Major city · Peru
Trujillo
Give Trujillo 2 nights: one full day for Chan Chan and Huanchaco, one for Huacas de Moche and the colonial centre. Skip it if you only have a Lima–Cusco week.
Trujillo is Peru's northern archaeology base: the Chimú adobe city of Chan Chan and the Moche pyramids of Huaca de la Luna sit within 8 km of a colonial centre, and the surf village of Huanchaco is a S/1.50 bus ride away. It is a dry, warm coastal city at low altitude, so it works as a two-night stop between Lima and Chiclayo or as a break on the long bus north to Máncora and Ecuador.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- Apr–Nov (dry, sunny, 21–26 °C (70–79 °F)); Dec–Mar is warmer and busierApr–Nov (dry, sunny, 70–79 °F (21–26 °C)); Dec–Mar is warmer and busier
- avoid Jun–Sep for beach days (garúa cloud and cool breeze); Jan–Mar if you dislike crowds
- Airport
- TRU
- Nights
- 2
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Trujillo105 ▾
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 Trujillo, 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
- SafetyTrujillo is fine by day in the centre and at the ruins, but the tourist scams here are persistent: fake guides, party invitations and switched notes.
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.
- AirportTRU Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International (On the Huanchaco road, 10.5 km (6.5 mi) northwest of the centre; Lima flights only…TRU Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International (On the Huanchaco road, 6.5 mi (10.5 km) northwest of the centre; Lima flights only…
- Getting aroundYellow taxis with a municipal coat-of-arms sticker on the windscreen; short hops in the centre about US$1.50, to Huanchaco about US$4…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeS/5–10
- Sit-down mealCabrito con frijoles, sit-down restaurantS/25–45
- Beerbar or shopS/10–18
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in the centre / to Huanchacoabout US$1.50
- Metro or bus rideBus Trujillo–HuanchacoS/1.50
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 35
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomPEN 200
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomPEN 380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 120 · Mid PEN 250 · High PEN 500
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 (On the Huanchaco road, 10.5 km (6.5 mi) northwest of the centre; Lima flights only, plus JetSmart to Santiago. Taxi to the centre about US$6 (check).)TRU Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International (On the Huanchaco road, 6.5 mi (10.5 km) northwest of the centre; Lima flights only, plus JetSmart to Santiago. Taxi to the centre about US$6 (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Care
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
Mar
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Care
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Care
21°C (71°F)71°F (21°C)
Aug
Care
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Care
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Dec. Mixed: Jan–Mar, Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)), coolest Sep (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Trujillo: 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)
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
2 rd
Feb
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
20°C (69°F)69°F (20°C)
7 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (65°F)65°F (18°C)
1 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
0 rd
Jul
21°C (71°F)71°F (21°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (60°F)60°F (15°C)
0 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Oct
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
15°C (60°F)60°F (15°C)
0 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°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
Yellow taxis with a municipal coat-of-arms sticker on the windscreen; short hops in the centre about US$1.50, to Huanchaco about US$4, airport about US$6 (check). Uber works but with few drivers. Buses and combis to Huanchaco cost S/1.50 from Avenida España. Ruins are 5–8 km out: hire a taxi by the hour (about US$5/h, check) or join a tour.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Huanchaco
goDoor to door: 30–45 min
Bus or combi from Avenida España, S/1.50; taxi about US$4
Surf, ceviche and reed boats; go for lunch and stay for sunset.
El Brujo and Magdalena de Cao
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h each way
Tour or taxi on highway 104, about 52 km (32 mi) northwestTour or taxi on highway 104, about 32 mi (52 km) northwest
Moche murals and the Lady of Cao museum; pair with a chicha stop in Magdalena de Cao.
Chiclayo
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h
Bus from the Pan-American terminals, 3–4.5 h
Gateway to Sipán and Tucume; sleep there rather than doubling back.
Máncora
overnightDoor to door: 9–10 h
Night bus north, 9–10 h
Beach continuation toward Ecuador; book a cama seat.
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.
Centro Histórico (Plaza de Armas)
Colonial streets, museums and most restaurants on foot; noisier at night, taxis needed for ruins.
Huanchaco
Beach and surf base 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest; buses to Trujillo run all day, but ruins trips start earlier from town.Beach and surf base 7.5 mi (12 km) northwest; buses to Trujillo run all day, but ruins trips start earlier from town.
Av. América Sur / Mall Aventura area
Chain hotels, malls and bus terminals; practical for one night with an early departure.
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/120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/200–350 excl. bed
- High
- S/400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × PEN 200 | PEN 400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PEN 250 | PEN 1,000 |
| Chan Chan entry2 × PEN 11 · check | PEN 22 |
| Huacas de Moche entry (site plus museum)2 × PEN 16 · check | PEN 32 |
| El Brujo entry2 × PEN 15 · check | PEN 30 |
| Taxi by the hour, ruins circuit1 × PEN 70 · check | PEN 70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × PEN 30 | PEN 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 161 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 444 per person per day, bed included | PEN 1,775 |
2026 estimate in soles; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Menú del día (soup, main, drink) | S/10–18 |
| Cabrito con frijoles, sit-down restaurant | S/25–45 |
| Ceviche at Huanchaco | S/25–45 |
| Coffee | S/5–10 |
| Beer, bar or shop | S/10–18 |
| Bus Trujillo–Huanchaco | S/1.50 |
| Taxi in the centre / to Huanchaco | about US$1.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Unsolicited 'guides', surf or salsa teachers and party invitations are a known setup; walk on and book tours yourself.
- Watch for switched or false banknotes when paying taxis and touts.
- Use ATMs inside malls or banks in daylight and do not count cash on the street.
- Some taxi firms have a poor record for crime; note the plate and prefer app or hotel-arranged cars at night.
- Sun is strong at the ruins and beach even when the breeze feels cool: hat and sunscreen.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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TrujilloTrujillo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance106
Embassy
No US or UK embassy in Trujillo; embassies are in Lima, with honorary consulates in the north (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi airport → centre: about US$6, 20–30 min
- Bus Trujillo → Huanchaco: S/1.50 from Avenida España
- Taxi by the hour, ruins: about US$5/h
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta a Huanchaco? — How much to Huanchaco? (KWAN-to KWES-ta a wan-CHA-ko)
- Al precio acordado, por favor — Please use the meter / agreed price (al PRE-syo a-kor-DA-do por fa-VOR)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- No necesito guía, gracias — I don't need a guide, thank you (no ne-se-SI-to GI-a GRA-syas)
- ¿Este bus va a las ruinas? — Is this the bus to the ruins? (ES-te bus va a las RWI-nas)
- Ayuda — Help (a-YU-da)
Cruise ships dock at Salaverry, 17 km southeast; taxis need a port permit, so drivers wait outside the gates.
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 Trujillo. 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–Nov (dry, sunny, 21–26 °C); Dec–Mar is warmer and busier · avoid Jun–Sep for beach days (garúa cloud and cool breeze); Jan–Mar if you dislike crowds · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TRU: taxi band, late-arrival fallback, Huanchaco alternative.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Plaza de Armas, Pizarro pedestrian street, Chan Chan, Huacas de Moche.
- Place pages with verified hours (Chan Chan, Huaca de la Luna, El Brujo, Cassinelli) and eat pages with lunch cutoffs.
- Sun, garúa and cruise-ship-day fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialChan Chan official site
- officialHuacas de Moche official site
- officialEl Brujo official site
- officialTrujillo airport (ADP)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Trujillo (Peru), revision 5266442 (CC BY-SA 4.0)