Lima

Lima is Peru’s capital and main gateway, on the Pacific coast, founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Most international flights land at Jorge Chávez Airport, 45 to 60 minutes from Miraflores and Barranco, and many travellers spend two or three days here for its colonial centre and world-famous food.

Lima is the capital city of Peru, sitting right on the coast, facing the Pacific Ocean. It was founded almost 500 years ago, in 1535, and today it’s a proper mix of old and new: you’ll find colonial churches and houses standing right next to modern buildings and trendy restaurants. Nearly every traveller visiting Peru passes through Lima at some point, as it’s the country’s main gateway and is also famous the world over for its food.

To get to Lima, most international flights land at Jorge Chávez International Airport, which is about 45 to 60 minutes from the areas where tourists usually stay, such as Miraflores or Barranco. From Lima, it’s also easy to catch a short flight to Cusco if you fancy visiting Machu Picchu, or to other cities around the country. That’s why many people spend two or three days in Lima at the start or end of their trip, either before or after heading up into the Andes.

A Bit of History and Lima’s Climate

Long before the Spanish arrived, this area was already home to ancient peoples who built mud-brick temples known as huacas. Some of these still stand right in the middle of the city today. One of them sits smack in the middle of Miraflores, surrounded by modern buildings, which is quite a sight to see. Later, in 1535, the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro founded the city of Lima, which went on to become one of the most important cities in the whole of South America during colonial times. That’s why the city centre still has churches, wooden balconies and old houses dating back to that era.

Lima’s climate is warm and it hardly ever rains, though it does get rather foggy at certain times of year. Between December and March it’s warmer and sunnier, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 29°C, making it a good time for the beach or a stroll along the coast. Between May and October, temperatures drop a little, sitting between 14°C and 18°C, and mornings tend to be foggy, although it still doesn’t rain. April and November tend to be calmer, with weather that’s neither too hot nor too grey, ideal for wandering around the city.

Areas and Places Worth Visiting in Lima

Lima has several areas well worth exploring. The Historic Centre is the oldest part of the city, home to the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and a number of colonial churches. Miraflores is a more modern, seaside district, with a lovely seafront promenade for walking, plus parks and shopping centres overlooking the ocean. Barranco is full of art, music and bars, and makes for a great night out. San Isidro, meanwhile, is a quieter area with a park full of centuries-old olive trees, perfect if you fancy something more relaxed.

Just outside Lima, there are some interesting archaeological sites too, such as Pachacamac, an ancient religious centre roughly 40 minutes from the city that can easily be visited in half a day. There, you can walk among pyramids and temples that are over a thousand years old.

Food and Getting Around the City

Without a doubt, what really sets Lima apart is its food, widely regarded as some of the best in South America. Flavours from the coast, the Andes and the jungle all come together here, alongside influences brought over by Spanish, African, Chinese and Japanese immigrants. Dishes such as ceviche, lomo saltado and causa limeña are pretty much a must-try, as is a good pisco sour. You can grab something simple at a local market or head to world-renowned restaurants like Central or Maido.

As for getting around the city, the easiest and safest option is to use app-based taxis or book a private transfer, particularly for longer journeys. There’s also a bus system called the Metropolitano, which connects Miraflores and Barranco with the Historic Centre, though most tourists tend to find taxis a bit more convenient.

How Many Days Do You Need in Lima?

For most trips, two nights in Lima is the right amount. Long-haul flights tend to land late in the day, so the first night is for sleep, the next day is for the city, and the second night sets you up for a morning flight to Cusco.

A simple rule of thumb: one full day covers the Historic Centre, the San Francisco catacombs and the Miraflores clifftops; two full days add Barranco, a museum and a long lunch; three days let you add Paracas, the Ballestas Islands and the Huacachina oasis. For the hour-by-hour plan, see our post on Lima in 1 or 2 days.

Lima also works well at the end of a trip. After a week in the Andes, a last afternoon at sea level, close to the airport, is an easy buffer before an international flight home.

Peru Packages That Start in Lima

How Lima Fits Into a Peru Trip

Lima is the hub of Peru’s domestic flight network, so nearly every route through the country passes through it at least once. The usual pattern is Lima first, then the Andes: you spend your first days at sea level, then fly up to Cusco, which sits at 3,400 m (11,150 ft), and give yourself an easy day there before Machu Picchu. All three packages above follow that order and include the Lima–Cusco flight, so the connection is already timed for you.

The Lima city tour on the 7- and 9-day packages covers the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, the Historic Centre with the San Francisco Monastery, and Miraflores. For the desert day, see the Ica guide and our post on Paracas, the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina; for every option, browse our Peru packages.

Where to Stay in Lima, and Who Each Area Suits

• Miraflores: first trips and short stopovers. The easiest base for a first visit. Hotels, restaurants and the clifftop parks are all within walking distance.
• Barranco: couples and anyone staying out late. Smaller and more bohemian, with colonial-era mansions, murals, galleries and bars. It sits right next to Miraflores, so you can walk between the two along the clifftops.
• San Isidro: business travellers and quiet stays. Lima’s financial district, greener and calmer than its neighbours, with the old olive grove park at its heart.
• Historic Centre: history-focused travellers. You wake up next to the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and the colonial churches. But it empties out at night and the coast is a long ride away, so most visitors sleep by the sea and visit the centre by day.

Getting From the Airport to Your Hotel

Jorge Chávez International Airport is in Callao, the port city that has merged with Lima to the north-west of the centre. The drive to Miraflores, Barranco or San Isidro takes 45 to 60 minutes in normal traffic and well over an hour at rush hour.

The simplest option is a transfer arranged in advance. On all three packages listed above, an agent meets you in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name and takes you to your hotel. If you travel independently, use the official taxi companies inside the terminal or an app-based taxi, and turn down offers from drivers who approach you outside.

Getting Around Lima Safely

• Plan by area, not by sight. Lima is huge and its traffic is slow. Group sights by district instead of crossing the city several times a day.
• Walk the coast. The clifftop parks and paths of Miraflores connect with Barranco, one of the nicest walks in the city by day.
• Use app taxis or hotel taxis for anything longer than a walk, especially at night and to or from the airport.
• Keep valuables out of sight in crowded places such as markets and the streets around the main squares. More safety and transport tips are in our Lima in 1 or 2 days post.

Lima to Cusco: Fly, Don’t Take the Bus

The flight from Lima to Cusco takes about 1 hour 20 minutes in the air, and there are many departures every day, most of them in the morning. Count on half a day door to door once you add the drive to the airport, check-in and security. By road the trip takes around 20 hours over high Andean passes, rarely worth it on a one- or two-week trip.

For the arrival end, see our Cusco travel guide, the Cusco airport guide and the post on altitude sickness in Cusco.

Best Time to Visit Lima

Lima has a desert climate on the edge of a cold ocean current, which gives it two very different faces. Summer, from December to March, is sunny and warm, the best time for the beaches south of the city, the clifftop parks and long outdoor lunches. Winter, roughly May to October, brings a low grey sky that can last for weeks and the garúa, a fine drizzle that dampens the streets without ever turning into real rain.

Neither season is a reason to skip Lima. The museums, the Historic Centre and the restaurants work all year, and the grey months coincide with the dry season in the Andes, the most popular time for Machu Picchu. Our guide to the best time to visit Machu Picchu explains the mountain side of the calendar. Bring a light jumper for Lima in winter.

Lima Travel Planning FAQs

Last updated November 6, 2026