El Callao district - Lima

El Callao district is located only 30 minutes away from Lima, on Pacific Ocean coast; the population is more than 400.000 inhabitants who live on 45.65 square meters.

The Port of Callao (first port of Peru) and Jorge Cháves International Airport (first air terminal) are located in the district. That’s why it is the main entrance to Perú.

Tourist Attractions

The main tourist attractions in this district are:

Matriz Church
Jr. Gálvez 354

It is located on one of the sidewalks of Matriz square.  It dates back to Colony epoch, was built in 1746 and 1866, was victim of earthquakes, was inaugurated in September, 1195 and consecrated as cathedral of Callao. One of its peculiarities is its gold and bronze bell.

Santa Rosa Church
Marco Polo Street 248

In this church, people venerate to “Señor del Mar”, Jurado Del Callao Saint. It was rebuilt several times -just like Matriz Church- because was destroyed by the earth tremors.

It was built on a dry lagoon, was inaugurated in December, 1978.

La Fortaleza del Real Felipe
Independencia Square, Callao

It was built in XVIII century, is known as Castillos del Callao (Callao Castels). It is a military architecture, built by Spaniards. It was originally built for Callao defense against pirates and corsairs; years after, it was the last bastion of Spanish resistance in Peru independence. Nowadays, it is a museum where people can have guided visits.

Social Clubs

Callao district is venue of important social clubs as: Bilis Atletic Club, Sport Boys Associations, Yatch Club Peruano and Chalaco Atletic Club.

Islands

In front of Callao, there are several islands of economic importance for the district, we cam make mention: San Lorenzo island, El Frontón island, Cavinzas island, Palominos islets and so on.

San Lorenzo Island

It is the major island of Peruvian coast, is eight kilometers long and 2.2 kilometer wide. The island was used as religious place by natives in pre-Hispanic epoch. Human remains, ceramic, pieces of reed fabrics, heads of cotton thread and others were found. The native people also get guano for using as fertilizer in cultivations.

El Frontón Island
7 Kilometers from Callao, Lima

It is an immense rocky formation, old prison island; also known as Isla del Muerto(Dead Island).

Nowadays, it is deserted, even thought some tourists visit the Peruvian coastal islands. It has sea lions colonies which make a beautiful view. It has marine salt and clay fields.

Cavinzas Island

It is an island and rocky islets group where guano producing birds live, has caves and natural caverns. It is usually visited by tourists who arrive in boats and yachts. It is considered natural refuge of some lea lions, and guano producing birds, pelicans, guayanes, chuitas, piqueros and platillos and so on.

Palomino Islands

Palomino islands(four islands) are located close to Callao port, hided in the back of el Frontón and San Lorenzo Island, are four and the biggest one is located behind San Lorenzo Island.

It is habitat of thousand sea lions that makes an important tourist attraction.

In Palomino islands, we will find group of thousand sea lions that swim surrounding of impressive rocky formations and caverns.  You will also find a variety of guano producing birds as: the guanay, the zarcillos, the piquero and las chitas. It is an ecological paradise worthy of visit it.

Note:

It is possible to have tours along the islands, the duration is 4 hours, the tourist will  navigate along Callao Bay, one of the most important and beautiful of Peruvian coast.