Even though Arequipa has the longest coastline in Peru, it is not recognized as a great beach destination. Perhaps this is because many of them are in isolated areas and accessible only by sea. But this gives the coast a special charm: it has bays and beaches inhabited only by birds placed in natural settings that seem trapped in time.
They are perfect places to unwind, without television or cell phones, here you just need some good sandals, a bathing suit and an appetite for the sun.
The best place to explore this part of the coast is the Cove San Jose, which has a rustic and charming guest house built a few years ago by Mauricio Mendoza del Solar and Gonzalo Llerena, who share their dreams with the guests who arrive here after sailing for two hours from the port of Quilca.
They are friends who came here many years ago, attracted by the sea. Gonzalo has been diving for forty years and Mauricio decided to abandon his studies when he was very young and become a fisherman. That idea only lasted six months, since after he moved to Quilca. Both, along with other partners, decided to start a Peruvian oyster farm in San José and La Francesa, and over time decided to make the site of their home.
As a result, the country house was built to share this wild and heavenly place with visitors, and provided certain comforts such as hot water, clean sheets, a good bathroom, and tasty food.
The difficulty to get to the beach has become an exclusive place, where the hosts make you feel at home. Your little paradise is open to visitors, and like the owners, cooks and sailors, they welcome you with a smile and ready to share their marine world with visitors.
The recommended stay is three days and two nights. The trip begins in the port of Quilca. After a four-hour drive down a paved road from Arequipa, a small boat waits for the two-hour drive to Caleta San José.
Some visitors choose to stay in San José to rest and enjoy the tranquility of the place, but if you prefer to follow the planned itinerary, you can start the day with a trip to other bays in the area, such as La Francesa, Ancumpita, Pampa Ancla and La Caleta Huata