Major city · Peru
Cerro de Pasco
Skip unless you are fascinated by mining towns and urban decay: half a day is enough to see the open-pit mine and main square, then move on.
Cerro de Pasco is a high-altitude mining city at 4,330 m, one of the highest in the world. Its centre is dominated by a huge open-pit mine, and pollution and lead contamination make it a tough place to linger. Most travellers pass through on the way between Huancayo and Huánuco, stopping for an hour or two.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry season)
- avoid Nov–Mar (rain, mud, cold)
- Airport
- none nearby
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cerro de Pasco105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cerro de Pasco, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyThe main risks are altitude sickness and lead contamination from the mine.
Show all 11 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- Getting aroundWalkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBasic hotel room (e.g. Hotel Wong), a night, per roomPEN 30
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room (e.g. Hotel Wong), a night, per roomPEN 50
- High-end bedBasic hotel room (e.g. Hotel Wong), a night, per roomPEN 80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 50 · Mid PEN 90 · High PEN 150
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- none nearby: arrive by land or via another city
Map of Cerro de Pasco
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jul
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Aug
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Sep
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)), coolest Jun (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cerro de Pasco: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
18 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
17 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
18 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Jun
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
3 rd
Jul
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
3 rd
Aug
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Sep
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
14 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
14 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre. Collectivos to nearby towns leave from the Terminal Terrestre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bosque de Piedras de Huayllay
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Collectivo from Terminal Terrestre, about 1 h
Rock forest with hiking trails; go early and bring water.
Huánuco
goDoor to door: About 2.5–3.5 h
Collectivo from Terminal Terrestre, about 2–3 h
Warmer climate and colonial centre.
Huancayo
goDoor to door: About 2.5–3.5 h
Collectivo from Terminal Terrestre, about 2–3 h
Larger city with markets and nearby ruins.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the bus station (Terminal Terrestre)
Where collectivos arrive; basic hotels like Hotel Wong. Hot water is unreliable — ask before booking.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/ 40–70
- Mid
- S/ 70–120
- High
- S/ 120+
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room (e.g. Hotel Wong)1 × 1 night × PEN 30 | PEN 30 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PEN 50 | PEN 50 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 80 per person per day, bed included | PEN 80 |
Hot water not guaranteed
2026 estimate in soles; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Collectivo Huancayo → Cerro de Pascocheck | S/ 15–25 |
| Collectivo Huánuco → Cerro de Pascocheck | S/ 15–25 |
| Simple meal (menu del día) | S/ 8–15 |
| Bottle of water | S/ 1.5–3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude sickness: 4,330 m is extreme; spend 2+ days lower (Huánuco or Huancayo) first.
- Lead contamination: do not touch or eat anything from the mine area.
- Hot water is often unavailable or only available mornings and evenings.
- Freezing nights even in the dry season; bring a warm jacket and hat.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Cerro de PascoCerro de Pasco
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Collectivo Huancayo → Cerro de Pasco: S/ 15–25, about 2–3 h (check)
- Collectivo Huánuco → Cerro de Pasco: S/ 15–25, about 2–3 h (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el terminal terrestre? — Where is the bus station? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el ter-mee-NAHL te-RRES-treh)
Altitude is the main issue; acclimatise before arriving.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cerro de Pasco. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry season) · avoid Nov–Mar (rain, mud, cold) · month by month →
- 0 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Cerro de Pasco
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