Travel Guide > South America > Peru > Lima
Peru's capital and its largest city, Lima dates back to 1535 when it was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Owing to its prominent colonial history, it is home to a good selection of old churches, cloisters and monasteries for visitors' enjoyment. Lima is one of the world's most populous cities, home to close to 8 million inhabitants.
As you'd expect from a city on the edge of a desert, rain is rare, strangely however it is usually grey and cloudy thanks to the Humboldt current. Expect it to be warm and dry, between 20 in winter (June to September) and 28 degrees in summer (January to April). Nights are between 14 in winter and 20 in summer.
Most international flights to Peru land at Jorge Chavez International Airport. Remember for departing international flights there is a departure tax of $30 that has to be paid in cash, dollars or sols. Some international carriers, like Delta, pre pay this fee but you won't find this out till you check in. For domestic flights there is a much smaller departure tax. If on an international flight make sure to arrive to the airport at least 3 hours before you flight because the exit procedure can take an extremely long time, especially if your on one of the countless flights that leave around midnight everyday. For domestic flights 1.5 hours should be fine and the procedure is very quick.
Transport to and from the airport is available by bus or taxi, it takes about 20 minutes from Miraflores to reach the airport by taxi. Lima is also the hub for domestic air travel in Peru and flights from here will take you to every major city in Peru.
The roads around Lima are good, but the traffic in Lima is frequently at a standstill.
All the major bus companies have terminals in Lima, these are frequently in the suburbs and you'll likely need to get a taxi or local bus into the centre. Buses travel from Lima to the major cities in Peru such as Cusco, Arequipa and Trujillo.
Lima is sprawling but easily navigable, but beware of the traffic it will slow you down and the drivers can be erratic at times.
Smaller buses run across the city and you can easily hail taxis throughout the city.
Walking around a single suburb such as Centro or Miraflores is feasible, however Lima is a large place and you may find it easier to use public transport to move between areas of the city.
It's possible to cycle around the city, but given the traffic it probably wouldn't be ideal.
There's a profusion of restaurants in all suburbs, usually along or just off of the major roads and Plazas. You will be able to find local food to most types of world cuisine across a range of budgets.
As you would expect in a major city there is a wide range of accommodation.
Hostel Loki (also known as Incahaus) Avenida Larco 189, Miraflores. Tel: 01-2424350. Located on the edge of Parque Kennedy, opposite McDonalds, lies this popular hostel. It's a good place to meet up with other travellers and they offer work for food and board. Some private rooms are available but it is largely dorm room accommodation. Rates are from $8 (US) per night: Loki Hostel.
More budget options in Lima, including travellers ratings, are:
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albergue Miraflores House | Av. Comandante Espinar 611 Miraflores | Hostel | 89 |
| Albergue Verde | Grimaldo del Solar 459, Miraflores | Guesthouse | 50 |
| Alojamiento Residencial Machu Picchu | Jr Machu Picchu # 128 San Miguel | Apartment | - |
| Aquisito Bed & Breakfast | Centenario 114 Barranco Lima | Guesthouse | - |
| B&B Hostal Tradiciones | 955 Ave. Ricardo Palma, San Antonio, Miraflores | Hostel | 87 |
| Backpackers Family House | Juan Moore 304 (Reference block Nº 11 Av. Pardo) Miraflores | Hostel | 90 |
| Barranco's Backpackers Inn | Malecon Castilla 260 Barranco | Hostel | 90 |
| Bayview Hotel Lima | Calle Las Dalias 276, Miraflores | Hotel | 97 |
