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
Puerto Malabrigo
Puerto Chicama
Go for the world's longest left-hand wave: surfers need 2–3 days; non-surfers can skip or do a half-day to watch from the point.
Puerto Malabrigo (also called Puerto Chicama) is a small fishing town on Peru's Northern Coast, known among surfers for having the longest left-hand wave in the world. The town itself has few other attractions, so the decision is simple: if you surf, stay 2–3 days; if not, you can skip it or spend an hour watching the waves from the hill.
- Country
- Peru
- Local name
- Puerto Chicama
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season, consistent swell)
- Avoid
- Dec–Mar (rainy season, weaker swell)
- Stay
- 2–3 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 excl. bed · Mid S/80–150 excl. bed · High S/150+ excl. bed (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 · SAMU ambulance 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 |
|---|---|
| Bus Trujillo → Puerto Malabrigo | S/5 |
| Taxi Trujillo → Puerto Malabrigo (one way) | S/120 |
| Board rental per day | S/30–50 |
| Wetsuit rental per day | S/15–25 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | S/10–20 |
| Beer (bottle) | S/5–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TRU · Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport (Trujillo)
- About 1.5 h by taxi or bus from Puerto Malabrigo
Typical fares
- Bus Trujillo → Puerto Malabrigo
- about S/5, about 2 h (check)
- Taxi Trujillo → Puerto Malabrigo
- about S/120 one way, about 1.5 h (check)
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
The town is walkable. To reach the surf point, walk up the hill from the beach. Taxis within town cost S/5–10.
See and do
Known for
- World's longest left-hand wave
- Surfing culture
- Quiet fishing town atmosphere
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Trujillo | Bus from Santa Cruz terminal in Trujillo (Dorado, about 2 h, S/5) or taxi (S/120 one way) | About 2–2.5 h |
| Huanchaco | Taxi or bus via Trujillo, about 1.5 h | About 1.5–2 h |
| Chiclayo | Bus from Trujillo, about 3 h, then local transport | About 4 h |
Sleep
- Hill overlooking the point
- Best views and breeze; hostels like El Hombre and Iguana Inn Hotel are here.
- Town centre
- Basic guesthouses near the market; cheaper but no ocean view.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | HolaOH-lah |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-see-ahs |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWES-tah |
| Where is the beach? | ¿Dónde está la playa?DOHN-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah |
| I need a doctor | Necesito un médiconeh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh |
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 wave can be crowded with local and visiting surfers; respect the lineup.
- Bring cash — there are no ATMs in town; the nearest is in Paiján or Trujillo.
- Rip currents are possible; surf only if you are confident in the water.
Puerto Malabrigo is generally safe, but petty theft can occur. Keep valuables out of sight on the beach and avoid walking alone at night on unlit streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Puerto Malabrigo yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- World's longest left-hand wave
- Surfing culture
- Quiet fishing town atmosphere
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: Puerto Malabrigo, revision 5040992 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5040992
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Puerto MalabrigoPuerto Chicama
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The US embassy is in Lima; consular services for emergencies can be reached via the embassy. Other countries: check your embassy in Lima.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/puerto-malabrigo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.