Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | S/ 30–70 | S/ 120–300 |
| Food | S/ 25–50 | S/ 60–130 |
| Transport | S/ 5–15 | S/ 20–50 |
| Activities | S/ 0–20 | S/ 40–100 |
| Drinks | S/ 8–20 | S/ 25–50 |
| Daily Total | S/ 68–175 | S/ 265–630 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- US, EU, UK, Canadian citizens get 90–183 days visa-free. Immigration stamps your allowed days — check and negotiate if needed
- Passport must be valid for 6+ months. Proof of onward travel occasionally requested
- Jorge Chávez airport (LIM) to Miraflores: Airport Express Lima bus S/ 25, Uber S/ 30–50 (40 min without traffic)
Health & Safety
- Tap water is NOT safe to drink — use bottled water everywhere. Ice at restaurants is generally safe (made from purified water)
- Altitude sickness is not an issue in Lima (sea level). Miraflores and Barranco are safe. Use Uber at night. Be cautious in Centro after dark
- Emergency: 105 (police), 116 (firefighters). Clínica Anglo Americana and Clínica Javier Prado are the best hospitals. Travel insurance essential
Getting Around
- Metropolitano BRT: S/ 2.50 per ride, connects Barranco–Miraflores–Centro on a fast dedicated busway
- Metro Line 1 serves Villa El Salvador to San Juan de Lurigancho. Limited use for tourists. More lines coming soon
- Uber is cheap, safe, and widely used. S/ 8–15 for most Miraflores–Barranco rides. Always use rideshare at night
Connectivity
- Free WiFi in most cafes, restaurants, and malls. Parks and public spaces have limited WiFi
- Claro, Movistar, or Entel SIM cards from any phone shop — S/ 20–40 for 5–10GB data. eSIMs from Airalo work well
- Download Uber, Google Maps offline, and WhatsApp. Lima traffic means Google Maps walking routes are often faster than driving
Money
- Cards accepted at restaurants and shops in Miraflores and San Isidro. Cash essential at markets, street food, and smaller establishments
- ATMs at BCP, BBVA, and Interbank. Withdraw S/ 400–800 at a time. Street money changers offer decent rates but count carefully
- Tip 10% at restaurants (sometimes included as "servicio"). No tipping at casual eateries or bars
Packing Tips
- Lima has a "garúa" (fog/drizzle) from May to November — bring a light waterproof jacket. Summer (Dec–Mar) is sunny and warm
- Comfortable walking shoes — Lima's sidewalks are uneven. A crossbody bag for security
- Layers — coastal Lima can be cool and damp even in "warm" months. Sunscreen for sunny days
Cultural tips
Gastronomy Capital
Lima is widely considered the gastronomic capital of South America, with multiple restaurants in the world's top 50. From S/ 8 market menú to S/ 700 tasting courses — every price point delivers extraordinary food.
Ceviche Rules
Peruvians only eat ceviche at lunch — cevicherías close by 4–5pm. Order mixto for variety. Drink the leche de tigre (ceviche juice). Never eat ceviche after dark — if a place serves it at night, the fish is not fresh.
Greetings
One kiss on the right cheek between women and between men and women. Men shake hands firmly. When entering a room or gathering, greet each person individually.
Bargaining
Bargaining is normal at markets and with street vendors. Not appropriate at restaurants or shops with fixed prices. Start at 30–40% below the asking price and negotiate warmly.
Safety Smarts
Use Uber or licensed taxis (yellow, with company markings). Never hail random cars on the street. Keep phones in inside pockets. Miraflores and Barranco are safe day and night. Centro and Callao require more caution.
Peruvian Spanish
Peruvian Spanish is among the clearest in Latin America — no heavy slang or accent. "Chévere" (cool), "ya" (OK/yes), and "pe" (shortened pues, emphasis word). Basic Spanish makes a huge difference here.
