Trujillo Travel
From Perupedia
Trujillo is a moderately large city in Northwestern Peru, very close to the Pacific Coast. Trujillo del Peru was founded in 1534 among 4 (of 3,500 archaeological sites in the valley) Chimu (& earlier remarkable cultures) settlements to enable the Spanish to ally with them against the Incas. Due to its geographic location it is also known for its seafood and the beaches of its famous surf and beach resort Huanchaco.
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Understand
Get in
There is just one airport, one seaport, but many bus terminals a short taxi ride from the city centre.
By plane
- Trujillo airport has connections to Lima, Chiclayo, Cajamarca, Tumbes & Chagual for Huamachuco. Three airlines offer daily flights from Lima to Trujillo : LanPeru[1], Star Peru and WayraPeru.
The airport is on the Huanchaco/Trujillo road, 5/10 km from them. There is a fairly universal ATM in the departure check-in area, & a US$5 departure tax from Trujillo & US$35 from Lima.
By train
There is no train service in the area. The nearest trains are to the north in museums in Chiclín(30 km) & Pacasmayo(100 km).
By car
If you must hire a car it is best also to hire an experienced local driver familiar with local driving habits who values his vehicle, human life and health.
By bus
Trujillo is on the Pan-American Highway with numerous connections south to Chimbote, Lima and north to Chiclayo, Piura, Mancora, and Tumbes on the border with Ecuador. Also to Otuzco & Huamachuco to the east, Cajamarca , Chachapoyas, Tarapoto and Yurimaguas to the north east, & Caraz & Huaraz to the South East.
- Transportes Linea [2] is a good value bus company to most destinations in north Peru. There is a fairly universal ATM in their departure lounge on Avenida America Sur.
- Ormeño [3] has buses to Lima, Santiago de Chile & Buenos Aires in Argentina, & north to Mancora, Tumbes, & Guayaquil (Ecuador) daily ($60) & Cuenca & Quito (both Ecuador) weekly. Both companies have 3 or 4 quality classes.
- Movil Tours [4] comes from Lima, leaves Trujillo at 3/4pm via Chiclayo (3 hours) for Tarapoto/Chachapoyas. They & Transportes Linea have good night buses to Huaraz. You can catch a 6am Transportes Linea bus to Chimbote to catch the 8am bus up the spectacular Cañon del Pato to Huaraz in the day with Turismo Huaraz.
- Cruz del Sur is the most expensive, & has the most abusive taxi drivers.
By boat
15 Cruise ships arrive in Salaverry, 17km South East of Trujillo, during the summer months each year.
Get around
Official taxis are yellow with post card sized municipal stickers of the city's coat of arms on the windscreen. They may have a surprising array of tactics to take you to more distant, expensive, isolated hotels & destinations to monopolize your future custom. The taxis from the airport (blue) & more expensive bus companies (who privilege some drivers) may be the most ambitious. If they see you are frugal they may drop you off near to the terminal to return to find more lucrative passengers. A taxi should not cost more than US$1 to US$1.50 from any bus terminal to Trujillo, or US$4 to Huanchaco. Taxi drivers prefer to go to Huanchaco as there are more opportunities for overcharging, & obtaining a return trip. A taxi should not cost more than US$5 from the airport to Trujillo or Huanchaco. Taxis may charge US$5 per hour around the urban part of the Province of Trujillo, & more reliable & expensive taxis are required for greater distances than 15km from Trujillo centre.
Tour operators & travel agents
- Chacon Tours [5]
- Agencia de viajes, Avenida España 106-112. Long established Trujillo-based agency deals with most airlines & is open from 9am to 2pm & 4-8pm on Monday to Saturday & 9am to 2pm on Sundays. [6] for 'Tours in 5 languages' every day, 'Transport', & reliable information on Trujillo & north Peru.
