paulo lima trip wikipedia

• Virginia Beach
• History & facts
• Famous people
• Famous landmarks
• AI interviews
• Science & Nature
• Tech & Business

Discover something new everyday

Famous places

• Food & Drinks
• Tech & Business

20 Fascinating Facts About Lima’s History and Culture

Photo by Creators Brand on Unsplash

Read Next →

18 things you probably didn’t know about Sacre-Coeur basilica in Paris

Best Theme Parks and Attractions in and Around Paris

The Best Way to Visit the Paris Catacombs

1. the ancient origins: lima’s roots as a pre-columbian city.

2. From Limaq to Lima: The Evolution of the City’s Name

3. spanish conquest and colonial rule: lima’s role in the new world, 4. the historical significance of lima’s plaza de armas.

5. A Melding of Cultures: Lima’s Influence as a Cultural Melting Pot

6. lima’s role as the capital of the viceroyalty of peru.

7. The Baroque Splendor: Lima’s Architectural Heritage

8. Lima’s Role in the Independence Movement of South America

9. the arrival of the railroad: transforming lima’s infrastructure.

10. Lima’s Booming Economy in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

11. the impact of immigrants: lima’s diverse cultural landscape, 12. lima’s gastronomy: from street food to michelin-starred restaurants.

13. The Peruvian Flag and National Anthem: Lima’s Contribution to National Symbols

14. the historic catacombs: a glimpse into lima’s dark past.

15. Lima’s Historic Universities and Their Role in Shaping Latin American Education

16. the battle of miraflores: defeating chile in the war of the pacific, 17. lima’s literary legacy: celebrating nobel laureate mario vargas llosa.

18. The Modern Marvels: Lima’s Contemporary Architecture and Urban Development

19. preserving lima’s historical heritage: the challenges of restoration and conservation, 20. lima’s vibrant festivals and traditions: celebrating peruvian culture.

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !

These are  Amazon’s best-selling  travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

• The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 –  Learn more here
• Fodor’s Paris 2024 –  Learn more here

Travel Gear

• Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack –  Learn more here
• Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage –  Learn more here
• Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle –  Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.

Pamela is a writer with an insatiable wanderlust. Her storytelling captures the essence of every city, town, or hidden gem she researches or explores. With a background in literature, she diligently transports her readers to the heart of each destination. She writes for DW on numerous topics encouraging others to pack their bags and embark on their own adventures.

Hello & Welcome

Popular Articles

Top 20 Streets to See in Paris

Paris in two days

Top 15 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower

The Best Way to Visit Paris Museums

Top 15 Fashion Stores in Le Marais

Visit europe with discover walks.

• Paris walking tours
• Montmartre walking tour
• Lisbon walking tours
• Prague walking tours
• Barcelona walking tours
• Private tours in Europe
• Privacy policy

© 2024 Charing Cross Corporation

10 Things To Do In Lima: Complete Guide To The Seaside Capital Of Peru

From exploring UNESCO-listed historical sites to partaking in thrilling cliffside adventures, explore the top things to do in Peru's coastal capital.

Lima is the capital of Peru and South America’s second-largest city. It was initially occupied by indigenous communities as part of the Inca Empire before being conquered by Spain in the 1600s, becoming the capital of the Spanish colony. With a history dating back several millennia, this seaside city boasts multiple historical and cultural treasures waiting to be unearthed.

The Peruvian capital sits along the central Pacific coast, wedged between three rivers, in what is a mix of tropics and desert. Its unique geography results in breathtaking natural landscapes, while its pleasant weather makes it the perfect playground for an endless list of fun adventures, including sandboarding and paragliding.

This sprawling metropolis is also home to just under 10 million residents, giving it a cosmopolitan flair worth experiencing. From exploring historical structures in its UNESCO-listed city center and sampling sumptuous Peruvian cuisine to hunting for souvenirs in its colorful markets, there is no shortage of exciting pastimes in Lima.

Top Things To Do In Lima

Lima houses interesting ancient sites and monuments, but as the country’s economic hub, it also has many modern buildings and urban facilities.

This unique mix of the past and the present offers diverse adventures that will give tourists several reasons to include Peru in their South American itinerary . Here are the top things to do in Lima.

18 Scope Out The Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas, also called the Plaza Mayor, holds a special place in Lima’s history and will be a fantastic place to kick off the city’s itinerary. It is the site where the city was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro.

Plaza de Armas has multiple cultural and historical landmarks, such as the Government Palace and the Lima Cathedral. Historical monuments aside, the square is a popular public space with lines of trees and a fountain in the middle, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the city vibe.

While exploring Plaza de Armas, tourists should watch out for the iconic changing of the guard ceremony held daily at noon.

17 Check Out The Catacombs Of San Francisco Church

The San Francisco Church is one of the most exciting spots to visit in Lima, thanks to the spooky secret that lurks underneath it. Constructed in the late 1600s, this Spanish Baroque-styled church is a lovely sight and connects to a monastery housing a vast collection of medieval religious text.

However, the biggest draw to the San Francisco church lies below the catacombs.

As the original site of the city’s cemetery, it’s believed that more than 70,000 people were laid to rest there, including the elite who wanted to be buried closer to God. Although it can be an eerie tour for first-timers, the catacombs are an interesting part of the city that shouldn’t be overlooked.

• Admissions : Free
• Hours : Open daily, 9 am – 9 pm

To be more comfortable visiting the catacombs, guests can join others in the walking tour of Lima for a small fee .

16 Admire Panoramic City Views From The Top Of San Cristobal Hill

Standing at a 400-meter altitude above sea level, San Cristobal Hill is Lima’s highest natural point. Visitors can scale the hill's summit to enjoy scenic views of Lima and its surrounding landscapes.

Besides being a popular vantage point, the locals revere San Cristobal Hill as an apu (mountain deity) that watches over the city. This belief was imposed on the indigenous communities by the Spanish conquistadors, who even planted a cross at the top.

To date, people continue making offerings to the mountain, which also serves as a pilgrimage site for Christians.

While some adventurous tourists might be tempted to hike to the top of the hill, this is not the safest part of the city, so the trip is not recommended.

The easiest way to get to San Cristobal Hill is to take a bus from Plaza de Armas. The trip costs around $3 and offers enough time to snap photos of the scenic views.

15 Marvel At The Historical Huaca Pucllana Site

The Huaca Pucllana is an ancient pyramid that offers a glimpse into the pre-Inca Lima culture between AD 200 and 700. The imposing seven-tier structure, built using a combination of clay and adobe, was constructed around AD 500, serving as a critical ceremonial and administrative hub of the day’s civilization.

While exploring the ruins, vacationers will see the plaza where locals offered sacrifices and the Senor de los Unkus mummy.

Huaca Pucllana sits in a historical park in Miraflores, a historic district worth exploring separately.

• Admissions : $4.5 per adult
• Hours : Wednesday to Monday, 9 am – 5 pm

Related: 15 Inca Structures And Sites You Can Visit In Peru Today

14 Shop For Souvenirs At Mercado Indio

Mercado Indio, or Indian Market, is the perfect place to find a souvenir in Lima. The colorful and bubbly market is home to many local traders selling Peruvian handcrafted goods like embroidered cushions, alpaca sweaters, ceramics, jewelry, and woven textiles.

These will make lovely gift items to take back home to loved ones or keep as a reminder of the Lima vacation, and the best part is that the prices are relatively affordable.

• Hours : Open daily, 10 am – 7 pm

Try bargaining with the store owners for a better deal (as is local custom).

13 Chill With The Friendly Felines Of Kennedy Park

Cat lovers will feel at home hanging around their furry friends at Kennedy Park. Named after J.F. Kennedy, Lima residents call it Cat Park due to the over 100 stray cats calling it home. The cats are believed to have escaped from a church where they used to control a mouse infestation and found a comfortable refuge on the park grounds.

To manage the feline population, a non-profit organization neuters and spays the cats, keeping them from becoming a menace.

The cats have become accustomed to visitors to the park, who like to pet and watch them relax, proving to be a key tourist draw. Cats aside, Kennedy Park has a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere with shops and restaurants worth checking out.

• Hours : Open 24/7

12 Explore Miraflores And Barranco On Two Wheels

Barranco and Miraflores are arguably the two trendiest and most picturesque areas in Lima, home to many attractions. With so much to discover in these two sprawling neighborhoods, the best option is to get on a bike so that it’s easy to cover more ground.

Miraflores is an upscale district in the city teeming with high-end shopping centers, restaurants, department stores, bars, and nightclubs. Barranco is a romantic destination and cultural hub, home to the city’s top artists, designers, and musicians.

Join a bike tour of Lima that snakes its way around both Barranco and Miraflores, to enjoy scenic coastal views and sample the top tourist attractions in the area.

11 Go Paragliding Off The Seaside Cliffs Of Lima

Peru’s capital boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from its numerous seaside cliffs. One of the best ways to experience this exotic beauty is to launch into the air on a paragliding trip off the surrounding cliffs.

This is also an excellent way for holidaymakers to inject adrenaline into the itinerary. Most paragliding enthusiasts head to Miraflores for one of the best adventures visitors can experience in Peru at Parque Raimondi. There is no better place to soak in the coastal views in Lima.

While it’s generally safe to paraglide in Lima, tourists are advised to have travel insurance before jumping from the cliffs.

10 Stroll Along The Malecon

The Malecon is a picturesque cliffside boardwalk in the trendy neighborhood of Miraflores, lined with lush parks, gardens, and playgrounds. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, where walkers, joggers, runners, and bikers come to enjoy the outdoors.

Art lovers also enjoy the intimate statues decorating the walkway with several places to take a breather, including Parque del Amor and Parque Raimondi.

Walk along the Malecon at sunset to catch the sky changing colors against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific Ocean; the scene is simply spectacular.

9 Swim With Cute Sea Lions On Palomino’s Island

Animal lovers can spend their time in Lima swimming alongside friendly sea lions on Palomino’s Island. The island is famous for its large population of sea lions who gather around the rocks to bask in the sun.

Located a short boat trip from Lima, guests can access the island to interact with the animals and check out the thousands of seabirds in the area, including pelicans, guanayes, boobies, and Humboldt penguins.

While swimming with sea lions, don’t touch the animals when they approach or make loud noises around them. Also, going into their island amounts to trespassing on their territory, which is ill-advised.

8 Best Time To Visit Lima

The best time to visit Lima is during summer (December to April). The warm, sunny weather and lower visitor numbers are ideal for exploring and hitting the city beaches. There is also very little rainfall, which means no interruption when touring Lima's many outdoor attractions.

Peru’s capital is busiest, with the most tourist activity between March and April. Flight and accommodation rates reach their highest, meaning vacationers can avoid the high expense by planning for these well in advance.

Spring (September to November) welcomes mild weather with considerable rainfall. This is the perfect time for food enthusiasts to sample the local cuisine as it hosts the largest culinary festival in South America, Mistura.

Winter sees much cooler conditions in the city with cloudy skies, and sometimes a misty fog may engulf Lima. This is a prime period for festivals, mostly held at the Plaza de Armas, including the Independence Day of Peru in July.

7 How To Get Around Lima

The nearest airport to the city is the Jorge Chavez International Airport, located just about 7 miles from the city. A taxi is the best way to get to downtown Lima upon arrival. Fortunately, the town offers more options to get around.

There are numerous sights to inspect in Lima and its most popular districts, best experienced on foot. Tourists will enjoy strolling the streets of Miraflores, which hosts the most hotels in the city.

Several squares and plazas along the way provide respite when vacationers want to take a break from the sun.

Carry enough water and wear comfortable walking shoes when exploring Lima; the city is expansive and has many sites worth visiting. Also, take extra caution when crossing the streets, as there are no official crosswalk laws to protect pedestrians.

6 Public transportation

Lima boasts an extensive bus system and a metro service that passengers use to get wherever in the city. The bus service is more widespread and offers a more convenient option, allowing passengers to traverse different neighborhoods in Lima.

Thanks to private lanes dedicated to the bus, drivers can bypass the frustrating Lima traffic, something travelers will appreciate. Meanwhile, the metro system operates one line that spans the city’s inland district.

• Fares : $.68 for single rides, $1.23 for a reloadable card

For an easier commute, tourists should know the main street closest to their destination, as the city buses have the main avenue of their routes marked on the side.

Taxis in Lima can be found in touristy areas, such as hotels and major attractions sites. These are an excellent way to explore the city’s famous districts, especially for guests who want to customize their itinerary fully.

However, Lima taxis are unregulated, and tourists should be careful when boarding one. For instance, remember to agree on a fixed price before getting into the vehicle to avoid excessive charges at the end of the ride.

• Fares : Around $3-$4 between districts

Unfortunately, there is always traffic in Lima, no matter the time or place. Tourists should get used to this and incorporate it into their timelines when planning their itinerary.

Related: Huacachina: This Charming Village In Peru Is Worth Visiting

4 Where To Stay In Lima

Lima is a considerably large city divided into multiple neighborhoods with mixed accommodation options. Guests will be spoilt for choice, with several residential areas to cater to different budget needs.

From luxury waterfront resorts to affordable vacation rentals, here are the best neighborhoods to stay and their corresponding lodging options.

City center (Centro)

The city center, commonly called “Centro” by the locals, is home to significant historical landmarks and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historians will have an exciting experience discovering the multiple treasures here, which can comfortably be done on foot—these range from the iconic Plaza de Armas and the San Francisco Cathedral to the Government Palace.

Centro is also located in the middle of the city, making it easy for tourists to access other neighborhoods. This will be an excellent option for budget travelers thanks to its considerable collection of cheap hotels in the area.

