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3 Days in Callao: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the Real Felipe Fortress (Plaza Independencia, open 9am-4pm, entry 5 soles). Spend the morning exploring its ramparts and the Museum of the Peruvi… 🗺️ Day 1: Historic Center
Start your first day at the Real Felipe Fortress (Plaza Independencia, open 9am-4pm, entry 5 soles). Spend the morning exploring its ramparts and the Museum of the Peruvian Navy. For lunch, head to La Punta's Malecón for fresh ceviche at Restaurante La Barca (Av. Grau 150, mains around 25 soles).
🏛️ Afternoon in La Punta
After lunch, walk along the La Punta boardwalk to the Naval Museum (Av. Jorge Chávez 123, free entry, closed Mondays). In the late afternoon, take a 15-minute taxi (15-20 soles) to the Callao Monumental district to see street art and the MAC Callao museum (Jr. Independencia 705, 10 soles, open until 6pm).
🍽️ Evening Dining Options
For dinner, try El Muelle (Av. Contralmirante Mora 250) for grilled fish with ocean views, or the more casual Anticuchería Don Carlos (Jr. Zepita 450) for anticuchos at 8 soles each. Both are within a 10-minute walk of the Monumental area.
🚌 Day 2: Chucuito & Airport Area
Take a 20-minute bus (line 8523, 2 soles) from Callao Monumental to Chucuito. Visit the Iglesia de San Pedro (Av. Buenos Aires 200, free) and the nearby Casa de la Cultura (Av. Sáenz Peña 300, open 10am-5pm). For lunch, stop at El Refugio (Jr. Huaraz 150) for a menú ejecutivo at 15 soles.
✈️ Afternoon at Jorge Chávez
In the afternoon, head to the Jorge Chávez International Airport area (15-minute taxi from Chucuito, 20-25 soles). Visit the Parque del Migrante (Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, free) and the Museo Aeronáutico (Av. Elmer Faucett 2500, 5 soles, open 9am-4pm). This area is also good for souvenir shopping at the airport mall.
🌅 Sunset at Costa Verde
Take a 10-minute taxi (15 soles) from the airport to the Costa Verde viewpoint at Mirador de La Perla (Av. La Marina 1000). Watch the sunset over the Pacific, then grab a coffee at Café del Mar (open until 9pm). For dinner, try the nearby La Casa del Mar (Av. La Marina 1200, mains 30-50 soles).
🏖️ Day 3: Beaches & Markets
Start your final day at Playa Cantolao (Av. Costanera s/n, free entry), a calm beach perfect for a morning swim. Then take a 15-minute taxi (20 soles) to the Mercado Central de Callao (Jr. Zepita 400, open 7am-6pm) for fresh produce and local snacks like choclo con queso (5 soles).
🎨 Art & Farewell Lunch
In the afternoon, visit the Galería de Arte de Callao (Jr. Constitución 250, free, closed Sundays) to see contemporary local works. For a farewell lunch, dine at La Caleta (Av. Grau 300, seafood platters 35 soles). From there, it's a 20-minute taxi (25 soles) to the airport for your departure.
solid itinerary, pretty thorough for a first visit. one thing i'd add: on day 2, instead of the airport mall for souvenirs, walk a couple blocks from the aeronautical museum to the mercado de productores on av. faucett. it's mostly wholesale but there are stalls selling real local stuff like toritos de pucará and retablos for half what you'd pay at the airport. closes around 5pm though so time it right
also for day 1, if you're at real Felipe around noon, the changing of the guard happens at the main gate every saturday and sunday. it's a quick 10-minute thing but the band plays and it's a nice little bonus. the fortress guards don't mind photos either
hey, this is a really solid plan and honestly covers most of the bases. one thing i'd suggest for day 1 is swapping the mac museum visit for a quick walk through the actual monumentale streets around jr. independencia and jr. constitucion around 5pm instead. the galleries close at 6 but the real vibe is the street art on the old colonial walls and the little pop-up art vendors that set up on the corners. grab a marciano from the lady with the cart on jr. independencia for 2 soles, it's a nice refresher before dinner
also for day 3, if you're at playa cantolao in the morning, there's a seafood stand right on the sand called doña juana's that does fried fish with rice and a drink for 12 soles. it's not fancy but it's the best cooked fish i've had in callao and way less crowded than the restaurants further down the coast
nice guide, really captures the feel of callao. one thing i'd mention for day 1 - if you're walking around la punta in the afternoon, pop into the church on av. grau, it's called iglesia nuestra señora del carmen. it's tiny and usually empty, but the wooden altar is really old and there's this quiet courtyard with a fountain that's a nice break from the noise. no entry fee, just be respectful if mass is on.
