Callao

Callao

Peru

Explore the centuries-old Spanish colonial fortress of Real Felipe and vibrant local markets brimming with Peruvian crafts and fresh seafood delicacies.

Currency Peruvian Sol (PEN)
Language Spanish
Time Zone PET (UTC-5)
Best Time to Visit Oct–Mar
Typical Duration 31-50 nights
Price Range $889.50–$139,990 per person
Port Type Departure & Port of Call
Tender Port Yes

Gateway to South American exploration, offering access to Antarctic expeditions, Easter Island, and the Galápagos region with a mix of luxury and expedition cruise experiences.

Cruises that visit Callao

Build Your Day in Callao

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu Iconic, sprawling Inca city ruins Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 85k
Lima Main Square Scenic plaza & birthplace of Lima Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 80k
Plaza San Miguel Trendy retailers, dining & entertainment Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 75k Open · Closes 10 PM
Park of the Legends Zoo Zoo, botanical garden & ancient ruins Zoo · ★ 4.4 · 70k
Larcomar Cliffside shops, dining & entertainment Shopping mall · ★ 4.6 · 58k Open · Closes 10 PM
Mallplaza Bellavista Varied shops, food court & movie theater Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 29k Closed · Opens 6 AM Sat
Minka Sizable mall with a produce market Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 29k
Open Plaza La Marina Onsite services Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 18k Open · Closes 10 PM
Real Felipe Fortress Ancient fort with tours & a museum Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 14k
Astrid y Gastón Polished choice for local fare & wine Peruvian · ★ 4.6 · 8k
Rincón Cervecero Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Bar · ★ 4.5 · 7k
Plaza Vea Callao In-store pickup·Delivery Supermarket · ★ 4 · 6k Open · Closes 10 PM
La Caleta De La Punta Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 6k
Callao Monumental turismo histórico Hub of art galleries & street murals Heritage preservation · ★ 4.5 · 5k
Buenavista Café. Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Cafe · ★ 4.4 · 5k
BAHIA TOUR Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 5k
Maido Modern eatery with Japanese fusion food Peruvian · ★ 4.7 · 5k
Eden Bar Lima Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery Gastropub · ★ 4.8 · 5k
Falabella Bellavista Delivery Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 5k Open · Closes 9 PM
Malecón Pardo La Punta - Callao Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 4k
Casa Tambo Restaurant Peruvian dishes and tapas placed like art on the plates. Peruvian · ★ 4.6 · 4k
Central Dine-in Peruvian · ★ 4.6 · 4k Closes soon · 1:45 PM
Malecón de Miraflores Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 3k Open now
Piano Bar Munich Dine-in·Takeout Grill · ★ 4.4 · 3k
EL TRONCO Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 3k
Delicatessen Cafeteria Vienna Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Cafe · ★ 4.4 · 3k
Open Plaza Canta Callao Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 3k Open · Closes 10 PM
KU-MAR CEVICHERIA FUSIÓN Great ceviche and jalea Seafood · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Pescaditos Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 2k
El Mirador Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Patio de Comidas Mallplaza Bellavista Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 2k Open · Closes 11 PM
Tanta - Aeropuerto Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Peruvian · ★ 4.2 · 2k
Kaphiy & Kakaw Café Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Espresso bar · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Shi-Nua The food is OK, the portions are a bit small but they're OK. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Sonata Café Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Espresso bar · ★ 4.3 · 1k
Playa Cantolao Beach · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Cabos Restaurante del Puerto Perú Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k
El Mirador De La Rivera Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.1 · 1k
Museo Naval Abtao Museum in a docked 1950s submarine Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Playa Costa Azul Beach · ★ 4 · 1k
Restaurant Maguila Dine-in·Curbside pickup Seafood · ★ 4.2 · 1k
Saha Terraza Cocktail Bar Dine-in·Takeout Bar · ★ 4.5 · 1k
DONDE YOLO Restaurant I thought the ceviche, chicharrón, and rice were all pretty good. Restaurant · ★ 3.6 · 1k
Rana La Punta Dine-in·Drive-through·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.1 · 1k
El Cebiche del Rey Good food, no frills kind of place. Peruvian · ★ 4.2 · 1k
La Aldea De Gastón Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k
El Manglar Original Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Seafood · ★ 4.2 · 1k
Playa Malecon Pardo Pretty rocky but nice to grab a chair and just relax. Beach · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Curupira restobar Rock Peru Dine-in Bar · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 7 PM
Palais Rooftop Dine-in·No delivery Gastropub · ★ 4 · 0k
Mar Adentro Excursiones / Mar Adentro Peru Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Matriz Church Callao Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 1:30 PM Mon
Ncanto Bistró Food was in perfect portions and atmosphere was welcoming. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k
ChimPum 2000 Mall Shopping mall · ★ 4.1 · 0k Open · Closes 9:30 PM
Galeria Comercial Kapital Shopping Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 0k Open · Closes 7 PM
Maricausas Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Salsa Sanguchería Chalaca Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Brunch · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Copper Bar & Kitchen Bar · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Matok Coffee Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Espresso bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k
Mr. Coco Dine-in Coffee shop · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 3:45 PM
Restaurante Calle 02 Dine-in·Curbside pickup·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Museo de Historia y Arte del Callao Museum · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Osteria del Porto Dine-in·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Arcano Café Lounge Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery Espresso bar · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 5 PM
TIENDA mall bellavista Market · ★ 4.4 · 0k Open · Closes 8 PM
Playa El Muerto Beach · ★ 3.3 · 0k
Fiori di Mare - Restaurante Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Peruvian · ★ 4.3 · 0k
La Estación del Sabor Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Playa Marquez Beach · ★ 3.5 · 0k
Por la Sarita Restaurante Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Islas Palomino Wildlife refuge · ★ 4.6 · 0k Open now
Cafe Ganoderma Dxn Peru In-store shopping·Curbside pickup·Delivery Vitamin & supplements store · ★ 4.9 · 0k
Plaza Mayor del Callao Historical landmark · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Playa Oquendo Beach · ★ 2.9 · 0k
LATAM Signature Lounge Lounge bar · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Playa Carpayo Beach · ★ 3 · 0k
Restaurante Black Rock Dine-in·Drive-through·Delivery Family-friendly · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 5 PM
Paseo De Anclas del Callao Museum · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Playa Mar Brava Beach · ★ 4 · 0k
Playa La Arenilla Water park · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Callao Cocina Peruana by Jamie Pesaque Dine-in Family-friendly · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Playa del Pueblo Callao, Perú Playground · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Playa Los Cocos Beach · ★ 2.2 · 0k
LA TABERNA DE D&Y RESTOBAR Dine-in Bar · ★ 5 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Callao is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Callao

