Peru - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 791

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
It's impossible to miss the multitude
of surf and language schools in town;
Espaanglisch ( W espaanglisch.com)
does both and is recommended
(English spoken). If you're not a surfer,
another way to catch some waves is with
a local fisherman in their traditional
caballitos de mar - hand-made reed
fishing boats first used by the Moche
culture; you'll see them lined up along
the front. There is a long beachfront
promenade and a rickety pier, as well as
an unusual church-less Plaza de Armas
away from the seafront. Reggae parties
on the beach are commonplace, and
Latino music blasts from the many
beachfront restaurants.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By taxi or combi Taxis to and from Trujillo should cost
no more than S15, or it's easy enough to take any one of
the frequent combis (yellow & orange) from Av España on
the corner with Jr. Junín (S1.50). Combis come in along
Av La Rivera, by the sea.

and audience participation, usually culminating in a disco.
The music and dances are fantastic and you'll be amazed
at Peruvian stamina. Meals from S16, cocktails S20. Wed-
Sat from 6pm for food, from 10.30pm for show until the
last people leave.
Taberna Viejo de Viejos Jr. San Martín 323. This
rustically decorated place is a truly Peruvian experience;
a specialist pisco bar serving cocktails as well as local
wines. Try the “Viejo” deals: from S50 you get a whole
bottle of pisco and everything else you need to make
various cocktails, and you'll be shown how to make them
at your table. Great for groups. Tues-Thurs 7pm-2am,
Fri & Sat 6pm-3am.
El Tayta Jr. Pizarro 926 (in Plazuela El Recreo). Bar-restaurant
with soft rock vibes and art on the walls. Drinks are good
value, and while main dishes are a little pricier, there are
plenty of sandwiches under S10. Daily 6pm-midnight.
Tributo Jr. Pizarro 389 T 949 711 045. Featuring live
music nightly with regular drinks specials, this is one of
the most happening places in Trujillo. Thurs 10pm-4am,
Fri & Sat 10pm-5am.

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DIRECTORY
Banks and exchange Banco Continental, at Jr. Pizarro
620; BCP, at Jr. Gamarra 562; Scotiabank, at Jr. Pizarro 314;
Interbank, at Jr. Gamarra 463; Banco de la Nación, at Av
Almagro s/n, BBVA, at Real Plaza mall and Av Pizarro 620.
There are also several casas de cambio on the Pizarro side
of the Plaza Mayor, and further up on block 6 of Pizarro.
Embassies and consulates UK (consulate), at Jr. Alfonso
Ugarte 310 ( T 044 245 935).
Hospital Hospital Belén de Trujillo, at Jr. Bolívar 350
( T 044 245 281). Open 24hr.
Internet Places are numerous. Try Jr. Orbegoso 348 (no
name).
Laundry Lavandarias Unidas, at Jr. Pizarro 683.
Post o ce SERPOST, at Jr. Independencia 286.
Telephones There are many locutorios on Jr. Pizarro and
Jr. Gamarra.
Tourist police Jr. Independencia 630 ( T 044 291 705).

ACCOMMODATION
Every other house in Huanchaco seems to offer lodging of
some sort. For those on a really tight budget, there are
many no-frills places that charge S10 per person for small
and often dark rooms with shared bath. Los Pinos, the
street that all the buses turn down away from the sea, has
a few hostels and many signs saying alquilo habitaciones
(“I rent rooms”). Prices drop outside high season. Many
places do not have hot water - fine in the summer but
miserable in winter.
Las Brisas Ricardo Palma 120 T 044 461 186. Good-value
clean, comfortable rooms with private bath (hot water)
and fan; a couple have sea views. Internet available. In
high season breakfast is included and in low season
discounts are available. S80
Ì La Casa Suiza C Los Pinos 308 T 044 461 285,
W casasuiza.com. Popular budget accommodation with
many of the extra services loved by backpackers - internet,
cable TV, laundry, book exchange and a barbecue bal cony .
Also has hot water and a friendly atmosphere. Dorms S25 ,
doubles S75
Ì Naylamp Av Victor Larco 1420 T 044 461 022,
W hostalnaylamp.com. A well-deserved favourite in
Huanchaco. Offers great value for the setting, with
bungalow-style accommodation as well as dorm rooms
and a camping area with kitchen, all set aro und pleasant
ham mock-fill ed g ardens. Camping/person S10 , dorms
S15 , doubles S60

HUANCHACO
A traditional fishing village turned
popular surfing resort, HUANCHACO is
the perfect base for exploring nearby
ruins while relaxing by the beach and
enjoying excellent seafood. Just fifteen
minutes from the centre of Trujillo,
Huanchaco has exploded in terms of
popularity and growth in the last thirty
years. While prices do rise in the summer,
it's nowhere near as overpriced as some
other beach towns.