Sheraton Lima Hotel & Convention Center

• Address : Paseo de la Republica 170, Lima 1
• Rate per night : Starts at $94 for 2
• Amenities : Outdoor pool, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee shop, Free parking, Business center, Wi-Fi available in all areas

Hotel Diamond Lima

• Address : Jiron Cuzco 145, Lima 15001
• Rate per night : Starts at $50 for 2
• Amenities : Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Free parking, Business center, Wi-Fi available in all areas, Flat-screen TV, Cable or satellite TV, Free toiletries

Miraflores is one of the most popular suburbs in the capital. A gastronomic hub, the neighborhood hosts Lima's best coffee shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots. Its location on the coast affords guests panoramic views of the sea, who also take advantage of the abundant shopping opportunities available.

One of the area’s highlights is the malecon, a 10-km promenade traversing iconic parks like the Parque del Amor.

Radisson Decapolis Miraflores

• Address : Avenida 28 de Julio 151, Lima
• Rate per night: Starts at $83 for 2
• Amenities : Outdoor pool, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Tea/coffee maker, Coffee machine, Business center, Wi-Fi available in all areas

Hotel Estelar Miraflores

• Address : Avenida Benavides 415, Lima 18
• Rate per night : Starts at $66 for 2
• Amenities : Outdoor pool, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Business center, Flat-screen TV, Cable or satellite TV, Free toiletries

Barranco is the city’s artistic district, home to the region's best musicians, writers, painters, and musicians. It has a laid-back vibe, with creative pieces on every street corner. This is an excellent choice for those who want to escape the city noise. It also boasts a booming nightlife with numerous entertainment spots.

The neighborhood comes to its own at night as residents hit the lively streets and flock to bars and dance clubs.

Villa Barranco by Ananay Hotels

• Address : Av. Carlos Zegarra No 274, Barranco, Lima
• Rate per night: $$
• Amenities : Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Free parking, Wi-Fi available in all areas, Free toiletries, Internet, Laundry facilities, Complimentary breakfast

Lima Wari Hotel Boutique

• Address : Avenida Grau 723 Barranco, Lima Lima 18
• Rate per night: Starts at $43 for 2
• Amenities : Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee shop, Wi-Fi available in all areas, Flat-screen TV, Cable or satellite TV, Free toiletries, Meeting/Banquet facilities

3 Where To Eat In Lima

Peru’s capital is a rich gastronomic city full of delectable possibilities. From sumptuous ceviches to mouth-watering sushi, tourists can look forward to a rollercoaster dining experience that is guaranteed to tickle their taste buds.

Whether looking to sample the best of Peruvian dishes or experiment with international flavors, check out the best places to eat and drink in Lima.

Café Bodega Santa Isabel

• Address : Jr Carabaya 520, Lima Peru
• Hours : Monday to Saturday, 8 am – 7 pm

Lunch and dinner:

Siete Restaurante, Barranco

• Address : Jiron Domeyer 260, Lima 15063, Peru
• Hours : Tuesday to Friday (12:30 pm – 11 pm), Saturday (1 pm – 11 pm), Sunday (1 pm – 4 pm)
• Address : Calle Cavero No. 225 Barranco, Lima Peru
• Hours : Open daily, 11 am – 6 pm

Santeria Cocktail Bar

• Address : Av. Del Ejército 685, Miraflores, Lima 15074 Peru
• Hours : Monday to Saturday, 5 pm – 1 am

Related: 10 Etiquette Tips You Should Know Before Going To Peru

2 Tips To Know When Visiting Lima

Lima is one of the biggest and most vibrant cities in South America. Vacationers here can look forward to an unforgettable adventure with numerous attractions to see and indulge in. But before booking a flight, here are valuable tips when visiting Peru’s capital .

The official currency in the capital is Peruvian soles, and tourists may exchange their dollars easily when they get to the city, either at the bank or exchange houses (cas de cambio).

Warning: Don’t attempt to exchange dollars with money exchangers (cambistas) on the streets; it is illegal in Lima and throughout Peru.

Lima is generally safe, especially in tourist districts like Barranco, Miraflores, and San Isidro. Nevertheless, tourists should take extra safety caution when exploring the new city . For instance, take care of personal belongings and avoid dark or isolated streets.

For those looking to hire a car in Lima, know that traffic jams don’t stop in the city, which can be very frustrating. This even worsens during rush hour, so opting for other ways to get around will be the wiser decision.

Related: Is 10 Days Enough? Highlights You Can’t Miss On A Trip To Peru

Take advantage of free tours in the city to properly explore Lima and its top attractions. The local guides are very resourceful and provide accurate information during the tours; remember to tip them if in the position.

Lima is a foodie paradise, hosting some of the best restaurants in South America. Remember to take advantage of this by sampling as many eateries as possible; it doesn’t need to be a top restaurant to enjoy the meal.

Lima’s weather can be unpredictable with microclimates in different districts. It can be raining in one when the sun is shining in another. So pack all kinds of clothes, no matter the season, not to be caught off guard.

1 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Lima

Start the day in the city's heart at the historic Old Town, which houses a handful of Lima’s top attractions. Explore the Plaza de Armas and check out the Government Palace before inspecting the Cathedral of Lima and other ancient structures. Later, head to the San Francisco Monastery for a spooky tour of the catacombs underneath the church.

After that, learn about the pre-Inca periods in Lima at the Huaca Pucllana. These ancient ruins offer a glimpse into the lifestyles of the Nazca people and the Paracas civilization.

Take a lunch break to restock, then proceed to Miraflores for a laid-back stroll through the famous district. There are numerous galleries, cafes, and restaurants to check out with the opportunity to sample some of Peru’s best culinary offerings.

Remember to visit Parque Kennedy and pet some of its famous feline residents, then a walk around Parque del Amor to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and scenic sea views. Afterward, proceed to Barranco to discover Lima’s creative district and marvel at the various artworks by local artists.

As the evening draws closer, spare some time to hunt for a cute souvenir at Mercado Indio. Finally, head back to Miraflores for dinner and drinks at Santeria Cocktail Bar before calling it a day.

Q: Why is Lima so popular?

Peru is a renowned gastronomic nation and its capital is considered among the best cities for a culinary experience. Lima hosts some of the world’s top restaurants, with traditional dishes like Ceviche helping to put the city on the map.

Q: What is Lima famous for?

Lima is the best city to discover Peruvian history as it houses some of the country's top historical sites and monuments . Tourists can explore gems like the San Francisco catacombs, Huaca Pacllana, and the Historic Center of Lima.

Q: How expensive is Lima?

Lima is not expensive at all; it could cost a tourist just over $1000 to spend a week comfortably in the city. For budget travelers, it has some of the best free things to do in Peru that they can take advantage of to limit their expenses while exploring Lima.

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

A couple sits at the Parque del Amor on El Malecon in Lima.

Everything to Know About Lima

Lima, the historic City of Kings, once again reigns supreme as South America's capital of gastronomy.

If Lima were a tune, this melting-pot city would be a mash-up of musical styles combined into one modern masterpiece. In affluent Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco, where most visitors stay, it's not uncommon to see people doing tai chi while llamas lounge in the shade of the leafy green spaces. The oceanfront enclaves lined with hip eateries full of fashionable Limeños seem to have more in common with Los Angeles than the rest of Peru.

Peru's peak tourist season runs from May to August, but the sun-drenched summer months from December to April are the ideal time to visit Lima itself. Come May, the coastal city is enveloped in a blanket of clouds, dense sea mist and fog, known locally as garúa.

On January 18, Lima celebrates its official founding by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Events are scheduled through the city, but the colonial-era buildings surrounding the Plaza de Armas provide the backdrop for an impressive display of traditional dances and musical performances by artists representing a variety of styles from Andean folklore to rock and roll. The event comes to end once the last firework explodes in the night sky.

What to Eat

Peru continues to dominate the international culinary scene, but the food always tastes better at the source. Ceviche—raw fish cooked with citrus juices—remains the poster child for Peruvian cuisine, especially in coastal areas where the fresh-caught seafood is hauled in daily. Other popular dishes, like papas a la huancaina, anticuchos, tacu tacu, and lomo saltado reflect the influence of European, African and Asian cultures on new-world ingredients like corn, ají peppers and potatoes.

Souvenir to Take Home

Practice the art of bargaining in Lima's many open-air handicraft markets, such as the Indian Market in Miraflores . It's easy to spend hours wandering among the stalls, stocking up on colorful Andean textiles, Chulucanas pottery, and silver jewelry with Incan designs. Looking for something a little different? Head to Dédalo in Barranco for contemporary art, clothing, decorative items and jewelry created by talented Peruvian designers.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Sustainable Travel Tip

Reduce water usage when possible during a visit to Lima, one of the world's largest desert cities. The thirst for fresh water in the Peruvian capital has created water shortages throughout the country, but despite the scarcity, residents still use almost twice the water than other capital cities in the Andes region.

Instagram-Worthy View

Soak up the atmosphere of the Magic Water Circuit at the Parque de la Reserva . After the sun sets, the world's largest fountain complex provides countless opportunities for capturing silhouettes in front of the colorfully lit Rainbow Fountain or in the Tunnel of Surprises. Stop to enjoy the carefully choreographed water, music and laser light show at the Fountain of Fantasy.

FREE BONUS ISSUE

Related topics, you may also like.

The Cool List 2024: the 30 most exciting destinations to visit in 2024

9 things to know about Holi, India’s most colorful festival

How to see Stonehenge: Everything you need to know

They inspire us and teach us about the world: Meet our 2024 Travelers of the Year

Winter vacations don't have to be about snow—check out these perfect getaways

• Perpetual Planet
• Environment
• Paid Content

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• Photography
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Jorge Chavez International Airport Guide

Getting Around Lima

Top Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

Best Museums

Guide to Plaza de Armas

48-Hour Itinerary

Best Day Trips

Foods to Try

Best Restaurants

Nightlife Guide

Your Trip to Lima: The Complete Guide

For many travelers, Lima is merely the gateway to renowned national treasures of Peru, be it Machu Picchu in Cusco or Lake Titicaca in Puno. It’s true that the capital city is home to the Andean nation’s main international airport, but Lima is worth more than a short stopover. An award-winning culinary scene, archaeological sites, and Colonial-style architecture surrounded by urbanized areas, and near-constant views of the Pacific Ocean make Lima a thrilling introduction to your Peru journey, if not the main destination.  

From the best time to visit to the hidden gems you must experience, here’s your complete guide to exploring Lima

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit: From November to February (summer in Peru) the traffic is relatively low as many locals have migrated north or south of Lima to their beach houses, meaning reservations are easier to come by and service is improved. Plus, nothing beats a stroll along the malecón on a warm summer night.
• Language: Spanish is the official language of Lima (and Peru) and indigenous tongues such as Quechua and Aymara are considered official languages in areas where they are frequently spoken. You may also hear English when frequenting touristy districts such as Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco.
• Currency: Peruvian soles (the exchange rate varies between 3-4 to the US Dollar)
• Getting Around: Lima traffic is notoriously chaotic, so it’s best to leave the magic of navigation to residents. Add to that the hassle of understanding the routes of public buses that run on unfixed schedules and it quickly becomes apparent that spending a bit more on a taxi is well worth it. Ride-hailing apps—such as Uber and Beat —provide fast and reliable means of transportation for moving within Lima. Plus, with fixed rates, there’s no risk of the driver overcharging you because you are a foreigner (an unfortunately common occurrence for first-time visitors). 
• Travel Tip: While many upscale restaurants and shops in Lima do accept credit cards or even US dollars, buying something as basic as a bottle of water will require you to pay in Peruvian soles. Upon arrival at the Jorge Chavez International Airport, only exchange enough money to pay for your cab, as exchange rates are far better in the city. Cash is necessary for experiencing the city’s one-of-a-kind hole-in-the-wall restaurants and small souvenir shops.

Things to Do

When visiting a coastal city, it’s only right to spend as much time as possible by the ocean. Rent a bike or simply walk along the malecon, a paved, cliffside path that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and stretches from the Magdalena del Mar to Barranco districts. Passing through San Isidro and Miraflores along the way, you may even be persuaded to soar over the city with a paragliding session or, when heading down one of the multiple stairways that lead to the beach, take a surfing lesson. Just be sure to leave time for the following: 

• Step Back in Time at Huaca Pucllana: A giant adobe pyramid constructed by the ancient Lima culture between 300-700 A.D., Huaca Pucllana is today surrounded by cafes, restaurants and neighborhoods that are rapidly expanding upwards; such a juxtaposing environment only adds to this site’s impressive longevity. Take a guided tour through the pre-Hispanic structure (once a ceremonial and administrative center) then lunch at the notable Huaca Pucllana restaurant .
• Go Shopping at Boutiques in Barranco: Adjectives like trendy, artsy, and hip have all been used to describe Lima’s Barranco district, and for good reason. Extremely walkable, Barranco is full of exquisite restaurants, sweet little cafes, and some of the best shops to pick up gifts and souvenirs. Artesanias Las Pallas and Dédalo are both located on the northern end of the district and show a wide range of national artisan goods, from jewelry and clothes to ceramics and knickknacks. 
• Walk Through MALI: A great excuse to venture towards Lima’s historic center, the Lima Art Museum (MALI) is located in the expansive public park, Parque de la Exposicion. The national historical monument has a beautiful neo-Renaissance facade (as it originally served as the 1872 World’s Fair Exhibition Palace) and houses some 3,000 pieces of Peruvian art from pre-Colombian textiles and ceramics to Colonial- and Republican-era furniture. The museum, which is a key player in the research and preservation of Peru’s art history, has a cafe and shop that are worth browsing. 

Discover what else to do in and around Lima with our full-length articles on the top 20 things to do in Lima and the best day trips from Lima .

