Lima Travel Guide

Lima Travel Guide

Notoriously foggy, noisy, and overcrowded, Lima is nevertheless an exciting and historic city, where many cultures and influences collide and the best of Peru, ancient and modern, can be enjoyed.

Lima was once the pride of Spanish colonists, and retains enough history and character to tantalise travellers from all over the world. Visitors will find fascinating museums and archaeological sites in and around the city, as well as a vibrant nightlife. Lima also has decent shopping opportunities and a fabulous restaurant scene, which showcases the country's increasingly sought after cuisine. The bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco and the historic old town are fun to explore on foot.

Best time to visit Lima

Lima tends to be hot and humid for most of the year, with little or no rain. The ideal time to visit is during the least humid months, between March and April. Fog is common from April through to December and blocks the sun.

Read more on Lima's Climate and Weather.

What to see in Lima

- Trace the history of Peru's ancient civilisations in the Museo de la Nacion.

- Marvel at the golden treasures of the Museo de Oro del Peru.

- Stroll around the Plaza Mayor and Plaza San Martin, the heart of Lima's historic old town.

- See the Candelabra at Paracas National Reserve in Pisco.

What to do in Lima

- Tour the catacombs and library of the Church of San Francisco, Lima's most spectacular church.

- Explore the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera, which contains the most impressive ancient ceramic collection in South America.

- Hike up Marcahuasi, a mountain outside Lima famous for its mysterious rock formations.

- Fly over the famous Nazca Lines, one of the most thrilling and mysterious sights in South America.

Beyond Lima

There are many fun and worthwhile excursions from Lima, and the city is the main transport hub of Peru, with regular flights and buses to the tourist centre of Cuzco, and the southern attractions of Arequipa and Lake Titicaca.

Getting there

Jorge Chavez International Airport, situated 10 miles (16km) northwest of Lima, is Peru's main airport, with direct flights to several European and American cities.

Get more information on Airports in Lima.

Did you know?

- Lima is the second largest desert capital in the world, after Cairo.

- It almost never rains in Lima; a half-hearted drizzle is all the city ever gets.

- Lima is plagued by traffic jams and rush hour can be an experience.

Things to do in Lima

Lima is home to an enticing range of attractions. From wonderful restaurants to several picturesque neighbourhoods, Peru's capital is, indeed, a feast for the senses. Culture lovers should tour the historic Old Town, beginning at the Plaza Mayor and Plaza San Martin. The two squares are lined with stalls, artists, buskers, museums and colonial buildings, and are connected by a long pedestrian street. Lima's nightlife centre, Miraflores, and the bohemian resort district of Barranco are worth exploring too. The city also has a number of spectacular churches, with the magnificent Baroque Church of San Francisco standing out among them. Its impressive library, intriguing catacombs and richly decorated interior are definite must-sees. Travellers can arrange to do guided tours. The Museo de la Nacion, the Museo de Oro del Peru (which displays ancient gold artefacts), and the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera are among Lima's best museums. Visitors who are travelling with children should stop at the Magical Water Circuit (Circuito Magico del Agua), which is a stunning display of light and water in the Reserve Park. On the culinary front, Lima has become one of the most respected destinations in the Americas. Foodies will find restaurants that cater to every taste and every budget, though local Peruvian fare is unsurpassed.

Plaza Mayor and Plaza San Martin photo

Plaza Mayor and Plaza San Martin

Shoppers, vendors and sightseers crowd the long pedestrian street connecting Plaza Mayor to Plaza de Armas. The heart of the old town is found in these locations, with the latter's bronze fountain and old street lamps providing an old-fashioned feel. Several notable buildings surround the square, such as the Spanish Baroque Cathedral occupying the site of an ancient Inca temple and housing the Museum of Religious Art and Treasures; the Government Palace; the Archbishop's Palace; and the Plaza San Martin, buzzing with street artists and soapbox speakers surrounding its central fountain.

Museo de la Nacion (National Museum) photo

Museo de la Nacion (National Museum)

Located in Lima, the anthropological and archaeological museum's exhibits trace the history of Peru's ancient civilisations. All in all, they provide an outstanding overview of the country's archaeological richness. The museum's chronological layout guides visitors through complicated ancient history, highlighting the many conquering cultures and their achievements. Visitors can view the history of the original inhabitants and the Inca Empire, as well as an exhibition on Peru's internal conflict which began in 1980. Visitors can enjoy guided tours for a small fee and will marvel at the size of the collection, which spans a few floors.