Callao on a Budget: Tips 2026
For budget stays, look for hostels or guesthouses in the La Punta area, where dorm beds start around $15 per night. A simple double room in a family-run hostal near the Plaza Grau… 🏠 Where to Stay
For budget stays, look for hostels or guesthouses in the La Punta area, where dorm beds start around $15 per night. A simple double room in a family-run hostal near the Plaza Grau costs $25 to $35, including breakfast. Book directly with the property to avoid online booking fees, and ask for a weekly rate if you plan to stay longer.
🍽️ Eating on the Cheap
Local menús (set lunches) at small restaurants like El Muelle in La Punta cost 10 to 15 soles and include soup, a main dish, and a drink. For a filling street snack, try anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) from vendors near the Callao Monumental for about 5 soles. Avoid tourist-facing spots along the waterfront, where prices can double.
🚌 Getting Around
Public buses and combis within Callao cost 1.50 to 2.50 soles per ride, but they can be crowded and confusing. A more comfortable option is the Metropolitano bus from Lima, which stops near Callao for about 3.50 soles. For short trips, use mototaxis; agree on a fare of 5 to 8 soles before hopping in.
🎟️ Entrance Fees
The Fortaleza del Real Felipe charges 15 soles for adults, but students and children pay half price. The Museo Naval del Callao is free on Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly. The Callao Monumental area, with its street art and galleries, is free to explore, though some exhibitions ask for a small donation.
🌅 Free Things to Do
Walk along the Malecón in La Punta for stunning ocean views and a chance to see sea lions, all at no cost. Visit the Plaza Grau and the nearby port area to watch ships come and go, a favorite local pastime. On weekends, the Callao Monumental hosts free cultural events and live music, so check the local calendar.
💡 How Locals Save
Locals shop at the Mercado Central de Callao for fresh produce and seafood, cooking at home to save money. They also use shared taxis or collectivos for longer trips, splitting the fare with neighbors. For entertainment, they often head to free public parks or the beach, rather than paying for private clubs.
🛍️ Shopping Smart
For souvenirs, skip the tourist shops and head to the artisan market near the Real Felipe fortress, where prices are lower. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price and negotiate politely. Local brands of Pisco and chocolate make great gifts and cost less than imported goods.
📅 Timing Your Visit
Visit during the shoulder season (April to June or September to November) for lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends for hotels, as many Limeños come to Callao for beach getaways. Check for local festivals, like the Fiestas del Callao in June, which offer free concerts and events.
solid tips here, the real felipe one is worth it but go on a weekday morning, way less tour groups and you can actually take your time climbing the ramparts. also if u're near the naval museum on a non-sunday, the plaza outside has these little food carts selling chicharron sandwiches for like 6 soles, way better than the menú spots and u can eat while watching the boats. one thing nobody mentioned: the metropolitano stop near callao is a bit of a walk from la punta, so factor that in. grab a mototaxi from the station for 5 soles, it's worth skipping the hot walk with luggage.
honestly the guide got it right about booking direct. i stayed at a hostal near plaza grau last year and the owner gave me a weekly rate that was like 20% less than what i saw online. just ask, they usually have wiggle room.
one thing they missed: the cevicherias near the mercado central are where locals actually go for lunch. you can get a fresh ceviche with camote and cancha for like 15 soles, way better than anything near the waterfront. just go early, they run out by 2pm.
also, if you're heading to la punta on a sunday, take the metropolitano instead of a combi. the combis get packed with families going to the beach and it's brutal. the metropolitano is cooler and you can actually breathe.
the ceviche tip is solid but honestly the real move is hitting up the anticuchos at night near callao monumental. i went on a saturday and there was this old lady grilling them on the corner, 4 soles each, beats any restaurant. also if you're into street art, go early morning before it gets hot, the light makes the murals pop and you'll have the whole place to yourself.