Peru - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget

Travel Reference

In-Depth Information

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION

By plane The airport is 2km east of town and is served by

TACA and LAN which connect with Lima (3 daily; 1hr 15min).

From here, a taxi to town should cost S10. Chiclayo Taxi is

recommended by the tourist board ( T 074 265 410).

By bus Most bus companies have terminals along Av

Bolognesi, the main road at the end of Av Balta Sur. From

here it's a 10min walk to the Plaza de Armas.

Destinations Cajamarca (8 daily; 6hr); Chachapoyas (2 daily;

9hr); Lima (every 30min; 10hr); Piura (every 30min; 4hr);

Trujillo (every 30min; 3.5-4hr); Tumbes (3 daily; 10hr).

Tourist information iPerú, on C 7 de Enero 579 (Mon-

Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-1pm; T 074 205 703). English

spoken.

Tour operators Moche Tours, at C 7 de Enero 638

( T 074 788 535, W www.mochetourschiclayo.com.pe),

offers reliable tours around the area with good English-

speaking guides and their own transport.

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shopping. Good local specialities include tortilla de raya

(ray omelette), arroz con pato (duck with rice) and King

Kong , a pastry thick with manjar blanco (caramel), peanuts

and pineapple flavouring.

Ì 900's Café Bar Av Izaga 900 T 074 209 268,

W cafe900.com. A really pleasant place any time of day,

this café-bar does good breakfasts, snacks, salads, pastas,

criollo mains (S17.50-28; try the spaguetti a la huancaina

con lomo al pisco ) and cocktails. But better than anything,

this place has truly great coffee - there are around 25

different concoctions on the menu. Mon-Sat 8am-

3.30pm & 5.30-11pm (open until 1am Fri & Sat).

La Esquina Jr. Juan Cuglievan 598 T 074 274 987. A little

corner café good for most things, from mains and set

lunches to much cheaper breakfasts than you'll find in

the restaurants on the Plaza de Armas. Excellent range

of juices from S1.50 and lots of platos típicos (S7-15).

Mon-Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-3pm.

Mixtura del Norte M María Izaga 421. A simple but

popular place that does a good range of Peruvian dishes

with a focus on northern cuisine. Luchtime menus S5-8.

Mon-Sat 8am-10pm.

La Naturaleza Jr. Juan Cuglievan 619 T 074 233 060.

A good little vegetarian place - one of few places in town

- that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and, in theory,

a wide range of veggie takes on classic Peruvian dishes.

Does a good set menu that includes salad, soup and a drink

(S7). Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 8am-3pm.

Rico Mar Saenz Peña 841, San José 476, at Elias Aguirre

241. A chain of cevicherías with a good range of little

dishes, ideal for trying different classic Peruvian starters

like papa rellena (stuffed potato), tamales and of course

ceviche . Lunch from S3.50. Daily 9am-4pm.

Romana Av Balta 512. This place specializes in northern

Peruvian cuisine (with a sister restaurant in Chachapoyas)

and is a solid choice for good food and a buzzing

atmosphere. Classic dishes include arroz con pato (duck

with rice) and ceviche , plus there's a cheaper set lunch

and good-value sandwiches. Mains S15-25. Daily 7am-

midnight.

GETTING AROUND

By combi Combis skirt around the centre; simply walk

down Balta to Bolognesi, or east from the Plaza to Av

Sáenz Peña, to pick one up (S1 within town).

By taxi or mototaxi Taxis should cost no more than

S3.50 anywhere within the city. Always go for one with the

municipal shield stencilled on the doors, as these should

be o cially licensed. Mototaxis are not allowed in the

centre, so walk out to the post o ce or the Av Bolognesi at

the end of Balta Sur to find one. Within the city limits they

should cost no more than S1.50-2.50.

ACCOMMODATION

Muchik Hostel Jr. Vincente de la Vega 1127 T 074 272

119, W muchikhostel.com. This place is really trying to set

itself up as the backpackers' choice in Chiclayo. It's the only

place with a dorm and some other traveller conveniences

like lockers, free internet and a laundry service. Other

rooms are bright, clean and the whole building's very safe.

Private roo ms are a ll en suite and come with cable TV.

Dorms S25 , doubles S60

Sol Radiante Manuel María Izaga 392 T 074 237 858,

E radianteteti@hotmail.com. Slightly old-fashioned but

functional hotel in a bright building. A ll roo ms have TV and

private bathrooms (and there's wi-fi). S70

Hostal Victoria Av Izaga 933 T 074 225 642, E victoria

star2008@hotmail.com. Pleasant, friendly hostel with

cable TV, laundry service, wi-fi, a luggage depot and

communal kitchen. All rooms are en suite and there

are hom ely touches everywhere. Book ahead as can be

popular. S35