LAST UPDATED – 9/17/24 – Lima, Peru Travel Guide

Peru is a beautiful and amazing country, and its capital city Lima is no exception.  This stunning coastal capital is the fifth-largest city in South America and one of the continent’s most beautiful capitals.  Even though Lima is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, most people aren’t aware that the city is located in a desert.  In fact, Lima is the second-largest desert city in the world after Cairo, Egypt in Africa.  One-third of Peru’s population lives in Lima, which also makes it one of the busiest cities in South America.

In this Lima, Peru travel guide, I am going to give you all of the information you need to plan a successful trip to Lima.  I cover the best times to visit and the best ways to get there so that you can maximize what you can see and do on your trip.  In addition, I outline the top things to see and do while you are there and where the best places to stay and eat are.  With these Lima, Peru travel tips in hand, you can be confident that your trip to Lima will be one that you remember for the rest of your life.

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At a Glance

Before you start making any travel plans, you need to be sure you meet the country’s entrance requirements. This includes all of the passport, VISA, and immunization requirements for Peru. 

In addition, you need to make sure you have a clear understanding of what languages they speak in Peru. This way, you can plan any translation needs you may have. Not only that, but you will need to know what currency they use in Peru. Knowing this, you can plan to exchange currency before your trip if necessary.

I have included some of this key information in my Lima, Peru travel guide below for you to review as you start to make your travel plans.

Passport Requirements

Before you can travel to Peru, you need to make sure you meet all of the country’s entrance requirements for visitors. One of the most important requirements that you will need to meet is the passport requirements for Peru. To assist you in preparing to meet this requirement, I have linked to my guide on Peru’s entrance requirements below for you to review.

Travel Immunizations

Another entrance requirement that you will need to consider before traveling to Peru is the country’s vaccination requirements. Being properly vaccinated is not only important to protect yourself, but to also protect others.

Peru Immunization Recommendations

If you have questions on which vaccinations are required and recommended for travel to Peru, I have linked to my guide on Peru’s entrance requirements below for you to review. This guide includes all of the vaccine recommendations for travel to Peru.

Packing Tips

Outside of knowing the entry and immunization requirements, there is no pre-travel task more important than packing. Don’t worry, I am here to make sure you are packed and prepared for your trip. I have included links to my packing resources in my Lima, Peru travel guide below for you to review.

Top Things to See and Do in Lima

One of the most important aspects of planning any trip is planning out what you would like to see and do while you are traveling.  After all, that is the reason that most of us travel in the first place, to see and experience new things in new locations. 

Whether you are looking to try some of the delicious local cuisines, admire the beautiful architecture in the city’s old town, or try your hand at some adventure activities, there is something for everyone in Lima.  To assist you in filling out the itinerary for your trip, I have listed my top 10 things to see and do in Lima for you to review in this Lima, Peru travel guide below.

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Plaza de Armas de Lima

One of the most beautiful plazas in Lima, if not all of Peru, the Plaza de Armas de Lima is widely considered to be the core of the city of Lima.  As the birthplace of Lima, the plaza is home to some of the most prominent buildings in the city. 

Here you will find the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union.  With so many buildings of historical importance located in one plaza, it is easy to see why the Plaza de Armas de Lima is one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions.

Basilica Convento de San Francisco de Lima

A keystone piece of the historic old town section of Lima, the Saint Francis Monastery is one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Lima.  Blessed in 1673 and then completed in 1674, the church and monastery have stood the test of time rather remarkably.  They did suffer some damage in the large earthquake of 1970, but the repairs were done so well that it is difficult to notice.

The church’s notable Spanish Baroque design is a mixture of Moorish and Spanish design and was a big influence on other churches in the area that were constructed afterward.  Jude the Apostle is venerated in the church and the feast of Saint Jude Tadeus is celebrated annually on October 28th.  I would definitely recommend touring the inside of the church when you visit as it is absolutely stunning.

The Government Palace of Peru

Located on the north end of the Plaza de Mayor, the Government Palace, which is also known locally as the House of Pizarro, is the official residence of the President of Peru and the seat of the executive branch of the Peruvian Government. Seeing this beautifully ornate building first-hand is one of the highlights of any walking tour of Lima and is a must-see for all visitors to the capital.

The Park of Love

Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful public parks in Peru, the Park of Love is an elaborate park that is located on the coastline of the city.  This stunning park has an abundance of walking paths that wind in between a beautiful array of flowers, tiled mosaic walls, and a big statue of two lovers kissing in the middle of the park.  Whether you are visiting with a loved one or are just interested in seeing the beautiful landscape, the Park of Love is a great addition to any Lima travel itinerary.

