso lots of  girls (gringo hunters or "Bricheras") will approach gringos asking what their name is and if they want to buy them a drink. They have rehearsed these lines well and perhaps know a couple more usually XXX rated lines that you may hear later on. If you want to spend some money and have some fun then this is all very well, there are no victims right? So everyone is happy.There are some strange terms that they use like if “big fish” if a Brichera captures a rich gringo (apparently). Or is all this talk of bricheros and bricheras just nonsense?  travellers are willing to spend money and if they want to spend money on dating then who cares? Who has a problem with it...? Well this bizarre name means even when hand in hand with your Latino partner, wife or husband you may get heckled, often by a lonely insecure man in a passing car, who is clearly a little jealous and without girlfriend.

The vast majority of relationships between travellers and Peruvians are great fun! and many gringos will find a nice, intelligent and loving partner and maybe long term love in Peru, often Latina girls prefer the exotic more sensitive and inquisitive gringos who don’t try and be “macho” all the time, and the Gringos like the exotic fun loving Latinas. Perfect! Also many girls including this author have found long term love with a Latin lover and have lived very happily, do Latinos do it better? maybe, but i think we are all attracted to something that is different or is it true that once you go gringo/a you never regreso or vice versa?

Inspired by telenovellas Peruvians fall in and out of love all the time, expect to hear "te amo" after dating a girl or guy for a week or so, this can be a bit full on for some travellers but for others its very sweet.  They will also be fiercely jealous and protective of their westerner, is there something in the blood or do they just try to imitate the telenovellas? Who Knows but whatever the reasons, it has to be said that dating in Peru is great and a must do on any single travellers to do list.

Views expressed in this article are personal and therefore not those expressed by The Point.

South America Nightlife top 10

To some night life when travelling is as important as daylight activities, indeed many friends are made and relationships formed when the sun goes down, so... here are my top 10 South American night-life spots. Help me complete the last 2 with your picks!

1)    D-EDGE - Sao Paulo: Rio has beaches and Lapa but for serious clubs Rio is left lagging being Sampa, and 1st in our entry of SaoPaulo clubs is D-EDGE Perhaps one of the most unique clubs on the continent, neon lights surround the club in an LED style from ceiling to floor, all coloured and moving perfectly to the music. Top Djs from around the world can be found here on the pulsating weekends, Monday nights as well are a particular highlight when the club hosts indie and rock mash up nights.

2)    LAPA - Rio de Janiero: possible the most fun place on the list, loads of bars, people drinking and dancing outside and some famous Brazilian hospitality make this a must do nightlife spot in this continent. Lapa has a dangerous reputation in the day but at night it becomes a awesome party spot every night of the week. If it rains nothing happens, its all about partying outside here.

3)    GOTICA - Lima: Located in the larcomar shopping centre overlooking the sea this is one of Limas biggest and most expensive nightclubs, but for music it is certainly one of the best in Lima if not the continent.  From the point of view of a man it also has the most beautiful women in the continent, it gets very crowded on the weekend but there is a terrace outside where you can cool down while enjoying views over the ocean. An absolute must do if spending the weekend in Lima.

4)   FULL MOON PARTY - The Point Mancora: Started as a anniversary for the hostel, but soon this event became one of the best clubbing events in Peru. The whole town descends on the Hostel for a night of drinking, dancing and partying under the bright white moon above. This is a must for anyone who heads to Mancora. The atmosphere here is one of warmth and friendliness as everyone is here to have a good time and party!

5)   LOVE STORY - Sao Paulo: This place is pure madness and not for the faint hearted! This place does not get busy on weekends until after 3am and anything goes here, Layo and Bushwacker even named one of their tunes about this place. The music is load, drinks and entrance insanely expensive but once in anything goes, its all Sex, Drugs and fun here.

6)   PACHA BA - Buenos Aires:  BA has some of the biggest and best clubs on the continent, and Pacha brought the big brand from Ibiza to this ornate city. Saturday nights are best.

7)   MIRRADOR HOSTEL - Taganga: A strange one to the list maybe but there is always a awesome party on the rooftop bar which goes on all night overlooking the bay, beautiful Colombian girls and guys and a few travellers pack the terrace, music is a bit hit and miss but the location and people make up for this.
8)   ROUTE 36 –  La Paz: Certainly an experience to be had in South America. The rumour is that this place moves every 4 weeks to miss detection (it doesn’t) dodgy money changing hands in smoke filled rooms is what keeps this place open.  Being served cocaine at your table is certainly an interesting experience if not to everyone’s taste, choose normal or extra strong.

The infamous Route 36 in La Paz

9) Million - Buenos Aires Coolest bar in the city, restaurant by day and bar by night.

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