| Bella Park B | Jose G. Aguilar 750 | Guesthouse | - |
| Carmel Hotel | Calle Atahualpa 152,Miraflores Miraflores | Hotel | 83 |
| Casa Bella | Las Flores 459 San Isidro | Guesthouse | 77 |
| Casa de Baraybar | Toribio Pacheco, 216 | Guesthouse | 84 |
| Chaclasuites | Los Nogales 665 | Guesthouse | - |
| Che Lagarto Perú | Schell 121, 3er Floor Miraflores | Hostel | 87 |
| Condor's House | Calle Martin Napanga 137, Miraflores, Lima | Guesthouse | 96 |
| Cosy apartment | Av. San Felipe 530 Jesús María | Apartment | - |
| Crowne Plaza Lima Hotel | Av. Benavides 300, Esq. Jr. Colón Miraflores | Hotel | - |
| D'osma Bed & Breakfast | Av. Pedro de Osma 240 Barranco | Guesthouse | 98 |
| El Balcon Dorado | Jiron Ucayali Nº 170 - 180 and 194 Cercado | Hotel | 40 |
| El Buen Mochilero Backpackers Hostel | Av. Venezuela 873 Breña | Hostel | 46 |
| El Runcu Inn | Av. de la Aviación 139 Miraflores - Lima | Hotel | 80 |
| El Zaguan | Diez Canse co 736,S.Antonio, Miraflores, pc 18 | Guesthouse | 77 |
| Elizabeth's house | Avenida del Parque Norte 265. San Isidro | Guesthouse | 73 |
| Est. de Hospedaje Jose Luis S.A.C. | Francisco de Paula Ugarriza 727, San Antonio, Mira | Guesthouse | 90 |
| Eurobackpackers Hostel | Jr. Manco Capac 471 - Miraflores | Hostel | 81 |
| Flowers Home | Torre Tagle 324 Miraflores | Guesthouse | 83 |
| Flying Dog B | Diez Canseco 117 Miraflores | Hostel | 76 |
| Francia Inn Hotel | Samuel Velarde 185 Orrantia del Mar,San Isidro | Hotel | 83 |
| Friendly Peruvian Family | Pje. San Bartolomé 271 | Guesthouse | - |
| Garden Hotel | Av. Rivera Navarrete 450 San Isidro | Hotel | - |
| Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima | Jr. De La Union 958, Lima | Hotel | 82 |
| Habitat Hotel | Calle Piura 105, Miraflores | Hotel | - |
| Hitchhikers B&B Backpackers hostel | Calle Bolognesi 400 Miraflores | Guesthouse | 70 |
| Home Peru | 4501 Arequipa Ave. , Miraflores | Hostel | 81 |
| Hospedaje Dimar Inn | Gonzales Prada 158 - Miraflores | Guesthouse | 70 |
| Hospedaje El Retablo Miraflores | Av.Paseo de la República 6228 San Antonio Miraflo | Guesthouse | 90 |
| Hospedaje Madre Selva | calle Porta 593, dpto 502. Miraflores. Lima 18 | Guesthouse | - |
| Hospedaje Madreselva | Porta | Guesthouse | - |
| Hospedaje San Antonio | Ramon Ribeyro st. n805 | Guesthouse | - |
| Hostal Bonbini | jr.Cailloma # 209 | Guesthouse | - |
| Hostal Collacocha | Coronel Andrés Reyes 100 San Isidro | Guesthouse | - |
| Hostal Iquique | 758 Jr. Iquique Breña | Guesthouse | 74 |
| Hostal Milano | Av. Tomas Marsano 3823 Surco | Guesthouse | - |
| Hostal Pukara | Gonzales Larrañaga 130, San Antonio Miraflores | Hostel | 83 |
| Hostal Residencial el Faro | Calle Francia 857 Miraflores | Guesthouse | 80 |
| Hostal Residencial Victor | Manuel Mattos 325 San Amadeo de Garagay,31 | Hostel | 72 |
| Hostal San Francisco | Jr. Azángaro 127 Lima 1 | Hostel | 70 |
| Hostal Schell | Calle Schell 325 Miraflores | Hostel | 49 |
| Hostel L'baron | Calle las Campanillas 130 urb. Los parques de Mont | Guesthouse | - |
| Hostel Wayruros | Enrique Palacios 900 Miraflores | Hostel | 78 |
| Hostelling International | Casimiro Ulloa 328 San Antonio - Miraflores | Hostel | - |
| Hotel Casa San Martin | Calle San Martin 339, Miraflores | Hotel | 93 |
| Hotel El Ducado | Juan Fanning 337, Miraflores Lima | Hotel | 92 |
| Hotel Esperanza | Esperanza # 350 Miraflores | Hotel | 80 |
| Hotel Leon De Oro Inn & Suites | Avenue La Paz 930 Miraflores | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Miramar Lima | Jr. Bolognesi 181, Miraflores | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Monte Real | Calle 27 de Noviembre 169/189 Miraflores | Hotel | 76 |
| Hotel Nido Inn | Calle San Martin 211, Miraflores | Hotel | 37 |
| Hotel San Agustin Colonial Inn | Av. Comandante Espinar 310, Miraflores | Hotel | 90 |
| Hotel San Agustin Riviera | Av. Garcilazo de La Vega 981, downtown Lima | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Sipan | Paseo de La República 6171, Miraflores | Hotel | 69 |
