Lima · 26 Places · Best December to April
Lima is Peru's vibrant capital and largest city, stretching along the Pacific coast where ancient civilizations once flourished.
Lima is Peru's sprawling capital perched on coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The city blends pre-Columbian ruins, Spanish colonial grandeur, and world-renowned cuisine that has earned it global recognition as a gastronomic capital. From the upscale neighborhoods of Miraflores and San Isidro to the bohemian streets of Barranco, Lima offers diverse experiences across its 43 districts. The city's misty winter skies (garúa) give way to warm, sunny summers, making it a year-round destination with a uniquely dramatic coastal setting.
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The 26 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
One of South America's finest archaeological museums, housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid. The Larco Museum holds over 45,000 artifacts representing 3,000 years of ancient Peruvian culture, including the famous collection of pre-Columbian erotic pottery. The extensive gold and silver vaults and the beautiful garden cafe make this a must-visit.
Lima's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre is a stunning ensemble of colonial architecture dating to the 16th century. The district centers on the Plaza Mayor, surrounded by the Government Palace, Lima Cathedral, and Archbishop's Palace. Walking its streets reveals ornate wooden balconies, Baroque churches, and centuries of history layered across a living, breathing city.
The beating heart of Lima since its founding by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Plaza Mayor is surrounded by the most important colonial buildings in Peru. The central bronze fountain dates to 1651. The surrounding Government Palace, Lima Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, and Municipal Palace form one of the finest colonial ensembles in Latin America.
An ancient ceremonial and administrative center of the Lima Culture, built around 400-700 AD right in the middle of modern Miraflores. This massive adobe pyramid rises 25 meters and is dramatically lit at night. The on-site museum displays artifacts including ceramics, textiles, and mummies. The adjacent restaurant is one of Lima's most atmospheric dining spots.
Lima's most romantic spot, this clifftop park overlooks the Pacific Ocean from the Miraflores malecón. Inspired by Barcelona's Park Güell, it features colorful mosaic benches and walls, and is dominated by Victor Delfín's famous 11-meter sculpture 'El Beso' (The Kiss). Paragliders launch from nearby cliffs, and the sunsets here are spectacular.
A uniquely positioned open-air shopping mall built into the cliffs of Miraflores, offering stunning Pacific Ocean views from its terraces. Beyond shopping, Larcomar features restaurants, a cinema, bars, and is adjacent to Parque del Amor. It's one of Lima's most scenic people-watching spots, especially at sunset.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Lima's most prestigious hotel, perched on the Miraflores cliffs with unobstructed Pacific Ocean views. The 81-room property features a rooftop pool with ocean views, the acclaimed Tragaluz restaurant, a full-service spa, and impeccable service. The elegant rooms blend Peruvian art and modern luxury, making this the gold standard for Lima accommodation.
Check rates on Booking.comA landmark clifftop hotel adjacent to Larcomar with sweeping Pacific views. The JW Marriott features 302 rooms, three restaurants, a rooftop pool deck, a full spa, and Lima's best-equipped fitness center. The hotel's central Miraflores location puts guests within walking distance of the best restaurants, parks, and the malecón.
Check rates on Booking.comLima's tallest hotel, a glass tower in the heart of the San Isidro financial district offering stunning city views. The Westin features the signature Heavenly Bed, multiple restaurants, a full spa, and one of Lima's best hotel pools. Excellent for business travelers and those wanting proximity to Lima's finest restaurants in San Isidro.
Check rates on Booking.comA charming historic hotel housed in a 1927 Tudor-style building beside El Olivar park. The Country Club Lima feels worlds away from the urban chaos, offering an oasis of elegance with beautiful gardens, a traditional afternoon tea service, and the excellent El Perroquet restaurant. A favorite of Peruvian high society and discerning international travelers.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Consistently ranked among the world's very best restaurants, Central is chef Virgilio Martínez's extraordinary exploration of Peruvian ecosystems through food. The tasting menu takes diners on a vertical journey from the ocean floor to Amazonian altitudes, featuring ingredients from every ecological zone of Peru. A once-in-a-lifetime dining experience that defines modern Peruvian cuisine.
Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura's masterful fusion of Japanese precision and Peruvian ingredients has earned Maido a place in the World's 50 Best Restaurants for over a decade. The Nikkei tasting menu is a journey through the synthesis of two great culinary traditions, featuring ceviches with Japanese techniques, tiraditos with unique Peruvian ingredients, and Amazonian-inspired sushi.
The restaurant that launched Lima's gastronomic revolution. Founded by Gastón Acurio in 1994, Astrid y Gastón set the template for elevated Peruvian cuisine that influenced a generation of chefs. Set in a stunning colonial mansion (Casa Moreyra) in San Isidro, the restaurant continues to serve exemplary modern Peruvian cooking with unmatched elegance.
Gastón Acurio's famous cevichería is arguably Lima's most celebrated seafood restaurant, consistently ranked among the best in the world. The menu is a celebration of Peru's Pacific bounty, with over a dozen ceviche varieties, outstanding tiraditos, and beloved Peruvian classics like arroz con leche de tigre. Expect waits at weekends.
Chef José del Castillo's tribute to his mother's cooking and the traditional Lima taberna tradition. Isolina serves generous portions of classic criollo cuisine - anticuchos, carapulcra, lomo saltado, and seco de cordero - in a warm, nostalgic colonial setting in Barranco. One of Lima's most beloved restaurants for authentic Peruvian home cooking elevated to restaurant quality.
