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BAP Abtao

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BAP Abtao

BAP Abtao

The BAP Abtao is a decommissioned Peruvian Navy submarine converted into a museum. Built in the United States during the 1950s, the vessel allows visitors to walk through its narrow interior to examine Cold War-era naval equipment and submarine design. It serves as a historical record of naval technology and is named after the Battle of the Chincha Islands.

Getting There

The submarine is located in the port area of Callao, outside the main center of Lima. Travelers typically use taxis or ride-sharing apps to reach the site from the city center. Depending on traffic, the journey generally takes between 45 to 90 minutes.

Visit Duration

Most visitors spend between 1 and 2 hours exploring the interior of the vessel and the surrounding display area.

When to Visit

Visiting during weekday mornings is generally quieter than weekends. Because the interior of the submarine is confined and can become warm, arriving early in the day is advisable. Visitors should be aware that the narrow corridors can feel crowded during peak tourist hours.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its location in Callao, the museum can be combined with other historical sites in the immediate area:

  • Real Felipe Fortress: 0.4km
  • St. Joseph's Cathedral, Callao: 0.5km
  • El Frontón: 6.8km
  • Larco Museum: 8.8km

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near BAP Abtao

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Good to visit alongside

Real Felipe Fortress

Castles & palaces

Real Felipe Fortress

A colonial-era fortress built to defend the port of Callao from pirates. It now serves as a military museum, displaying historic uniforms, weapons, and other artifacts.

0.4 km away

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Callao

Temples & religious sites

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Callao

A neoclassical cathedral in the old town of Callao, built in the late 19th century. Restored after earthquake damage, it still holds mass today and is a lovely place to admire its historic architecture.

0.5 km away

El Frontón

Nature

El Frontón

El Frontón is an uninhabited island off the coast of Callao that once served as a prison. Today it sits quiet and deserted, lending it a distinctive atmosphere.

6.8 km away

Larco Museum

Museums & galleries

Larco Museum

A private museum housed in an 18th-century building in Lima's Pueblo Libre district, displaying artifacts from 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian civilizations in chronological order. It's especially well known for its collection of ancient erotic pottery.

8.8 km away

Garagay

Heritage & monuments

Garagay

Garagay is an ancient ceremonial site in the San Martín de Porres district north of Lima, notable for its U-shaped temple structure left by an early Andean civilization. Traces of painted wall decorations remain, offering a close-up look at pre-Inca culture.

9.3 km away

Mosque of Lima

Temples & religious sites

Mosque of Lima

This mosque in Lima's Magdalena del Mar district was built in 1986 by the Palestinian community on the grounds of a former mansion. It is open to the public, offering a close look at Islamic architecture and culture.

9.3 km away