Lima Travel FAQ

1. What’s the best way to get around Lima?

If you are not meeting one of our Peru For Less representative, always ask your hotel to call a taxi for you. They can help you negotiate a fair price as there are no metered taxis in Lima, and they will help you communicate where you want to go if you do not speak Spanish. If you need to take a taxi while out and about, simply stand on the side of the street (look obvious) and wait. Taxis are everywhere in Lima and not at all shy about offering their services. A sharp, quick horn honk means that the taxi is available. When you hear it, a lift of the hand will bring the driver curbside. If you want to go to, for example, the Plaza de Armas in Lima Centro from Miraflores, the ride should cost around 8 soles (approx. $2.86). Bargaining is expected.

Your conversation with the driver might go something like this:

You: Cuanto para Lima Centro, Plaza de Armas?
Driver: Doce (12) soles.
You: (Always counteroffer around half) Seis (6)?
Driver: Diez (10).
You: Ocho (8).
Driver: OK/Esta bien.

If you don’t feel comfortable with the price or driver, wave him on. Don’t worry about being rude.
Alternatively, you may choose to use the small buses (or combis, as they’re called in Peru). These interesting little buses will take you a pretty considerable distance for less than a dollar (usually between 0.50 and 1.80 soles); the trick is finding the right one. In Lima, go to any bus stop (look for the big blue PARADERO sign, often on street corners but sometimes found mid-street) and wait. There are hundreds of buses in the city and they’re constantly arriving, but because the combi system is disorganized and often very confusing, you may want to stick to taxis if your Spanish isn’t great. If you are feeling adventurous, download a combi route map.

Lima’s Metropolitano is another good way to traverse the city’s various districts with relative speed. This is a large bus that operates in its own exclusive lane on Lima’s main highway and is very cheap (less than $0.50 per trip). It connects north Lima with south and is very user-friendly. Further Metropolitano information can help you learn to navigate the various neighborhoods of Lima. Note that you will have to buy a Metropolitano card and put money on it. There is usually an attendant near the card machine who will help you.

If you’re just wandering around the Miraflores district, walking is also a good option. Your hotel will be able to provide you with a city map and some ideal places to visit during your stay.

2. Are spa services available in Lima?

Manicures, pedicures, massages, and more can be found in Lima for a fraction of the cost of their American counterparts. For example, a combination manicure-pedicure costs as little as 25 soles (about $9) in some Miraflores spas, while an hour-long Swedish massage can be had for as little as 55 soles (around $20). Your hotel can book these for you; however, you’ll run across many such places in Miraflores and Barranco. Feel free to explore and see what you can find!

3. How is the weather in Lima?

It is important to remember that seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are opposite of those in the North. So if you are traveling to Lima in July (typically the hottest time of year in the United States) it will be the coolest time of the year in Peru. However, the temperatures in Lima tend to be very mild—never too hot or too cold, although it can get really hot around January and February, in the summer time. Be aware that from May to October, you may want a light jacket if you plan to spend time near the Lima coast, as ocean breezes can make the air much colder than elsewhere in the city.

4. Can we change money in Lima? What money issues should we be concerned about?

Lima is full of places to exchange currency (look for casa de cambio). Always check the exchange rate before handing over your money and count what you are given before leaving the window. Some travelers prefer to ask exactly how much they will receive prior to the exchange (“Cuantos soles para veinte dolares?” means “How many soles will I receive for twenty dollars?”).

Although there are traveler reports experiencing few, if any, problems with counterfeit money, it’s a good idea to stick to reputable currency exchange houses, banks, and your hotel. You can read more about how to spot fake Peruvian currency to ensure you can tell the difference. American dollars are also readily accepted in many large store and restaurants in Lima, although change will be given in soles.

As always when traveling, take care to safeguard your money and leave all non-essential valuables in a safe or in your hotel room.

For further information on currency and other money issues, see our Lima Travel Guide.

5. What are the best places to eat? Drink? Shop?

Restaurants: Peru is famous for its excellent cuisine, and Lima has numerous options to sample it all. Check out our Lima Restaurants – Travel Guide for a selection of places to taste local specialties.

Drink: Lima boasts a vibrant and exciting nightlife that you can enjoy well into the early hours of the morning. See our Lima Nightlife – Travel Guide for recommended bars and nightclubs to enjoy a night out in this historic city. Don’t forget to sample the famous Pisco Sour, Peru’s national drink!

Shopping: The capital has the greatest variety of shopping in Peru, from tiny boutiques and designer stores to artisan and antiques shops. Miraflores is where most shoppers congregate, although there are also several outlets in Lima Centro and elsewhere in the city. See our Lima Shopping – Travel Guide to get more information about where to shop in Lima.

