Peru ☁️ 19°C · Now
Dec-Mar sunny + warm; Jun-Nov foggy Lima
Peru
Lima at a glance
$30+
Budget tier · excl. flights
From major hubs
LIM (Jorge Chávez)
Visa-free 90 days
For most Western passports
USD
Local currency
Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
Currently May
Coastal desert (18-26°C year-round)
Now ☁️ 19°C
16:11
PET (UTC-5)
Spanish
English in tourism
Why visit Lima?
Lima is Peru's coastal capital and South America's gastronomic capital — population 11M, founded 1535 by Spanish conquistador Pizarro. The world's #1 restaurant in 2023 (Central by Virgilio Martínez) is here, along with Maido (#6, Nikkei cuisine), and over 100 ceviche restaurants in Miraflores. Pacific Ocean cliffs run 8km along the bohemian Miraflores district, dotted with Spanish colonial Plaza Mayor (where Pizarro is buried), pre-Inca pyramids in middle of the city (Huaca Pucllana, 1,500 years old), and Larco Museum's pre-Columbian art collection.
Iconic Peruvian cuisine: Ceviche (raw fish in lime juice with red onion + corn + sweet potato, $8-25 — La Mar by Gastón Acurio canonical), Lomo saltado (stir-fried beef with fries, $8-15), Aji de gallina (creamy chicken stew, $7-12), Anticuchos (beef heart skewers, $3-6), Pisco sour ($5-12 — invented Peru), Inca Kola (yellow soda, $1-2).
Bottom line: Lima is foodie pilgrimage + cheaper than Cusco/Machu Picchu base. 2-3 days hits Miraflores + Barranco + Centro + Larco Museum.
Things to do in Lima
Highlights
Central Restaurant (book 3 months ahead)
World's #1 restaurant 2023 (50 Best). Tasting menu altitude-themed.
Plaza Mayor + Cathedral (Centro Histórico)
Spanish colonial heart; Pizarro's tomb in cathedral; UNESCO.
Larco Museum
World's most comprehensive pre-Columbian art collection.
Travel cost
Per person, per day (excludes flights)
Hostel + local food + public transport
$30
Per person / day (excl. flights)
📅 Total cost by trip duration (incl. flights)
3 days
$130
5 days
$200
7 days
$270
Flight estimate: $550-1,200 from US direct; $1,200-2,000 from Asia (LIM via LAX) (round-trip estimate)
Monthly weather
Currently in Lima: ☁️ 19°C
Lima now (May)
High 22°C / Low 16°C· Pleasant
Jan ☀️
High 26°C / Low 19°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Feb ☀️
High 27°C / Low 20°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Mar ☀️
High 27°C / Low 19°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Apr 🌤️
High 24°C / Low 17°C
Pleasant
May 🌤️
High 22°C / Low 16°C
Pleasant
Jun 🌤️
High 20°C / Low 15°C
Mild
Jul ⛅
High 19°C / Low 14°C
Mild
Aug ⛅
High 19°C / Low 14°C
Mild
Sep ⛅
High 19°C / Low 14°C
Mild
Oct 🌤️
High 21°C / Low 15°C
Mild
Nov 🌤️
High 22°C / Low 16°C
Pleasant
Dec 🌤️
High 24°C / Low 18°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Jan
☀️
26°
19°
Pleasant
★Best
Feb
☀️
27°
20°
Pleasant
★Best
Mar
☀️
27°
19°
Pleasant
★Best
Apr
🌤️
24°
17°
Pleasant
May
🌤️
22°
16°
Pleasant
NOW
Jun
🌤️
20°
15°
Mild
Jul
⛅
19°
14°
Mild
Aug
⛅
19°
14°
Mild
Sep
⛅
19°
14°
Mild
Oct
🌤️
21°
15°
Mild
Nov
🌤️
22°
16°
Pleasant
Dec
🌤️
24°
18°
Pleasant
★Best
Practical information
Getting there
Getting around
Money & payments
Language
Cultural tips
Money & payment
Currency
USD widely accepted. PEN (Sol) for daily.
