GUIDE

How to get there

By Air
Daily flights from Lima to Trujillo take about 45 minutes.

By Land
There is interprovincial transportation service from Lima to Trujillo on the North Pan American Highway.  The trip takes approximately 8 hours.

Where to go (tourist attractions)

Chan Chan: Approximately 20 km² in size, it is the largest adobe city from Prehispanic America.  It was built by the Chimú using adobe, smooth stones, mud, wood, reed, straw and cane, all materials that integrate it with the sands of the Peruvian coast.

The Temples of the Sun and the Moon (Huaca del Sol, Huaca de la Luna): Ceremonial centers located in the fields of the Moche district approximately 15 minutes away.  The Temple of the Sun or Huaca del Sol is a step pyramid approximately 43 m high, which was possibly used by the elite for administrative functions.  The Temple of the Moon or Huaca de la Luna is a monument composed of superimposed temples, which was used for ceremonial functions.

Beaches: Trujillo is known for the surfing championships held at its beaches.  One of the beaches most often visited by tourists is Huanchaco, where one can see caballitos de totora, reed fishing boats used since the times of the Mochica and Chimu cultures.  Another popular seaside town is Las Delicias, where celebrations such as beach competitions called “Olimplayas”, games with bulls called “Toro Match” and the well known Spring Festival have often been held.

El Brujo: This is one of the most important archaeological complexes on the northern coast of Peru, this complex is formed by three large, 4500-year-old buildings.  Special permission is needed to visit the area because archaeological investigation is in progress there.

Huaca La Esmeralda: This archaeological site was built during the first part of the era of the Chimú culture and is closely linked to the capital, Chan Chan. It has a rectangular shape, 65 m long and 41 m wide.

Port Malabrigo, Chicama: Located approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes northeast of Trujillo, this area has beaches that have become a favorite spot for surfers, as the left wave is considered to be the longest in the world.

Special dates (local festivities)

National Marinera dancing competition (January): Procession of the country’s marinera academies.  Perol dance festival.  Peruvian pacer horse competitions.

Holy Week in Trujillo (March/April): Traditional festivity celebrated with fervor in Peru.

International Spring Festival (September/October): Election and crowning of queens, exhibition of handicrafts and agricultural products, presentation of national and international performers, in addition to Peruvian pacer horse competitions, cockfights, etc.