What to Eat and Drink 

Lima’s amazing food scene is no secret—in fact, it’s internationally acclaimed. But not all travelers have the budget to dine at Latin America’s best restaurant, Maido , or celebrity chef Virgilio Martinez’s award-winning Central —and certainly not every day. Luckily, classic dishes that leave visitors raving about Peruvian food are found at every price level, be it at humble hole-in-the-walls, picanterias, or fine-dining restaurants and bistros. Carnivores will fall for lomo saltado (beef cuts stir-fried with onions and peppers and served with fried potatoes), anticuchos (skewered cow’s heart), and aji de gallina (shredded chicken in a creamy and mild aji pepper sauce). It goes unsaid that no trip to Lima is complete without trying ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice), and vegans can even delight in a mushroom or mango version. 

Fruits from the jungle and highlands pour into Lima markets and restaurants, meaning fresh juices are easy to come by. Amazonian fruits like aguaje and camu camu are extremely rich in vitamins A and C, while the Andean valley spoils us with creamy fruits like lucuma and chirimoya. For those who dabble in a cocktail here and there, tipping back a frothy Pisco Sour or bubbly Chilcano (pisco and ginger ale) is basically a rite of passage on a trip to Lima. The artisanal beer scene is still relatively new in Peru, but you can sip on award-winning beer at the Lima locale of Cerveceria del Valle (a brewery based in the Sacred Valley, Cusco).

Explore our articles on the 10 foods to try in Lima , the best restaurants in Lima , and 8 savory street food snacks to try in Peru .

Where to Stay  

Lima is the largest city in Peru, and it continues to sprawl out and grow upwards at a rate that the developing nation can't quite control. The result? Great variance in infrastructure, security, and even residents’ amenity towards travelers from district to district; it’s why most tourists stay in the Barranco, Miraflores, and San Isidro neighborhoods.

Barranco is home to high-end boutique hotels and comfortably priced AirBnBs that are within walking distance to some of the best cafes, restaurants, and bars in town. If you’re lucky, you might even get one with an ocean view. Many accommodations in Miraflores similarly have the advantage of being ocean-facing, with the bonus of having a few more public parks, shopping areas, and proximity to the beloved Surquillo markets. The majority of large hotels are located in Miraflores and San Isidro, with the latter being a more upscale and residential neighborhood. 

Looking to get a more local feel? Try an AirBnB in the Magdalena del Mar, Jesus María or Pueblo Libre districts. All are within walking distance to an ocean view, are relatively safe, and have an old-school charm that the more touristy districts have lost over time.

Check out our guide to the best hotels in Lima.

Getting There 

Lima’s Jorge Chavez International airport is Peru’s main airport. It is located in Callao, a port town within the Lima region. Getting to and from the airport is best done via a ride-hailing app, shuttle, or with a private taxi service arranged by your hotel. Depending on traffic, the airport is about 40 to 60 minutes from the most touristy districts in Lima. Keep in mind that rush hour is generally from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Culture and Customs 

It’s just a matter of time before a visitor to Lima understands the meaning of “Peruvian hour,” a term said in jest about the chronic lateness of Limeños. Don’t worry, if you order a car, it will show up on time. This phrase is used more so for casual meet-ups. Just give your new friend, family, or business associate a 30-minute time window before you take their tardiness personally. 

Over the years service in Lima has greatly improved, but every now and then you will run into a cringe-worthy experience. Partly to blame is the fact that tipping in Peru is not very common so the incentive for great service is not always there. But that doesn’t mean you should suddenly stop tipping. Depending on the service, give anywhere between a 10 to 20 percent tip—just be sure that it’s not already included in your bill.

It’s been mentioned that the traffic in Lima is chaotic. If the traffic becomes an issue for you to the point where you feel unsafe, avoid public transportation altogether and stick to rideshare apps or walking. If taking a taxi from the street, just be sure that the fee is agreed upon prior to getting into the cab and that the price is reasonable (if unsure, ask a local or your hotel for average fees to specific areas).

Money-Saving Tips 

• Rideshare apps will get expensive if you are constantly darting across the city, so try to organize your day in a way that you can walk to nearby places or even rent a bike (available along the malecón and at major intersections in Miraflores). As well, keep your eyes out for free walking tours around the city to help get you acquainted. 
• Now that you’ve tried some of the best restaurants and sampled typical dishes, picnic in a park. Pick out a few treats from your nearest district market where a block of cheese, bread, dried fruit, and wine can ring in at under US$20. Supporting the local vendors is also a money-saving alternative to grocery shopping in chain supermarkets.
• Visit small art galleries throughout Miraflores and Barranco to get a taste of the neighborhood art scene for free.
• Every traveler should have a better understanding of a destination’s history and the impact it has had on contemporary culture, which is why a visit to LUM (Lugar de la Memoria, or Place of Memory) is essential. Entry is free but reservations are required.

Congress of the Republic of Peru. " Political Constitution of Peru ." Sept. 2009. Page 18.

Central Reserve Bank of Peru. " Coins ."

MALI. " Palacio de la Exposición ."

48 Hours in Lima: The Ultimate Itinerary

Nightlife in Lima: Best Cocktail Bars, Breweries, & More

12 Best Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Lima, Peru

Getting Around Lima: Guide to Public Transportation

El Malecón in Miraflores, Lima's Scenic Cliff Top Walkway

Top 20 Things to Do in Lima, Peru

The 10 Best Museums in Lima

The 16 Best Restaurants in Lima

Costs and Options for Eating Out in Peru

The Best Food to Try in Lima

Using U.S. Dollars in Peru

Weather in Lima: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

The 13 Best Day Trips from Lima, Peru

The Best Time to Visit Lima

20 Tips for Traveling in Peru on a Budget

Intriguing Things You Didn’t Know About Lima, Peru

Almost everyone who comes to Peru has to stop by Lima. Even since pre-Hispanic times, Lima has always served as an administrative place where powerful decisions are made. Nowadays, Lima is inhabited by more than eight million people. As it grows daily, Lima continues to be the most visited city in South America. Learn some interesting facts about the “City of the Kings.”

Lima was built over a desert.

Lima is the second largest city built on a desert after Cairo in Egypt. It gets 80 per cent of its water from the Rimac river, which runs across downtown Lima. Civilizations before Spanish conquest began to build water canals 2,000 years ago, which are still being used today. Despite Lima’s three main rivers, only 92 per cent of its citizens have access to drinking water.

Lima’s pre-Columbian buildings

Lima’s history dates thousands of years before the conquest. In fact, you can see traces of older cultures that inhabited the desert and made it possible for water to reach the entire city through the canals they built. Before the Incas, the dominant culture in Lima was the Yschmas, who left traces of their temples and administrative centers like Pachacamac – an astonishing archeological sanctuary in the southern coastal side of the city – or the Huaca Pucllana, right in the heart of Miraflores. Don’t wait until visiting Cusco to see amazing pre-Hispanic buildings.

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to 500$ on our unique trips..

See privacy policy .

Huaca Pucllana, Calle General Borgoño, Cuadra 8, Miraflores, Lima, Peru , +51 617 7148

City of the kings

Lima was founded on January 18, 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Legend says that Lima was given the title of “City of the Kings” due to its foundation date’s proximity to Epiphany, a Christian festival that celebrates the adoration by the three Biblical Magi. Anthropologist Maria Rostworowski clarified that the “City of the Kings” title was actually an homage to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and to his mother, Joanna of Castile.

1. The presidential palace was built on top of ruins

Building, Ruins, Historical Landmark, Archaeological site

Is the world’s smallest church in Lima?

Some say the world’s smallest chapel is called Cross Island Chapel and it’s located in Oneida, New York. But the Chapel Our Lady of the Rosary in the Rimac district in downtown Lima continues to be called by Peruvian faithful as the smallest church in the world because it has all the features of a normal-sized church: main altar, vault, towers, images and a pulpit. It was built in 1550 and it’s 16-feet wide, 39-feet long and 32-feet tall. Located at the second street of Trujillo avenue, the chapel is open Monday to Saturday from 8AM to 12:30PM, and from 4PM to 6:30PM. It’s open on Sundays from 8AM to 12:30PM.

Black vultures

If you’re in Lima, look up: you’ll see black vultures circling or watching over the city from a rooftop. Despite popular beliefs that give them a bad reputation (trash eaters, bad omens), black vultures – also known as “ gallinazos ” are responsible for cleaning up the city. They have also inspired short stories, academic essays and art pieces that revindicate their guardian status. Last year, a campaign was implemented to strap GoPro cameras onto black vultures to keep control over waste dumping areas throughout the city.

The Inca trail in Lima

The Inca trail known as Qhapaq Ñan (the Beautiful Road) is 6,000 kilometers long and connected the five countries of the Inca empire. For trekkers, it’s mostly known for being the perfect route to travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu. But Qhapaq Ñan also reached Lima. When Spanish conquerors arrived, they found a very urbanized area, with roads that connected the highlands with the coast. Some of the best preserved remains of Qhapaq Ñan can be found at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Most of it was replaced with Lima’s main transit roads and avenues like Camino del Inca, literally meaning “The Inca’s Road.”

2. Chifa’s origins

The first Chinese immigrants came to Lima in 1849 to work at plantations. They brought their traditions and, of course, their cuisine. One of their dishes, mostly made of fried rice, became popular under the name of “ in chi fan ”, which means “have you eaten?”. This word eventually became Chaufa (current name for fried rice) and Chifa, a term Peruvians use to refer to Chinese restaurants . You can visit South America’s most important Chinese colony at the Capon neighborhood located in downtown Lima, where you’ll find authentic Chinese food and you can even have your name carved into a hexagonal tile.

Calle Capon, Lima, Peru

3. Inquisition museum

Building, Museum

The Spanish Inquisition is best remembered for torturing anyone who did not believe in God. In some cases, people were burned alive at the stake. Although it was definitively abolished by royal decree in 1834, the Spanish Inquisition building is still open for visitors who want to explore their dungeons and more than 30,000 torturing tools. It is located in downtown Lima, right next to the Legislative palace.

Plaza Bolivar, Jirón Junín, Lima, Peru

4. Lima and pirates

Located in northern Lima, Callao is the principal seaport in Peru. Since it became a popular business center during Spanish viceroyalty times, many pirates tried to enter the city through there. Even Sir Francis Drake, one of the history’s most famous pirates, tried to rescue fellow buccaneers who were imprisoned in Lima in 1579. As a response to these attacks, viceroys built the Real Felipe Fortress , one of the most expensive buildings in Spanish colonies, now turned into Peru’s military museum. Legend says that the place is haunted and that cries can be heard during visits.

Fortaleza Real Felipe, Plaza de la Independencia, Callao, Lima, Peru , +51 429 0532

The Real Felipe Fortress | © Carlos Gabriel Gómez Tay/Wikipedia

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Places to Stay

The best hotels to book in miraflores, lima.

The Best Hotels in Lima, Peru, for Every Traveler

Restaurants

City on a plate: latin america's best female chef lets us in to her lima.

The 7 Best International Restaurants in Lima, Peru

See & Do

7 reasons to love lima, peru.

Bars & Cafes

The 7 best places to drink pisco in lima.

The Best Pizzerias in Lima

Guides & Tips

Best places to watch the world cup in lima, peru.

The Best Boutique Hotels in Lima

The Best Healthy Restaurants in Lima

The Best Food-Fusion Restaurants in Lima

7 Reasons Why Lima Should Be Your Next Family Vacation

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

• Post ID: 1119501
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

• 1 Districts
• 2 Understand
• 3.1.1 Airlines and destinations
• 3.1.2 Arrival
• 3.1.3 Transit
• 3.1.4 Taxis
• 3.1.5 Express airport bus
• 3.1.6 Car rentals
• 3.2.1 Companies and terminals
• 3.3 By train
• 4.2 Rideshare
• 4.3.1 Metro
• 4.3.2 Bus rapid transit (Metropolitano)
• 4.3.3 Municipal buses
• 4.3.4 Private buses
• 4.4 Bicycling
• 7.1 Exchange
• 7.2 Withdraw
• 7.3.1 Musical instruments
• 7.3.2 Handicrafts
• 7.3.3 Supermarkets
• 11.1 Thieves
• 11.2 Football violence
• 11.3 Districts of note
• 11.6 Corrupt police
• 12.1 Embassies

Lima is the capital of Peru and its largest city. Founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, the modern city is a curious mix of the modern mega city with some 'islands of modernity', large but orderly slum areas and colonial architecture in downtown. Lima was the seat of Spanish rule for 300 years, and as such it has wonderful churches, cloisters and monasteries.

Lima is the best place to try Peruvian cuisine, which has a huge variety of ingredients from the coast, mountain and Amazon regions. The cold sea current that passes Peru's long coast makes the sea very rich in fish and seafood.

Districts [ edit ]

The following pages include the province of Callao and the province of Lima and their districts

Understand [ edit ]

Lima is a metropolis of almost 8.5 million people. Many of these people have migrated from the Andes mountains to find work in Lima, without success. For this reason, there is widespread poverty in the city center and in the peripheral areas.

Lima's pre-Hispanic and colonial architecture is beautiful and the city has several museums (such as the Museo Larco) that tells the story of a country with a long history that produced a large number of coastal and Andean civilizations (such as the Moche, Chavin, and the Incas) and many local cultures. There are several archaeological sites in and around the city (locally known as huaca ).