Museo Rafael Larco Herrera photo

Museo Rafael Larco Herrera

Housed in an 18th-century mansion and surrounded by an award-winning garden, the Larco Museum houses a world-class collection of ancient ceramics. Most of the pieces come from the Moche Dynasty, who lived along Peru's northern coast between 100 and 700 AD. They're said to have accomplished the region's most imaginative languages through creative pottery, through which visitors can learn about their dance, music and religion, as well as transport and agriculture. The collection also includes crowns, masks and erotica, as well as statues and jewellery from around 4,000 years of pre-Columbian Peruvian history.

Nightlife

Lima has a fun and varied nightlife, and its locals are known to love a good party. Generally speaking, they're very welcoming of foreigners. Miraflores is the best party district, and has some fantastic bars and salsa clubs. Visitors must be well-dressed to gain entrance to most seaside establishments. The capital is easily the most progressive city in an otherwise conservative country. Many of its nightclubs welcome gay and lesbian patrons, especially in Miraflores. Barranco's after-dark spots are also worth visiting, some of which can be found on the coast, near the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs). Bars tend to open at 8pm or 9pm, but many nightclubs and live music venues only open at 10pm or later. Popular spots usually stay open until about 4am. Drinks are generally cheap in Lima, especially if patrons choose local varieties. Casinos are popular in Peru and many of the larger, upmarket hotels have casinos attached. For those who want a more sophisticated cultural experience, Lima has some good ballet, theatre and opera. The wonderful Teatro Municipal is a great option, and the Museo de la Nacion and Teatro Segura offer wonderful cultural experiences too.

Getting Around

Lima is divided into four quarters, all of which are small enough to explore on foot. Travellers should rely on the city's buses and taxis when moving between sections, though. Lima's buses range from microbus vans to larger 'school bus' vehicles. Travellers can hail vans in the street and should approach the 'school bus' variety with a degree of caution. Though inexpensive, they're uncomfortable and are frequently involved in accidents. Destinations are rarely marked, so passengers should ask the driver to confirm the route before boarding. Taxis are also cheap and common, but are indistinguishable by their make or model. Travellers should mark them by plastic signs on their windscreens. Taxis generally aren't metred, meaning passengers should establish a fare before departing. Foreigners should find out how much fares usually cost to avoid getting overcharged. Visitors also should avoid renting cars, given that roads are often poorly maintained, and that local drivers are reckless and aggressive. That said, the city has a number of rental agencies.

Lima Climate and Weather

Lima's weather is influenced by the cold, offshore Humboldt Current, and the city's mild desert climate is much cooler than visitors might expect for a desert region. Indeed, temperatures rarely fall below 54°F (12°C) and seldom rise above 84°F (29°C) year-round. Lima is generally a cloudy and foggy city, and doesn't see much sun. Travellers will find more sun as they travel along the coast and away from the city. Rainfall is extremely low, coming mainly via drizzles in winter, or the occasional brief shower in summer. Regarding seasons, Lima has two distinct periods. Summer runs from December through April and is sunny, cloud-free, and foggy. Temperatures range from 64°F (18°C) to 84°F (29°C). Winter lasts from June to October and is a grey season, during which temperatures range from 54°F (12°C) to 66°F (19°C), and conditions are frequently overcast. May and November are transitional months. Otherwise, humidity is high all year and Lima's sunsets are especially colourful. Winter is the most popular time to visit, when visitors can expect clear, sunny weather in the mountains. It's also a good time to see the Amazon Basin, given that there are fewer mosquitoes.

Peru travel info

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 60Hz. Two-pronged plugs with flat blades as well as plugs with two round prongs are in use.

Language

Spanish is the official language. In areas where they are predominant, Quechua, Aymara and other aboriginal languages also have official status. English is spoken only in major tourist centres and hotels.

