Lima

Travel Guide

Exposition Park featuring a fountain and a park as well as a large group of people
Lima which includes religious elements, interior views and a church or cathedral
Lima featuring a high rise building and street scenes
Exposition Park which includes outdoor art, a garden and flowers
Lima which includes a pond and a sunset as well as a large group of people

Lima Travel Guide Video

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 andcultural experience in bustling Lima, where the desert meets the coast, whereancient history mixes with 21st-century entertainment and where Peru’s poorhope to get rich.

The settlement along theRímac River was once inhabited by Incas and earlier civilizations. After theSpanish founded Lima in 1535, they ruled for over 300 years. Today, nearly athird of Peru’s 30 million residents live in the capital. From the slums on theCerros (hills) and the colorful colonial mansions, to the Catholic churcheswith Moorish roofs and Chinatown’s red gate, Lima’s urban sprawl isdiverse.

Explore Lima’s colonialpast in the central Plaza de Armas. A grand palace with marching guards, anornate cathedral and a 17th-century fountain define this historic square. Siton a bench and people-watch or browse nearby souvenir shops for brightlycolored souvenirs. Tour the Convento y Museo de San Francisco and its16th-century catacombs. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage or set out on foot andfollow the shopping avenues to the monument-rich Plaza San Martin.

Take a metered taxi to theMuseo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera in the Pueblo Libre district to seepre-Columbian art, including Moche ceramics from over 2,200 years ago. Foroceanfront entertainment, head south to Lima’s fashionable neighborhoodsMiraflores and Barranco. Try Peru’s staple seafood dish ceviche or thealcoholic drink pisco sour.

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

Lima’s Jorge ChavezInternational Airport has connections to major global destinations. With dailyplanes and buses leaving from Lima for the surfing beaches of the PacificOcean, the lush Amazon jungle and the snow-capped Andes mountains, thisfascinating city is just the start of your Peru adventure.

Where to stay in Lima

Miraflores featuring a sunset, general coastal views and landscape views

Miraflores

4.5/5(1,315 area reviews)

Miraflores is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Huaca Pucllana Ruins and Indian Market.

Miraflores
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San Isidro

4.5/5(307 area reviews)

Major financial quarter with a vibrant artistic community, San Isidro offers a mix of modern and ancient attractions. Explore the 4th-century Wak'a Wallamarka temple and marvel at the Hotel Westin Libertador, while navigating Lima's key avenues.

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

Barranco

4.5/5(110 area reviews)

Bohemian and romantic, this district is home to artists and musicians. Explore the Bajada de los Baños walkway, visit the Pedro de Osma museum, or surf at the popular beaches.

Barranco
Plaza Mayor showing flowers and a garden

Lima Historic Center

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

Lima Historic Center
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San Miguel

3.5/5(26 area reviews)

Part of Lima's urban area, San Miguel boasts the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Plaza San Miguel, and Parque de las Leyendas. Explore its economic centers along La Marina, Universitaria, and Elmer Faucett avenues, just 20-30 minutes from the airport.

San Miguel
central
#TroverFoodies

Leuro

While visiting Leuro, you might make a stop by sights like Larco Avenue and Balboa Strip Mall.

Leuro
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
$114 nightly
The price is $114 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$114 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Callao. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,013 reviews)
Confusing listing
"It was unclear from the reservation that the hotel was at the OLD Lima airport, so my Uber driver had to work at helping me figure out where I was staying. Should be a moot point by the end of July."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
4 out of 5
Av. Salaverry 3060 - Magdalena del Mar, Lima, Lima
$68 nightly
The price is $68 total per night from Jul 18 to Jul 19
$68 total
Jul 18 - Jul 19
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Lima. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Amenities!! The sauna and jacuzzi were exactly what I needed to relax"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima City
Sheraton Lima Historic Center
Sheraton Lima Historic Center
4 out of 5
Paseo De La Republica 170, Lima, Lima
$84 nightly
The price is $84 total per night from Jul 22 to Jul 23
$84 total
Jul 22 - Jul 23
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lima. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (691 reviews)
"This is an excellent choice when staying near the Centro Histórico. The only negative is you don't have the walking options that you do in Miraflores, but there are some shopping and restaurant options next door in the shopping center. Very good service and breakfast buffet in this business friendly ..."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Sheraton Lima Historic Center
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.
Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
3.5 out of 5
Bellavista 216, Miraflores, 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 helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (593 reviews)
"Staff was excellent - very accommodating. The room was good size except for the bathroom- it was incredibly narrow. Room was noisy because of location - you could hear the noise and partying. They play the music too loud in the lobby and started it at 6:30am. We could clearly hear it from our room. ..."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Estelar Apartamentos Bellavista
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 our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (434 reviews)
"Buen hotel y buena ubicación. Lo malo es que la cocina no tiene hornilla ni fuego para poder calentar o hacerte algo"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Petit Palace Apart Hotel Suites
Apart Hotel El Doral
Apart Hotel El Doral
3 out of 5
Avenida Jose Pardo 486, Miraflores, Lima
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lima. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (112 reviews)
"The room was comfortable similiar to a studio, but witha a small living room with a sofa, small kitchen with freige but not microwave, and king bed. The bad room was good with enough space. The bed room had air conditiones / heater, it has great pillows and execellent matress. The location was excellent, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Apart Hotel El Doral
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

Things to do

Reviews of Lima

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
534
5 - Excellent 45%
4 - Good
496
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
140
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
15
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lima and all of Perú are wonderful, fun, safe, and interesting, with great food, friendly people, and easy traveling. Take your time and experience all of Perú.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lima and all of Perú are wonderful and fun and easy to know. The people, the history, the sites, the ruins and the food are fabulous. Don´t miss Perú!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lima and all of Perú is wonderful, safe, and easy to know, with great people, food, sites, and activities of all types. Highly recommended!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful, fun, safe, interesting, great food, and kind, friendly, helpful people

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Friendly people. Courteous and helpful. Beautiful old center of Lima. Beautiful newer Walking park from Miraflores to Barranco. Love park. Great shopping! Great food and wine!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Great restaurants and beautiful sunsets.

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