The city is built on a valley surrounded by an extremely arid desert. In the summer, the weather is usually beautiful, very warm and sunny, with limited rain. In the winter, the city is often overcast and "rainy" for days at a time, but in total, Lima receives only about one centimeter of rain per year. Temperatures also fall to around 11-19 C° (45-55° F), which seems chillier when combined with the general dampness. Air pollution in the streets of Lima can be very bad due to a combination of weather and older poorly-maintained vehicles.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

The airport is well connected with most cities in South America, and with some North American and European cities. Flights arrive daily from Amsterdam Schiphol ( AMS  IATA ), Bogotá , Madrid Barajas ( MAD  IATA ), Medellín , Miami Airport ( MIA  IATA ), Quito , Santiago and Toronto . There are also regular flights from Atlanta Airport ( ATL  IATA ), Fort Lauderdale , Houston George Bush Airport ( IAH  IATA ), Newark Liberty Airport ( EWR  IATA ) and London Gatwick ( LGW  IATA ).

Lima is the hub for many national domestic flights and is served by LATAM , Jetsmart Perú, Sky Perú, and Star Perú (see below).

The airport has Wi-Fi (WIGO) for a fee.

Airlines and destinations [ edit ]

• LATAM (formerly LAN & TAM Airlines) - offers many international and domestic routes throughout the region, and to/from North America and Spain . It serves Antofagasta, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Barcelona, Bogotá, Brasília, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Cajamarca, Calama, Cali, Cancún, Cartagena, Chiclayo, Concepción, Córdoba, Cuzco, Foz do Iguaçu, Guayaquil, Havana, Ilo, Iquitos, Jaén, Jauja, Juliaca, La Paz, Los Angeles, Madrid, Medellín–JMC, Mendoza, Mexico City, Miami, Montego Bay, Montevideo, New York–JFK, Orlando, Piura, Porto Alegre, Pucallpa, Puerto Maldonado, Punta Cana, Quito, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Rosario, Salta, San José (CR), San Miguel de Tucumán, Santa Cruz de la Sierra–Viru Viru, Santiago, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Tacna, Talara, Tarapoto, Trujillo, Tumbes
• Avianca (formerly Taca Peru) serves Bogota .
• Europe is served by Air Europa, British Airways, Air France, Iberia, Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• USA is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines and LATAM
• Canada is served by Air Canada
• Other Latin American airlines include Avianca ( Bogota ); Copa Airlines and Wingo ( Panama City ); and Aeroméxico ( Mexico City )); Gol ( São Paulo–Guarulhos ); JetSmart ( Antofagasta , Concepción , and Santiago ); Sky Airlines/Sky Peru (Cancun, Miami, Santiago ); Avior Airlines and Estelar Latinoamerica ( Caracas ); and Aerolíneas Argentinas ( Buenos Aires )

Other domestic carriers include:

• ATSA (Atalaya, Chachapoyas, Huánuco, Tingo María)
• Jetsmart Peru [dead link] (Arequipa, Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Cusco, Piura, Tarapoto, Trujillo)
• Star Peru (Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Huanuco, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Tarapoto)
• SKY Peru (Arequipa, Cuzco, Iquitos, Juliaca, Jauja, Piura, Pucallpa, Tarapoto, Trujillo, Tumbes)

Arrival [ edit ]

Arrival at the airport can be chaotic. Most flights from overseas arrive in clumps either early in the morning or very late at night, which means that getting through immigration and customs can be tremendously time consuming; the time between arrival at the gate and exiting customs can range from 20-90 minutes.

The area immediately outside of customs is typically crowded, full of people waiting for arriving passengers. It's not uncommon for entire families to show up to greet a returning family member and the crowd is further swelled by pre-booked car and taxi service drivers holding up signs with passengers' names; a large area where passengers can stand freely and scan the crowd to look for people and not be accosted has been cordoned off in front of the customs exit.

Transit [ edit ]

If you are transiting through Lima, the airport has a separate hall for connecting international passengers, who need not pass through Peruvian immigration or customs, but will have to pass through a security checkpoint dedicated to screening connecting passengers before they can enter the secure area of the terminal where the international gates are located. Due to congestion, the airport often does not assign gates to flights until less than two hours before departure.

Taxis [ edit ]

Be wary of taxi drivers at the airport: if you need transportation from the airport you should avoid using the informal taxis outside that will accost you.

You can hire a taxi and pay for it at the desks Green Taxi, Taxi365 and others inside the customs reception area at somewhat inflated fees, or book one ahead of time online with a reputable company . A trip to the Centro Historico from Green Taxi is S/55 ( soles ) (Feb 2018), or S/65 to Miraflores (Feb 2024). These certified companies are safe.

Once you leave the grounds of the airport, things get much cheaper rather rapidly and a trip to Miraflores shouldn't cost you any more than S/25-30, but it is not as safe. The area around the airport is unsafe in general and taxi drivers can be dangerous. The taxis waiting right outside the terminal but within the grounds are more safe than the ones outside and cheaper than the ones inside. Check out the tips for taking the taxi safely underneath.

Always make sure in which currency they are giving the price. 25 soles and 25 dollars is a big difference.

Express airport bus [ edit ]

There is an hourly express bus between the airport and four stops in Miraflores. A one-way ticket costs 20 Soles.

Car rentals [ edit ]

Car rental is available at the airport via Hertz, Budget, and National, but unless you have experience driving in extremely challenging environments you should avoid driving yourself in Lima.

By bus [ edit ]

The bus station is right outside the airport grounds exit to your right. To get into Miraflores you can take the blue 18 bus or a micro. It says Miraflores on the side but confirm with the bus driver. A ride to Miraflores will cost you S/2. The area surrounding the airport is a bit dodgy. If travelling with all or any valuables and especially at night, it is recommended to take the Airport Express Lima bus instead, which will cost you US$12 for a return ticket or a taxi within the airport grounds, which costs about US$20 one way. The public bus to Miraflores takes 1-3 hours depending on traffic, while a taxi or Airport Express Lima should take under an hour.

Most companies have their terminals lined up along Paseo de la Republica (north & south) in La Victoria, not Lima's nicest district. However. Other stations are in the outskirts of La Victoria (Av. Javier Prado and along Paseo de la Republica), which is better. There you find some of the more reputable companies like Cruz del Sur, Tepsa, Ormeño, Linea, ITTSA, Movil Tours, Flores and Civa. Some of the same companies have multiple terminals in La Victoria, service to Gran Terminal Terrestre Plaza Norte in Túpac Amaru in the northern part of town; and in/around Acotongo in the southern part of town.

If you are staying in the North Lima area or close to the airport, there is a modern bus terminal: Gran Terminal Terrestre Plaza Norte , which is very convenient. It should take you around 10 minutes to get there from the airport by the Avenida Tomás Valle in a combi or taxi (there are no buses along the whole length of this avenue).

Regular buses run up and down the roads Panamericana Sur/Norte (the local name for the Panamerican Highway), Carretera Central , Interoceánica Sur , Interoceánica Norte , amongst others:

• South: Pisco , Ica , Nazca , Arequipa , Tacna , Cuzco , Puerto Maldonado , Juliaca , Puno , Moquegua , Ilo .
• North: Huaraz , Chimbote , Trujillo , Chiclayo , Piura , Cajamarca & Tumbes .
• East: Huancayo , Cerro de Pasco , Huánuco and Pucallpa .

Companies and terminals [ edit ]

Some of the major bus companies and their terminal locations:

• Airport Express Lima , Lima Airport ( They have two ticket counters at Lima Airport ), ☏ +51 1 446 55 39 , [email protected] . Official bus service connecting Lima Airport with the Miraflores district. They have 7 stops in Miraflores. S/20 for one person one way, S/15 per person for multiple people on the same flight . ( updated Feb 2024 )
• Caracol SA , (ticket office) Av. Brasil 487, Lima 15046 , ☏ +51 1 431-1400 . Booking agent for Veloz de Norte (Argentina); Transportes de Tas Choapa y Tur Bus (Chile); Expreso Bolivariano (Colombia); Rutas de América (Ecuador y Venezuela) and La Preferida (Bolivia) ( updated Jun 2018 )
• Cial , Av. Republica de Panamá 2469-2485, La Victoria , ☏ +51 1 207-6900 . ( updated Apr 2016 )
• Civa , Av. Paseo de la República Nro. 569 - La Victoria ( Corner of Paseo de la República & Av 28 de Julio ), ☏ +51 1 481-1111 . They also have the Exclusiva brand. To request information use the following link: http://civa.com.pe/contacto/ They offer cheap travel with lower quality. . ( updated Mar 2017 )
• Cromotex , Av. Paseo de la Republica nro. 659, La Victoria , ☏ +51 1 424-7575 . Travels between Lima, Arequipa, Tacna, Cusco and Trujillo. They also have another Lima terminal at Av. Nicolás de Arriola nro. 898 urb. Santa Catalina, La Victoria. ( updated Apr 2017 )
• Cruz del Sur , Av Javier Prado Este 1109, La Victoria ( Javier Prado Este & Nicolás Arriola in La Victoria ), ☏ +51 1 311-5050 , +51 1 431-5125 , toll-free: 0801-1111 (non-geographic number), 72-0444 (non-geographic number) . Serves Arequipa , Ica , Cuzco , Puno , Chiclayo , Trujillo , Pisco , Arequipa , Tacna , Cuzco , La Paz , Santiago , Buenos Aires , Cali , Nazca , Guayaquil , Quito , Bogotá and Máncora . ( updated Mar 2017 )
• Excluciva , Av. Javier Prado Este Nro. 1155 - La Victoria , ☏ +51 1 481-1111 . They also have the Civa brand. To request information use the following link: http://excluciva.com.pe/contacto/ ( updated Mar 2017 )
• Transportes Flores , Paseo de La Republica 627 & 688, La Victoria and Av. Antonio Bazo #1274, Av. Bauzate y Meza Cdra. 1 / Envio de Encomiendas , ☏ +51 1 4800725 , +51 1 332-1212 , +51 1 424-0888 . ( updated Mar 2017 )
• ITTSA , Av. Paseo de la República 809 , ☏ +51 956 487-989 . Goes from Lima only to Chimbote, Chiclayo, Piura, Sullana, Paita, Talara, Mancora and Trujillo in the northern regions of the country. ( updated Mar 2017 )
• Linea , Av. Paseo de la República 941-959 or Plaza Norte (Gerardo Unger Nª 6917 Interior Lb-12 - Ref. Entrada por Tupac Amaru con Tomas Valle) Puerta De Embarque Anden N 6 , ☏ 0801-00-015 (domestic) . Goes from Lima to Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Chimbote, Huaraz, Trujillo in the north only. ( updated Mar 2017 )
• Movil Tours , Paseo de la Republica 749, La Victoria ( Frente al Estadio Nacional. Front of the National Stadium ), ☏ +51 1 716-8000 . They also have another station nearby at Javier Prado Este 1093, La Victoria in front of the Clinica Ricardo Palma & next to a Kia car dealership. ( updated Apr 2016 )
• Oltursa , Av. Aramburú 1160, San Isidro ( SE of the intersection Av Republica de Panama next to the Derco Center car dealership ), ☏ +51 1 708-5000 . ( updated Apr 2016 )
• Ormeño , Av. Javier Prado Oeste Nº 1057, La Victoria , ☏ +51 1 472-5000 , +51 1 472-1710 . ( updated Apr 2016 )
• Peru Hop , They don't have a terminal because they pick up and drop off at hostels and hotels on request. Their office address is: 812 Avenida Larco (con San Martin), Miraflores ( walking distance from Ovalo Miraflores ), ☏ +51 1 242 2140 , [email protected] . Their office is open M-Sa 09:00–21:00, Su 11:00–19:00 . Serves Arequipa , Ica , Cuzco , Puno , La Paz , Nazca , Huacachina , Paracas , Copacabana . Prices are slightly higher than public buses but they offer free tours and discounts . ( updated Mar 2017 )
• TEPSA , Av Javier Prado Este 1091, La Victoria ( west of the interesection of Javier Prado Este & Paseo de la Republica ), ☏ +51 1 617-9000 , +51 990 690-534 . ( updated Apr 2016 )

By train [ edit ]

The Peruvian rail network has been neglected for a long time and it is now used for freight and as a tourist attraction first and foremost. ferrocarril central runs the occasional passenger train from Huancayo .

Get around [ edit ]

Taxi [ edit ].

If going further, a taxi ride between adjacent neighbourhoods costs about S/7-10 (US$2-3), if you speak Spanish well enough. A longer ride may cost from S/24-34 (US$7–10). A reasonable price for a taxi service between the airport and Miraflores is about S/65 (US$25), but may cost more from within the airport. By custom, taxis do not have meters; rather, the fare should be negotiated before boarding the taxi, or, if you order by phone, at booking time. If asking for a ride on the street, don't be fooled into getting into the cab before a rate is negotiated. Be very discerning about which taxi you choose and avoid hailing random cabs off the street as much as possible.

Caution is advised when using taxis in Lima. In Lima the shared taxis are prohibited, but there are some taxis colectivos pirata , and it might not hurt to look if there's someone hiding on the back seat or the trunk before entering.

First-time travellers to Peru need nerves of steel with regard to the traffic. Lima harbours the most lunatic drivers in the world and taxi drivers are among the worst.

Maintenance of any mechanical object in Peru, (including taxis) is only performed once it has already ceased to function. Many cars are in very poor, even unsafe, condition. It's very common to see cars and taxis with missing windows or body parts.

If you don't know a trusted taxi, it's wise to use the public transport.