Card acceptance
Universal in Miraflores. Cash for street markets.
Tipping
10% at restaurants if no service charge.
ATM
BCP + Scotiabank free for foreign cards. Don't withdraw on street.
Recommended itinerary
Lima 3-day route
Day 1 Miraflores + Centro
09:00
Centro Histórico walking tour
Plaza Mayor + Cathedral + San Francisco catacombs
12:00
Lunch at Central or Maido (book 3mo ahead)
World's #1 restaurant Central; tasting menu $300
15:00
Huaca Pucllana pre-Inca pyramid
1,500-year-old adobe pyramid in middle of Miraflores; PEN 15 ($4)
17:30
Miraflores cliffs sunset walk + Larcomar
Pacific cliff promenade + paragliding
20:00
Ceviche dinner at El Mercado Miraflores
Peruvian ceviche + pisco sour PEN 120 ($30)
Day 2 Barranco + Larco Museum
09:00
Larco Museum (pre-Columbian art)
World's most comprehensive pre-Columbian collection; $11
12:00
Lunch at Isolina (Barranco)
Modern Peruvian comfort food PEN 100 ($25)
14:30
Barranco street art walk + Bridge of Sighs
Bohemian district + craft markets
17:00
Pisco tasting at Ayahuasca bar
Bohemian mansion converted to bar; pisco flight $25
20:00
Ceviche dinner at La Mar (Gastón Acurio)
World-renowned ceviche $40-60
Day 3 Day trip + departure
09:00
Pachacamac archaeological site
Pre-Inca pilgrimage site 40min south; $15 + tour
🎫 17% off — Book lowest price13:00
Lunch at Astrid y Gastón (Casa Hacienda)
Gastón Acurio fine dining tasting menu $200
Where to stay
Click each district to compare hotel deals
Miraflores
Tourist hub. Cliffs, Larcomar, top restaurants. Safest, most expensive.
See hotels in this area
Barranco
Bohemian + street art + craft cocktails. 15min taxi from Miraflores.
See hotels in this area
San Isidro
Business + financial district. Quieter, golf course, upscale hotels.
See hotels in this area
Centro Histórico
Spanish colonial. Plaza Mayor + Cathedral. Day visit only (sketchy at night).
See hotels in this area
Pueblo Libre
Larco Museum + cheaper hotels. Local feel.
See hotels in this area
Surco
Modern residential + Jockey Plaza mall. Far from center.
See hotels in this area
Lima hotel price comparison
Compare Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com prices in one place
* Centered on Miraflores — the most hotel-dense area in Lima
Top tours & activities in Lima
Top-rated by travelers
Frequently asked questions
Most common questions from travelers to Lima
Q How much per day?
Budget $30, mid $65, luxury $200+. Cheapest South American capital.
Q How many days?
2-3 days before Cusco/Machu Picchu. Miraflores + Centro Day 1; Barranco + Larco Day 2; Pachacamac + cooking class Day 3.
Q Best time?
Dec-Mar (warm, sunny, 22-27°C). Jun-Nov foggy garua but still 18-22°C.
Q Visa?
Visa-free 90 days for Korean/Japanese/EU/US/UK/AU passports. SAE Inmigración stamp required.
Q Safety?
Miraflores + Barranco safe. Centro Histórico day only. Avoid Callao + La Victoria. Use Uber not unmarked taxis.
Q English?
Moderate in Miraflores tourism + top hotels. Limited elsewhere.
Q Famous food?
Central (book 3mo) + Maido (Nikkei #6). Cheaper: La Mar (Gastón Acurio ceviche), Isolina (Barranco), El Mercado (Miraflores ceviche). Pisco sour invented here — try at Hotel Bolívar (1924).
Q Lima vs Cusco?
Lima: foodie capital, sea level (no altitude), gateway to Cusco. Cusco: 3,400m altitude, Inca empire base + Machu Picchu launchpad. Most do Lima 2 days then fly to Cusco 1.5h.
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