Your stay — El Mochilero
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The Property — El Mochilero
El Mochilero is a straightforward, budget-conscious base in Trujillo's historic centre. The lobby is a modest, tiled space with worn armchairs and a small desk where the owner usually hands over keys with a tired smile. The vibe is practical and social – it attracts backpackers and solo travellers who want central location over frills, and will happily trade a bit of noise from the street for cheap beds and a shared kitchen.
Chronicles of Trujillo
Trujillo was founded in 1534 by Spanish conquistador Diego de Almagro on the site of a pre-Columbian Chimú settlement. Its colonial heart is a grid of pastel mansions and ornate churches, built largely in the 17th and 18th centuries, making it one of Peru's best-preserved colonial cities. The city's modern identity is shaped by its proximity to the immense adobe ruins of Chan Chan (the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas) and by its role as Peru's main sugar and asparagus-producing region. Today Trujillo feels like a self-contained, proud provincial capital – not a tourist trap, but with enough colonial grace and archaeological weight to draw visitors year-round.
Best Time to Visit
Full Trujillo guide →Best months
May to September – dry, sunny days with temperatures 18-24°C and low humidity; crowds are thin and hotel rates stay moderate.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak, driven by the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (mid-month) and school holidays across Peru. Hotel prices rise 20-30% from baseline; the city gets busy but not overwhelmed. The Marinera Festival in late January is a secondary peak for dance fans.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are smart budget windows: still mostly dry, fewer tourists, and prices drop 15-25% compared to July. You'll get comfortable weather without the hustles.
Weather & packing
Trujillo has a desert coastal climate – it's dry year-round but can be overcast and cool (17-22°C) in winter (June-August) with occasional garúa (drizzle). Pack layering: a fleece or light jacket for mornings/evenings, and sun protection (hat, sunglasses) for the strong midday sun.
Live City Briefing — Trujillo
- The city's main Mercado Central has partially reopened after a 2025 renovation – vendors are back but expect some construction noise on weekends.
- Chan Chan's Tschudi complex remains closed for restoration until late 2026; visitors can see other sectors (Uhle, Nik-An) via guided tour only.
- A new express bus service from Trujillo to Huanchaco (the surfing beach) started in April 2026, running every 20 minutes from the city's main terminal – cuts travel time from 45 to 30 minutes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Mochilero, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) in the main building, ideally on the north or east side. These rooms tend to be quieter due to the hotel's orientation and the fact that Trujillo's streets can be lively. The 3-star rating suggests a decent level of soundproofing, but it's always better to err on the side of caution.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the first floor or near the service entrance are best avoided, as they may be noisier due to foot traffic and potential delivery noise.
Best views
Given the hotel's address, rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) with a south or west orientation may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape, but it's unlikely to be a stunning view.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are likely to be the quietest, as they're away from the main street noise and the service entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
Trujillo's streets can be busy, especially near the city center. The hotel's location suggests some street noise may be a concern, particularly on lower floors or near the service entrance.
Insider tips
If you're driving, be aware that parking options may be limited in the city center. Consider arriving early to secure a spot or opt for a nearby parking lot. Request a room with a fan or air conditioning, as the Peruvian climate can be hot and humid. It's also worth asking about the hotel's policy on providing extra blankets or a heater, as the temperature may drop at night.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — El Mochilero
free, 1.5 Mbps, no login constraints
covers all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader), no physical papers
15:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00, late check-out until 13:00, S/. 50.00 fee
available at front desk, S/. 10.00 per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance, some rooms may have limited accessibility due to historic building constraints
on-site parking available, S/. 20.00 per night, nearest public car park is at Plaza de Armas, S/. 15.00 per day, no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: S/. 3.00 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: S/. 100.00 advance deposit + incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia San Francisco (88 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Santa Clara (246 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Santa Ana (344 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Centro catolico de liderazgo internacional (403 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Plaza de Toros — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Plazuela Iquitos — 335 m · ~4 min walk
Catedralicio — 238 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Municipal — 410 m · ~5 min walk
Las Quintanas — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 245 m · ~3 min walk
Mifarma — 10 m · ~1 min walk
Inverna Biomarket — 201 m · ~3 min walk
Terminal Santa Cruz — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol (PEN)
You can change money at the Banco de la Nación or Scotiabank in Trujillo's city center for a decent exchange rate. Avoid changing money at the airport as rates are poor.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at most restaurants, shops, and hotels, but some smaller businesses may only accept cash. Contactless payments and mobile pay are not common.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10 PEN for good service is appreciated. Hotel staff and taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up the fare is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a cappuccino for around 10-15 PEN at a local café.
A menu del dia (set menu) at a local restaurant costs around 25-35 PEN.
A hearty dinner at a mid-range restaurant costs around 40-60 PEN for a main course.
The Mercado Central and Mercado Mayorista are good places to find affordable street food, with options starting from 5-10 PEN.
