Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry, cooler)
- avoid Jan–Mar (heavy fog, occasional heavy rain)
- 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 Callao105 ▾
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 Callao, 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
- SafetyCallao is generally safe for daytime tourism; stay alert at night near the port and keep valuables secure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (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 Airport (Located in Callao district, 5‑10 min by taxi to most hotels.).
- Getting aroundWalk 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)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeS/5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (first 2 km (1.2 mi))Taxi (first 1.2 mi (2 km))S/12–15
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Naval)S/2–3
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per personPEN 32
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomPEN 180
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomPEN 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 30 · Mid PEN 80 · High PEN 150
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 Airport (Located in Callao district, 5‑10 min by taxi to most hotels.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Care
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Care
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Apr, Oct–Dec. Mixed: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Callao: 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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 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
Walk between the fort, museums and waterfront; taxis or rideshares for longer trips to Lima centre (≈15 km).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lima historic centre
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Metro (Line 1) to Central Station, then walk 10 min
Visit Plaza de Armas, Cathedral and Larco Museum.
Paracas & Ballestas Islands
cautionDoor to door: ≈4 h total
Bus from Callao terminal, about 3 h
Long travel; consider overnight in Paracas.
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.
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.
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/30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/80–120 excl. bed
- High
- S/150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 1 night × PEN 180 | PEN 180 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PEN 80 | PEN 80 |
| Taxi airport‑hotel (5 km)1 × PEN 15 · check | PEN 15 |
| Metro one‑day ticket1 × PEN 6 · check | PEN 6 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × PEN 30 · check | PEN 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 31 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 342 per person per day, bed included | PEN 342 |
Holiday Inn or similar.
2026 estimate in soles; flights and cruise fees excluded.
Prices of common things
| Ceviche plate | S/15–25 |
| Coffee | S/5–8 |
| Taxi (first 2 km) | S/12–15 |
| Museum entry (Naval) | S/2–3 |
| Submarine museum entry | S/10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security checks at the port can cause delays; arrive early if catching a cruise.
- Fog can reduce visibility in winter months; check local forecasts.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
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CallaoCallao
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
US consulate in Lima; other embassies in Lima.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → Hotel (taxi): about S/15, 5 min drive (check)
- Metro Line 1 ride: S/6 per trip (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (graˈθjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwanˈto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbaɲo)
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 Callao. 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: Oct–Apr (dry, cooler) · avoid Jan–Mar (heavy fog, occasional heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle contracts for Holiday Inn and Costa del Sol.
- Walking routes linking Real Felipe fort, Naval Museum and waterfront.
- Transit guide for Metro Line 1 connections to Lima centre.
Sources
Ask about Callao
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