Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Back to Casma

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Voykit pocket guide · Peru

Casma

Half a day for Sechín and Chanquillo, then move on: Casma is a stop on the Panamerican Highway, not a base.

Casma is a small city on Peru's Northern Coast, best known for two pre-Columbian sites within 10 km: Sechín (the Max Uhle Museum and Cerro Sechín) and Chanquillo, a 4th-century-BC solar observatory and UNESCO World Heritage site. Most travellers pass through on the Panamerican Highway between Lima and Trujillo or Chiclayo. Half a day covers both sites; there is little else to keep you longer.

LimaAbancayAguas CalientesAguaytíaAndaguaAndahuaylasArequipaAtalayaAyacuchoBallestas IslandsBarrancaCaballocochaCajabambaCajamarcaCasma500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Peru
Best months
May–Oct
Avoid
Jan–Mar (rain may affect dirt roads to Chanquillo)
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/ 50–80 excl. bed · Mid S/ 80–150 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 · Ambulance (SAMU) 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

ItemPrice
Colectivo from plaza to SechínS/ 2–5
Taxi Casma – Chanquillo (one way)S/ 20–30
Menu del día (set lunch)S/ 10–15
Bottle of water (1.5 L)S/ 2–3

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

LIM · Jorge Chávez International (Lima)
About 5 h by bus north on the Panamerican Highway

Typical fares

Colectivo plaza → Sechín
S/ 2–5, about 10 min
Taxi Casma → Chanquillo
S/ 20–30, about 20 min (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

Colectivos and motorcycle taxis from the plaza to Sechín (5 km (3.1 mi)) and Chanquillo (about 10 km (6.2 mi)). For Chanquillo, arrange a return with the driver or hire a taxi for the half-day.

See and do

Known for

  • Chanquillo solar observatory (UNESCO)
  • Sechín archaeological complex and Max Uhle Museum
  • Panamerican Highway stop

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Sechín (Max Uhle Museum & Cerro Sechín)Colectivo or taxi from Casma plaza, about 10 min30 min
ChanquilloTaxi from Casma, about 20 min on a dirt road1 h
HuarazBus via Callán Pass or Pativilca, about 4–5 h5–6 h

Sleep

Town centre
A few basic hostals and hotels near the plaza; fine for one night.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHolaOH-lah
Thank youGraciasGRAH-syahs
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-tah
Where is Sechín?¿Dónde está Sechín?DON-deh es-TAH seh-CHEEN
Where is Chanquillo?¿Dónde está Chanquillo?DON-deh es-TAH chan-KEE-yoh

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

  • Chanquillo has no shade, water or food: bring sun protection and supplies.
  • Dirt road to Chanquillo can be rough after rain: check conditions locally.
  • Buses on the Panamerican Highway pass through but do not always stop at the centre; confirm with the driver.

Casma is generally safe during the day. The main risk is traffic on the Panamerican Highway; take care crossing the road. At the archaeological sites, watch your step on uneven ground and keep valuables out of sight.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Casma yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Chanquillo solar observatory (UNESCO)
  • Sechín archaeological complex and Max Uhle Museum
  • Panamerican Highway stop

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Casma

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Spanish is the main language; Quechua is not widely spoken on the coast.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/casma). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.