- It is frequently cited as one of the highest cities in the world with a permanent population exceeding 50,000.
- The city is currently undergoing a massive, long-term relocation plan due to the health and environmental impacts of the surrounding open-pit mine.
- Cerro de Pasco is the birthplace of Daniel Alcides Carrión, a medical student who is considered a national martyr in Peru for self-infecting with Verruga peruana to study the disease.
- The city experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, often dropping to freezing levels even during sunny days due to its extreme altitude.
- Historically, the city was a major silver and copper mining center since the colonial era, shaping much of its early 20th-century architecture.
About Cerro de Pasco
Cerro de Pasco is one of the highest cities in the world, perched at over 4,300 meters above sea level within the Peruvian Andes. The city is defined by its massive open-pit mining operations that have forced the urban center to adapt, creating a unique, rugged industrial landscape. Visitors can explore local history at the Replica de la Casa de Daniel Alcides Carrión or stroll through the urban greenery of Plaza Chaupimarca. The city center serves as a high-altitude hub for the Pasco region, featuring landmarks like the Provincial Municipality of Pasco and local religious sites such as the Iglesia AMC.
Highlights of Cerro de Pasco
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This central plaza serves as the primary gathering point for locals and offers a view of the city's unique high-altitude urban layout.
Museums
This site commemorates the life and medical contributions of Daniel Alcides Carrión, a pivotal figure in Peruvian scientific history.
Parks
The municipal park area provides a central landmark for navigating the administrative district of the city.
Temples
This temple is a prominent architectural feature in the city’s religious landscape.
Museums
Located in a nearby district, this plaza offers insight into the regional history and development of the Pasco area.
Top things to do in Cerro de Pasco
The 38 highest-rated places in Cerro de Pasco, ranked by travellers.
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Daniel Alcides Carrion Plaza is the central public square located in the high-altitude city of Cerro de Pasco, Peru, at...
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Parque El Comercio serves as a central urban public square in the high-altitude city of Cerro de Pasco, located at appro...
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Around Cerro de Pasco
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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Cerro de Pasco on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Cerro de Pasco
May to September, which corresponds to the dry season in the Andes, offering clearer skies and less rainfall for navigating high-altitude terrain.
1-2 days, as the city serves primarily as a transit point or a short-stay destination for those interested in industrial history.
The city center is largely walkable, though motorized rickshaws and taxis are commonly used to navigate the steep, high-altitude streets.
Stay in the Chaupimarca district, which functions as the commercial and administrative heart of the city and is closest to the main public squares.
Budget-friendly, as the city is a functional mining hub rather than a major tourist destination.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 38 curated attractions in and around Cerro de Pasco, ranked by traveller ratings.
Daniel Alcides Carrion Plaza is the highest-rated place to visit in Cerro de Pasco right now.
The largest category is temples, with 16 places to explore.
Travellers also explore San Isidro District, Lima, Arequipa, Trujillo, Peru.
Explore more of Peru
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
