Is Lima Worth Visiting? A Complete Lima Travel Guide!

Is Lima worth visiting?  If you’re looking for a city with a vibrant culinary scene, interesting history, and charming neighborhoods – yes, Lima is absolutely worth visiting.  If you’re looking for less of a city vibe, somewhere smaller, or a city you can better walk around – Lima probably isn’t for you.  (Instead I’d recommend Cusco or Arequipa).  I spent 2 weeks in Lima and was able to dive deep into the city – learning the best things to do, eating at the best restaurants, and getting shown around by my boyfriend who happens to be a local.  Below you’ll find out everything you need to know about visiting Lima so that you can decide if it’s worth the visit!

 

If you’re planning a trip to Peru, don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Peru
• The Ultimate Peru Packing List

 

Is Lima Safe?

Yes and no.  I won’t sugar coat it, there are parts of Lima that are not safe.  And there are parts of Lima that are perfectly safe!  I would exercise caution when visiting and beware of pickpockets, simple scams, getting in an unmarked taxi, and walking alone at night.  I felt the most safe when wandering around the Miraflores or Barranco neighborhoods and would recommend either neighborhood as a good place to stay.

 

Safety Tips for Visiting Lima

I visited Lima with my boyfriend who is Peruvian so I’m lucky to not have had to deal with any scary/sketchy issues due to being with a local.  However, here are some things he mentioned can be common in Lima and Peru…

• Petty theft – watch your belongings and if needed, I recommend bringing an anti-theft waist bag
• Taxi scams – negotiate price ahead of time and beware of taxi drivers dropping you off at the wrong hotel and then charging you more to take you to the right hotel (to avoid this keep your Google Maps route on and make sure that they are going to the right hotel)
• Currency exchange – don’t exchange currency on the streets, only do this at a bank or exchange office
• Tour scams – don’t hire a random guy off the street, this can oftentimes be a scam where the tour is shoddy or ends abruptly after payment

 

Is Lima or Cusco Better?

While I don’t necessarily like to label one as better than the other – they are very different after all – I will say if you only have time for one, I’d recommend Cusco over Lima.  Lima is great for exploring Peru’s food scene, but overall I enjoyed my time in Cusco more.  BUT – if you have the time, I would visit both.

 

If you’re considering a trip to Cusco, don’t miss…

• How to Spend 2 Days in Cusco

 

How to Get to Lima

Lima has an international airport – Jorge Chavez International Airport (LAP) – where they accept international flights from all over the world.  I suggest using a big search engine to compare flight prices and airlines to find a flight.  However, if possible – I recommend booking directly versus booking through a third party.

Once you arrive to Lima, there are a few ways to get into the city.  You can get a registered taxi at the airport, hire an English speaking taxi ahead of time, or get an Uber.  I would not suggest getting into an unmarked taxi.  Know that there is a lot of traffic in Lima and to get into the city will take you around an hour depending on where you’re going and whether or not it’s rush hour.

 

BOOK A TAXI AHEAD OF TIME HERE!

 

How to Get Around Lima

Lima isn’t the most walkable city (although if you’re in Miraflores or Barranco, you can walk around those neighborhoods) and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend public transportation.  Your best bet is to rely on ride shares when visiting Lima.  You can use Uber or Cabify.

 

How Many Days Do You Need in Lima?

I don’t think you need more than 2 days to see the highlights of Lima.  This gives you time to try some different restaurants, visit the charming neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, and visit some museums if you want.

 

Where to Stay in Lima

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I would recommend staying in either the Miraflores neighborhood or Barranco neighborhood when visiting Lima.  When I visited, I stayed in the Miraflores neighborhood at the boutique hotel Fausto.  Not only was the hotel in a great location, but it had great amenities including free beverages from the fridge, a great breakfast spread, and more.  Plus the hotel only has 5 rooms giving it a cozy, intimate feeling.

If you want to see more of the hotel, check out my Instagram post about Fausto here!

 

BOOK YOUR HOTEL STAY AT FAUSTO HERE!

 

What is Lima Known for?

Lima is a city that has been able to marry historical richness with culinary excellence.  Known as the City of Kings, Lima offers a range of architectural styles, from pre-Columbian ruins to baroque churches.  It’s the gastronomic capital of South America, where you can taste dishes like ceviche and drink the local spirit – Pisco.  Beyond food, the city’s museums display vast collections of Incan artifacts, making Lima a hub for those keen to dive deep into Peru’s storied past.  Whether strolling along the Miraflores boardwalk or exploring the historic center, Lima can captivate any traveler with its dynamic blend of the old and new.

 

The Best Tours & Things to Do in Lima

Here are some top activities and tours I’d recommend prioritizing when you visit Lima…

• Miraflores Boardwalk – This walk takes you along the coast where you’ll see the Miraflores Lighthouse and El Parque del Amor
• Visit the Miraflores neighborhood
• Visit the Barranco neighborhood
• Huaca Pucllana – Here you can walk through Inca ruins located right in the heart of Lima.  You’re required to follow a tour guide which is included when you purchase a ticket
• Sightseeing Bike Tour with Food & Drink Tastings
• Peruvian cooking class – Learn how to make classic Peruvian cuisine
• Lima Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour
• Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour

 

Best Restaurants in Lima

I’ve never visited a city and been so impressed with the restaurants I ate at as I was when I visited Lima.  Granted, I did have a local showing me around but I have to say – I was more than impressed with the culinary scene in Lima.  In fact, in 2023 Lima took home 4 spots on the “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list and Central in Lima snagged the coveted #1 spot.

Here are a list of restaurants that I would highly recommend when traveling to Lima…

• Astrid y Gaston – This was hands down, my favorite restaurant in Lima
• Cala – Beautiful, romantic restaurant near the beach
• El Bodegon – More of a local restaurant with huge serving portions
• La Mar Cevicheria Peruana – Fabulous fish restaurant
• Matria – Quaint, intimate restaurant with brick furnishings
• Restaurante Huaca Pucllana – Touristy but has great views of Huaca Pucllana
• Tanta – This is a chain throughout Peru but is a great place to explore Peruvian food; I’d recommend it for lunch

 

Peru Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Peru

 

I hope that this guide helps you answer the question, “Is Lima worth visiting?”.  If you have any questions about visiting Lima or Peru in general, let me know in a comment below!

 

If you’re planning a trip to Peru, don’t miss…

• 11 Things You Need to Know About Visiting Machu Picchu
• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Colca Canyon in Peru
• How to Spend 1 Day in Arequipa, Peru

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Peru, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinperu” or under my highlights for “Peru”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Peru” highlight

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