Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (rain may affect dirt roads to Chanquillo)
- Airport
- LIM
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Casma105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Casma, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyCasma is generally safe during the day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLIM Jorge Chávez International (Lima) (About 5 h by bus north on the Panamerican Highway).
- Getting aroundColectivos and motorcycle taxis from the plaza to Sechín (5 km (3.1 mi)) and Chanquillo (about 10 km (6.2 mi)).Colectivos and motorcycle taxis from the plaza to Sechín (3.1 mi (5 km)) and Chanquillo (about 6.2 mi (10 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealMenu del día (set lunch)S/ 10–15
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Casma – Chanquillo (one way)checkS/ 20–30
- Budget bedBasic hostal double room, a night, per roomPEN 40
- Mid-range bedBasic hostal double room, a night, per roomPEN 70
- High-end bedBasic hostal double room, a night, per roomPEN 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 50 · Mid PEN 100 · High PEN 180
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LIM Jorge Chávez International (Lima) (About 5 h by bus north on the Panamerican Highway)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Mar (3 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Casma: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Colectivos and motorcycle taxis from the plaza to Sechín (5 km) and Chanquillo (about 10 km). For Chanquillo, arrange a return with the driver or hire a taxi for the half-day.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sechín (Max Uhle Museum & Cerro Sechín)
goDoor to door: 30 min
Colectivo or taxi from Casma plaza, about 10 min
Museum and carved stone monoliths; allow 1–1.5 h.
Chanquillo
goDoor to door: 1 h
Taxi from Casma, about 20 min on a dirt road
UNESCO solar observatory; no facilities. Combine with Sechín for a half-day.
Huaraz
cautionDoor to door: 5–6 h
Bus via Callán Pass or Pativilca, about 4–5 h
Scenic but winding mountain road; check bus schedules in Casma.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few basic hostals and hotels near the plaza; fine for one night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/ 50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/ 80–150 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hostal double room1 × 1 night × PEN 70 | PEN 70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 100 | PEN 200 |
| Taxi to Sechín and Chanquillo (half-day, return)1 × PEN 60 · check | PEN 60 |
| Entry to Sechín museum and site2 × PEN 10 · check | PEN 20 |
| Entry to Chanquillo2 × PEN 10 · check | PEN 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 37 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 204 per person per day, bed included | PEN 407 |
2026 estimate in soles; transport to/from Casma excluded.
Prices of common things
| Colectivo from plaza to Sechín | S/ 2–5 |
| Taxi Casma – Chanquillo (one way)check | S/ 20–30 |
| Menu del día (set lunch) | S/ 10–15 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | S/ 2–3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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CasmaCasma
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colectivo plaza → Sechín: S/ 2–5, about 10 min
- Taxi Casma → Chanquillo: S/ 20–30, about 20 min (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está Sechín? — Where is Sechín? (DON-deh es-TAH seh-CHEEN)
- ¿Dónde está Chanquillo? — Where is Chanquillo? (DON-deh es-TAH chan-KEE-yoh)
Spanish is the main language; Quechua is not widely spoken on the coast.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Casma. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (rain may affect dirt roads to Chanquillo) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Sechín and Chanquillo with verified hours and entry fees.
- Eat page with lunch options near the plaza.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the bus stop.
Sources
Ask about Casma
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