Lima is the culinary capital of South America -- Central, Maido, and Astrid y Gaston rank among the world's best restaurants, while the historic center around Plaza de Armas features Spanish colonial architecture and Miraflores offers coastal cliffside charm. Peru's capital sits on the Pacific coast with pre-Columbian ruins in the city center at Huaca Pucllana, a vibrant street food scene from ceviche to anticuchos, and easy connections to Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon rainforest.
December through April is summer with warmer temperatures around 25-30 degrees C and less coastal fog. May through November is the cooler garua season with overcast skies (the famous Lima gray) but comfortable 18-22 degrees C for sightseeing. Flight prices are fairly consistent year-round with slight peaks around July and December holidays. January through March has the most sunshine and best beach weather. The Mistura food festival happens in September.
LATAM operates from Lima with extensive domestic and international networks across South America, North America, and Europe. Avianca connects via Bogota to its network. Sky Airlines and JetSMART provide budget South American routes. American, Delta, and United serve Lima from US hubs. Air France, Iberia, and KLM offer European connections. Copa connects via Panama City. British Airways operates seasonal London routes. Air Canada serves Lima from Toronto.
Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) is 11 km from the city center in Callao with taxi and bus connections taking 30-45 minutes to Miraflores. A new terminal is under construction to increase capacity. The airport is centrally located between Miraflores, San Isidro, and the historic center. Uber and airport taxis are affordable at 40-70 PEN (10-18 USD) to Miraflores. The airport has a duty-free zone but limited dining options. The Airport Express bus runs to Miraflores for 15 PEN.
Lima offers world-class food at budget prices -- a menu ejecutivo (set lunch) costs 10-20 PEN ($3-$6). The Miraflores boardwalk and Parque del Amor are free with stunning ocean views. Take local buses for 1-2 PEN instead of taxis. The Larco Museum has affordable entry ($10 USD) with a world-class pre-Columbian collection of gold and erotic pottery. Ceviche at a local cevicheria costs 15-25 PEN. The Free Walking Tour of the historic center is excellent and runs daily.
Miraflores is the best area for tourists with the malecón, restaurants, and hotels from $40-100 USD per night. Barranco offers bohemian charm with boutique hotels from $40-80 USD. San Isidro is the business district with upscale hotels from $50-120 USD. The Historic Center offers budget options from $10-40 USD near the Plaza de Armas. Budget hostels in Miraflores from $5-15 USD.
The best time to visit Lima is December-April. During these months, the weather is pleasant and you will avoid peak tourist crowds. Book early for the best rates during these popular travel periods.
Visa requirements for Peru depend on your nationality. Many countries offer visa-free entry for short stays. Check the latest entry requirements on the official immigration website before booking, as policies can change.
A minimum of 4-5 days is recommended for Lima to explore the main attractions without rushing. For a more relaxed pace or to take day trips, plan for 7-10 days. Lima offers plenty to see and do for longer stays.
Flights to Lima start from $500 round trip. Daily costs vary. Lima offers options for every budget. Budget travelers can expect to spend $50-80 per day, while mid-range travelers should budget $120-200 per day including accommodation, food, and activities.
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