In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Peru
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry, cooler)
- Avoid
- Dec–Mar (summer heat, more rain)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PEN
- Money
- Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget S/50–80 · Mid S/80–150 · High S/150+ (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
- Emergency
- Police 105 · Fire 116 · Ambulance (SAMU) 106
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
- Tipping
- Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- 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.
Typical fares
- 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
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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 (3.1 mi) south.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 3.1 mi (5 km) south.
See and do
Known for
- Fishing port and cannery industry
- Strong fish smell throughout the city
- Plaza 28 de Julio and boardwalk
- Bus hub on the Panamerican Highway
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Huaraz | Bus via Cañon del Pato with Turismo Huaraz, about 4–5 h | 4–5 h |
| Trujillo | Bus on the Panamerican Highway, about 2 h | 2–2.5 h |
| Casma | Bus south, about 1 h | 1–1.5 h |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-to KWES-ta |
| Where is the bus terminal? | ¿Dónde está el terminal terrestre?DON-de es-TA el ter-mee-NAL ter-RES-tre |
| I need a taxi | Necesito un taxine-se-SEE-to oon TAX-ee |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favorla KWEN-ta por fa-VOR |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
- Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Chimbote is generally safe during the day, but avoid walking alone at night away from the main plazas. Petty theft can occur at the bus terminal.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Chimbote yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Fishing port and cannery industry
- Strong fish smell throughout the city
- Plaza 28 de Julio and boardwalk
- Bus hub on the Panamerican Highway
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Chimbote, revision 5040984 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5040984
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/chimbote). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.