'''Huanchaco''' is a village on the northern coast of Peru famous for its surfing and the local fishermen's "caballitos". It is a place to relax after visiting Trujillo's colonial centre & archaeological sites; it_Ls got a nice mellow beach vibe, lots of places to sleep and eat and is just 20 minutes by bus from Trujillo's centre.

Get in

The long distant bus terminals are all in Trujillo. Frequent kombis & taxis cost PES/1.20 & PES/12 respectively, from Trujillo or the airport. Taxi drivers prefer to persuade tourists to come to Huanchaco, as there are more opportunities to overcharge from the Trujillo bus terminals, & obtain return trips. For surfers, buses leave Trujillo's Santa Cruz terminal for Puerto Malabrigo (Chicama) every 2 hours. 'Transportes Linea' [http://www.transporteslinea.com.pe] have the most frequent buses to Pacasmayo, & 'Ormeno' [http://www.grupo-ormeno.com](& others near Ormeno) are the most frequent to Mancora.

The Airport is another option of travel. It is located between Trujillo and Huanchaco. Huanchaco is located outside of Trujillo, which is 560km north of Lima. Flying into Lima leaves one with two options on how to get to Trujillo. There is an hour flight to the Trujillo airport that costs about 80 dollars or you can take an eight hour bus ride to Trujillo which costs between US$7 to US$27.

Get around

A short taxi ride costs PES/2.50, or jump on the kombi as it goes around town & off to Trujillo.

See

  • "El Muelle", or the pier, is a landmark of Huanchaco. This steel pier was construced in 1891, it is 108 meters long. It was purchased by Victor Larco in 1902. Due to an economic boom in Huanchaco in 1914, the pier finally became property of the state in 1923.
  • The second oldest church in Peru (1535-1540) overlooks the pier & bay.
  • The world's first surfers came from Huanchaco, and every day fishermen use their "Caballitos de totora", reedboats shown in ceramics that date from 500BC.
  • Colonial Trujillo which was built between four Chimu archaeological sites.
  • Go watch a local pickup game of soccer in Cancha Naranja, or other canchas around the village.
  • Experience a real Latin American market with fish flopping around, then being butchered right in front of you. This market place is known as "mercado".
  • Do

    Learn to surf, or just watch others.

    There are surf shops nearby where one can easily rent a surfboard.

    Taking a ride in the Caballito de Tortora is another fun activity. Since Huanchaco has plenty of fisherman, there are plenty of Caballitos (traditional peruvian fishing boats made of reed). When riding on these boats one experience the feeling of riding a little horse made of reeds. Ask someone to take you out, or demonstrate for maybe US$2 or 3.

    Photography is something many do while visiting Huanchaco. There are many things to photograph such as the sea, the old wharf, the fisherman in their caballitos, and the old urban zone that is full of history. e road from Huanchaco past Chan Chan continues to Colonial Trujillo. Another essential thing to do would be to see the Moche Pyramids of El Brujo, Huaca del Sol & Huaca de La Luna.

  • '''Visit Trujillo's colonial centre'''
  • '''Moche Pyramids''' [http://www.huacadelaluna.org.pe] The best conservation project in Latin America in 2006.
  • '''El Brujo''' [mailto:elbrujoperu@yahoo.com],
  • '''Chan Chan''' World Heritage site [http://www.unesco.org/whc/sites/366.htm]
  • Volunteer

    Many local volunteer opportunities are available. Street Kids in Peru (in trujillo) helps the homeless to finish their primary & secondary education. Beware of imitations like BrucePeru who have flooded the internet with the same words on their websites. Otra Cosa [http://www.otracosa.nl] and Espaanglisch [http://www.espaanglisch.com] do projects from English teaching to helping at an orphanage.

    Buy

    The artisans/vendors sitting by and around the pier sell many trinkets that are native to Peru. The exchange rate as of 8/12/2008 is US$1 = 3.05 Peruvian Nuevos Soles. One can usually buy a keychain for the price of about 30 cents. The workers in these artisan stands are bargainers. They are usually willing to negotiate lower prices, so practice your bartering skills! These locals of Huanchaco primarily shop for food at the local Mercado. It's a marketplace full of different stands, each vendor offers a little something different to sell and have their own prices. To buy clothing, one would most likely travel to Trujillo. There are not many clothing stores in Huanchaco. The little shops are mostly targetted for tourists. Also cool to buy are the fair trade postcards of Fairmail. These photo cards are made by local underpriveliged teenagers who get half of the earnings to finance their education. Check [http://www.fairmail.info] for selling points.

    Eat

    There is much delicious food to taste in Huanchaco and other parts of Northern Peru. Dishes that are prepared in Huanchaco are found to "buen sabor", meaning good taste. The dishes are varied and are inexpensive. A tourist will most likely find himself enjoying the local culture while becoming quite familiar with restaurants located in front of the ocean and in the ancient zone. Like most latin cultures, the Peruvians find eating to be an important part of the day. The best time to go to eat would be around 2:00 PM for "almuerzo" it is the dinner/lunch. This meal is usually two or three courses and will fill you right up!Some restaurants to recommend are mentioned below.