See
- <see name="Tours a la Carta" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.toursalacarta.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Trilingual tour company based in Huanchaco. Tours available in English, French and Spanish. Chan Chan, Huaca del Luna and elsewhere.</see>
Do
- Trujillo's colonial centre pictures.[7]
- Moche Pyramids [8] The best conservation project in Latin America in 2006.
- Museo Cassinelli Located in the basement of a gas station not far from the centre, this is private collection of Moche ceramics Tel: 282222 Nicolas de Pierola 607.
Chan Chan
Located 5km east of the city proper, Chan Chan [9] is an impressive set of ruins of an ancient Chimor mud city, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Learn
Spanish, Quechua or other languages at the universities, pan flutes, marinera & other folklore at the National Institute of Culture.
Work
Buy
Trujillo has a large local shoe making industry. Venture down to the shopping district, in and around Pizzaro road and Ayucucho Road and pick up some hand made beautiful leather shoes.
- Other leather goods, woodcarvings & replicas of Precolombian ceramics.
Eat
Budget
Rincon de Vallejo', Orbegoso 303, cross with San Martín, one block from the Plaza de Armas [10]. Has good, cheap typical food & set meals for breakfast, lunch, evening meals, dessert & coffee. Larger branch for groups at España 734, near corner of 1st block of Orbegoso.
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
Pilsen Trujillo, now Backus & Johnston supports the Huaca de la Luna project. Ron Cartavio, the rum distillery supports the El Brujo Archaeological project. Chicha de Jora, an alcohol based corn beer is available in the local countryside. The chicha of Magdalena de Cao, near El Brujo, has been rated the best in Peru.
Clubs and Bars
Trujillo's nightlife starts late. One can make it out Thursday night, but things reportedly don't start up until midnight, while Friday and Saturday are more popular. Locals recommend Mecano Bar one block from the main square.
Sleep
Budget
- Casa de Clara Cahuide 495, Santa María, Trujillo, Peru Tel 044 299997 / 243347 / 9662710 [11] From US$5 per person per night. Recommended as guides, for tours, information & economic meals in the best international guide books in English, Spanish, French, Italian, or German. Free, fast internet & wireless. Although kitchen access is allowed, be prepared to pay 2 soles every time. Also, handwashing your clothing is not allowed.
Mid-range
Hotel Gran Bolivar Tel. 044 222090 Jr. Bolivar 957
A bit further out than the main hotels surrounding the Plaza Armas, this place is well worth the walk. Huge double room with terrace will cost about S.160 ($50). Free Wifi in all rooms. Good buffet breakfast. Reception all speak English.
Splurge
- Huanchaco.
Contact
iPeru, Pizarro 402, 0-44-29-4561, [12]. Mon-Sat 8AM-7PM, Sun 8AM-2PM. iPeru is the government Tourism Information office in Trujillo.
Stay safe
- Beware of unsolicited approaches from people purporting to be from hotels, travel agents, surf & salsa teachers & invitations to parties. Surprisingly attractive young people have learned phrases in numerous languages to convince you they coincidentally have a similar profession, interest in your language or country; or their family & friends in your country. They may 'happen' to bump into you several times during your stay. The more backpacks, daypacks, cameras, moneybelts, sunglasses & jewellery you display, the more you look like a Christmas tree. Recently they have been finding excuses to change false bills.
- Be careful at ATMs & on leaving banks, displaying cash in shops etc. Do not carry around belongings any more than is necessary & try not to put them down unobserved/unattended during transfers, in restaurants, internet cafes, buses etc.
- Official taxis have post card sized municipal stickers with the city's coat of arms on it. They may have a surprising array of lies & other tactics to take you to more distant, expensive, isolated hotels & destinations to monopolize your future. The taxis from the airport & more expensive bus companies are the most ambitious.
- Although they have one of the largest taxi fleets in Trujillo, be wary of "Americas" taxis. They have an awful reputation with regards to crime.
Cope
A cool breeze is deceptive: a sun hat and sun block are recommended for visits to the beach and ruins, especially in summer. During the coastal winter, expect cloudy days with the sun perpetually hidden from view.
