Callao, Lima, Peru

Callao is the largest and most important port in Peru. It is located west of Lima, the country's capital, and is part of the Lima Metropolitan Area. Callao is built on and around a peninsula, the district of La Punta, once a wealthy residential neighborhood. An historical fortress, the Castillo de Real Felipe (site of "Rodil's Last Stand"), stands on the promontory overlooking the harbor.

In its surroundings is located the Main Iglesia Matriz Church and the Capitanía del Puerto (Port Captaincy). From here a street takes the visitor towards the District of La Punta which hosts the Naval Base, round stony beaches, the old walkway by the sea and a handsome residential area.

A few kilometres into the sea stands the San Lorenzo Island, with some archaeological relevance and the El Frontón Islet, at present an abandoned prison that used to hold highly dangerous criminals

Things to See & Do

• Castillo de Real Felipe - fortress
• Museo Naval Museum
• San Lorenzo Island
• City tour of Lima
• Plaza de Armas - Lima

General Information

Cruise Season

Jan - Dec

Currency

Nuevo Sol (PEN)

Language

Spanish

Land Area

146.98 square kilometers

Population

820,000 approx

Electricity

2 round pins European style or 2 flat pins American style

Time

GMT minus five hours

International Country Telephone Code

+51

Port Location - The port is located approximately 10km's to the west of the city of Lima.

Travel Links - Jorge Chávez International Airport known as Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez in Spanish, is Peru's main international and domestic airport. It is located in Callao, 11 km (7 miles) from the Historic Centre of Lima and 17 km (11 miles) from Miraflores.

Callao is the port city now fully integrated with Lima, the nation's capital.