6. What else can we do in Lima?

Lima is a huge city with endless attractions beyond shopping, partying, and eating. Its coastal location makes it a perfect surfing venue, particularly for beginners. Also along the coast, paragliding can be found in Parque del Amor (Lover’s Park) in Miraflores. Lima also offers horseback riding, water parks, and cycling and has numerous interesting museums.

7. What is the cost of living in Lima?

Costs of living in Lima vary wildly depending on which distrito (district) you are in. In Miraflores and Barranco, where you will likely stay while in Lima, travelers and foreigners are common and therefore prices are higher than in other parts of Lima. A personal bottle of Coca-Cola costs between 1.5 and 2 soles ($0.53 to $0.71) in restaurants; a small snack, such as a candy bar (non-American) costs about half that. A movie at the cinema costs around 17 soles ($6 or so), while the price of a Pisco Sour (the famous Peruvian cocktail) ranges from very cheap (8 soles or about $3) to high-end (18 soles or about $6.50). Shopping depends on the item’s quality. Souvenirs are best bought from the large artisan markets around Lima. Here, you can bargain and get a better price than in a shop on the street.

Supermarkets (Metro, Vivanda, Wong, and Plaza Vea being the most popular) are abundant, and you’ll never be far from one. Vivanda is a higher-end market that includes gourmet and international foods (including American brands, which are quite expensive), while the other three are large grocery stores. Food prices vary, but you’ll find you can buy an astonishing (by American standards) volume of food for comparatively little money. Bargaining is not accepted in any supermarkets. Fresh foods will seem inexpensive compared to the US, while frozen foods will be more pricey.

In other districts – Surco, San Isidro, Jesus Maria, Chorrillos, etc. – costs are generally (and often much) lower. It’s a good idea to read up on the different districts before coming to Lima; while most of the popular attractions are found in Miraflores, Barranco, and the center, the other districts have their own flavor and local jewels. Be aware that in some of Lima’s districts, crime can be a problem, so ask your hotel clerk or travel advisor for recommendations if you want to explore Lima’s outskirts.

8. What are the different districts of Lima?

There are 43 districts in Lima, but you likely will not visit all of them. Lima is a huge city with lots to see. Therefore, below we’ve included a guide to Lima’s most popular and important districts.

MIRAFLORES
Miraflores is one of the most visited districts in Lima. From the central location of Parque Kennedy, a wide range of restaurants, shops, hostels and hotels, bars and clubs extends throughout the entire district. Parque Kennedy regularly hosts craft markets, live music, and art exhibitions at night and on the weekends, where locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy the evening social scene. Only a few blocks from the park you’ll find the ocean view shopping mall of Larcomar, built into the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. This mall boasts a variety of entertainment for everyone: a video arcade, a movie theater, a bowling alley, up-scale shopping, and restaurants, bars, and clubs. Winding along the coast of the Miraflores district is the Costa Verde, or Green Coast, where surfing and paragliding are popular year-round. Another popular spot is the Parque del Amor, where young couples gather in the shadow of a suggestive statue to watch the sunset from various perches and mosaic-tiled benches.

BARRANCO
Already an established beach resort by the end of the 17th century, Barranco is a district known for its arts, fine choice of restaurants, bohemian feel, and lively nightlife. This suburb also has an excellent public library (formerly the town hall) located on the central Plaza. The Bajada de los Baños is a beautiful shop and café-lined walkway that leads to the district’s ocean beaches below. It is crossed by the romantic Puente de los Suspiros  (Bridge of Sighs) leading to the central park of Barranco, which has a large picturesque cathedral and is surrounded by cafés, art galleries and exhibits, hotels and hostels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. You can also find peñas here, which feature typical Peruvian dances and live creole/Peruvian music.

SAN ISIDRO
San Isidro, which shares a border with Miraflores, is the financial center of Lima. It is home to over 20 banks, a large commercial center, and 28 foreign embassies. Like more residential Miraflores, this district boasts some of the city’s largest and grandest homes. This is a beautiful area to wander the streets, relax at a café, and experience how privileged Limeños live.