Tips for taking the taxi safely:

• Do not show any valuables (including jewelry) and try to look a bit shabby.
• Speaking Spanish with confidence to your driver helps.
• Before asking for a taxi, ask several people (not taxi drivers) for the regular price. If the driver you talk to goes under that price, he might be looking to make money some other way.
• Tuck away your phone and passport where they will not look for it or see it.
• Know where you are going, know the route or at least pretend you know. Always look like you are paying attention but stay calm.
• If they start talking to you, mention that people are waiting for you, that you know local people and this is not your first time in Lima.
• Keep an eye on whether the driver is communicating with you.
• When in doubt, do not get in! There are literally a hundred others waiting for you. If you have doubts after entering the taxi, just get out somewhere it seems kind of safe and pay him full price. You can also ask him to take a different route that you choose.
• Never show the address or directions on your phone. Remember the address or write it down.

The taxi driver might take you to a location different from your destination where others are waiting and/or threaten you with a gun or knife. By the time you get to your hotel or hostel you will not have your passport, money, backpack or anything else for that matter. Even though most of the taxis in the center of the city are quite safe, be extra careful around the airport, in bad neighbourhoods and especially the bus stations.

Rideshare [ edit ]

Rideshare is available, although you may have to wait a few minutes at rush hour, or if your trip is too short. Rideshare is not allowed to the airport, however.

Public transport [ edit ]

Lima's public transport network consists of a single metro line, modern buses, coasters and combis (which are called "micros" by the locals). The system can be confusing for foreign tourists.

Metro [ edit ]

Line 2, to run in the east-west direction toward Callao, is under construction, and is expected to open in 2024; once it's opened, the attractiveness of the metro system for the visitors is likely to significantly increase.

Bus rapid transit (Metropolitano) [ edit ]

It operates similarly to a subway system: you enter a station through a card-operated turnstile, travel as you wish within the system, and exit your destination system via a turnstile as well. (A card is not needed for exit, as the fare is flat is not distance-based).

There is basically one route, running from the northern suburbs to Lima's city center to the southern suburbs of San Isidro and Miraflores, although it splits in two for a short stretch in the city center. There are different "services", however, which differ primarily at which stations they stop (express vs. limited stops vs. local), and at which branch they take around the downtown.

Rechargeable cards are used as tickets; as of February 2022, one pays S/4.5 for the card (non-refundable), and S/2.50 for an adult fare. The minimum initial purchase price of a card is S/5 (S/4.50 for the card, and S/0.50 toward fares).

If you only need to ride the system once or twice during your trip, and don't want to buy a card, you can try to offer S/2.50 to some passenger who's not to busy (e.g. walking out of the system) so that he or she puts the money on his or her card and then lets you into the station with his/her card. You don't need a card to leave the system.

While some of the stations of the system have a single platform for northbound and southbound buses, some stations are physically split into two, one for northbound and the other for southbound buses; so make sure to read the signs before paying your fare to enter a station!

Additionally, the Metropolitano operates several "feeder rutes" ( rutas alimentadoras [dead link] ) that run on local streets in the vicinity of the northern and southern terminals of the main line, bringing passengers to those terminals. Those routes are numbered started with AN- and AS-, respectively.

The public transport authority (Autoridad de Transporte Urbano) has a smartphone app on its web site with information about both the BRT routes and other municipal buses (see below).

Municipal buses [ edit ]

Besides the BRT, the city also operates large modern buses along at least a couple of "trunk routes" (ruta troncal) or "corridors" (corredores). Known as Corredores Complementarios , they form part of an integrated transport system with the BRT. There are at 4 corridores, including:

• Blue ( corredor azul ): along avenues Tacna, Garcilaso, and Arequipa. Particularly useful for traveling between downtown Lima and San Isidro and Miraflores); routes 301 ... 306.
• Red ( corredor rojo ): along Javier Prado - La Marina - red). (routes 201 ... 257)
• Purple ( corredor morado ) (routes 404 ... 412)
• Yellow ( corredor amarillo ) (route 107)

The municipal buses have clearly labeled stops (paraderos), with signs and benches, at least along the main corridors. The bus route number are usually made out of three digits (e.g. 301). The fare is around S/1.5, and is supposed to be paid with a card as well. However, is a passenger does not have a card, the driver will take your cash and will scan his card as well.

There is more information on these buses in the Spanish Wikipedia page Corredores complementarios .

Private buses [ edit ]

Unfortunately, municipal buses run far from everywhere; they don't go anywhere near the airport. Thus, most of Lima is still served primarily by small private buses, provided by a variety of companies, whose numbers usually consist of one or two letters and some digits. For example, to go from the airport to Magdalena, Miraflores or Surco, you can take the big blue bus called "Las Flores 18" (IM-18). The fare is S/2 (Miraflores) or S/2.50 (Surco).

On the side of every bus or van you will see the names of the major avenues it travels along. While Google Maps will show you where bus stops are, this is merely a suggestion; stops are not physically marked, and a bus, in general, can stop anywhere the driver feels reasonable, based on the desires of the passengers inside and the apparent existence of potential passengers outside.

Conductors generally lean out the door of the bus (which typically never closes) yelling the destinations. If this doesn't make sense, ask the conductor. Also here be aware of pickpockets.

While no "official" system map for the private buses seems to exist, a reasonably good directory of them is maintained at the Wikiroutes site . There is also a smartphone app, Tu Ruta .

Bicycling [ edit ]

Bicycling is fairly popular in the Greater Lima. While the authorities of the region and those of some districts encourage bicycling, e.g. by creating bike lanes (cyclovia) on some streets, this activity remains somewhat dangerous due to the chaotic nature of the traffic throughout most of the metro area. Some of the routes, such as the one along the ocean shore, are quite pleasant though.

The service with a rather misleading name, City Bike Lima exists for renting bicycles from the bike parking stations. Unfortunately, it should be more properly named "City Bike Miraflores": as of early 2022 it only covers the single district of Miraflores. Plans exists for extending the service to the neighboring San Isidro.

Bike shops are fairly numerous, and are spread throughout the metro area. The greatest concentration of them appears to exist a few blocks east of downtown, in Jiron Luna Pizarro between Avenida Miguel Grau and Jiron Antonio Raimondi, and adjacent blocks. (For the map location, see, e.g., https://goo.gl/maps/vw6MnDUpGiQkREcw8 ). So this may be not a bad area to shop for spare parts, etc. This area is very busy though, as it also has a lot of bus stations; so watch out for pickpockets and other annoyances.

See [ edit ]

• The historic downtown , which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
• The Circuito Mágico del Agua (Magic Water Tour), a fountain and light display in the Parque de la Reserva and Parque Fermín Tangüis.
• The Parque del Amor (Lovers' Park) in Miraflores .
• The Costa Verde , Lima's impressive green coast stretches between San Miguel and Chorrillos.
• The tourist-friendly districts of Barranco , Miraflores and Santiago de Surco .
• The historical sites of Pueblo Libre , including the Cruz del Viajero , a monumental Christian cross dating from the era of the Conquistadores.
• Lima's best shopping malls : Plaza Norte, Jockey Plaza, Larcomar, Mall Aventura Plaza, Real Plaza Salaverry.
• Historical churches : Lima´s Cathedral, Santo Domingo (San Martín de Porres), Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa de Lima), Nazarenas (Señor de los Milagros), San Francisco.
• Museums : Museo nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia [dead link] (Pueblo Libre), Museo de Arte [dead link] (Paseo Colón), Museo Pedro de Osma (Barranco), Museo Rafael Larco (Pueblo Libre).
• Parque Kennedy in the center of Miraflores. This park is right in the entertainment district and is famous for the large number of cats that used to live there.
• Huaca Pucllana  : Pre-Inca temple of the Lima culture (around 500 AD). This archaeological site is located in the Miraflores district, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Open every day except Tuesday and Sunday, from 09:00 to 15:30. Guided tour required. 15 soles / person.

Do [ edit ]

• Bike Tours of Lima , Calle Bolivar 150, Miraflores , ☏ +51 1 445-3172 . M–F 09:30–18:00; Sa Su 09:30–14:00 . A variety of 'public' and private bicycle, walking and food tours of Lima by English-speaking guides. Prior booking is required. It is the number 1 activity in Lima on Tripadvisor. Biking tours US$35–US$90, other prices vary, pay in U.S. dollars .  
• The Lima Gourmet Company , Miraflores, Lima, Peru , ☏ +51 1 446-6829 . 24 . A combined city and culinary tour of Lima. Travellers will visit a local market, have a hands-on cooking class and try different Peruvian dishes while they tour the city's main districts and historical points of interest. Great if you don't have much time in Lima.  
• Exquisito Perú , Av Grau 715, Barranco , ☏ +51 915 155 430 . 24 . Explore Peruvian gastronomy through fun and interactive walking food tours in different parts of the city. Also available in Arequipa and Cusco. $59 to $159 depending on the food tour . ( updated Dec 2022 )
• Folkloric dance shows , Heroes de Tarapacá 168 ( First left off Av. Brasil from Plaza Francisco Bolognesi ), ☏ +51 1 7156960 , [email protected] . Almuerzo: F Sa 13:00–17:30; Noches de Foclore: Tu W 21:00–00:15; Th 21:45–01:35; F Sa 22:00–14:00 . Live shows of local dance with dinner or lunch included. Choose between Almuerzo (lunchtime) Shows, Noches de Folclore (folklore evenings) and periodic special shows. Range from S/39.50–68 per person . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• Mirabus bus and road train tours , Tourist information booth in Parque Kenedy, Miraflores , ☏ +51 1 242-6699 . Information booth open every day 09:00–19:00 . Various themed day and night bus tours of Lima and the surrounding region, including excursions to Caral and Pachacamac. They also operate a road train around the main sights of Centro. Most bus tours: adults S/70, children (4–10 years) S/50, under 4s free. City centre road train: adults S/5, children (4–10 years) S/3, under 4s free. Other prices S/10–220 per person. . ( updated Jan 2016 )
• Surfing the waves of the Pacific Ocean in Miraflores Beach
• Paragliding over the reefs of Miraflores Beach
• Visit Pachacamac in Lurin (1/2 hour from Miraflores), a sacred pre-Inca citadel.
• Go to Mamacona (Lurin, behind Pachacamac) and live the emotion of a live show with Caballo Peruano de paso and the beautiful dance Marinera. Tickets in Mirabus, central park of Miraflores.
• Visit Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores, a pre-Inca ruins.

Buy [ edit ]

Exchange [ edit ].

It is very hard to change money other than euros and U.S. dollars in Lima. You can't even change the currency from neighbouring countries (besides Chile) in normal money exchanges and banks. You might find more flexible exchange offices at the airport, but they often charge ridiculous service fees and exchange rates.

Changing money in Miraflores can be done safely with cambistas on the street, but you must follow a few simple rules to avoid being cheated. First, make sure that the cambista is wearing the vest-uniform indicating that he or she is an authorized, licensed cambista. Always ask for the exchange rate ("tipo de cambio"). It is worth it to compare with several cambistas, especially if you are changing a significant amount of money. Some scammers do tricks with their calculators in your face and you won't notice, so the best way to know how much you should be getting is to bring a calculator yourself or use the one in your cellphone. Finally, make sure that the bills the cambista gives you have his or her seal ("sello") stamped on them - that way, if by chance one of them turns out to be counterfeit you can come back and complain. It is rare to get counterfeit notes from a cambista, but asking for the seal helps maintain the incentive for honesty and acts as insurance for you.

Withdraw [ edit ]

As anywhere, your best bet is usually to draw soles from an ATM. There are banks dotted all over Lima and some of them have guarded ATMs. Chances are the bank will charge you a fortune every time you withdraw money so it is better value to get as much as possible when making a withdrawal. BCP cajeros generally allow withdrawals up to S/700. Interbank has been known to charge insane fees (around US$18 for a US$50 transaction).

Always be cautious when using an ATM, as you may be followed and targeted for a robbery.

Shop [ edit ]

Musical instruments [ edit ].

If you are interested in purchasing Peruvian folk musical instruments, there are stores selling charangos, quenas, antaras, etc., on Ca. Cantuarias. If you have the time, a number of these stores can help you find a teacher to learn how to play your purchase.

Handicrafts [ edit ]

Your best bet is to head for Av. Petit Thouars in Miraflores, which is full of handicrafts stores. Or, go to Av. La Marina in Pueblo Libre.

Supermarkets [ edit ]

The main supermarkets are Wong, Metro, Plaza Vea, Vivanda and Tottus. These can be found all over.

Eat [ edit ]

Gastronomy has been, since the days of the Spanish vice royalty, an essential aspect of life in Lima. During the last few years, the city's dining reputation has experienced a huge leap in the eyes of the world, due in part to the International Summit of Gastronomy (Madrid Fusión) in 2006, which declared Lima to be the "Gastronomy Capital of the Americas". The offerings in Lima are nowadays more varied and cover a wide range of types and cuisines, both regional and international.

Despite the wide range of choice in Lima's many restaurants, ceviche is surely number one on the list of dishes you must get to know, not only because it happens to be the Peruvian national dish, but because of its unparalleled delicious taste. With the increasing interest in the Peruvian cuisine, ceviche is quickly making its way onto tables all over the world. But if you want to enjoy the real thing, don't miss it during your stay here in ceviche's mecca. There is at least one cevichería in every neighbourhood. Moreover, most criollo restaurants include ceviche on their menus; indeed the dish is so popular that it is even offered at many of the more upscale nouvelle-cuisine restaurants.

In some places, Peruvian food tend to be spicy and heavy. Try it and ask if any dish is picante (spicy), which usually means it is going to be very spicy ! A full meal may be really heavy even if it's perfectly nice and well-prepared with fresh ingredients.

A second must goes to Chinese and Japanese cuisines, which predictably, have a strong Peruvian influence. Chifas - that is, Chinese restaurants- - which can be counted by the hundreds if not thousands, are usually down-to-earth neighbourhood eateries, offering a fare rich in seafood and chicken. Japanese restaurants, on the contrary, are less widespread, and more upscale and expensive. Their forte is, of course, a year-round supply of the freshest and most varied seafood.