Cathedral of Lima

Also known as the Basilica Cathedral of Lima, the Cathedral of Lima is another one of the beautiful buildings that reside in Plaza Mayor in the historical section of Lima.  Started in 1535, construction of the cathedral was completed in 1649 and the church was dedicated to St John the Apostle.  Many sections of the church have needed to be rebuilt over the years because of damage from earthquakes, the most recent of which was completed in the 1940s.

The Peruvian Seal and Lima’s coat-of-arms are beautifully displayed above the main gateway of the cathedral.  This gateway is famously known as Portada del Perdón, which translates to mean “door of forgiveness”.  If you decide to visit, make sure you tour the inside of the cathedral, which is equally as beautiful.  There are fourteen side chapels that you can visit and a sign at the front entrance that commemorates Pope John Paul II’s two visits in 1985 and 1988.

Park of the Reserve – Magic Water Circuit

One of the more popular and talked about attractions in the city of Lima is undoubtedly the Magic Water Circuit, known locally as the “Circuito Magico Del Agua”.  Located in the Park of the Reserve, this water circuit holds the Guinness World Record for the largest fountain complex in the world.  At night the fountains are lit up in changing colors and synchronized to music, which is absolutely magical to see in person.

If you have ever seen the fountain at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, this is a lot like that, but with more color and flare.  If you are in Lima and interested in seeing the Magic Water Circuit, the show takes place three times a night, beginning at 7:15 pm, 8:15 pm, and 9:30 pm.

Go Tandem Paragliding above Lima

For those of you who are looking for a little adventure while in Lima, I can think of no better way to get that adventure than to take a tandem paragliding ride along the coastline of the city.  This was my absolute favorite thing that I did while in Lima and it is something that I strongly recommend that every visitor that isn’t afraid of heights try out.

In addition to being fun and exciting, you get an amazing view of the city and the coastline.  If you are interested in a ride, a professional will take you up for 260 Sol, which is the equivalent of $80 US dollars.  If you would like to see what the experience is like, I included a video of my Lima Paragliding Adventure below for you to check out.

For those who want to give this a try, make sure you check out the Travel Adventures Peru website for more details. They will take care of you and make sure your adventure is both safe and memorable!

Try Ceviche – Peru’s National Dish

Widely regarded as Peru’s national dish, ceviche is something that every visitor to Lima must try.  If you aren’t familiar with ceviche, it is a style of cooking by which food is cooked with citric acid instead of the flame of a fire or with heat.  While many different proteins can be used in ceviche, the most common dishes involve fish.  If you are a fan of fish, then you will absolutely love the ceviche in Lima.

Tour the Huaca Pucllana

Located in the Miraflores District in central Lima, the Huaca Pucllana is an adobe and clay pyramid that was built sometime in the period between 200 AD and 700 AD.  It was built to be used by the elite clergymen who governed the valleys of the area and is considered an important cultural landmark.  If you are into history, then you will definitely want to check this out.

Learn to Surf Along the Costa Verde

If you are looking to get in the water when in Lima and are up for some adventure, then trying your hand at surfing along the Costa Verde is a great option.  The waters off of Costa Verde Beach are perfect for beginners and the waters are typically full of surfers trying to catch a wave.  If you have the time, getting some surfing lessons from the local pros can be a fun way to really get the most of out the experience.

How to Get to Lima, Peru

Depending on where you are coming from, there may be several different options available to get you to Lima.  Obviously, some options are going to be much quicker and more convenient, while others will be much cheaper.  I have taken the time to outline several different ways in which you can travel to Lima below for you to review as you start to make plans for your trip.

By Plane

The most popular way to get to Lima is to fly into the city.  This is an especially attractive option if you are traveling from outside of Peru and even more so if you are traveling from outside of South America.  If you would like to fly directly into Lima, you will want to fly into the Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM).

If you are planning on seeing other areas of Peru and would like to fly in between destinations, I have included a map of the airports in Peru in this Lima, Peru travel guide below.  Otherwise, you can also take other modes of transportation, such as renting a car or riding a bus, between the locations you are visiting in Peru.

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By Car

If you have the time and would like to save some money, another way that you can get to Lima is to rent a car and drive.  This can be an especially attractive option if you are planning on visiting other locations within Peru or neighboring countries.  The Pam American Highway runs all the way from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in the United States down to Ushuaia, Argentina at the southern tip of South America.

