Major city · Peru
Puerto MalabrigoPuerto 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season, consistent swell)
- avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, weaker swell)
- Airport
- TRU
- Nights
- 2–3
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 Puerto Malabrigo105 ▾
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 Puerto Malabrigo, 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
- SafetyPuerto Malabrigo is generally safe, but petty theft can occur.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (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.
- AirportTRU Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport (Trujillo) (About 1.5 h by taxi or bus from Puerto Malabrigo).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle)S/5–8
- Budget bedDorm bed in hostel, a night, per personPEN 20
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (guesthouse or hostel), a night, per roomPEN 80
- High-end bedPrivate room (guesthouse or hostel), a night, per roomPEN 150
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
- TRU Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport (Trujillo) (About 1.5 h by taxi or bus from Puerto Malabrigo)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jul (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Mar (3 rain days), driest May (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Puerto Malabrigo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 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
The town is walkable. To reach the surf point, walk up the hill from the beach. Taxis within town cost S/5–10.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2–2.5 h
Bus from Santa Cruz terminal in Trujillo (Dorado, about 2 h, S/5) or taxi (S/120 one way)
Explore colonial architecture and museums; return same day.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Taxi or bus via Trujillo, about 1.5 h
Famous for reed boats and surf breaks; combine with Trujillo.
Door to door: About 4 h
Bus from Trujillo, about 3 h, then local transport
Lord of Sipán museum and nearby pyramids; requires a night.
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.
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.
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 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/80–150 excl. bed
- High
- S/150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dorm bed in hostel1 × 2 nights × PEN 30 | PEN 60 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × PEN 120 | PEN 240 |
| Board rental per day1 × PEN 40 · check | PEN 40 |
| Wetsuit rental per day1 × PEN 20 · check | PEN 20 |
| Bus Trujillo ↔ Puerto Malabrigo (one way)1 × PEN 5 · check | PEN 5 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 37 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 201 per person per day, bed included | PEN 402 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Trujillo → Puerto Malabrigocheck | S/5 |
| Taxi Trujillo → Puerto Malabrigo (one way)check | S/120 |
| Board rental per daycheck | S/30–50 |
| Wetsuit rental per daycheck | S/15–25 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | S/10–20 |
| Beer (bottle) | S/5–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
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Puerto MalabrigoPuerto Chicama
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
The US embassy is in Lima; consular services for emergencies can be reached via the embassy. Other countries: check your embassy in Lima.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 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)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah)
- Necesito un médico — I need a doctor (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh)
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 Puerto Malabrigo. 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: Apr–Oct (dry season, consistent swell) · avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, weaker swell) · month by month →
- 1 airport 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
- Surf rental and lesson details with verified prices and contacts (Zorro's, Chino Moreno).
- Wave conditions forecast integration for the point break.
- Bus schedule from Trujillo with real-time departures.
Sources
Ask about Puerto Malabrigo
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