Travellers longing for a delicious falafel or shwarma sandwich will be pleased to learn there is an excellent café in Parque Kennedy that serves these type of Middle Eastern foods at reasonable prices.

There is a heavy presence of fast-food chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Subway, Papa John's and local chain Bembos all over the city. Places such as Burger King, Chili's and TGI Friday's are scarce, but can be found around Miraflores. Also, you shouldn't miss Peruvian-style hamburgers at Bembos, and traditional Peruvian sandwiches in if you want to give your everyday fast-food a local twist.

Drink [ edit ]

• Pisco Sour is the national drink of Peru, made with Pisco, a brandy made of grapes. It is highly recommended that all visitors to Peru try this drink at least once. Visitors might be amused to learn that Chileans claim Pisco Sour is their own, but it isn't true. There are some variations that are offered in several bars around town. Just be careful; the fresh and sweet flavour makes it very easy to drink too much, and you can so easily get drunk on it.
• Inca Kola is the most popular soft drink in Peru, one of few sodas that Coca Cola couldn't defeat (until they bought the company). It's a yellow-fruit flavored drink that tastes like hierba luisa .
• Jugos You can find great fresh fruit drinks all over Lima. Starting from S/0.50 for a fresh orange juice at the market to some more expensive ones. Surtidos , containing several different fruits, are quite tasty.
• Chicha Morada A refreshing, purple, non-alcoholic drink high in antioxidants. It's made by boiling purple corn with pineapple, cinnamon, clove, and sugar.
• Emoliente is a hot drink prepared with barley, herbs, sugar and lemon juice. It's often sold by street vendors at night for around S/1. It's especially great in winter.
• Starbucks Coffee is predictably widespread if you really need your daily caffeine fix.

Sleep [ edit ]

Surco, Miraflores, San Borja and San Isidro are some of the nicest and safest areas in the city. Although they sometimes come a bit pricier than the old city center and other parts, some budget accommodation options do exist.

Keep in mind that the old city may not be safe for tourists at night.

Stay safe [ edit ]

If you witness a crime being committed, do not intervene unless you are really sure of what you are doing: many criminals, even pickpockets, carry guns, knives, etc., and may use them if feeling threatened.

In general, a tried-and-true technique for staying safe in Lima is to maintain a low profile. Leave your fancy watch at home, don't wear a fine suit and don't carry a laptop when hailing taxis on the street, and keep a relaxed, friendly, smiling attitude. If you do need to go out dressed like a tourist, call a taxi rather than hire one in the moment - the few moments you wait and the few extra soles you pay will be worth it.

Thieves [ edit ]

While there is not much violent crime against tourists, opportunistic theft is rampant. Watch out for pickpockets constantly. If you carry a purse, a camera, a backpack or just a pair of sunglasses hang on to them at all times. In crowded areas, put your back pack on your front and hold shopping close to you. Just keep your eyes open and be aware of people around you. In any case, if someone extremely friendly approaches (even wanting to stretch your hand), just try not to talk that much, and they'll go away. It's normal to find polite people around trying to help tourists, but stay away from the extremely friendly ones.

Football violence [ edit ]

Avoid the surroundings of football (soccer) stadiums before and after big matches, since "barras bravas" (hooligans) can be very violent. Ask for advice if you plan to go there or thereabouts. Very infrequently, but occasionally even in nicer tourist areas, gangs of young supporters of rival football clubs, or strikers involved in a labor dispute may brawl. If you find yourself caught in the middle of such a confrontation, just try to move out of the way, preferably behind a closed door. These youths generally do not carry lethal weapons, and the worst that is likely to happen is that someone will get hit with a rock before the police arrive to break it up.

Districts of note [ edit ]

Some areas of Lima are safer than others: Miraflores and San Isidro have large populations of well-to-do and wealthy Peruvians, not to mention large tourist groups, so they have a large police presence to protect the population. Other districts, such as La Victoria, are much more dangerous. Visitors would be well advised to stay out of these areas unless accompanied by an experienced native or visiting busy areas during daylight hours. Downtown Lima is normally well patrolled but be careful anyway. Callao (the port is a separate city) is rather rough: ask for advice before going there if you plan to. The area around the airport is generally safe and well guarded but use common sense while carrying your luggage outside the airport.

Sex [ edit ]

Staying safe for adults can also require an understanding of the sexual climate of Peru. In general Peru is a relatively conservative country in the sense of male and female roles, but at the same time Peruvians are extremely open to friendships with foreigners. Thus, some men can find themselves suddenly the object of flirtation by attractive young Peruvian women, but then be suddenly rejected for having violated some unwritten line of conduct in, say, discussion topics. Women can find themselves the object of unwanted looks and stares, but at the same time the risk of violence and rape is probably not as high as in many other countries.

A problem that can arise is the Peruvian concept of the pepera , found at certain night clubs or pubs. Peperas are usually attractive women aged 16–25 that deliberately entice foreign tourists and then spike their drinks with sleeping pills and rob them once they're unconscious. Usually peperas work in groups of two, although smaller and larger groups exist as well. Male "peperos" also spike the drinks of women but robbery is often accompanied by rape. Peperas in general are found in dense tourist areas, such as Parque Kennedy in Miraflores as well as the Plaza de Armas in central Lima. One locale in particular that is notorious for dangerous peperas is the Tequila Rock discoteca in Miraflores and its sister in Pueblo Libre (La Marina). In July 2013 cases of drink spiking, working with bar staff, occurred in Albazos Restaurant y Pisco Bar (Berlin 172 in Miraflores).

Another cultural concept worth learning is the "brichera" (or "brichero"). There are two types of bricheras: the first type are women that are genuinely looking to meet foreign men in the hopes of dating or marriage or even a quick fling. The second type are women that search for foreign men with the implicit purpose of exchanging sex for small gifts or money. This second type of brichera is risky, especially for foreigners lacking local sensibilities, since it involves prostitution. These bricheras do not use contraception reliably, and therefore pose a higher risk for transmitting STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). If you decide to have a fling, make sure to use a condom.

Another important point to be taken into consideration is that you should not pick up just any taxi, especially when you are leaving the airport. It is not unusual to hear news of taxi drivers cheating tourists by charging them S/100 or even S/200 for normal rides, which is well in excess of the maximum fare limit of S/50. Even though Peruvian taxi drivers normally increase their fares for gringos, it is not usually such a massive difference. It is most advisable to use one of the official taxi companies inside the airport with set fares to ensure your safety.

Taxi drivers have also been known to participate in robberies, express kidnappings or serve as get away vehicles. While the overwhelming majority of Lima's taxistas are honest hard working people trying to make a living, you should be alert if you are going to hail a taxi on the street, especially if you appear to be wealthy or a foreigner. Your safest bet is to have your hotel call a taxi for you or keep the numbers of official taxi companies ("radio taxis", which are marked with registered numbers) handy. Lima's tourist information centers will be willing to call one for you as well.

Uber (largest presence), Cabify, InDrive, Beat and Easy (smallest presence) ride share apps are available in Lima, and almost always cheaper than taxis, they're also safer, and with Beat/InDrive you get a recommended rate, but you can negotiate over the app as well. Most Peruvians use ride share apps, as even they don't enjoy negotiating with taxi drivers (there are no taxi-meters).

Corrupt police [ edit ]

While highly unlikely, some corrupt policemen might insist on seeing your passport to ‘verify when you entered the country’. Peru doesn't stamp passports anymore, so the victim shows the passport (if they are even carrying it on them) and of course, there will be no stamp from border control on the passport. The police will then threaten to take you to the police station or ‘fine’ you on the spot. They just want money, make sure you are nice but stand your ground. Ideally show a picture of your passport on your phone but don't show them your real passport.

Cope [ edit ]

Embassies [ edit ].

The majority of embassies are clustered in San Isidro with some located in the adjacent Jesús María, La Victoria, Miraflores and Lima Districts:

Go next [ edit ]

If you are flying out of Lima internationally, the airport tax is US$31, or US$7.40 for domestic flights, which is rolled into the purchase price of tickets at the airport. Ensure you receive a sticker on the back of each ticket from the check-in counter as proof you have already paid the tax at the security checkpoint.

The surrounding residential towns of Lima in the foothills of the mountains offer spectacular views and are ideal day-trips from central Lima.

If you are flying to your next destination, you can take the "Las Flores 18" (IM-18) bus to the airport (from Miraflores/Magdalena/Surco) or any micro bus that says "Todo Faucett/Aeropuerto" on its side. The trip from Miraflores takes about an hour and costs S/2 .

If you wish to take a long distance bus, see the Get In section above for bus companies, the various locations of their terminals and their destinations.

Some popular destinations from Lima are:

• Arequipa — the "White City", in the southern highlands.
• Cajamarca — hosts an exciting carnaval every February.
• Cuzco — The center of the Inca civilization. Luxury tourist buses run twice daily with Cruz del Sur . One of South America's most iconic sights, Machu Picchu , is just a 4-hours train ride away from Cuzco.
• Huancayo — can be reached by taking a scenic train trip through the Andes.
• Huaraz — a mountaineering center.
• Iquitos — a northern city of the selva (jungle)
• Ica — a desert city with an oasis called Huacachina .
• Matucana — and the Antankallo waterfall.
• Nazca — home of the ancient and mysterious Nazca Lines .
• Piura — a city on the northern coast.
• Pucallpa — can be reached by bus or plane and is the only major river port linked by road to Lima. It's possible to travel by boat to Iquitos.
• Tarma — the "Pearl of the Andes".
• Trujillo — a beautiful city on the northern coast.
• Tumbes — a northern coastal city with a heavenly beach.

• Has custom banner
• Huge city articles
• Has map markers
• Airport listing
• Articles with dead external links
• Do listing with no coordinates
• Has caution box
• Has caution box with no date
• Has Geo parameter
• Central Coast (Peru)
• All destination articles
• Usable cities
• Usable articles
• City articles
• Cities with categories
• Pages with maps

Navigation menu

Everything you need to know before traveling to Lima

Nov 8, 2023 • 7 min read

It pays to time it right when planning a trip to Lima © Mark Green / Shutterstock

Fronting onto a rugged stretch of shoreline, Lima is often used as a stepping stone to reach bucket-list sites such as Machu Picchu , but the capital of Peru has become a destination in its own right.

This bustling city more than makes up for its chaotic traffic and humdrum weather with out-of-this-world cuisine, dramatic coastal views and outstanding museums.

We'd say the capital of Peru has a lot going for it — an almost overwhelming amount. To help you make the most of your trip to the City of Kings (and simplify your trip planning) here are a few useful things to know before traveling to Lima. 

Lima is one of the less well-known cities in the Americas, so it helps to know what to expect. Here are some tips for planning a trip.

1. Be prepared for gray skies

This is a heads up for those who suffer from seasonal mood swings in drab weather – don't assume this coastal Latin American capital is the land of sunshine.

For every month of the year outside of Peru’s summer season (January to March), the skies over Lima are consistently gray. This can be a huge disappointment for unsuspecting visitors – and can wear down even those prepared for this quirk of the Lima weather.

Keep this in mind when planning the timing of a trip to Lima . On the plus side, the Peruvian capital is dry nearly all year round and you can stay active on the malecón (waterfront esplanade) to keep your energy levels and mood up.

If you are in dire need of Vitamin D, consider a day trip down south to Pachacamac or a weekend trip to Reserva Nacional de Paracas where the sun is more likely to make an appearance.

2. Download a rideshare app for easy trips around Lima

Lima sprawls over numerous widely-spread districts, so you may spend a good chunk of time commuting. Though there are a handful of cheap and accessible ways to get around Lima, your best bet is to rely on a respectable rideshare app such as Uber or Cabify .

Even if you have a decent level of Spanish or are traveling in a group, the risk of theft or getting scammed when taking an unmarked taxi off the street in Lima is not worth the few soles (Peru’s official currency) difference in price.

3. Base yourself in a district that suits your interests in Lima

There are so many great neighborhoods in Lima , each with its own unique personality and attributes, and with the sprawling nature of the city, it pays to stay close to the things you want to see.

Do a bit of research to discover the best neighborhood in Lima for you – some areas are better for people traveling with children, while others appeal to travelers looking to keep to a budget or those seeking a taste of local nightlife.

Most tourists stay in the hip district of Barranco or centrally-located Miraflores, and for good reason. But less-visited districts such as Pueblo Libre or Magdalena del Mar can also woo you with their top museums and authentic vibe.

4. Consider distance and traffic when organizing your day-to-day itinerary

Sprawling across more than 1000 sq miles, Lima is the largest city in Peru and one of the five most populous cities in South America. While many of the most touristed districts are close neighbors, some of the best things to do and see in Lima are on opposite sides of the city.

Don’t waste a chunk of your visit to Lima commuting. Instead, invest a bit of pre-travel time in mapping out what each district has to offer, so you can plan your days based on activities and sights that are close to one another.

For example, it's a good idea to pair gallery visits in Barranco with lunch or dinner in a Miraflores restaurant or a trip to Pueblo Libre’s incredibly thorough and informative Museo Larco with a drink at the same district’s famed Queirolo pisco bar.

5. Don’t haggle excessively and keep cash handy

Speaking of respect for local culture, let’s talk about haggling. Many tour agencies encourage travelers to bargain for better prices, reassuring them that it is simply part of the Peruvian culture.

However, while it is common in Lima markets to see vendors and buyers discussing a better price, there is a point where arguing hard for a cheaper price becomes disrespectful.

Many of the artisans in Lima come from the highlands or tropical lowlands – distant regions where it is difficult to earn a steady income and the quality of life is much lower than in the cities and most countries tourists come from.

