Official taxis are yellow with post card sized municipal stickers of the city’s coat of arms on the windscreen. They may have a surprising array of tactics to take you to more distant, expensive, isolated hotels & destinations to monopolize your future custom. The taxis from the airport (blue) & more expensive bus companies (who privilege some drivers) may be the most ambitious. If they see you are frugal they may drop you off near to the terminal to return to find more lucrative passengers.

A taxi should not cost more than US$2 from any bus terminal to Trujillo, or US$5 to Huanchaco. Taxi drivers prefer to go to Huanchaco as there are more opportunities for overcharging, & obtaining a return trip. A taxi should not cost more than US$5 from the airport to Trujillo. Taxis may charge US$5 per hour around the urban part of the Province of Trujillo, & more reliable & expensive taxis & drivers are required for greater distances than 15km from Trujillo centre.

Buses and combis to Huanchaco cost 1.50 nuevos soles from Trujillo downtown, and they can be taken around España Avenue. Cruise ships may carry 1,000, 2000 or 3,000 people, who might expect to pay US$10 per hour for a taxi. To enter the port gates taxis require a permit (days ahead) from the Captain of the Port, so drivers usually wait outside the port gates, less than 1 kilometre from the jetties.

Cruise companies keep quiet about arrivals, use cumbersome 50 passenger bus groups, sell their own tours for US$140 (compared to US$50 with local travel agencies), so between 0 – 100 taxi drivers may be waiting at the port gates. There are no more than 13,000 taxis formally registered in the Province of Trujillo.

Most taxis are yellow, tiny Ticos, better suited to inner cities than highways, or superseded Asian models. Note the registration number to find them again. Most drivers do not work in tourism, speak English, know journey distances, times, opening hours of attractions nor colonial city centre streets. See taxis & warnings below.

• Chan Chan ruins. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The capital of Peru’s largest pre-Inca empire, now reduced to 20 square kilometers (4,940 acres) of eroded adobe. The city was abandoned in the 1470s, when Chan Chan was overrun by the army of Inca general Túpac Yupanqui. To get there, you can hire a taxi who will make the round-trip from Trujillo and wait while you are in the ruins. Or, for more budget/adventurous travelers, take a combi/colectivo headed to “Huanchaco” from Ave. España or from the main stop at Óvalo Grau where the Museo Cassinelli is. Ask the driver to let you off at the Cruce de Chan Chan (7 km) and walk a few hundred meters down a dirt road that leads to the ruins.
• Huaca de la Luna y Sol (and Site Museum), (To get there from the Trujillo center, jump on one of the Combis/colectivos between Huayna Capac & Suárez on Los Incas near the Mercado Mayorista that say Campiña de Moche (shortcut CM) or the combi with the shortcut SD (keep an eye on your stuff here, since this place is a dangerous area and known for being a favorite of thieves). It will drop you off at the Museum’s entrance; after you visit the museum, you walk a short 10-minute walk to the ruins. A combi will be waiting for you at the ruins to take you back to Trujillo.). 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Don’t leave Trujillo without a visit to this site. These were built during the Moche empire (A.D. 100–800).
• The farthest, Huaca del Sol (Temple of the Sun), was an administrative center, and the other, Huaca de la Luna, was a religious complex. Houses the most dazzling and best-preserved murals in all of Peru. Very affordable souvenirs available at the site. Your entrance ticket to the ruins (s/10) includes a free guided tour in English or Spanish, you just have to wait until the group is big enough to start the tour. 10PEN (Huaca) / 3PEN (museum).
• Wall around the university on the wall is shown the history of northern Peru in mosaic. The quality is good.

