Your stay — Surf Hostel Meri
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The Property — Surf Hostel Meri
Surf Hostel Meri is a functional, no-nonsense base for budget travellers who want to be a short walk from the main surf breaks at Huanchaco Beach. The lobby is bare-bones: a tiled floor, a communal table, and a notice board advertising sunrise paddle-outs and ceviche runs. It suits solo backpackers and small groups who care more about board storage and a reliable hot shower than frills. The vibe is salty, laid-back, and practical — you're here to surf and eat fresh fish, not lounge in a boutique spa.
Chronicles of Trujillo
Trujillo was founded in 1534 by Spanish conquistador Diego de Almagro, making it one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas. Its historic centre still holds grand Republican-era mansions and plazas, but the city's real draw is its proximity to the immense Moche and Chimú archaeological sites — the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna and the sprawling mud-brick city of Chan Chan. Colonial architecture and pre-Columbian ruins sit side by side with modern traffic and street food stalls. Contemporary Trujillo is a lively agricultural and commercial hub, famous for its marinera dance and perpetual spring climate.
Best Time to Visit
Full Trujillo guide →Best months
December to March — warmest sea temperatures (22–24°C), consistent south swell for surf, and less coastal fog.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak for foreign surfers escaping northern winter; hotel prices rise 20–30% and Huanchaco fills up. The city's main event is Marinera Festival (late January).
Budget shoulder season
April–May and September–October offer mild weather, thinner crowds, and lower room rates. Water can be cool (17–19°C) but surf remains reliable.
Weather & packing
Trujillo's coast is often overcast and cool (18–22°C) even in July, but inland can be blazing hot. Pack a windbreaker and a thin wetsuit (3/2mm) — the Humboldt Current keeps the water chilly year-round.
Live City Briefing — Trujillo
- Chan Chan's new covered walkways and lighting system opened in 2025 — easier access but parts of the site remain closed for restoration; check ahead.
- Huanchaco's main street (Av. Larco) underwent a pedestrianisation trial last year — reduced car traffic but limited parking; arrive early or use colectivos from Trujillo.
- New direct bus service from Trujillo airport to Huanchaco launched in late 2025 (S/10, 30min) — replaces pricier taxis.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Surf Hostel Meri, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (3rd or 4th floor), back side away from the street; this reduces street noise and offers more privacy. If available, ask for a room with a window overlooking the interior courtyard rather than the front.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the ground or first floor facing the street – these catch foot and vehicle noise from Trujillo’s traffic, plus any hostel common-area chatter. Also skip rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft on any floor, as these get door slams and lift motor hum.
Best views
On the top floor (especially 4th), a rear-facing room may overlook the interior courtyard or neighbouring rooftops – not a landmark view, but quieter and more pleasant than the street front.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors are quietest, being furthest from street level and common areas (reception, bar, dining).
🔊 Noise notes
Trujillo is a busy city, so street-facing rooms will pick up traffic, beeping horns, and people noise. The hostel itself likely has a common area or bar on the ground floor, so rooms above that can get muffled music and chatter until late.
Insider tips
1. If possible, choose a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) and request one facing the back or side alley – it dramatically cuts street noise. 2. Pack earplugs: even the “quiet” floors can get hallway noise from other guests, so earplugs or a white-noise app help.
- 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 — Surf Hostel Meri
Free for all guests; typical download speed 10–15 Mbps; no login—connects directly
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; common area has a few old magazines
Check-in from 13:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 at no charge; late check-out (until 15:00) costs 25 PEN
Free luggage room; open 07:00–23:00, not supervised overnight
Step at main entrance (about 10 cm), no ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park (Estacionamiento Los Libertadores) 150 m away, 15 PEN/12 hours; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Trujillo does not levy a separate city tax; IGV included in price)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking via credit card; a 50 PEN cash deposit or card hold on arrival for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia el Salvador (249 m · ~3 min walk)
- Place of worship: Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro (773 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Armas de Huanchaco — 402 m · ~5 min walk
Parque Infantil Las Camelias — 137 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 375 m · ~5 min walk
Botica Funegra — 329 m · ~4 min walk
El Hornito — 128 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs at banks like BCP or Interbank for the best rate; avoid exchange houses at the airport or touristy spots like Plaza de Armas, which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at most supermarkets, mid-range restaurants, and hotels; smaller shops and markets are cash-only; contactless is rare outside chain stores.
Round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% at sit-down restaurants; 3-5 soles for hotel porters, nothing extra for street food or quick eats.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic black coffee from a local bakery or street stall costs 3-4 soles.
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) from a small eatery costs 8-12 soles.
A main dish at a local pollería or chifa runs 10-15 soles.
Cheap eats are concentrated around the markets like Mercado Central and side streets near the Plaza de Armas.
Minimarket or Plaza Vea are common budget supermarket chains in Trujillo.
Affordable clothing is found at the Real Plaza mall or the street market on Avenida España.
Combis (shared minibuses) cost 1.50 soles per ride; from the airport, take a combo to the city centre for about 2 soles, or a taxi for 25 soles.
Eat menú del día for lunch instead of dinner to save money; haggle at markets but not at supermarkets; use ATMs inside banks during business hours to avoid fees.
Good to know — Trujillo
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · 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 Surf Hostel Meri
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 375 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Funegra — 329 m · ~4 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 Surf Hostel Meri?
Request a room on the top floor (3rd or 4th floor), back side away from the street; this reduces street noise and offers more privacy. If available, ask for a room with a window overlooking the interior courtyard rather than the front.
Which rooms should I avoid at Surf Hostel Meri?
Avoid any room on the ground or first floor facing the street – these catch foot and vehicle noise from Trujillo’s traffic, plus any hostel common-area chatter. Also skip rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft on any floor, as these get door slams and lift motor hum.
Is Surf Hostel Meri noisy?
Trujillo is a busy city, so street-facing rooms will pick up traffic, beeping horns, and people noise. The hostel itself likely has a common area or bar on the ground floor, so rooms above that can get muffled music and chatter until late.
Which rooms have the best views at Surf Hostel Meri?
On the top floor (especially 4th), a rear-facing room may overlook the interior courtyard or neighbouring rooftops – not a landmark view, but quieter and more pleasant than the street front.
What are insider tips for staying at Surf Hostel Meri?
1. If possible, choose a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) and request one facing the back or side alley – it dramatically cuts street noise. 2. Pack earplugs: even the “quiet” floors can get hallway noise from other guests, so earplugs or a white-noise app help.
What time is check-in at Surf Hostel Meri?
Check-in at Surf Hostel Meri is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Surf Hostel Meri have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; typical download speed 10–15 Mbps; no login—connects directly
Is there a city or tourist tax at Surf Hostel Meri?
None (Trujillo does not levy a separate city tax; IGV included in price)
Where can I eat cheaply near Surf Hostel Meri?
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) from a small eatery costs 8-12 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Surf Hostel Meri?
Combis (shared minibuses) cost 1.50 soles per ride; from the airport, take a combo to the city centre for about 2 soles, or a taxi for 25 soles.
When is the best time to visit Trujillo?
December to March — warmest sea temperatures (22–24°C), consistent south swell for surf, and less coastal fog.
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.