Unless you can be sure that the vendor is charging an extortionate amount, consider settling for a slightly higher than the locals price to help support local families.

Also keep in mind that many small businesses, as well as independent artisans, will only accept cash and they may not have change, so carry plenty of small bills.

6. Learn a few basic Spanish words and phrases for easier travels

A quick search on Facebook will turn up links to numerous groups of English-speaking expats who fell in love with Peru and set up a base in Lima, but the vast majority of locals do not speak fluent English.

Thankfully, rideshare apps do away with the need to give detailed directions to taxi drivers, and purchases in markets can often be negotiated with just some creative gesturing.

However, to fit in, and reduce the chances of being scammed, learning a few phrases in Spanish is a good way to express your respect for locals and be less of an outsider in this strongly Spanish-speaking city.

Many locals will give a passing greeting of qué tal (how are you?) or buen dia (good day), and doing so yourself will put a smile on people's faces.

Knowing your numbers is also helpful when it comes to paying a fair price – prices may be hiked for those who only speak English.

7. Trust your gut instinct when eating street food

Picarones (squash and sweet potato fried donuts), anticuchos (skewered beef heart), emoliente (a thick herbal drink served piping hot) – the list of tempting street food options in Lima goes on and on.

And while the foods served on the sidewalks of Lima provide a delicious, budget-friendly way to sample the flavors of Peru , your stomach may not be on board with the lax (sometimes non-existent) sanitary standards employed by street vendors. 

When choosing whether to eat from a street food stall, go with your instincts. Back home, you wouldn’t eat from a place that has more flies than customers, or from a cook who doesn't wash their hands or use gloves for food prep, so don’t risk it in Lima.

Another important rule of thumb for newcomers is to satiate your craving for ceviche in a proper restaurant; uncooked fish on the street is a fast track to a stomach bug.

8. Follow big-city safety precautions to avoid theft in Lima

Lima is a fairly safe destination for tourists when it comes to serious crime – but that doesn’t mean it's a good idea to walk around town at dusk with your camera or a shiny new phone on display. As with any large city, opportunistic crime, especially theft, is prevalent in Lima.

To avoid losing a precious valuable item, be street smart and aware of your immediate environment. Don’t leave your purse, bag or phone in the seat next to you while riding in a taxi or a public bus, and avoid walking around with your wallet on obvious display in your back pocket.

Phone snatching in the street is another problem. Don't be too shy to ask for directions or to use a paper map as opposed to carrying your phone in front of you as a digital map, especially in neighborhoods less frequented by tourists. 

9. Tips for staying safe as a solo woman in Lima

Lima is generally safe for female solo travelers. Be cautious (as, unfortunately, we always have to be) of eager offers of rides from drivers of unmarked taxis or free rounds of drinks at the bar, and avoid walking alone at night, particularly in quiet parts of town.

For safety in numbers, find a like-minded traveler from your hostel (or reach out to expat residents on Facebook groups) to join you on outings.

This article was first published April 2022 and updated November 2023

Explore related stories

Budget Travel

Jan 10, 2024 • 6 min read

Peru has long been a destination for backpackers on a budget and now other travelers have caught on – here's how to make your money go further on the road.

Dec 27, 2023 • 8 min read

Dec 14, 2023 • 3 min read

Dec 12, 2023 • 5 min read

Nov 26, 2023 • 6 min read

Nov 15, 2023 • 4 min read

Nov 14, 2023 • 8 min read

Nov 6, 2023 • 5 min read

Nov 6, 2023 • 8 min read

Is Lima Worth Visiting? 12 Reasons Why You Must

Travelers often ask themselves “is Lima worth visiting?” when planning a trip to Peru. When pressed for time, many tend to prioritize Cusco and Machu Picchu over the national capital.

Fair enough; the old capital and the sacred city of the Incas are two of the absolute wonders of South America. Yet I’ll give you more than 12 good reasons to add Lima to your bucket list.

Lima was the first stop of a trip through Peru , Bolivia, and Chile that I took a few years back. I’ll never forget its mesmerizing cityscape, welcoming residents, and particularly the amazing food I savored there.

Table of Contents

Why some travelers avoid Lima

The weather can be a letdown..

Lima has a mild desert climate with high humidity, so it is frequently overcast and can be quite chilly, especially during the colder months (May to October).

Many folks who visit Lima come expecting a hot and sunny environment and may be surprised to learn that the city can be shrouded in a thick fog known as the garúa for a great deal of the year.

That’s also why Peruvians typically refer to the color of the capital’s skies as panza de burro , or “donkey’s belly”.

What’s more, Lima does receive some rainfall during the summer months, but it is not as much as what you might expect from a tropical city. 

That can be disappointing for visitors who come hoping to experience lush vegetation and vibrant flora, only to realize that the bulk of the landscape is dry and arid.

Having said that, the climate in Lima can provide a welcome respite from the scorching temperatures of other tropical destinations and allow for outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

A few areas are iffy safety-wise.

Like any big city, Lima does have its share of crime and safety concerns, which means travelers should beware of their surroundings and avoid flashing expensive belongings.  

Certain regions of Lima, mainly neighborhoods outside the downtown-Miraflores axis, are known to be more dangerous than others. 

Pickpocketing, theft, and scams can occur in tourist areas and crowded public spaces. It’s essential then to keep a close eye on personal belongings.

It’s worth noting, though, that Lima is generally considered to be a safe destination for visitors; millions of people come to the city each year without any incidents. 

In addition to that, the government of Peru has implemented measures to improve public safety in Lima in recent years, including increasing police presence and surveillance in high-crime regions.

Getting around town isn’t that easy.

Traffic in Lima is often a bit of a headache. It’s not uncommon to find yourself stuck in a sea of honking cars, with seemingly no end in sight. The thing is, there are so many vehicles on the road — and not enough room to accommodate them all.

Part of the problem is due to Lima’s public transportation system, which is relatively unreliable. That means more people end up driving themselves around; and with a population of over 10 million, that’s a ton of cars on the road.

Yet while it can be frustrating at times, there’s a certain energy to Lima’s traffic too. It’s a constant buzz of activity, with cars, buses, and motorcycles weaving in and out of lanes, and drivers using every inch of available space to get where they need to go.

If you’re in a rush, you can always try hailing a motorcycle taxi to weave your way through the traffic. Just hold on tight!

Why is Lima worth visiting?

1. it boasts one of the hottest cuisines on the globe..

Lima has gained a reputation among foodies as a trendy destination owing to its diverse options and the creativity of its chefs. 

The city’s cuisine is a blend of indigenous ingredients and techniques with Spanish, African, Asian, and other international influences, making it a one-of-a-kind and flavorful culinary hotspot.

One of the top-rated restaurants in Lima is Central, which serves traditional Peruvian cuisine with a modern twist. 

Maido specializes in Peruvian-Japanese fusion, whereas La Mar prepares a huge variety of ceviches and other seafood dishes that are guaranteed to please even the most demanding palate.

2. Its historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lima’s historic core, dubbed the “City of Kings,” is a must-see if you can’t wait to experience Peru’s rich cultural history.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, it boasts a number of imposing monuments, museums, and major cultural institutions around the majestic Plaza de Armas.

Serving as the city’s main square, the Plaza de Armas is surrounded by architectural wonders such as Lima Cathedral and the Government Palace, as well as a set of colonial houses with their suggestive wooden balconies.

Other landmarks that you shouldn’t miss in the area are the San Francisco Monastery and its catacombs, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Santo Domingo Convent, and the Museum of Italian Art, which houses a stellar collection of Renaissance art. 

3. Lima is a shopaholic’s paradise.

If you’re looking for luxury shopping, Lima is dotted with upscale malls, such as Larcomar, Jockey Plaza, and Plaza San Miguel, all of which feature exclusive brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci. 

Meche Correa, Anntarah, and Sumy Kujon, in turn, are three of the top boutiques hailing from the city. They showcase designer clothing, jewelry, and accessories from renowned Peruvian designers.

Lima is also known for its fine jewelry. The best jewelry shops in town include Ilaria, Yuraq, and D’Orica, where visitors can browse for exquisite handmade jewels.

For visitors interested in loading up on souvenirs from Peru , Lima has countless options too. The city is home to several craft markets, such as Mercado Indio de Miraflores and Mercado Central de Lima, where you’ll find a wide range of textiles, pottery, wood carvings, and decor items by local artisans.

4. It’s bordered by miles of beaches.

The beautiful beaches surrounding Lima are a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city. They offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, with clear blue waters and sandy shores. 

You’ll get to enjoy swimming, surfing, sunbathing — or taking inspiring strolls along the coast if you visit in the colder months as I did.

Two of the most popular beaches in Lima are Costa Verde, with its tall waves that make it the go-to hangout spot for surfers, and Agua Dulce, which is quieter and as such ideal for families. And if you have the time, head right out of town to check out Punta Hermosa and Santa María as well. 

5. Visiting is pretty affordable.

In general, Lima is an affordable destination compared to other major cities in North America, Western Europe, and East Asia, especially when you take into account the exchange rate for the sol (Peru’s currency).

Accommodation options span both budget hostels and sumptuous hotels, with prices starting from around $10 up to $100-200 per night for more luxurious alternatives.

On top of that, you can easily eat for cheap if you want to, at street food stalls, local markets, and mid-priced restaurants. Meals can range from $5 for a simple lunch at a local market to $50 or more for a dinner at a high-end restaurant.

The cost of public transportation is generally low, with fares starting from around $0.25-0.50 for a one-way bus ride.

Also read: How Many Days in Lima is Enough? Itinerary & Tips

6. Lima is the cultural capital of Peru.

Featuring numerous art galleries, museums, music venues, theaters, and festivals, which reflect the city’s vibrant art scene, Lima is without a doubt the cultural capital of Peru — other than its political and economic one.

The Museum of Art of Lima displays works by Peruvian and international artists and provides a unique opportunity to experience the country’s contemporary art scene. Thanks to its completeness, it was one of my favorite cultural institutions in the city when I visited.

Lima’s old town, on the other hand, contains the Teatro Municipal, which showcases opera, ballet, and other high-profile performances. 

Plus, Lima plays host to a bunch of cultural events throughout the year, including the Lima Film Festival and the International Book Fair, which draw visitors from across the planet.

7. It’s the best place to dive into Peru’s precious archeological heritage.

Two of the largest institutions devoted to preserving the country’s priceless archaeological heritage are located in Lima. The first one is the National Museum of Peru, which has a historic branch in the Pueblo Libre borough and a brand-new one near the Pachacamac archaeological site.

Then you have the privately owned Larco Museum, which houses a 45,000-artifact collection of pre-Columbian art spanning ceramics, textiles, and metalwork, and is within walking distance from the Pueblo Libre location of the National Museum.

8. It’s the perfect gateway to the rest of the country.

As the most populous city in Peru, Lima quite unsurprisingly has excellent transport connections to other gorgeous destinations in Peru like Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, and Lake Titicaca. 

You can easily catch a flight or a bus from Lima to these places, which makes it a convenient starting point for exploring the country. 

Other than that, lots of tour operators and travel agencies are based in Lima, so travelers can easily plan and book their excursions to other parts of Peru from the city. 

9. Lima is dotted with charming neighborhoods.

Several of Lima’s districts are noted for their own character and appeal. Barranco, for instance, is a bohemian neighborhood distinguished by its colonial-era architecture, artistic vibes, and lively nightlife scene. 

Miraflores, a busy and touristy borough, features a wide array of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as commanding views of the Pacific. 

The Constitutional District of Callao, with its rich history as the no. 1 port of entry to Peru, has been undergoing a cultural renaissance in recent years, with new art galleries, museums, and restaurants opening up. 

Finally, San Isidro is an upscale residential area that is home to a few of Lima’s finest restaurants, shops, and hotels. It’s also famous for El Olivar Park and its rows of olive trees imported from Spain in the 17th century.

10. There are ancient landmarks in the city.

The Peruvian capital is peppered with pre-Columbian monuments that offer a glimpse into the country’s ancient history and culture. 

A couple of the most impressive ones are Huaca Pucllana, a 6th-century adobe pyramid in Miraflores, and Pachacamac, a complex of ruins located about 20 miles south of Lima that was an important religious hub for the Incas.

11. Locals are just adorable.

Foreigners are inevitably charmed by Lima residents — aka Limeños — thanks to their warmth, hospitality, and passion for life. 

The people of Lima are friendly and always ready to share their rich cultural heritage with visitors. They are proud of their hometown and eager to show you around its hidden gems. 

Whether you’re strolling through the colorful streets of Barranco, treating yourself to a seafood feast in Miraflores, or exploring the bustling markets of Callao, you’ll notice that Limeños are quick to offer a warm smile and a helping hand. 

12. You’ll find 1,000 ways of enjoying the outdoors there.

Lima is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re around the city center, drop by Parque de la Reserva to marvel at its flawlessly manicured gardens and illuminated water fountains.

Between Miraflores and Barranco, besides spending a day by the beach, you can go paragliding along the shore, bike along the scenic boardwalk, or simply relax and let the ocean breeze caress your face. While you’re at it, stop by Larcomar, an outdoor shopping mall that overhangs the Pacific.

Final thoughts

Is Lima worth visiting after all? Thanks to the Peruvian capital’s hectic pace, iconic coastline, architectural gems, and delicious cuisine, I daresay there’s no doubt about that.

