Lima Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Lima showing interior views, religious aspects and a church or cathedral
Spanish colonial houses, exquisite food, musicians in traditional dress, oceanfront entertainment and fine museums make the Peruvian capital a feast for the senses.

Enjoy a culinary and cultural experience in bustling Lima, where the desert meets the coast, where ancient history mixes with 21st-century entertainment and where Peru’s poor hope to get rich.

The settlement along the Rímac River was once inhabited by Incas and earlier civilizations. After the Spanish founded Lima in 1535, they ruled for over 300 years. Today, nearly a third of Peru’s 30 million residents live in the capital. From the slums on the Cerros (hills) and the colorful colonial mansions, to the Catholic churches with Moorish roofs and Chinatown’s red gate, Lima’s urban sprawl is diverse.

Explore Lima’s colonial past in the central Plaza de Armas. A grand palace with marching guards, an ornate cathedral and a 17th-century fountain define this historic square. Sit on a bench and people-watch or browse nearby souvenir shops for brightly colored souvenirs. Tour the Convento y Museo de San Francisco and its 16th-century catacombs. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage or set out on foot and follow the shopping avenues to the monument-rich Plaza San Martin.

Take a metered taxi to the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera in the Pueblo Libre district to see pre-Columbian art, including Moche ceramics from over 2,200 years ago. For oceanfront entertainment, head south to Lima’s fashionable neighborhoods Miraflores and Barranco. Try Peru’s staple seafood dish ceviche or the alcoholic drink pisco sour.

In summer, ocean breezes provide a welcome reprieve from Lima’s desert air and smog. Winter days are mild, but often overcast. Because most Peruvians are poor and Lima attracts the wealthy, crime is an issue. Use the lockers and taxi service of your hotel and stick to the tourist areas.

Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport has connections to major global destinations. With daily planes and buses leaving from Lima for the surfing beaches of the Pacific Ocean, the lush Amazon jungle and the snow-capped Andes mountains, this fascinating city is just the start of your Peru adventure.

Where to stay in Lima

Miraflores featuring a sunset, landscape views and general coastal views

Miraflores

4.5/5(54 area reviews)

Travellers to Miraflores praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Huaca Pucllana Ruins and Indian Market.

Miraflores
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San Isidro

4/5(15 area reviews)

San Isidro is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Camino Real Mall and Costa Verde Beach while in the area.

San Isidro
Barranco showing street scenes as well as a large group of people

Barranco

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Barranco is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Barranco Park and Bridge of Sighs while you're in town.

Barranco
Plaza Mayor featuring flowers and a park

Lima Historic Center

Unique features of Lima Historic Center include the historical sites and shopping. Make a stop by Church and Convent of San Francisco or Cathedral of Lima while you're exploring the area.

Lima Historic Center
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San Miguel

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in San Miguel. You might want to make time for a stop at Plaza San Miguel Mall or Leyendas Park.

San Miguel
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San Borja

4/5(1 area review)

San Borja is a destination travellers like for its restaurants, and you might hop aboard the metro at San Borja South Station or La Cultura Station to explore sights like La Rambla San Borja.

San Borja
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
4 out of 5
Av. Salaverry 3060 - Magdalena del Mar, Lima, Lima
The price is ₹5,231 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
₹5,231
per night
1 Jun - 2 Jun
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews.
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Friendly and helpful staff. Clean room, nice amenities."

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
4 out of 5
Av Elmer Faucett S N, Aeropuerto Jorge Chavez, Callao, Lima
The price is ₹12,827 per night from 27 May to 28 May
₹12,827
per night
27 May - 28 May
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,283 reviews)
Front Desk
"All was good except front desk could be friendlier, thank you"

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Iberostar Selection Miraflores
Iberostar Selection Miraflores
5 out of 5
Malecon 28 de Julio 385, Lima, Lima
The price is ₹12,296 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
₹12,296
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (544 reviews)
"Excellent location and service"

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Iberostar Selection Miraflores
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Petit Palace Apart Hotel Suites
Petit Palace Apart Hotel Suites
3.5 out of 5
Calle Independencia 279, Miraflores, Lima 18, Lima, Lima
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lima. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the property condition in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (413 reviews)
"It’s a really nice place but it could use a little fixing up. Great value and I love having a kitchenette!"

Reviewed on 16 May 2023

Petit Palace Apart Hotel Suites
Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
3.5 out of 5
Bellavista 216, Miraflores, Lima, Lima
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (501 reviews)
"It is a great property that is conveniently located near everything in Miraflores. The rooms are spacious, and having a kitchen is fantastic. Additionally, the hotel staff was always helpful, answering our requests and questions with great care."

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2024

Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
Wynwood Colon in Miraflores
Wynwood Colon in Miraflores
3 out of 5
380 Calle San Martin, Lima
Stay at this apartment in Lima. Enjoy free WiFi and a balcony. Popular attractions Miraflores Central Park and Larcomar Shopping Center are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (6 reviews)
"We had a unique incident where my wife left her phone in a taxi and the people working the reception were a great help in recuperating the phone. Aside from that the place was clean and beautiful. We will definately book Wynwood again. Thank you so much!!!"

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Wynwood Colon in Miraflores
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Lima

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 26.53061224489796%
4 - Good
27
" "4 - Good 55.10204081632653%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 18.367346938775512%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
5 Jan 2020

Very safe and clean in some areas, unsafe, ugly in other areas. Dining options are far away from each other and public transport is only by bus and unreliable.

4/5 - Good

Mark
10 Dec 2019

MATE....Mario Testino art museum is well worth a visit

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Nov 2019

Lima is not only a beautiful city, but also a paradise for foodies; a hidden gem with lovely people and vibrant life!

3/5 - Okay

Eugen
26 Sep 2019

Good for a day visit (at least main square, but bad traffic and pretty rundown.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
21 Sep 2019

Really enjoyed Lima, go to barranco, the artisan district is lively and fun! History in downtown is good to.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
27 Aug 2019

Lima changed & improved a lot since I last visited 22 years ago. The areas around the hotel felt safe and easy to get around. I didn’t worry about looking at my phone in public which I would have done years ago. Nice bohemian vibe near bridge of sigh

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