If you are traveling from outside South America, then driving to Lima is a less attractive option because it will be much more time-consuming than flying and probably not a whole lot cheaper.  However, it really depends on how much time you have, what else you would like to see on your trip, and how comfortable you driving through multiple countries.

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By Bus

For those who are looking to save a considerable amount of money on their travel, the best way to get to Lima cheap would be to take a bus.  A bus ticket is typically much cheaper than renting a car or flying, even if you are taking a long trip through multiple countries.  In fact, if you are planning on visiting multiple locations within Peru or within neighboring countries, the cost of taking the bus over flying or driving between locations is even greater.

However, while much cheaper, the tradeoff is that you are obviously going to need to set aside more time to travel because bus trips are typically significantly longer than flights or driving yourself in a rental car.  If you have extra time, buses can be a worthwhile alternative to more expensive travel methods.  They make even more sense if you are using bus rides in combination with other modes of transportation to get around.  They can help offset the cost of some of your more expensive travel legs.

By Train

Unfortunately, trains are the one mode of transportation that isn’t readily accessible when getting to Lima.  If you are looking to travel between Cusco and Lima, the only train that runs between Lima and the Cusco area only makes the trip once a month and takes a considerable amount of time (roughly 14 hours).  For that reason, I strongly recommend looking at either air travel, renting a car, or taking a bus to get to Lima instead.

Best Times to Visit Lima, Peru

Average Temperature (°F)

One of the great things about traveling to Lima is that the temperatures are fairly moderate throughout the year.  Even during the warmest months of the year, the temperature doesn’t typically get warmer than the lower 80s.  During the winter months, you can rely on the low temperatures not dropping much below the mid-50s.

It is important to remember that Lima is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the winter months are between June and August and the summer months are between December and February.  This has a tendency to confuse some travelers who are traveling from the Northern Hemisphere to Lima.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

Because the city of Lima is situated in a desert, the city doesn’t see much rainfall throughout the year.  In fact, it barely registers much rainfall at all outside of a brief window in the autumn month of March and the spring month of September.  Instead, the city gets a light mist of moisture coming off the ocean throughout the year, which is what sustains the vegetation that you see growing throughout the city.

Where to Stay in Lima, Peru

An important decision you need to make when planning your trip to Lima is where you will stay.  When you travel, the accommodations you choose are oftentimes amongst the biggest expenditures for your trip. 

So, not only do you need to be comfortable, but you need to be able to afford to stay there.  Finding the right accommodations for your trip involves looking at the amenities, the location, and most importantly, the price. 

If you are starting to plan your trip to Lima, you may be looking for some hotel and hostel suggestions. I included some great options at different price points in my Lima, Peru travel guide below. As always, don’t be afraid to expand your search to room-sharing sites such as Airbnb or VRBO if you aren’t finding a hotel or hostel that meets your needs.

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Where to Eat in Lima, Peru

In addition to its vibrant landscape and wonderful culture, the other thing that Lima is well known for is its spectacular food.  Each year, hundreds of thousands of travelers flock to Lima to explore the local food scene.  If you are looking for some great restaurant recommendations for your trip to Lima, I have included some of my recommendations for you to review in this Lima, Peru travel guide below.

TIP:  Try the Pisco Sour

In addition to the great food in Lima, I would also strongly suggest you try a Pisco Sour during your trip.  Officially regarded as Peru’s official drink, the Pisco Sour is both an interesting and delicious adult beverage.  The drink mixes Pisco, which is an alcoholic beverage, with sour citrus juice (most often lemon juice) and an egg white.  If you are looking for unique and authentic travel experiences, the Pisco Sour is really tasty and completely authentic to the area.

Recommended Tours and Excursions in Lima

In addition to all of the amazing, old architecture and delicious food you can find throughout Lima, there are also several really great tours and excursions that you can book during your visit. 

Whether you are looking for a cultural tour, a food and beverage sampling tour, or even a little bit of an adventure, there is a tour to suit almost everyone’s needs.  I have included links to some of the most popular tour categories in this Lima, Peru travel guide below so that you can review the available tours on Viator.com.

Lima, Peru Photo Gallery

Lima is a beautiful city that is almost impossible not to capture in great photographs.  If you are interested in seeing some of the wonderful photos that I was able to capture during my visit, I have included a gallery for you to review in this Lima, Peru travel guide below.

If you’re interested in exploring more of my travel photography, I’d love for you to join me on Instagram! Creating this blog to share my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips takes a lot of effort, and a follow on Instagram would truly mean the world to me. Your support makes it all worthwhile!

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