The most famous city in Peru is one of the most fascinating destinations in all of Latin America and will give you a generous taste of all the delights the country has to offer.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

© 2024 Hey Explorer

Stock images by Depositphotos

• Inspiring Stories
• Relationship First
• Behind The Scenes
• Write for Us
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Editorial Guideline
• California Privacy Rights
• EU Privacy Perferences
• Do Not Sell My Info

Copyright ©2024 Biography Host

• Full Name Jamie Kern Lima
• Occupation Entrepreneur, Businesswoman
• Nationality American
• Birthplace Washington, D.C., USA
• Birth Date Jul 16, 1977
• Age 46 Years, 9 Months
• Did You Know? Her struggle with a skin disease, Rosacea, prompted her to start her own makeup business.
• University Washington State University, Harvard Business School , Columbia Business School
• Education Bachelor's degree, Women's Leadership Form, master's degree in Business Administration
• Husband Paulo Lima
• Height 5 feet 6 inches
• Weight undisclosed
• Net Worth $460 million
• Awards Miss Washington USA 2000

Jamie Kern Lima | Biography

In 2008, Jamie Kern Lima collaborated with plastic surgeons and dermatologists to create IT Cosmetics that work efficiently and effectively. The business did not make a profit for the first three years. After series of struggles, she got the opportunity to appear at QVC, a televised home shopping network, to advertise her product, and it helped her promote and flourish the business.

• Update : April 07, 2022

Jamie Kern Lima is the co-founder of the luxurious makeup company IT Cosmetics. 

Who is Jamie Kern Lima?

Jamie Kern Lima is a businesswoman, philanthropist, benefactor, public speaker, author, and co-founder of the makeup company IT Cosmetics. Her struggle with a skin disease, Rosacea, prompted her to start her own makeup business. Despite the initial hardships to build the business, her appearance at QVC, a televised home shopping network, helped her promote and flourish the business. 

She later enrolled at Harvard Business School as part of its Women's Leadership Form and graduated in 2017.

She was raised by adoptive parents

Lima was born on 16 July 1977 in the city of Seattle, Washington, in the USA. She was not the biological child of her parents but was adopted, and she accidentally discovered it during her twenties.  

She is a former news anchor

Lima earned her bachelor's degree from Washington State University and graduated as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA in 1999. After graduation, she decided on a career in journalism as a morning anchor of Wake Up Northwest. 

Lima relished her role as the morning anchor at Wake Up Northwest. In an interview in 2021 with  NBC Right Now,  Lima shared that she felt lucky to get the anchoring job, and she had put her true essence into it. 

She said, “Working there… I loved it, loved it. It's just such a beautiful community… the whole Tri-Cities area and Yakima as well. You go out and everyone just connects... I feel like everyone cares about each other there, and that's probably my favorite memory. I got very lucky to have that job, but I poured my heart and soul into it!”

Does Jamie Kern Lima have rosacea?

However, amidst her stint at the anchor chair, Lima developed an incurable skin condition called rosacea. Describing how the disease affected her skin and life to  Guideposts  in February 2021, she said, “It showed up on my face—big red patches, sometimes bumpy or sandpaper-like. Total strangers would stop me in the supermarket and ask if I had a sunburn or was sick. On the air, in the middle of a broadcast, I’d hear my producer say in my earpiece, “Jamie, can we do something about your skin during the next commercial break?”

She said she spent all her earnings on cosmetics and also got free samples when she could not afford anything more. She tried almost every cosmetic product on the market, but nothing could keep her symptomatic redness from flashing on-air. “Nothing helped. Or the makeup would be so thick, it made me look as if I were wearing a mask, cracked and caked in my smile lines. Being on camera only made it worse. I saw my career slipping away,” she added.

Following her discontent with the efficacy of various makeup products, she decided to make her own beauty product. 

She launched her own makeup business with her husband

When Lima was desperate due to her rosacea, she  said  she heard a divine calling from God to create makeup that was good for her skin and work on all skin types and tones. 

She had some knowledge of running a business as she worked at the grocery store Safeway bagging groceries and at Denny's restaurant as a waitress after graduating from Washington State University. She furthered her business studies at Columbia Business School in Columbia University and graduated with a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA)  in 2004 . However, it took her several years to launch her makeup business.

Lima, along with her husband Paulo, finally co-founded a makeup company, IT Cosmetics, in 2008. Lima said they made the business plan for IT Cosmetics on their honeymoon flight. They subsequently left their jobs and transformed their living room into their office. After cold-calling many beauty companies, they finally found a good manufacturer and began developing samples with them. 

For IT Cosmetics, Lima had collaborated with plastic surgeons and dermatologists to create efficient, skin-loving cosmetics that work effectively. All Lima wanted to do was inspire everyone to feel their best.

“I tested the products on myself, wearing them all day long. I’d walk around making faces, seeing if the makeup cracked. I even tried out an eyebrow pencil on Paulo’s thick brows. (He’ll kill me for saying this.) And I tested on every friend and family member I had. We needed to know that these products would work on real people like us,” Lima described how she tested her products on herself and her closed ones before sending them to the market. 

She further said that their CC Cream covered her rosacea and contained moisturizers and sunblock.

She struggled for several years to build her business

The business brought in no profit for the first three years. She, her husband, and her closest friend worked 100-hour weeks to build the startup. They sought the attention of major merchants, investors, and anybody who could help build the business, including Sephora and QVC but were denied every time.

She also  struggled  to get funding for her business because of her weight. Among the numerous rejections, she said the rejection from a potential investor from Sephora who told her, “I’m just not sure women will buy makeup from someone who looks like you, you know, with your body and your weight” was the most painful of all.

"There were nights [early on] where I was crying myself to sleep because of another big rejection [pitching the products]," she told  CNBC  in 2021. 

"I would literally pull up the notes app on my phone and I would read inspiring quotes or stories. It would remind me of things like, "Oh, where I come from doesn't have to determine where I'm going," or "champions aren't made when the game is easy," " Lima added, referring to what kept her going.

Her faith helped her in becoming unstoppable and achieving her dream

Lima told  Guideposts  in 2021 that her faith made her keep going and believe in her business amidst painful rejections, confusions, and discouragements. However, she said her faith in God sustained her business.

“I made the commitment to stay in faith and to work harder than I could possibly have worked and to keep going every time I got knocked down, but like, he did everything else. The opened doors, the closed doors, the serendipitous connections, the grace beyond comprehension,” she  said . 

Adding more to her initial struggles, she was left with just $1000 in hand one time. Nevertheless, she continued the hardship and eventually led the company to become the USA's number one luxury cosmetics company. 

A challenging deal with QVC help her boost her business

Following a series of denials, QVC, a network specializing in presenting home shopping, consented to her advertising on the network in 2010. That contributed to her current standing as a businesswoman. 

Even though the shopping channel QVC initially  rejected  Lima and her products stating that they were not “the right fit for QVC or the QVC customers,” she got the chance after a QVC host approached her at a cosmetics convention stating that QVC customers would like Bye Bye Under Eye concealer of IT Cosmetics. The host also informed them that she told the QVC buyer about the IT Cosmetics product. 

Lima and her husband subsequently went to the QVC headquarters and gave a presentation. This time, QVC offered her 10 minutes to promote her cosmetic products in a live broadcast, but that came with a tough deal.

“I’d have all of 10 minutes of airtime to sell some 6,000 units of our product. That was the deal with QVC. Six thousand in 10 minutes or you don’t come back! Not only sell them but have them ready to be shipped. We reached out to banks, trying to get a loan so that we could pay for all that inventory. Only one small bank would give us a loan. By broadcast time, we were down to our last $1,000. Not just in our business account but our personal account.” She added, “If I couldn’t succeed in those 10 minutes, we’d be finished. Paulo and I were risking everything on 10 minutes of airtime. So much was riding on what I said and did.”

With a lot of pressure and nervousness, Lima went on air without full makeup to expose her true self. She showed her bright red rosacea on her skin on national television and demonstrated how their products worked. 

Her products were quickly sold out within 10 minutes. Lima said she was “weak with relief and gratitude.” After the breakthrough sale, her business went steadily. She went on to appear on QVC numerous times, and her products became QVC’s top beauty brand. She said, people who previously did not respond to her calls, including Sephora, started approaching her and the “nos turned into yeses.”

She sold IT Cosmetics for over a billion-dollar

She later sold the company to L'Oreal for $1.2 billion in 2016 and became the first female CEO of L'Oreal in the past 100-years. She made around $410 million from the deal. Moreover, she invested some amount from the deal in 17 enterprises, most of which were run by women. She stepped down from L'Oreal's daily operations in 2019.

She is a millionaire

Celebrity Net Worth  reported in July 2018 that Lima has a net worth of $450 million, which she primarily accumulated from her career as a co-founder and CEO of IT Cosmetics. Her wealth continued to grow over the years. According to Forbes, she has a net worth of $500 million as of April 2021.

She is an author

Lima penned the book 'Believe IT: How to Go From Underestimated to Unstoppable' released on 23 February 2021. Shortly after the release, it was recognized as the New York Times bestseller, USA TODAY bestseller, number one bestseller on Wall Street Journal, and number one bestseller in Publisher's Weekly. 

The book explains the life story of Lima, from a struggling waitress to developing an out-of-the-box business concept to pocketing billion dollars from the same business to being the world's self-made wealthiest woman, as claimed by Forbes. The book manifests her professional and personal struggle and how she surpassed all to achieve her goals.

She hosted a ‘Becoming Unstoppable’ confidence-building event

On 22 February 2021, Lima  hosted  a free one-day live confidence-building virtual event. The event was dedicated to providing strategies for overcoming the things holding individuals back like self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and issues related to confidence, focus, and relationships. Additionally, the event focused on helping people believe in themselves and the power and possibilities of their own dreams. The virtual event was joined by other inspiring people.

She is a philanthropist

Furthermore, Lima is an ardent philanthropist who has contributed over $40 million in products and cash to assist women in coping with the repercussions of cancer. She is also donating 100 percent of the profits from her book, 'Believe IT,' to organizations such as Feeding America and Together Rising.

She has been honored with multiple awards

Lima was an award-winning TV news anchor before her skin disease ended her journalism career. However, after pursuing a successful business career, Lima was listed under the  '60 Most Successful Self-Made Women'  list by Forbes magazine in 2018 and was honored with the 'Most Intriguing Entrepreneur' title by Goldman Sachs. Additionally, she was named to the '50 Most Powerful Women in Beauty' by WWD and was recognized with the 'Incredible Woman Award' by PORTER magazine, the 'FGI Star Award', and the 'CEW Achiever Award.' 

She has been featured in several media outlets

Lima was a contestant in the reality TV show  Big Brother  (2000). Lima has been on reputed talk shows such as  Good Morning America ,  The Ellen DeGeneres Show ,  The Today Show ,  CBS This Morning ,  CNBC ,  The Drew Barrymore Show ,  Home & Family , and  Joel Osteen , and in publications such as the New York Times, People, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, New York magazine, the Wall Street Journal, InStyle, Glamour, WWD, CEW, StyleWatch, and others.

Who is Jamie Kern Lima married to?

Lima is married to Paulo Lima. She met her future husband in a statistics class at the Columbia Business School. The couple  dated  for five years and ultimately  married  on 7 July 2007. 

Shortly after their marriage, Lima and her husband built the brand together and turned their startup into a billion-dollar company. They also  won  the 2015 EY Entrepreneurs of the Year for Retail and Consumer Products in the New Jersey Region.

Before launching the makeup company, her husband  served  as a vice president for Pacific Crest Securities. He previously worked as an associate at Peter J. Solomon Company and an analyst at Credit Suisse First Boston.

Lima says her husband wants to stay behind the lens and does not want to be in photos. However, her husband occasionally appears on her social media posts. For instance, she  wished  her husband ‘Happy Birthday’ on Instagram on 13 February 2021, alongside a cover image of the pair that was published in Columbia Business magazine. She wrote a lengthy caption, stating that her husband agreed to do that cover photo. She further explained that her husband cheered her during their tough time.

She is a mother of two

Lima and her husband together have two children - one daughter and one son. However, she told  Parents  magazine in February 2021 that she and her husband spent nearly a decade trying to get pregnant. After a lot of tests, she and her husband learned that the issue was the shape of her uterus, which had a higher risk of miscarriage. 

“We kept trying, and I kept either failing to get pregnant or miscarrying,” she said. The couple then started looking into adoption and surrogacy. 

“The surrogacy agency was moving at a much quicker pace than the adoption agency. After all the legal paperwork was completed, we were ready to be set up on a "match call." This is a video call led by the agency to introduce intended parents to a potential surrogate,” Lima said.

According to her, she felt surrogacy was the scariest option believing that a surrogate could run away with the baby or come after the parents for custody. However, she kept faith on their journey.

The couple finally started their surrogacy journey and then welcomed their first child in 2018. It was a baby girl and the couple named their daughter Wonder.

The couple later  welcomed  their second child, a baby boy named Wilder Winston Lima, on 2 May 2020. 

Did Jamie Kern Lima perform weight loss surgery?

In 2021, internet users speculated Lima was losing weight. Some of her fans assumed that she had bariatric surgery, but Lima has not said anything about her weight loss journey. 

However, in an interview with The Cut, she remembered her days while working as an anchor and said, “My weight fluctuated, and I was always getting in trouble about it from my producer. Viewers would write, ‘I really like you, but you should diet.’ Or, ‘Are you pregnant?’ The criticism crushed me.”

She later told Guideposts that she struggled her whole life to love herself, stating “God loved her in a culture that burdened so many women with a false standard of beauty.” 

Fact-checking and Ethical Concerns

We assure our audience that we will remove any contents that are not accurate or according to formal reports and queries if they are justified. We commit to cover sensible issues responsibly through the principles of neutrality.

To report about any issues in our articles, please feel free to  Contact Us . Our dedicated Editorial team verifies each of the articles published on the Biographyhost.