National park · Peru
CaralParque Nacional Caral
Visit Caral for a half‑day: pay the entry fee (11 sol adult) and walk the main 1.5 km (0.9 mi) trail to the pyramids; go early in the dry season (May‑Nov) to avoid heat and crowds.Visit Caral for a half‑day: pay the entry fee (11 sol adult) and walk the main 0.9 mi (1.5 km) trail to the pyramids; go early in the dry season (May‑Nov) to avoid heat and crowds.
- 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.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2009
Best months
Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 10Above 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.
- Central Coast ↗Tap water is not treated as safe to drink; drink bottled or boiled water and go easy on raw salads and unpeeled fruit.
- Central Coast ↗Do not rent a car for Lima. Traffic, parking and lane discipline make taxis or app rides the cheaper, safer option.
- Central Coast ↗Caral is a ticketed archaeological site with a fixed entry window and no shade; check current hours and price before you commit to the drive.
At a glance
- Country
- Peru
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Approximate; the UNESCO site covers about 66 ha (0.66 km²).
- Established
- 2009
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Caral‑Supe is the oldest urban complex in the Americas, with seven large pyramids and a compact archaeological zone. A short, guided walk covers the core ruins; the dry season (May‑Nov) offers clear paths and mild heat, making a half‑day visit ideal.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2009Caral‑Supe archaeological complex.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2009
Approximate; the UNESCO site covers about 66 ha (0.66 km²).
Why go
- See the oldest known urban complex in the Americas, with seven large pyramids.
- Explore a compact archaeological zone on foot; the main trail is under 2 km (1.2 mi).Explore a compact archaeological zone on foot; the main trail is under 1.2 mi (2 km).
- Combine a visit with nearby sites such as El Áspero or the geoglyph field.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler evenings.
- FebDry, mild.
- MarStart of warm season.
- AprWarm, low rain.
- MayDry, ideal for walking.
- JunDry, warm.
- JulPossible rain, hotter.
- AugRainy, heat.
- SepRain may linger.
- OctDry, pleasant.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, mild.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert flora (cacti, shrubs)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lima
Bus 5–6 h to Barranca (S/ 2.50), then minibus to Supe (S/ 2.50) and combi to Caral (S/ 6).
6–7 h
Open the page →
From Barranca
Minibus to Supe (S/ 2.50) then combi to Caral village (S/ 6), walk 1.7 km (1.1 mi) to the site.Minibus to Supe (S/ 2.50) then combi to Caral village (S/ 6), walk 1.1 mi (1.7 km) to the site.
1 h
From Supe
Combi to Caral settlement (S/ 6), then walk across pedestrian bridge and 1.6 km (1 mi) to the entrance.Combi to Caral settlement (S/ 6), then walk across pedestrian bridge and 1 mi (1.6 km) to the entrance.
30 min
From Car by road
From Panamericana Norte turn onto Desvio Caral (22 km (14 mi)) or road 102; park at car park then walk 1.6 km (1 mi).From Panamericana Norte turn onto Desvio Caral (14 mi (22 km)) or road 102; park at car park then walk 1 mi (1.6 km).
≈ 30 min walk
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Museum & main entrance | Ticket office, visitor centre, short paved path to the pyramids. | Open with ticket; guide required. |
| Pyramid complex | Seven large pyramids, residential platforms, plaza. | On foot from museum; guided walk. |
| El Áspero museum area | Separate museum 2.1 km (1.3 mi) north, accessible by foot (27 min) or vehicle.Separate museum 1.3 mi (2.1 km) north, accessible by foot (27 min) or vehicle. | Open; separate entry fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official site; museum entrance is the main reference point.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult entry (site museum & park) | PEN 11 | person | Includes guide requirement. |
| Student entry | PEN 4 | person | — |
| Primary school entry | PEN 1 | person | — |
| Group guide (up to 20) | PEN 20 | group | Check for exact rate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- PEN 11
- PEN 4
- PEN 1
- PEN 20
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Caral‑Supe before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- A licensed guide must accompany all visitors inside the archaeological zone.
- Photography
- Allowed in most areas; flash prohibited near delicate structures.
- No climbing
- Climbing on pyramids or walls is prohibited.
- Food & drink
- Only consume in designated areas; no littering.
- Pets
- Not allowed on site.
Where to stay
Near the park
Barranca town
Budget hotels, hostels, and restaurants; 30 min drive to Caral.
Near the park
Supe
Small inns and guesthouses; closer than Barranca.
Safety
Heat medium
Limited shade low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main trail is flat and suitable for walkers with limited mobility, but the site is remote; transport to the entrance may require a vehicle.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in Barranca or Supe and support local businesses.
- Follow guide instructions to protect fragile structures.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Caral?
Adult entry is 11 sol; students 4 sol, primary school 1 sol, and a group guide fee of about 20 sol per group (check for exact rate).
What are the best hikes in Caral?
The main pyramid trail (≈ 1.5 km, easy) and the optional walk to the geoglyph field (≈ 2 km, easy) are the most visited routes.
When is the best time to visit Caral?
The dry season May – November offers comfortable temperatures and clear paths; early mornings avoid the midday heat.
Do I need a guide?
Yes – a licensed guide must accompany all visitors inside the archaeological zone.
Can I combine Caral with other sites?
Nearby attractions include the El Áspero museum and the geoglyph field; both are reachable on foot or by short drive.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre – Caral‑Supe
- officialCaral official website
- secondaryWikipedia – Caral
- secondaryWikivoyage: Caral, revision 5306692 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Caral
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