About Callao

Callao serves as Peru's principal maritime gateway and one of South America's most compelling cruise destinations, offering adventurous travelers an ideal launching point for some of the world's most extraordinary voyages. As the port of call for nine major cruise lines including Holland America Line, Silversea, Viking Ocean Cruises, and PONANT EXPLORATIONS, Callao has established itself as a vital hub for extended expeditions exploring the continent's most remote and fascinating regions. Whether you're embarking on an Antarctic adventure, island-hopping through the Pacific, or discovering the cultural treasures of South America, this bustling port provides the perfect departure point for unforgettable journeys.

Most cruises calling at Callao are extended voyages lasting around 31 nights, designed for travelers seeking immersive experiences rather than quick port visits. These itineraries typically feature iconic destinations like Easter Island, the Galápagos-adjacent waters, Buenos Aires, and the dramatic landscapes of Antarctica. The peak season runs from October through March, with particularly strong activity in January, March, and November—ideal months for Antarctic expeditions and South Pacific exploration.

Beyond its role as a departure port, Callao itself offers visitors direct access to Lima's world-class museums, colonial architecture, and renowned culinary scene, all located just minutes away. Modern port facilities ensure smooth embarkation and disembarkation, while the surrounding region provides authentic Peruvian culture and unforgettable Pacific vistas that set the tone for the remarkable journeys ahead.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Real Felipe Fortress History

Explore the iconic 18th-century Real Felipe Fortress, a stunning star-shaped military stronghold that dominates Callao's waterfront. This UNESCO-recognized landmark offers fascinating guided tours through colonial barracks, dungeons, and defensive walls while providing spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Lima's skyline.

2

Fresh Ceviche at the Source

Savor authentic Peruvian ceviche at waterfront restaurants in Callao's historic district, where local fishermen deliver the day's catch directly to nearby eateries. Pair your meal with Peruvian beer or pisco cocktails while watching fishing boats return to port—an unforgettable culinary experience.

3

Palomino Islands Wildlife Encounter

Take a short boat excursion to the Palomino Islands to swim alongside playful sea lions and spot Humboldt penguins in their natural habitat. This thrilling marine adventure showcases Peru's incredible Pacific biodiversity and offers unforgettable photo opportunities with these charismatic creatures.

4

Artisan Markets and Local Crafts

Browse bustling local markets near the port for authentic Peruvian handicrafts, alpaca textiles, and traditional ceramics crafted by regional artisans. Haggle for souvenirs while experiencing the vibrant energy of Callao's commercial heart and supporting local craftspeople directly.

5

Colonial Architecture Walking Tour

Stroll through Callao's charming historic neighborhoods to admire beautifully preserved colonial buildings, colorful plazas, and ornate churches dating back centuries. Local guides share fascinating stories of Peru's maritime heritage and the port's pivotal role in Spanish colonial trade routes.

Cruise Lines at Callao

Cruises Departing From Callao

Cruises Visiting Callao

Ship Schedule at Callao

Callao Location

Other Cruise Ports in Peru

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Callao known for?

Callao is the major port city of Peru, serving as Lima's gateway for maritime traffic.

How can I reach Callao from Lima?

Take a short drive or bus along the Panamericana highway; it’s about 20–30 minutes from central Lima.

What attractions are near Callao Port?

Explore Lima's historic center, the Plaza de Armas, and nearby Barranco and Miraflores districts.

Is Callao safe for tourists?

Exercise standard travel awareness; visit busy areas during daylight, and follow local guidance.