Major city · Peru
Chimbote
Skip Chimbote unless you need a night stop on the Panamerican Highway: the fishing port smell is strong, sights are few, and nearby Trujillo or Huanchaco offer more.
Chimbote is a busy fishing port on Peru's Northern Coast, known for its cannery industry and the pervasive fishy smell that comes with it. Most travellers pass through on the Panamerican Highway between Lima and Trujillo, stopping only for a bus connection or an overnight. The city has a modern bus terminal, a handful of budget hotels, and little to see beyond the port and the boardwalk. For beaches, surf and colonial charm, head to Huanchaco or Trujillo instead.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry, cooler)
- avoid Dec–Mar (summer heat, more rain)
- Airports
- Chimbote area airfield (CHM) · Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport, Trujillo (TRU) · Jorge Chávez International Airport, Lima (LIM)
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Chimbote105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chimbote, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyChimbote is generally safe during the day, but avoid walking alone at night away from the main plazas.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCHM Chimbote area airfield (check) (No scheduled passenger service confirmed in sources; most travellers arrive by bus.
- Getting aroundTaxis from the bus terminal to the city centre cost about US$2 (S/7–8).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from bus terminal to centreS/7–8
- Budget bedBudget hotel (single), a night, per roomPEN 40
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel (single), a night, per roomPEN 60
- High-end bedBudget hotel (single), a night, per roomPEN 80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 60 · Mid PEN 120 · High PEN 200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CHM Chimbote area airfield (check) (No scheduled passenger service confirmed in sources; most travellers arrive by bus. Check before planning any flight.) · TRU Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport, Trujillo (About 2 h by road south on the Panamerican Highway; the practical air gateway for Chimbote (check).) · LIM Jorge Chávez International Airport, Lima (Long-distance buses run from Lima to the Chimbote Terminal Terrestre; check schedules.)
Map of Chimbote
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Jan (1 rain days), driest Apr (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chimbote: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis from the bus terminal to the city centre cost about US$2 (S/7–8). The city is walkable within the centre, but the terminal is 5 km south.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 4–5 h
Bus via Cañon del Pato with Turismo Huaraz, about 4–5 h
Spectacular mountain scenery; depart by 08:00.Spectacular mountain scenery; depart by 8:00 AM.
Door to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus on the Panamerican Highway, about 2 h
Colonial city and nearby Huanchaco surf beach.
Casma
cautionDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus south, about 1 h
Small town with archaeological sites; limited services.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Plaza 28 de Julio / boardwalk
Closest to the waterfront and the best hotel in town (Hotel Chimu).
Plaza de Armas area
Budget hotels like Hotel Felipe and Hotel Antonio's; central but noisier.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/50–80
- Mid
- S/80–150
- High
- S/150+
Trip budget
| Budget hotel (single)1 × 1 night × PEN 40 | PEN 40 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PEN 60 | PEN 60 |
| Taxi terminal → centre1 × PEN 8 | PEN 8 |
| Bus Chimbote → Trujillo1 × PEN 20 | PEN 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 13 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 141 per person per day, bed included | PEN 141 |
2026 estimate in Peruvian soles (S/); flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Taxi from bus terminal to centre | S/7–8 |
| Bus Chimbote → Trujillo | S/15–25 |
| Bus Chimbote → Lima | S/40–70 |
| Hotel Chimu double room | S/200 |
| Budget hotel single room | S/40–60 |
| Simple meal (menu) | S/10–15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The fish smell is constant and strong; not for sensitive noses.
- Taxis from the terminal: agree on the fare before getting in.
- Last buses to Huaraz depart early (around 08:00); check schedules at the terminal.Last buses to Huaraz depart early (around 8:00 AM); check schedules at the terminal.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
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ChimboteChimbote
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Lima; nearest consulate is in Trujillo (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi terminal → centre: S/7–8
- Bus Chimbote → Trujillo: S/15–25, about 2 h
- Bus Chimbote → Huaraz: S/30–50, about 4–5 h
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el terminal terrestre? — Where is the bus terminal? (DON-de es-TA el ter-mee-NAL ter-RES-tre)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (ne-se-SEE-to oon TAX-ee)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chimbote. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry, cooler) · avoid Dec–Mar (summer heat, more rain) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Chimbote
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