Getting Around in Trujillo

Downtown Trujillo is a grid of relatively short blocks ringed by Avenida Espana. At the heart of the centro is the Plaza de Armas, and the main sights are all nearby on the major streets leading off the square. Getting around the small centro is thus best managed on foot. However, you’ll need to take either a taxi or a public bus to visit the major archaeological sites outside Trujillo, or the beachside suburb, Huanchaco.

Confusing as can be are Trujillo’s street names: Nearly every street and avenue has two names and two corresponding signs, one a smaller printed version and the other a fancier painted sign. Most maps go by the smaller, printed name, which is what I give in this section.

Several urbanizaciones, or residential districts, lie just beyond Avenida Espana. Urbanizacion El Recreo, where several resort-style hotels are located, is just west of Av. 28 de Julio. Chan Chan is just 5km (3 miles) northwest of the city, on the way to the airport and Huanchaco. The Huacas de Moche are 8km (5 miles) south of town beyond the Carretera Industrial.

By Taxi – Taxis, all uniformly painted black and yellow, are plentiful in Trujillo. Most in-town fares, inside the Avenida Espana ring, are about S/3 (85¢). A taxi ride to Chan Chan or Huanchaco costs S/12 to S/15 (USD 3-USD 4). You can hire taxis by the hour (S/15 or USD 4) or by the day (USD 25-USD 35) to tour archaeological sites in the environs of Trujillo. Be sure to negotiate or ask first in the tourist office to determine the going fares because price gouging is not uncommon in Trujillo. Official taxis are identified by a coat of arms of the city.

By Bus — Combis and omnibuses cost S/.50 (15¢). Somewhat rickety buses will take you to Huanchaco for S/1 (30¢).

By Car – If you want to rent a vehicle to make trips to Chan Chan and other sites, or even to travel around the northern region, try Global Car Rental, Ecuador 122, oficina 201, Urbanizacion El Recreo (tel. 044/295-548).

Guided Tours–Agencies offering standard city and archaeological tours include Guia Tours, Jr. Independencia 580 ; Chacon Tours, Av. Espana 106 ; Consorcio Turistico del Norte, Jr. Pizarro 478 ; and Trujillo Tours, Diego de Almagro 301 . Most standard tours cost S/42 to S/53 (USD 12-USD 15) per person. Tours to El Brujo are generally S/88 to S/105 (USD 25-USD 30).