Lima is a city of contrast, culture, and commotion. Jugglers, fire-eaters, and street-sellers scamper through traffic that idles down streets flanked by Colonial mansions, pre-Inca ruins, historic churches, and museums full of treasures. Long maligned as nothing more than the gateway to Peru. Lima is a fascinating destination in itself. Central Lima is the city´s pounding heart. Barranco is the bohemian barrio, Miraflores is a restaurant, hotel, and club haven, and San Isidro is the elegant business district complete with an ancient olive grove.
The Weather
The weather in Lima doesn´t vary much throughout the year. Daytime temperaturerises to about 70°F. The humidity remains low. The coastal region gets little precipitation, so you´ll rarely find your plans ruined by rain.
When is the best time to visit Lima?
The best season is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to visit Peru and book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
Getting Here & Around
If you´re visiting Lima Peru, you´ll almost certainly touch down at Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez, on the north-western fringe of Lima. Once you´re in the main terminal of the airport, hundreds of people will be waiting. Do yourself a favor and arrange for a transfer through your hotel.
Taxis are the best way to get around Lima. Use only taxis painted with a company´s logo and that have the driver´s license prominently displayed. It´s best to negotiate the fare before you get in. A journey between two adjacent neighborhoods should cost between USD 2: longer trips should be about USD 3. If you call a taxi, the price will be roughly double. Well-regarded companies include Taxi Amigo (01-349-0177) and Taxi Móvil (01-422-6890).
Two types of buses - regular-sizee micros and the van-size combis-patrol the strees of Lima. Fares are cheap, usually USD 0.5 for a ride of any distance. First timers are intimidated by these vehicles, but they are a great way to experience the city.
Health & Safety
When visiting Lima Peru drink only bottled water and order drinks without ice. Avoid lettuce and other raw vegetables. As for ceviche and other dishes made with raw seafood: chefs take pride in serving only what was swimming that morning, so the majority of travelers don´t have a problem enjoying these delicacies.
El Centro is safe during the day, but as the locals head home in the late afternoon, so should you. The neighborhood is dicey at night. Residential neighborhoods like Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco have far less street crime, but you should be on your guard away from the main streets. Always be alert for pickpackers in crowded markets and on public transportation when visiting Lima Peru.
For robberies, contact the Tourist Police. The department is divided into the northern zone, which includes: El Centro, and the southern zone, which includes Barranco, Miraflores, and San Isidro. English-speaking officers will help you negotiate the system. For emergencies, call the police and fire emergency numbers.
Lima Tourism
Lima has many top tour operators with experienced English-speaking guides for local and country-wide sightseeing. The most professional is Lima Tours, which offers tours of the city and surrounding area as well as the rest of Peru. The company is one of the few that conducts Lima tourism for gay groups. Lima Vision has some excellent city tours, including several that include lunch at a traditional restaurant or a dinner show. Other well-regarded companies include Condor Travel, Setours, and Solmartour.
These are the main places you should visit when you doing Lima tourism:
- La Catedral, considered a masterpiece of Colonial architecture, has been re-constructed several times since the 16th century due to earthquakes.
- Museo Larco Herrera has more than 40,000 ceramics, including erotic Moche creations.
- Museo de la Nación features Paracas textiles, ceramics from Nazca, and a great collection of Chavín artifacts.
- San Francisco church and convent was developed by the Spanish as a place for worship and education. The 17-th century structure houses famous paintings including a Last Supper with guinea pig and Passion of Christ series by Rubens. The main attraction is the catacombs where the poor of the city used to be buried.
- Huaca Pucllana is the site of the remains of a pre-Inca adobe pyramid complex and includes a museum of Wari culture.
- Parque Kennedy is famous for the market set up by artists who come here to sell their wares. The park is also a favorite meeting place for locals at the weekend.
- Parque Municipal is known for the striking Biblioteca Municipal, its a beautiful marble statue of the Daughter of Venus, and a lively weekend food market set up opposite the park.
Best Tours in Peru
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days
- 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 3 Day Inca Trail
- Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu 6 days
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
- Ausangate trek 7 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