Money

The official currency is Sol (PEN), divided into 100 céntimos. Visa is the most widely accepted credit card, but all major international credit cards are accepted in many, but not all, establishments. Outside of big cities, facilities may be more limited. US Dollars are the easiest currency to exchange and plenty of restaurants, hotels, and shops in the main cities accept dollars for payment. Casas de cambio (exchange bureaux) often give better rates than hotels and banks and can be found in any town on the tourist circuit. ATMs are available in the main cities.

Tipping

Most restaurants add a service charge of 10 percent, which will be indicated by the words propina or servicio near the bottom of the bill. Even if a service charge has been added, the waiter can be offered an additional 10 percent for exceptional service; this is also the going rate for tipping where a service charge has not been added. In hotels, porters expect about US$1 per bag. Taxi drivers are not tipped (the fare should be set before departure). Tour guides are customarily tipped.

Health

Travellers heading to Peru will need a yellow fever certificate if they're entering from an infected area, and are advised to take precautions if travelling to jungle regions. Immunisation against typhoid is sensible, as are precautions against malaria, dengue fever and zika virus. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B are recommended, as well as a course of rabies injections if journeying into the wilderness. Diarrhoea and altitude sickness are the most common ailments, so travellers should only drink bottled water, avoid drinks with ice and be wary of street food. Healthcare is good in the major cities, particularly at private clinics rather than public hospitals, but travel insurance remains essential.

Safety

Most visits to Peru are trouble-free and sensible precautions should be enough to keep travellers safe. There have been a few incidents on treks through the Huayhuash region near Huaraz and should seek safety advice before setting out. Travellers should only take official taxis as thieves can pose as drivers or tour operators.

Local customs

Visitors should not take photographs of anything relating to the military. Many locals will ask for a tip in return for being the subject of a photograph. In some places, this is the primary source of income. Homosexuality, although legal, is frowned upon. Gay travellers should keep a low profile outside gay clubs. Visitors should avoid wearing any native Indian clothing as this will be seen as insulting, regardless of their intentions.

Doing business

Business centres on the capital, Lima, and is usually conducted in a formal and somewhat conservative manner. It's worth noting that foreigners will need a business visa from a local Peruvian Consulate.

Dress should be formal, with suits and ties being the norm. Titles and surnames are usually used upon greeting, and handshakes are standard for men and women. Business cards are usually exchanged and it is useful to have them printed in Spanish on one side, though English is fairly common. In fact, any effort to speak Spanish will be well received.

Women may encounter sexism. Punctuality is important, though meetings are not likely to begin on time. Business hours can vary but are usually from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Some businesses close for a siesta from 1pm to 3pm.

Duty free

Travellers over the age of 18 do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 3 litres of alcoholic beverages; and gifts to the value of US$500. Items such as sausages, salami, ham and cheese may only be brought in if accompanied by an original sanitary certificate. The import of ham from Italy and Portugal is prohibited. The export of cultural or artistic items from the country is not permitted.

Communications

The international access code for Peru is +51. Wifi access is available in most hotels, modern restaurants and cafés.

Passport & Visa

All travellers require passports, return or onward tickets, all documents required for onward travel and proof of funds. If travelling for business purposes, a visa is required. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the visitor's intended date of departure from the travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

British nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

Canadian nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

Australian nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards validated for travel to Peru do not require visas for stays of up to three months. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

South African nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

Irish nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards validated for travel to Peru do not require visas for stays of up to three months. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

Useful contacts

PROMPERU (Commission for the Promotion of Peru), Lima: +51 1 616 7300 or https://www.peru.travel/biddingbook/home_en.html

911 (General); 105 (Police); 106 (Ambulance).

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Peruvian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 833 9860.

Peruvian Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 20 7235 3802.

Peruvian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 1777.

Peruvian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6273 7351.

Peruvian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 440 1030.

Peruvian Consulate, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 567 6951.

Peruvian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 213 8943.

Embassies / consulates in Peru

United States Embassy, Lima: +51 1 618 2000.

British Embassy, Lima: +51 1 617 3000.

Canadian Embassy, Lima: +51 1 319 3200.

Australian Embassy, Lima: +51 1 630 0500.

South African Embassy, Lima: +51 1 612 4848.

Irish Honorary Consulate, Lima, Peru: +51 1 222 5252.

New Zealand Embassy in Chile (also responsible for Peru): +56 2 2616 3000.