CERCADO DE LIMA
Cercado de Lima, also known as Lima Centro, or Downtown Lima, is home to the Plaza de Armas: the main square of Lima which contains the Government Palace, and the grand Cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizzaro, founder of Lima, can be seen. Only a short walk away from the main plaza is also the Iglesia San Francisco, a former Franciscan monastery. It is now a popular tourist destination, made famous for its catacombs that served as a resting place over the centuries to more than 25,000 bodies. Tourist souvenir markets can also be found in this area. Nearby the Plaza, on the shore of the river Rimac, is the Alameda Chabuca Grande, where you can find a large craft market, typical Peruvian food and drinks, mainly from the jungle regions, and live music and dance shows. Another nearby plaza is Plaza de San Martin, connected to the Plaza de Armas by the pedestrian shopping street, Jirón de la Union.

9. Do you have any tips for travelers in Lima?

• You will likely find that traffic is rather disorderly and drivers can be less than considerate. With that in mind, be cautious when crossing the street (even when you have the right of way) and stay alert at all times.
• Crime in Lima is primarily petty theft, pick pocketing, and the like. You can avoid this by using good judgment and common sense: keep your valuables at your hotel; stow your money under your clothes in a zippered or sealed container (wearing it around the neck is popular); wear backpacks on your front when in crowded areas; and in general stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Lima is a city of mostly warm, friendly, helpful people. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or directions; most Limeños are glad to be able to provide assistance.
• Most Western travelers flock to Lima’s large shopping malls like Jockey Plaza and Larcomar, but you can save quite a bit (and perhaps have a more enjoyable experience) by browsing small, local shops.

Feel free to contact your travel advisor for more insider tips on visiting Lima.

10. Does Lima have any kid-friendly activities?

Great nightlife and dining are not Lima’s only charms. If you’re bringing your kids, there are plenty of activities to hold their attention during your visit. Lima has a zoo, a gigantic water park, and plenty of playgrounds scattered around Miraflores and Barranco.  Parque de las Leyendas, which also houses the zoo, features a go-cart track, amusement park rides for small children, Chachikart for older kids, a maze, a train to climb on, and the usual assortment of swings, see-saws, and slides. Kids may also enjoy watching the surfers and paragliders at the beach, catching a pro soccer match, or spending time at El Silencio, San Bartolo, or Santa Maria – Lima’s best family beaches.

11. Where can I meet other travelers?

Vacation is often the perfect time to meet some new people and make some new friends. If you’ve got some time to plan, check out Expat Peru, Living in Peru, and The Ultimate Peru List for various expat community events and ways to meet other English speakers while in town. Also be sure to utilize the CouchSurfing community if you’d like to get to know some people before you arrive. Most Limeñans are delighted to show off their city and answer your questions. You can get a local’s perspective and tips and maybe even make a new friend.

Ask your travel advisor for more ideas on the best places to meet fellow travelers in Lima.

12. What can we expect at the Lima airport?

The Lima airport is fairly easy to navigate. When you land, you’ll have to go through immigration. You will be given a tourist visa (maximum 183 days) that you will have to return when you leave the country, so be sure not to lose the piece of paper they give you. After picking up your luggage, you will have to go through a final luggage in check where you may have to put your luggage through a scanner.

When you exit the baggage area, you will see an area of certified taxis, such as the Green Taxi service. The drivers will have identification badges. If you are being met by a Peru For Less representative, look for someone holding a sign with your name on it. Be sure to confirm they work for Peru For Less. Since the Lima airport is not connected to public transportation, even if you are not being picked up by PFL, you will need to take a taxi. There should be a list of set prices, so be sure to check this before heading to the curb with your driver. A cab ride to Miraflores shouldn’t cost more than $15.

In both Cusco and Lima, be prepared to pay a departure tax ranging from $5 for domestic flights to $31 for international flights. As of 2011, the departure tax is included in most international flights. You will be told if you need to pay an additional tax or not before you board the plane. If you need to pay, you will be directed to a teller window.

13. What should I pack?

• Camera : You don’t want to miss capturing all the wonderful and unique people and sights in Lima
• Sunscreen: In the summer, the Lima sun can be mighty powerful.
• Light jacket: When the sun goes down, it cools off significantly, even in the summer and especially along the coast.
• Adapter: Although there are two types of outlets in Lima, and one is quite common in the States (which means you may not need an adapter after all), it’s better to be prepared. Don’t rely on your hotel to provide one, and don’t pay airport or tourist prices. You can pick up a small, lightweight adapter at major retailers (like WalMart and Target) for $10-15.
• Extra film and batteries: These are easy to find in Lima but oftentimes overpriced. Bring your own and avoid the extra expense.

Above all, pack light! Lima is a huge capital city, and there isn’t much you’ll miss while staying here. You can find virtually everything you need here (or a comparable substitute). Moreover, you’ll want to leave room in your luggage for the souvenirs you’re sure to buy while in Lima.