Lima

Historic Charm Meets Coastal Vibes

Lima, Peru’s capital, sits on a coastal strip along the Pacific Ocean. The city features colonial architecture alongside modern skyscrapers. Its historic center holds UNESCO World Heritage sites like Plaza de Armas and San Francisco Monastery with catacombs. Local markets sell fresh ceviche and pisco sours made from regional ingredients. The climate stays mild year-round, influenced by ocean breezes that keep temperatures steady without extreme heat or cold. Street art decorates neighborhoods such as Barranco while museums document pre-Columbian history through artifacts and exhibits.

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City in Peru

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.8

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	2

Read details

3/5

In tourist areas and upscale restaurants, English is commonly spoken. However, learning basic Spanish phrases will be helpful when navigating markets and local neighborhoods.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Lima Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Outstanding for gastronomy and coastal culture. Try world-class Peruvian cuisine, explore colonial plazas, visit museums and walk oceanfront cliffs.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Fine dining

Local cuisine

Spirits

Large cities

Museums

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

👩 7

Solo

❤️ 7

Couples

Peru – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Peruvian Sol (PEN) £1 ≈ PEN 4.59
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Peru, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Peru, with 10-15% being the usual amount in restaurants. Small tips are appreciated by taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in Peru, and alcohol consumption is restricted to licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally prohibited.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 105 (Police), 106 (Ambulance), 116 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Peru is known for its ancient culture, including Inca ruins and the Amazon rainforest, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Lima, Peru

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Grey, cloudy 'garúa' sky covers the city roughly May to November, with almost no rain; sunny from December to April

Lima is a gateway to Cusco and the Andes, where dry season is May to September and wet season is November to March

Peruvian Independence Day on July 28 and 29: public holiday, many locals travel and city events take place

Don't miss

🏛️ Explore the historic Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
🎨 Visit the Museo Larco for ancient Peruvian art
🌊 Stroll the scenic Malecón along the Pacific coast
💧 Enjoy the magical light shows at Circuito Mágico del Agua
⛪ Discover colonial treasures at Monasterio de San Francisco
🍽️ Shop and dine in vibrant Miraflores district

You've been here?

Why travel to Lima?

Lima is known as the culinary capital of South America, home to world-renowned restaurants and vibrant markets. The city offers a rich blend of history, from ancient Huaca Pucllana to the colonial architecture of the historic center. While Lima's coastal fog (called 'La Garúa') might surprise you, its vibrant neighborhoods, thriving art scene and delicious street food make it worth exploring.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Barranco District
Known for its bohemian vibe, Barranco offers colorful street art, historic cafés and waterfront parks. The district hosts lively nightlife, galleries and the iconic Bridge of Sighs overlooking the Pacific.
2 Caral-Supe
This ancient archaeological site, located in Peru's Supe Valley, features massive adobe structures and intricate drainage systems. It offers a fascinating glimpse into pre-Incan civilization, drawing visitors with its historical significance and unique architectural marvels.
3 Parque de las Leyendas
4 Plaza de Armas
5 John F. Kennedy Park
6 Sheraton Lima Historic Center
7 Larco Herrera Museum
8 Huaca Pucllana

🎡Places for activities

1 Goverment Palace
2 Parque Kennedy
3 Huaca Pucllana
4 Malecon

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Park of the Reserve
2 Intangible Historic Zone of the Morro Solar
3 Los Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge
4 Parque El Olivar

🛍️Shopping

1 Capon Street
2 Larcomar
3 Inka Market
4 Ripley

🎈Events

Mistura Food Festival (September)
Fiestas Patrias (July)
Lord of Miracles Procession (October)
Barranco Music Festival (Various dates)
Lima International Film Festival (August)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Stick to Miraflores and Barranco; avoid isolated areas at night.
Use Uber or InDriver apps for safe rides; negotiate fares upfront with taxis.
Watch for pickpockets in markets and historic center; keep valuables secure.
Try ceviche in local spots like Punta Sal; arrive early to avoid long tourist lines.

How to travel to Lima

Lima is served by Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), which offers direct flights from many international destinations. Buses and coaches connect Lima with other major cities in Peru.

Access summary

From Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM): Airport bus or taxi to Miraflores, 45–75 minutes.
From Cusco: Direct flights to Lima usually about 1–1.5 hours.
From Arequipa: Direct flights to Lima generally around 1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Lima

Miraflores and Barranco are the best neighborhoods to stay in, offering a mix of boutique hotels, hostels and upscale accommodations. They are also safe and close to many attractions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Estelar Miraflores

8.9

Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport

8.5

Hotel Las Palmas

8.5

Dazzler by Wyndham Lima San Isidro

8.8

Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista

9.0

Sheraton Lima Historic Center

8.8

Casa Andina Premium Miraflores

9.2

Hotel Carmelo Miraflores

7.9

Casa Andina Select Miraflores

8.9

Holiday Inn Lima Airport By IHG

9.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Lima

Getting around Lima is easiest with taxis or ride-hailing apps like Uber and Cabify. The Metropolitano bus system is a good option for traveling between Miraflores, Barranco and the historic center. Avoid rush hours to beat heavy traffic.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-56 %

Daily expenses in Lima are around 56% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PEN) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£37	£78	£213
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£105
🍝 Food per day	£15	£27	£82
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£6	£26

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£9.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.70
🍟 Fast food combo	£5
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5
☕ Cappuccino	£2.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.90

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.55
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.05

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£28
🤧 Cold medication	£5
💇 Basic haircut	£8.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Lima is generally safe in tourist areas like Miraflores and Barranco. Be cautious in crowded places, avoid displaying valuables and use authorized taxis or ride-hailing apps for safety.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Lima are generally good, especially in private clinics. Bring necessary medications, avoid street food from questionable vendors and stay hydrated, particularly in summer.

Accessibility

Lima offers moderate accessibility, with newer hotels, shopping centers and tourist areas providing good access. However, older buildings and uneven sidewalks may pose challenges for wheelchair users.

Tap water

Tap water in Lima is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled or filtered water, which is widely available. Many restaurants also serve filtered water on request.