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Voykit pocket guide · Peru
Callao
Visit Callao for a half‑day to see the Real Felipe fort and naval museums; stay only if you need airport proximity or a quick port stop.
Callao is Peru’s main seaport, adjoining Lima. Its historic fort, naval museums and waterfront are clustered within walking distance, making a half‑day visit enough. Overnight lodging is useful for early flights or cruise ship passengers.
- Country
- Peru
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry, cooler)
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (heavy fog, occasional heavy rain)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PEN
- Money
- Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget S/30–50 excl. bed · Mid S/80–120 excl. bed · High S/150+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
- Emergency
- Police 105 · Fire 116 · SAMU ambulance 106
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
- Tipping
- Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ceviche plate | S/15–25 |
| Coffee | S/5–8 |
| Taxi (first 2 km (1.2 mi))Taxi (first 1.2 mi (2 km)) | S/12–15 |
| Museum entry (Naval) | S/2–3 |
| Submarine museum entry | S/10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIM · Jorge Chávez International Airport
- Located in Callao district, 5‑10 min by taxi to most hotels.
Typical fares
- Airport → Hotel (taxi)
- about S/15, 5 min drive (check)
- Metro Line 1 ride
- S/6 per trip (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk between the fort, museums and waterfront; taxis or rideshares for longer trips to Lima centre (≈15 km (9.3 mi)).Walk between the fort, museums and waterfront; taxis or rideshares for longer trips to Lima centre (≈9.3 mi (15 km)).
See and do
Known for
- Fortaleza del Real Felipe
- Naval museums
- Port of Callao
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lima historic centre | Metro (Line 1) to Central Station, then walk 10 min | ≈45 min |
| Paracas & Ballestas Islands | Bus from Callao terminal, about 3 h | ≈4 h total |
Sleep
- Villa La Punta
- B&B on La Punta peninsula, S/140 per night.
- Seamen's Club Perú
- Colonial house guesthouse by the sea.
- Holiday Inn Lima Airport
- Airport hotel with pool and shuttle, S/291 per night.
- Pay Purix
- Hostel 8 min walk from airport, dorms S/32‑40.
- Hotel Costa del Sol Lima Airport
- Ground‑level airport hotel, convenient for early flights.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasgraˈθjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanˈto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbaɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
- Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests
Scams and watch-outs
- Security checks at the port can cause delays; arrive early if catching a cruise.
- Fog can reduce visibility in winter months; check local forecasts.
Callao is generally safe for daytime tourism; stay alert at night near the port and keep valuables secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Callao yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Fortaleza del Real Felipe
- Naval museums
- Port of Callao
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Callao: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139738
- Wikivoyage: Callao, revision 5146200 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5146200
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/callao). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.