• Trujillo’s colonial centre.
• Moche Pyramids [11] Huaca del Sol y de la Luna. One hour Combi ride from between Huayna Capac to Ovalo Grau on America Sur. Very well conserved.
• El Brujo archaeological complex (60km) has an equally good site, museum and views from coast to Andes.
• Museo Cassinelli Located in the basement of a gas station not far from the centre, this is private collection of Moche ceramics Tel: 282222 Nicolas de Pierola 607.
• Chan Chan Archaeological site. Located 5km west of the city proper, Chan Chan is an impressive set of ruins of an ancient Chimor mud city, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. S/.10 Entrance fee is valid for four sites, Chan Chan, on-site museum, Huaca de Esmeralda and Huaca Arco Iris, altough they are all quite apart. The main site is on the frequent bus route to Huanchaquito and 15 minute walk.
• Marinera Festival in late January around Trujillo and neighbouring towns
• Spring Festival in late September. Both include horses, dancers and numerous cultural events. Programmes are approved late, but those of the previous years are a helpful guide.
• La semana de Pascua, the week of Easter. In Trujillo and neighboring towns processions and crucifixion reenactments are held.

Spanish, Quechua or other languages at the universities, pan flutes, marinera & other folklore at the National Institute of Culture. If you prefer to learn Spanish in a setting slightly quieter than the hustle-and-bustle of Trujillo, try Huanchaco (about 20 minutes from Trujillo, should cost 1.50 Sol by combi ) which has several good Spanish teachers who teach volunteers and tourists. Beware of anonymous links with no names, addresses nor evidence of qualifications for languages, tourism nor accommodation.

Trujillo is a city with an increasing economy, modern financial centers can be found near the city center.

• WindAid is a social entrepreneurship group. They design, build, and install wind turbines for communities in Peru who are in need of electricity and light. They offer various volunteer opportunities. Website

• Trujillo has a large local shoe making industry. Venture down to the shopping district, in and around Pizarro road and Ayacucho Road and pick up some hand made beautiful leather shoes.
• Other leather goods, woodcarvings & replicas of Precolombian ceramics in the beautiful old colonial centre and at archaeological sites.

If you ignore culture and cannot live without modern brands:

• Mall Aventura Plaza: On the way from Trujillo to Huanchaco. A supermarket “Tottus”, 2 department stores (Saga Falabella and Ripley), a Food Court (McDonald’s, KFC, etc.), Cinemark, banks, atms, and many other stores can be found here.
• Real Plaza Trujillo: Starbucks, KFC, Pizza Hut, etc. Supermarket: Plaza Vea, Cineplanet, etc.

Budget

• Rincon de Vallejo’, Orbegoso 303, cross with San Martín, one block from the Plaza de Armas. Has good, cheap typical food & set meals for breakfast, lunch, evening meals, dessert & coffee. Larger branch for groups at España 734, near corner of 1st block of Orbegoso.

Mid-range

• Cafe Oviedo, 737 Pizarro (the pedestrian street). You can gorge an amazing American breakfast for these parts, 11 soles for: juice, a real coffee, bacon, eggs, toast, jam and the waiter is reassuringly fat! Kinda pricey for the backpacker but worth it for a treat.
• Demarco Restaurant, 725 Pizarro. Great big breakfasts. Good wifi. Everyone on my night bus ended up here independently. S/15-18 (June 2013)
• Casona Deza, Independebcia 628-630; Extensive menu in nicely restored colonial building with antique furniture.

Splurge

• Squalos: Lunch only upscale locals favorite. Known for great seafood. Cien Fuegos 250 La Merced Trujillo, La Libertad +514295134

Pilsen Trujillo, now Backus & Johnston supports the Huaca de la Luna project. Ron Cartavio, the rum distillery supports the El Brujo Archaeological project. Chicha de Jora, an alcohol based corn beer is available in the local countryside. The chicha of Magdalena de Cao, near El Brujo, has been rated the best in Peru.

Trujillo’s nightlife starts late. One can make it out Thursday night, but things reportedly don’t start up until midnight, while Friday and Saturday are more popular. Locals recommend Mecano Bar one block from the main square. Beware of invitations to non-existent Salsa Festivals, parties & similar scams.