Chef Pía León's own restaurant adjacent to Central (they share a building), Kjolle is a distinct and personal expression of Peruvian ingredients through Pía's feminine and nuanced lens. World's Best Female Chef 2021, Pía creates dishes of exceptional beauty and complexity. An essential Lima dining experience for serious food lovers.
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Lima is a sprawling mega-city of 10+ million people. The Metropolitano BRT and electric train (Metro Línea 1) are the best public transit. Uber and Cabify are safe and affordable taxi alternatives. Driving is not recommended for tourists.
Daily spend by tier in PEN, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $12-25 | $80-130 | $250-700 |
| Food (per day) | $10-15 | $25-40 | $80-150 |
| Transportation | $5-8 | $10-15 | $30-60 |
| Activities | $5-10 | $15-25 | $50-100 |
| Daily total | $35-55 | $100-180 | $350-700+ |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Lima.
Never hail taxis from the street in Lima — Street hailing taxis are the most common vehicle for 'express kidnappings' (paseo millonario) where criminals drive you around forcing ATM withdrawals. Always use app taxis: Uber, InDriver, Cabify, or Beat. These record your driver's details and track the journey.
Leave valuables at your hotel — Do not walk the streets with expensive jewelry, watches, or new electronics visibly displayed. Use a budget phone for navigation if possible. Keep your main camera in a bag between shots. Leave your passport at the hotel and carry a photocopy.
Be vigilant with your phone in public — Phone snatching (arrebato) is the most common crime affecting tourists in Lima. Thieves on motorcycles or on foot grab phones from people using them on streets, in parks, and even from cafe tables near the street. Put your phone away when not using it and be aware of your surroundings.
Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centers only — Use ATMs during daylight hours and preferably inside bank branches or established shopping malls like Larcomar. Avoid ATMs on the street, especially at night. Shield your PIN when entering it. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently rather than small amounts repeatedly.
Use taxis at night, even for short distances — Even in Miraflores and Barranco, walking late at night increases risk. Take an app taxi for journeys after midnight even if the destination is nearby. Walking home from bars in Barranco after 1am on quiet streets is when most incidents occur.
Do not drink tap water — Lima's tap water is not safe to drink. Always use bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth. Ice at reputable restaurants is generally made with filtered water, but street food ice should be treated with caution. Stomach issues from contaminated water or food can ruin a trip.
Be aware of common tourist scams — Common Lima scams include: fake police officers asking to check your documents (always ask to go to the nearest police station); distraction scams (one person drops something or spills on you while an accomplice pickpockets you); unofficial tour guides overcharging; money changers giving incorrect change.
Avoid drug offers — Drug trafficking is a serious offence in Peru with very heavy sentences. Tourists should decline any offers of drugs. Be aware that some individuals may offer drugs as a pretext for theft or worse. Certain 'tourist-friendly' bars in Barranco can attract this type of activity.
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance before departure — Ensure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation, theft of valuables, and trip cancellation. Medical care in Lima's private clinics is good quality but expensive. The Hospital Clínica Anglo-Americana and Clínica Ricardo Palma in Miraflores/San Isidro are the best options for tourists.
Keep a photocopy of your passport and important documents — Leave your passport locked in your hotel safe and carry a color photocopy for ID purposes. Register with your home country's embassy or travel registration system. Keep digital copies of all documents in a secure cloud service.
Stick to tourist-friendly districts, especially at night — Miraflores, San Isidro, and the restaurant area of Barranco are the safest areas for tourists. The Historic Centre, La Victoria, El Agustino, Comas, and other working-class districts require extra caution. Do not wander into unfamiliar areas, particularly after dark.
Don't leave valuables on Lima's beaches — Lima's beaches (Costa Verde) can be target for theft. Never leave bags, phones, or clothing unattended while swimming. The ocean can have strong rip currents - always check conditions before swimming and heed any warnings.
Extra precautions for solo female travelers — Lima is generally manageable for solo female travelers with standard precautions. Verbal harassment (piropo) is common but typically non-threatening. Avoid hailing street taxis alone, especially at night. Miraflores and Barranco are the safest areas for solo female travelers. Inform someone of your plans.
Know the emergency numbers — Police: 105. Fire: 116. Ambulance: 106. Tourist Police (Policía de Turismo): +51 1 460-1000 (they speak English and assist tourists). Nearest police station in Miraflores: Av. José Larco 1280.
Lima has a safety level of moderate for tourists. Emergency services: police at 105, medical at 106 (SAMU ambulance).
The best time to visit Lima is December to April. Lima has a subtropical desert climate unlike any other major city. Despite being on the Pacific coast, Lima receives almost no rain (under 15mm/year), but is often covered in thick coastal fog (garúa)
Most nationalities can enter Peru visa-free for up to 90 days. Check current requirements before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check with your nearest embassy or the official immigration website before traveling.
The currency in Lima is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but carry cash for markets and smaller establishments.
The main language(s) spoken in Lima: Spanish, Quechua. In tourist areas, English is generally understood. Learning a few basic phrases in the local language is appreciated by locals.
The top attractions in Lima include Museo Larco (Larco Museum), Historic Centre of Lima, Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas), Huaca Pucllana, and Parque del Amor. Each offers a unique experience, from historic landmarks to natural wonders.
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.