| Hotel Soul Mate Inn | Calle Toribio Pacheco 350 Miraflores, Lima Peru | Hotel | 73 |
| Huaca Pucllana | Calle General Borgoño 546 | Guesthouse | - |
| Huaychulo Hotel | Av 2 de Mayo 494 | Hotel | - |
| Inka Hostel | Av. Larco 1178 Miraflores | Guesthouse | - |
| Inka Lodge | Elias Aguirre 278 Miraflores | Hostel | 80 |
| Inkawasi | Avenida de la Aviacion 210 Miraflores Miraflores | Guesthouse | 53 |
| Kamana Hotel | Camana 547 | Hotel | 75 |
| Kaminu | Bajada de Baños 342 - Barranco | Guesthouse | 82 |
| Kusillus Backpacker's Hostel | 655 Larco Avenue 3 - Miraflores | Hostel | 87 |
| La Casa Barranco | Av. Grau 982 Barranco | Hostel | 91 |
| La Casa de Los Sanchez | Av Diagonal 354 | Guesthouse | - |
| La Casa Nostra | Av Grimaldo del Solar, 265 | Guesthouse | - |
| La Hacienda Peruvian Hostel B&B | Avenue 616 Haya de la Torre | Guesthouse | - |
| Las Camelias Hostal | Montero Rosas 976 Santa Beatriz | Guesthouse | 83 |
| Lima Travel Lodge | Calle San Juan Carlos 163, Santa Florencia San Miguel | Guesthouse | - |
| Limarooms | barcelona 566 pueblo libre | Guesthouse | 36 |
| Magdalen House | Jr Ayacucho No 778-Magdalena del Mar | Guesthouse | 87 |
| Malisa Saona | Centenario 114 Barranco | Guesthouse | - |
| Manhattan Inn Airport Hotel | Jr. Luna Pizarro 168, Urb. La Colonial Callao | Hotel | 79 |
| Miraflores Colon Hotel | Jr. Colon 600 Miraflores | Hotel | 87 |
| Mont Blanc Gran Hotel | Jirón Emilio Fernandez 640, Santa Beatriz, Lima | Hotel | 53 |
| Nomade Backpackers Hostel | Marquez de Torre Tagle 107 Miraflores | Hostel | 69 |
| One Hostel | Av.Grau 717 Barranco | Guesthouse | 93 |
| Parque Miraflores | Av.28 de Julio 895 | Guesthouse | - |
| Pay Purix Backpackers Hostel | Av Bertello Bolatti,Mz F, Lote 5 Urb Los Jazmines, 1ra Etapa | Hostel | 90 |
| Peñascal Surf Hotel | Av. Las Palmeras 258, Peñascal, San Bartolo, Lima, | Hotel | - |
| Pirwa Hostal Backpackers Lima | Coronel Inclan Street nº 494 Miraflores | Hostel | 81 |
| Red Psycho Llama | Calle Colina 183 Miraflores | Hostel | 80 |
| San Antonio Abad Hotel | Ramón Ribeyro Nº 301, San Antonio, Miraflores | Hotel | 67 |
| Santa Cruz | Av. Santa Cruz 1347 Miraflores | Hotel | 73 |
| Santa Fe Hostel | Calle Santa Fe 328 Pueblo Libre | Hostel | 80 |
| Soul Mate-Inn | Calle Toribio Pacheco 350, Miraflores | Hotel | 51 |
| Stop & Drop Lima Backpacker Hostel & Guest House | Berlin St. 168, Miraflores, Lima, 18, Peru | Guesthouse | 57 |
| The Angels Inn Backpackers Peru | Calle Porta N° 540 Miraflores | Guesthouse | 73 |
| The Inka Lounge Hostel | C/ Ramon Zavala 341 Miraflores Altura de la cd | Hostel | 80 |
| The Place of Miraflores | Av La Paz 1090 Miraflores | Guesthouse | 60 |
| The Point Backpackers Hostel | Malecon Junin 300 Barranco | Hostel | 71 |
| Wasijaus | Coronel Inclan N. 494 | Guesthouse | - |
| Youth Hostel Malka | Los Lirios 165 San Isidro | Hostel | 81 |
Hotel kamana Jr Camana, Lima Centro. tel: 01-4277106. Large hotel near to the Plaza Mayor, it has decent, clean rooms although you can hear your neighbours quite well through the bathroom window!
There are three hotels/hostels that are within reasonable distance of the aiport: The Las Terrazas Hotel, Hostel el Caribe and the Ramada Hotel.
The Ramada Hotel (4 star) is located right in the airport, but is very pricy. Mid-ranged is the Las Terrazas Hotel (3 star) - about 10 mins by car and is clean and comfortable. The cheapest is by fate the Hostel el Caribe (approximately 5 minutes by car), but many budget travellers have given this hostel poor reviews.
Internet cafés abound in the more affluent areas such as Miraflores and Lima Centro.
See also International Telephone Calls.
Pay phones are located around the city, most commonly on major roads.
This is version 54. Last edited at 18:42 on Sep 23, 09 by Herr Bert (0). 22 articles link to this page.

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