Tops and Wong supermarkets are common in Trujillo, offering a wide range of products at affordable prices.
You can find affordable clothing at local markets, such as the Mercado Central, or at shops on Avenida Brazil.
The best way to get around Trujillo is by taxi, which costs around 5-10 PEN per ride. A day pass for the municipal buses costs 2 PEN.
Eat at a local restaurant for lunch instead of a touristy one.Use the municipal buses instead of taxis for short trips.Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist information offices.
Good to know — Trujillo
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.41 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
TrujilloFrom any phone, dial 105 for police, 106 for ambulance, 116 for fire. For tourist assistance, call iPerú on (044) 294561. These numbers work across Peru but dialling from a mobile with no signal may not connect. Keep a local SIM or use a landline if possible.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Trujillo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at El Mochilero
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 245 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Mifarma — 10 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hostal Colonial (Av. España stop) → Huanchaco beach
💡 Look for 'Huanchaco' painted on the side of the combi. Sit window-side for quick views of the reed boats. Get off at the end of the line, just past the surf breaks. The ride can be bumpy.
Hostal Colonial (Av. España stop) → Chan Chan archaeological site (main entrance)
💡 Flag down any bus with a 'Chan Chan' sign on the windshield—the route runs along Avenida España. Get ready to hop off as you see the Chan Chan entrance wall. Carry small coins.
Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos Airport (TRU) → Hostal Colonial, Trujillo
💡 Use the green 'Taxi Autorizado' booth inside the terminal—pay 15 soles flat rate. Avoid unmarked drivers loitering outside; they’ll quote double.
Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos Airport (TRU) → Jirón Independencia (Civic centre, 4 blocks from Hostal Colonial)
💡 Walk out to the main road—colectivos marked 'La Esperanza' or 'Centro' pass by every few minutes. Cheap, but you’ll share space. Exit at the Plaza de Armas and walk east.
About Trujillo
Wikipedia ↗
Trujillo (Spanish: [tɾuˈxiʝo]; Quechua: Truhillu; Mochica: Cɥimor) is a city in coastal northwestern Peru and the capital of the Department of La Libertad. It is the third most populous city and center of the third most populous metropolitan area of Peru. It is located on the banks of the Moche Rive...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at El Mochilero?
Request a room on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) in the main building, ideally on the north or east side. These rooms tend to be quieter due to the hotel's orientation and the fact that Trujillo's streets can be lively. The 3-star rating suggests a decent level of soundproofing, but it's always better to err on the side of caution.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Mochilero?
Rooms on the first floor or near the service entrance are best avoided, as they may be noisier due to foot traffic and potential delivery noise.
Is El Mochilero noisy?
Trujillo's streets can be busy, especially near the city center. The hotel's location suggests some street noise may be a concern, particularly on lower floors or near the service entrance.
Which rooms have the best views at El Mochilero?
Given the hotel's address, rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) with a south or west orientation may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape, but it's unlikely to be a stunning view.
What are insider tips for staying at El Mochilero?
If you're driving, be aware that parking options may be limited in the city center. Consider arriving early to secure a spot or opt for a nearby parking lot. Request a room with a fan or air conditioning, as the Peruvian climate can be hot and humid. It's also worth asking about the hotel's policy on providing extra blankets or a heater, as the temperature may drop at night.
What time is check-in at El Mochilero?
Check-in at El Mochilero is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Mochilero have Wi-Fi?
free, 1.5 Mbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Mochilero?
S/. 3.00 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near El Mochilero?
A menu del dia (set menu) at a local restaurant costs around 25-35 PEN.
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Mochilero?
The best way to get around Trujillo is by taxi, which costs around 5-10 PEN per ride. A day pass for the municipal buses costs 2 PEN.
When is the best time to visit Trujillo?
May to September – dry, sunny days with temperatures 18-24°C and low humidity; crowds are thin and hotel rates stay moderate.
Top Attractions in Trujillo
💡 Check their social media or ask the guard about temporary exhibitions — they often host free photography shows or workshops on traditional crafts. It's also a quiet place to sit in the courtyard with free wifi, so useful for a mid-tour break.
💡 Visit on Sunday morning when the square becomes a pedestrian zone with crafts stalls and free dance performances from local folklore groups. The cathedral is worth a quick look inside around 10am before mass starts.
💡 The museum is small so you can cover it in 45 minutes. Check if there's a temporary exhibition on the ground floor — they often have contemporary Andean art which most tourists miss. No English labels but the staff can give a quick verbal summary if it's quiet.
💡 Visit early morning to avoid the coastal sun and dust. Bring a hat and water. The site covers a huge area; focus on the main complex rather than walking all outer walls.
💡 Wear sturdy shoes; you'll climb steep ramps. The tour is mandatory and lasts about 90 minutes — worth it because guides explain the iconography and stories behind each mural. Book a morning slot for less heat and smaller groups.