  • '''Big Bens''' , this is a white table cloth, upper class restaurant. It is located right in Huanchaco just a street back from the beach. This restaurant is visited frequently by the president of Peru. He claims it is his favorite place to eat. There are many traditional dishes served here such as, Chicharrones, Ceviche, and Tiratido.
  • Huanchaco Beach - ask for the excellent ceviche a la crema. It is a little expensive, but quite worth having a look.
  • '''Restaurante Arcimboldo''', where you can find a real Italian cooker that mades only Italian Traditional Cuisine a place for wine lovers also vegetarian friendly, in a nice mediterranean romantic patio, is located in Las Gardenias 611, between Los Pinos street and the main square. The web is http://www.arcimboldo-huanchaco.com.
  • Open tuesdays to sundays from 7pm and also saturday and sundays from noon.
  • '''Club Colonial''', moved from the Plaza de Armas to la Avenida La Rivera in front of the beach, Phone: 044-461015, E-mail:ccolonial@yahoo.com. This is a rather elegant cafe-restaurant with a terrasse, one can spend a nice evening here or drop in for a short cup of cafe. It also serves meals that are a mix of European and Peruvian cuisine.
  • '''Estrella Marina''' restaurant has cebiche & other sea food on the balcony with the best view over the bay & its reedboats.
  • '''Otra Cosa''', the best place to get a coffee or espresso beverage in town - a vegetarian place. Organic, fair-trade products, they donate their tips to local charities, fresh baked pies, DVDs to watch (free), book exchange, internet, right on the beach (as with most places), English-speaking employees and owner. Pretty far north on the Huanchaco strip. Volunteer program run out of it.
  • '''The Wave''', Mexican restaurant and surfboard rental/instruction shop. Good, simple food and drinks, friendly people, hot spot with travelers.
  • '''My Friend''', restaurant in the hostel of the same name. Said to have the biggest burgers in the world! Or at least in Huanchaco.
  • '''The Tramboyo Restaurant''', one of the best sea food restaurant and very nice service you can as for the nice cebiche and special PAELLA and joing the peruvian cuisine .thank you very much from the Manager .Visit to Us and visit the Tramboyo Restaurant
  • Some other Restaurants to ask about are listed below.
  • '''Mama Mia'''
  • '''Brisas del Mar'''
  • '''Mardi Beach'''
  • '''El Muelle'''
  • '''Don Pepe'''
  • '''Lucho del Mar'''
  • '''Bungalows-Huanchaco Garden'''
  • '''Los Esteros'''
  • '''The Tramboyo Restaurant'''
  • Drink

    There are plenty of little bars along the main road leading into Huanchaco.
  • '''El Boqueron''', serves cervezas among other drinks.
  • '''El Malecon''', another bar found on the main road leading into Huanchaco.
  • '''Club Colonial''', also a restaurant, has one of the best terrasses in Huanchaco, in front of the beach on Avenida la Rivera.
  • '''Huankarute''',Pool bar set up, this is also a restaurant locarted on Avenue La Rivera 233.
  • '''Sabes Bar''' Bar, music, pizza, pool table on balcony over-looking the sea, fresh coffee, open every night 8PM. Sabes? (large green neon question mark outside) is located on the main strip of Huanchaco. Owned by a friendly Peruvian - English couple. Popular spot for tourists.
  • Sleep

    The hotel prices are generally much more economical than a similar room in a similar hotel in nearby Trujillo. This makes Huanchaco a good place to stay, particularly if you plan to stay a few days to explore the zone.
  • '''Naylamp''', at the north end of the beach. Camping, dorm, singles, doubles, triples with bathrooms. Double bed with private bathroom for PES. 30 (bargaining possible) low season. Really nice garden, hammocks, two dogs, two tortoises, internet (PES. 2 per hour), kitchen use, friendly staff, restaurant, clean. Right on the beach.
  • '''Hostal Bracamonte''', A couple blocks back from the shore. Private rooms from US$14.50/person.There is a swimming pool, Game room with ping pong table and football table. There is a play area for infants and toddlers, with swings, slide and jungle gym. An outdoor barbecue, gives the people staying in the hotel a time to get together, eat and talk. Secure hotel parking is available. A van is available for tours and transport to the airport or bus station. A great Restaurant and Bar inside.This 3 star hotel is run by the Bracamonte family, they make you feel right at home.
  • '''Hostal Los 3 Delfines''', Location:Las Cucardas 129-133.Price Description:Single, $7.50,Double with bath,$12, Triple, $18, Quad, $21 ,extra bed, $4.50. This hostal is known for twenty-four hour hot water. It is located two blocks up from Los Pinos from the beach, take a left, continue 1.5 blocks. Contact Information Zip: Phone: 044-46-1599.
  • '''La Casa Suiza''', Located right at the entrance of town. Gazebo on the beach, Los Pinos 308. Very clean. Friendly place. This is a good hostel to go to if you are on a budget. High speed internet included for free. Price: dorm from PES. 15, comfortable double with bath, from PES. 40. Breakfast not included, but very copious an moderately priced. Contact Information Zip: Phone: 044-46-1285
  • '''La Esquina''', Also a budget hostel, prices as follows: Single, $7.50, Double, $10.50. This hostel is located right in town walking back from the pier, Union 299. Contact Information Zip: Phone: 044-46-1081
  • '''My Friend Hospedaje''' Location:Los Pinos 553. This is a hotel-restaurant like hostel that has low priced breakfast.
  • '''Las Palmeras''', a three star hostal located on Avenue Larco 1150. This is a beautiful infrastructure with a swimming pool, hot water, great room service, with a restaurant and cafe. Telefax:044-461199
  • '''ESTETICA MARI FLOR ''' ,The best thing in hairstyles and courts of hair found it in hairdresser MARY FLOR we are Located in Los Pinos #436 Huanchaco Telephone 461041 Calls Us for more information. Thank You the Manager
  • Get out

    Taxis run at all times of the day. Usually one will take a Taxi out of the Huanchaco when returning home because luggage takes up too much room in a combi. A taxi driver will usually charge one 10 to 13 soles to take you to the bus station in Trujillo, depending on the time of the day. The airport is closer so it may cost 6 or 7 soles.

    From Trujillo one would travel to Lima, then to whatever destination she or he wishes.

    The bus ride to Lima is between US$7 & US$27, the flight, about US$80.