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Voykit pocket guide · Peru
Sechin
Sechín
Sechin is a half-day stop from Casma: 5 km by colectivo or moto-taxi, then 30–45 min at the ruins. Sleep in Casma, not here.
Sechin is an archaeological site 5 km southeast of Casma on the Northern Coast, below Cerro Sechin. Its stone monoliths, dated to about 1600 BC, show warriors and mutilated captives, and the Museo Max Uhle holds the finds. Buses run often along the Pan-American Highway; from Casma, colectivos or moto-taxis cover the last 5 km. The site and museum take under two hours, so a half-day is enough and there is no reason to stay overnight.
- Country
- Peru
- Local name
- Sechín
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season, mild temperatures)
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (rainy, cooler)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PEN
- Money
- Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget S/30–50 excl. bed (check) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
- Emergency
- Police 105 · Fire 116 · SAMU ambulance 106
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
- Tipping
- Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | S/5–8 |
| Meal (plato típico) | S/12–20 |
| Colectivo ride Casma–Sechin | S/8–10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIM · Jorge Chávez International (Lima)
- Fly into Lima, then about 8–9 h by bus north to Casma on the Pan-American Highway; check schedules.
- TRU · Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos (Trujillo)
- Closest commercial airport, about 2 h by road south to Casma; check flights and onward buses.
Typical fares
- Casma → Sechin (colectivo)
- about S/8 round-trip (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Take a colectivo from Casma (large shared car) or hire a moto-taxi for the 5 km (3.1 mi) to the site; the walk from the road takes about 30–45 min. Colectivos also run along the Pan-American Highway toward Chimbote.Take a colectivo from Casma (large shared car) or hire a moto-taxi for the 3.1 mi (5 km) to the site; the walk from the road takes about 30–45 min. Colectivos also run along the Pan-American Highway toward Chimbote.
See and do
Known for
- Cerro Sechin archaeological site
- Carved monoliths of warriors and captives
- Museo Max Uhle
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Casma town | Colectivo or moto-taxi from the site, or walk back 5 km (3.1 mi)Colectivo or moto-taxi from the site, or walk back 3.1 mi (5 km) | About 15 min by colectivo |
| Huanchaco | Bus north on the Pan-American Highway to Trujillo, then local transport to the beach | About 2.5–3 h |
Sleep
- Casma town hotels
- Closest accommodation, 5 km (3.1 mi) from the site; check availability.Closest accommodation, 3.1 mi (5 km) from the site; check availability.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasgraˈθjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbaɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
- Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests
Scams and watch-outs
- Limited services at the site; bring water and sun protection.
- Colectivo and moto-taxi schedules vary; confirm the return trip in Casma before you go.
Low crime risk; the main concerns are sun exposure and limited medical facilities nearby.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sechin yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cerro Sechin archaeological site
- Carved monoliths of warriors and captives
- Museo Max Uhle
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Sechin, revision 5046905 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5046905
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/sechin). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.