Trujillo travel guide
Trujillo, capital of La Libertad on Peru's north coast, holds the legacy of two pre-Inca cultures: the Chimú, with the adobe city of Chan Chan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Moche, with the Huacas of the Sun and the Moon. Its colonial centre and Huanchaco, a fishing resort with its caballitos de totora reed craft, complete a cultural stop at low altitude, suited to clients who already know Cusco and want another view of pre-Columbian Peru.
Season by month
When to travel- High season
- Shoulder season
- Low season
What to do in Trujillo
- Chan Chan approx. 3 h The Chimú adobe capital a few kilometres from the city; best in the morning.
- Huacas of the Sun and the Moon approx. 2 h A Moche complex near the city; the murals of the Huaca de la Luna are the heart of it.
- El Brujo and the Lady of Cao North of the city, a Moche complex with the museum of the Lady of Cao, found in 2006.
- Marinera, the city's dance approx. 2 h Trujillo is the national capital of the marinera; a live show pairs well with dinner.
Neighbourhoods in Trujillo
- The colonial centre and Plaza de Armas approx. 2 h Coloured mansions around the square; a walk for the afternoon.
Beaches in Trujillo
- Huanchaco and the totora reed craft approx. 3 h A fishing resort with reed boats and waves known for surfing.
Where to eat in Trujillo
- Northern cooking and ceviche approx. 3 h A meal or a class in northern cooking, with ceviche as the star.
Who to offer it to
When to go
Trujillo is a year-round destination, with a mild coastal-desert climate, frequent sun and almost no rain. From December to March it is hotter, the best beach season at Huanchaco; in winter there can be mist and cooler temperatures, without affecting archaeological visits. Open-air sites are best scheduled in the morning.
How many days
Two nights are enough for Chan Chan, the Huacas of the Sun and the Moon, the historic centre and Huanchaco, all close to the city on short transfers. Those continuing to Chiclayo and the Moche route in the north can add one more night: the drive between the two cities on the Northern Pan-American Highway takes about three hours.
What not to miss
Chan Chan, capital of the Chimú kingdom and a city of adobe; the Huacas of the Sun and the Moon, of the Moche culture, with the polychrome murals of the Huaca de la Luna; the colonial centre around the Plaza de Armas; and Huanchaco, with its caballitos de totora. To the north, the El Brujo complex completes the Moche route.
What to offer and why
Two nights on the north coast as an archaeological extension of the classic Peru circuit. Chan Chan and the huacas take a day; the colonial centre and Huanchaco, the afternoon; and one more day allows El Brujo or the onward leg to Chiclayo. A low-altitude destination, with no need for acclimatisation.
When to book
Always check availability in advance; in high season, as far ahead as possible. Air operations from Lima should be checked by season; if the programme continues to Chiclayo, it is worth fixing the order of the route from the start (Trujillo then Chiclayo, or the reverse) according to the available flights.
Practical and operational
Chan Chan and the huacas are open adobe sites with little shade: they are best visited in the morning, with a hat and water. Sites and museums have their own opening hours and closing days, and in El Niño years unusual rainfall can occur.
How we arrange it
We coordinate the visits to Chan Chan, the huacas and Huanchaco with local guides and operators. We design the schedule around the sun, with open-air sites in the morning, and arrange the connection to Lima by air or to Chiclayo by road. We check the opening hours and closing days of each site and museum.
Circuits
View all
Hotels
View all
Combines well with
Booking & policies
Are the prices shown net or retail?
Rates are net (wholesale) and reserved for travel agencies and tour operators, who sign in to see them and add their own margin. Public visitors see a reference “from” price, indicative and subject to availability; the net rate is never shown outside the B2B Portal.
What happens after I book?
When you book, we receive your booking and start working on it: it shows as “In process” and we let you know of every update. Vouchers are sent once payments have been received.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations are governed by the conditions stated in each quotation. The standard conditions are: more than 30 days before arrival, the deposit is non-refundable; 30 to 15 days before arrival, 50% of the total price is charged; less than 15 days before arrival or a no-show, 100%. They may vary on peak dates and depend on the policy of each hotel and service. Certain destinations — Patagonia, the Amazon region and high-demand dates in peak season — apply stricter terms, stated in the quotation. Conditions stated in the quotation and accepted by the agency at booking take precedence over the general schedule in Clause 7.1 of the Terms.
Can dates or passenger names be changed after booking?
Amendment requests must reach RUMBO LIBRE at least 72 business hours before the service begins. Changes are managed subject to availability, and any resulting rate difference applies. For private services, a name change may require re-issuing the booking at the current rate.
Are you a travel agency or tour operator?
Get net rates, build programmes and book online.