Lima Department · Peru
Where to stay in Lima
Lima is a city in Lima Department, Peru, home to about 9,944,000 people.
- Best months
- all year
- Nearest airport
- LIM9 km · Jorge Chávez International Airport
- Currency
- PENNuevo sol
- Time zone
- America/Lima
- Language
- Aymara, Quechua, Spanish
About
About Lima
Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, as well as a primate city. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Lima is a growing metropolis of about 11 million people. Many of these people have migrated from the highlands to find work in Lima, without success, leading to widespread poverty and unemployment, and sprawling shanty towns on the outskirts of the city. 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.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Lima
Do
- Bike Tours of Lima
- The Lima Gourmet Company
- Exquisito Perú
- Folkloric dance shows
- Mirabus bus and road train tours
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Lima to stay in
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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Lima
13 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima | 1.0 km | |
| Hotel Maury | 1835 | 1.5 km |
| Hotel Crillon | 1947 | 1.2 km |
| Sheraton Lima Hotel & Convention Center Sheraton Hotels and Resorts | 0.3 km | |
| Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center | 2011 | 3.8 km |
| Hotel España | 1.9 km | |
| Hotel Europa | 1.9 km | |
| Alojamiento Inti Peru | 2.2 km | |
| Hostal l Plaza Mayor Lima | 1.7 km | |
| Hotel Brickell | 1.0 km | |
| La Quinta de Amat | 2.2 km | |
| Posada Peregrinus | 3.2 km | |
| Tupac Hostel - Lima Airport | 7.1 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Lima
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Lima are all year. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; July is the wettest, with about 2 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Lima: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), about 9.4 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting around
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. The Lima Metro is a newish subway system that is being developed. As of 2022, only Line 1 exists; it serves 33 stations through 11 districts.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
LIM · Jorge Chávez International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Lima
Eat
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.
Stay safe
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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Lima: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Lima?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Lima are all year. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; July is the wettest, with about 2 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Lima?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), about 9.4 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Lima?
Nuevo sol (PEN).
Nearby
Destinations near Lima
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.