Budget

• Casa de Clara Cahuide 495, Santa María, Trujillo, Peru Tel 044 299997 / 243347 / 949662710 Informative guest house in quiet part of town (across the street from a park) about 10 minutes on foot from center. They offer dorm beds, no bath, for 15PEN per person (as of May 2013), but you must show up with 2+ people in your group, or else the price is 20PEN for solo travellers. For nicer private rooms and maybe even TVs, opt for the “with bath” option for 25/35PEN. They offer guides for tours, city information & home-cooked meals. Free Wifi. Laundry 7 PEN/kilo dry and ready after a half day. 600 metres from the Plaza de Armas. Very secure. Convenient for the new Swimming Pool and Sports Centre, buses to archaeological, sites, beaches and malls.
• B&B Orrego, K22 avenida Antenor Orrego, Covicorti, Trujillo, Peru Tel 0051 997781816 – [email protected] From 10.00 Euros per person in a double room, including breakfast. Recommended as they offer transfers and excursions from the hotel directly. Good value for money, great atmosphere. English / French and Spanish speaking. Free internet in the rooms + TV cable.
• Hotel Isis: Mz K ‘ LT 30, San Isidro 2 Etapa, Trujillo, Peru Tel 044 253094 / 954617930 [19] Five blocks to the Plaza Mall, this hotel offers single rooms with private baths, 24-hour hot water, flat screen TVs and full cable, and nicely appointed accommodations starting at $22 per night (as of 10/14). The hotel is located in a quiet part of town about 15 minutes on foot from the mall, where a large food court and plenty of shopping can be found. They also offer matrimonial suites and suites with jacuzzis. Every morning there is a free buffet breakfast served in the lobby. Free Wi-fi is also included. Laundry service costs 15/PEN and is ready after a half day. 24-hour reception and very secure. The swimming pool and outdoor grill are available during the summer months. They can also help arrange tours to local attractions such as Chan Chan, as well as safe taxi transport to bus lines and neighboring cities. English spoken.

Mid-range

• Hotel Gran Bolivar Jr. Bolivar 957 Tel. 044 222090 . A bit further out than the main hotels surrounding the Plaza Armas, this place is well worth the walk. Huge double room with terrace will cost about S.160 ($50). Free Wi-fi in all rooms. Good buffet breakfast. Reception all speak English.

• Beware of unsolicited approaches from people purporting to be from hotels, travel agents, surf & salsa teachers & invitations to parties. Surprisingly attractive young people have learned phrases in numerous languages to convince you they coincidentally have a similar profession, interest in your language or country; or their family & friends in your country. They may ‘happen’ to bump into you several times during your stay. The more backpacks, daypacks, cameras, moneybelts, sunglasses & jewellery you display, the more you look like a Christmas tree. Recently they have been finding excuses to change false Peruvian and US dollar bills. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19240999
• Be careful at ATMs & on leaving banks, displaying cash in shops etc. Do not carry around belongings any more than is necessary & try not to put them down unobserved/unattended during transfers, in restaurants, internet cafes, buses etc.
• Official taxis have post card sized municipal stickers with the city’s coat of arms on it. They may have a surprising array of lies & other tactics to take you to more distant, expensive, isolated hotels & destinations to monopolize your future. The taxis from the airport, port & more expensive bus companies are the most ambitious.
• Although they have one of the largest taxi fleets in Trujillo, be wary of “Americas” taxis. They have an awful reputation with regards to crime. The most reliable ones are “New Taxi” (blue taxis), “Trujillo Service” and “Teletaxi”.
• Beware of touts offering tours or hotels, it is much cheaper and convenient to book tours and hotels yourself, to avoid paying their commission or getting scammed.
• Beware of fake reviews, with undue praise or criticism by such touts.

Motorcycle parts can be found readily on the north loop of Avenida Espana. Near the Star of David gas station on America Sudoeste, an excellent bike mechanic has a shop one block west of the major intersection of Orruga and America.

A cool breeze is deceptive: a sun hat and sun block are recommended for visits to the beach and ruins, especially in summer. During the coastal winter, expect cloudy days. Also look out for the llamas… they are indigenous to the area and are commonly confused between their own kind and the local people. With such confusion they tend to try to mate with the locals and tourists. So just watch your back!