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. The city is considered the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of Peru. Jurisdictionally, the metropolis extends mainly within the province of Lima and in a smaller portion, to the west, within the Constitutional Province of Callao, where the seaport and the Jorge Chávez Airport are located. Both provinces have had regional autonomy since 2002.
Places to visit in Lima
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Plaza Mayor
HistoricThe historic main square of Lima, surrounded by the cathedral, Government Palace and archbishop's palace. Arrive before noon to watch the changing of the guard outside the palace.
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Basilica and Convent of San Francisco
Religious · 1 mi from centreA colonial church and monastery with a beautiful library and underground catacombs filled with bones. Visits are by guided tour only, so allow about an hour and join one at the entrance.
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Miraflores
Neighborhood · 4 mi from centreA seaside district on cliffs above the Pacific, with parks, restaurants and the Larcomar shopping center. Walk the clifftop Malecon path at sunset, and watch paragliders launching along the coast.
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Barranco
Neighborhood · 6 mi from centreA bohemian district with colorful mansions, galleries and lively bars just south of Miraflores. Cross the Bridge of Sighs and walk down to the beach, then return for dinner and live music.
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Larco Museum
Museum · 2 mi from centreA museum of pre-Columbian art housed in an 18th-century mansion with lovely gardens. Its collection of gold, pottery and ancient erotic ceramics is excellent, and the cafe is ideal for lunch.
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Huaca Pucllana
Historic · 4 mi from centreA large adobe pyramid built by pre-Inca people in the middle of Miraflores. Visits are by guided tour, and the on-site restaurant offers dinner with views of the illuminated ruins.
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Parque de la Reserva
ParkA park known for its Magic Water Circuit, a large collection of illuminated fountains. Come after dark for the light and music shows, and bring a change of clothes if you plan to play in the fountains.
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Pachacamac
Historic · 16 mi from centreA large archaeological site south of the city with temples and pyramids used for more than a thousand years. Go with a tour or taxi, and visit the site museum first to understand the ruins.
Things to do in Lima by type
41 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Gastronomy & nightlife 14 experiences Barranco and Miraflores Boardwalk with a Gastronomic Experience -
Day Trips & Excursions 12 experiences Caral - Full-Day Private Tour -
City tours 11 experiences Discover Lima City and Larco Museum - Half-Day Private Tour -
Art & culture 10 experiences Barranco and Miraflores Boardwalk with a Gastronomic Experience -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 8 experiences Archaeological Complex Pachacamac – Half-Day Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 4 experiences Churin: Discover Secret Thermal Baths - Full-Day Tour -
Classes 3 experiences Cocktail Making Class by Hotel B -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 3 experiences Explore the Center of the Earth: Cañon de Autisha – Full-Day Tour
- 1-3 hours 14
- 3-6 hours 8
- Over 6 hours 7
- Flexible 1
- Up to 1 hour 1
- Youth 3
- Senior 3
- Families 3
- Couples 3
- Private 3
Top experiences in Lima
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 41 available.
Discover Lima City and Larco Museum - Half-Day Private Tour
From $127 per adult
Swim with Sea Lions in Palomino Islands
From $79 per adult
Lima Panoramic Private Tour
From $69 per adult
Lima City Tour and Larco Museum
From $64 per adult
Explore Pachacamac, Archaeological Complex and Barranco
From $61 per adult
Lima Gastronomic Tour with Lunch and City Tour
From $207 per adult
Lima Classic Private Tour: Local Market, Cordano Tavern, Cathedral and Casa Aliaga
From $203 per adult
Explore Indian Market - Private Tour
From $67 per adult
Larco Museum with Lunch at Café del Museo Restaurant
From $171 per adult
Pachacamac Archaeological Complex Private Tour
From $111 per adult
Miraflores and San Isidro - Biking Guided Tour
From $87 per adult
Local Market, Cooking Demo, Larco Museum and Lunch - Private Culinary Tour
From $313 per adult
Where to stay in Lima
Popular hotels in Lima, out of 223 properties you can book.
Melia Lima
From $74 per night
Ibis Lima Larco Miraflores
From $52 per night
Dazzler By Wyndham Lima San Isidro
From $75 per night
Hilton Lima Miraflores
From $175 per night
Jose Antonio Executive
From $73 per night
Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores
From $99 per night
Pullman Lima San Isidro
From $113 per night
Manto Hotel Lima - MGallery Collection
From $82 per night
Jose Antonio Deluxe
From $101 per night
Jose Antonio Lima
From $87 per night
Pullman Lima Miraflores
From $150 per night
ibis Lima Reducto Miraflores
From $51 per night
Best time to visit Lima
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lima is November to May, when average daytime highs are around 69–79°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Lima weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 79° 71° 13%
- Thu 22 Oct 77° 71° 44%
- Fri 23 Oct 76° 71° 49%
- Sat 24 Oct 78° 71° 41%
- Sun 25 Oct 78° 70° 12%
- Mon 26 Oct 78° 71° 6%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Peruvian sol (PEN)1 US dollar ≈ S/.3.44
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +51
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/LimaUTC−5
Upcoming public holidays in Peru
- All Saints DayDía de Todos los Santos
- Immaculate ConceptionInmaculada Concepción
- Battle of AyacuchoBatalla de Ayacucho
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Maundy ThursdayJueves Santo
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Lima
These are the airports closest to central Lima. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- LIM Jorge Chávez International Airport6 mi (9 km) from the city centre
Getting around Lima
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
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Bus rapid transit (Metropolitano)
The Metropolitano. is a modern rapid transport bus system, operated with fully wheelchair-accessible articulated ("bendy") buses. The stations are spaced at 1 km or so, and the buses mostly travel on their own dedicated lanes on expressways, which means that traveling on this system is indeed much faster than on regular buses.
Municipal buses
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[dead link], they form part of an integrated transport system with the BRT. There are at 4 corridores, including:
Lima travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Lima?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lima is November to May, when average daytime highs are around 69–79°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in Lima?
February is usually the warmest month in Lima, with average highs of 79°F (26°C). August is the coolest, with average lows of 57°F (14°C). The wettest month is typically February, with about 21 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Lima?
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (9 km) from the centre of Lima.
What currency is used in Lima?
Lima uses the Peruvian sol (PEN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ S/.3.44.
What time zone is Lima in?
Lima uses the America/Lima time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Lima?
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.
What are the best places to visit in Lima?
Top sights in Lima include Plaza Mayor, Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, Miraflores and Barranco. The historic main square of Lima, surrounded by the cathedral, Government Palace and archbishop's palace. Arrive before noon to watch the changing of the guard outside the palace.
What are the top things to do in Lima?
Popular experiences you can book in Lima include Discover Lima City and Larco Museum - Half-Day Private Tour, Swim with Sea Lions in Palomino Islands and Lima Panoramic Private Tour. Destina Holidays offers 41 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Lima?
The most popular types of experiences in Lima are gastronomy & nightlife (14), day trips & excursions (12), city tours (11) and art & culture (10). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Lima?
Popular areas for hotels in Lima include San Isidro and Miraflores. Well-reviewed options include Melia Lima and Ibis Lima Larco Miraflores.
How many hotels can I book in Lima?
Destina Holidays currently lists 223 properties in and around Lima, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
