Lima
The coastal city of Lima is diverse, with colorful parks, friendly locals, tasty cuisine, vibrant markets, and ancient historical attractions. Travelers can tour world-class museums, wander through the colonial architecture of Miraflores, and eat seafood along the Pacific coast.
Lima's historic center has the famous Plaza de Armas as its center and there are countless museums nearby—the Larco Museum and the National Archaeological Museum are some of the best. The ancient site Huaca Pucllana is situated in the middle of Lima and offers proof of the Wari and Lima nomads living side-by-side. The city now has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, especially in districts like Miraflores and Barranco, which have become popular with both tourists and locals.
Barranco is full of entertainment and nightlife, while San Isidro is known for its local market, friendly people and delicious seafood. The ocean that borders Lima brings joy to young and old alike in their search for refreshment and fun. Visitors that take a closer look soon discover that Lima isn't just a gateway to Peru, but rather an extremely interesting destination unto itself.
Francisco Pizarro founded Lima on January 6th, 1535, which today is celebrated as the "Day of the Kings." Lima became the headquarters for the Spanish conquistadors—it was the seat of power, government, politics, and culture. The port of Callao became the hotspot for trade and commerce. And Lima's fertile plains, irrigated by the Rimac River, were perfect for agriculture. Typical products from this area were (and still are) cotton, corn, potatoes, fish, fruits, sugar cane, and vegetables.
After years of trade Lima grew to be one of the biggest commercial and administrative centers of South America. Lima continued to prosper over the 19th century, but had some downtime between 1980 and 1990. During this time Peru's political and economical instability dragged the beautiful city into poverty. Luckily, the new century ushered in a new beginning for Lima. Today, the city's wide streets, huge plazas and colonial houses still show signs of the 19th century.
Many of the Peruvian people living and working in Lima originally came from rural areas. The city's population is currently around 10 million inhabitants and is still growing. Limeños are a complex mixture of racial and ethnic groups. Mestizos of mixed Amerindian and European ancestry are the largest ethnic group, and European Peruvians are the second largest group. Other large ethnic groups in Lima include the Chinese and Japanese. The influx of Chinese workers in the 19th and 20th centuries resulted in Lima having the largest Chinese population in all of South America.
Lima itineraries from local insiders
Explore hand-picked Lima itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.
Experiences in Lima
Explore hand-picked Lima tours and experiences led by local insiders, from wildlife encounters to cultural deep-dives.
Chez Wong Restaurant
Central Restaurant
The Lima Gourmet - Day Tour
Palomino Islands Tour
Fountains of Lima
Maido Restaurant
Astrid and Gaston Restaurant
Tasting Peru with Pedro Miguel Schaffino Tour
Birdwatching at Villa Wetlands
Discover Scuba Diving in Lima
Paragliding in Lima
Culinary Experience at Home of a Peruvian Host
Caral The Missing Link Private Tour
Caral The Missing Link Shared Tour
Ultimate Cooking Class
Where to stay in Lima
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Lima accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Country Club Lima Hotel
The best of past and present, together Staying at Country Club Lima Hotel means being part of Lima’s history: cosmopolitan, historic, unique. Each of the hotel’s corners and corridors hides a legend, a story, a mystery. It is a storied icon that keeps transforming itself, preserving in its corners legends, visits of celebrities and countless social gatherings lived in one of the most exclusive areas of the capital.
Casa Republica Barranco Boutique Hotel
Stay at the elegant Casa Barranco while you get a feel for one of Lima’s most bohemian neighborhoods. This is one of the most interesting areas for exploring modern Peruvian culture, surrounded by the art of up-and-coming Limeños.
Four Points Miraflores
The Four Points hotel is set in the Miraflores district of Lima. This hotel has modern, comfortable rooms and a convenient location.
Ananay Hotel Villa Barranco
Ananay Hotel Villa Barranco is in Lima’s Barranco neighborhood. This hotel’s crown jewel is its rooftop terrace, which comes with a view of the nearby coast.
Indigo Hotel Lima Miraflores
Indigo Hotel Lima Miraflores is a welcoming accommodation nestled in the vibrant heart of Miraflores, one of Lima's most dynamic and visitor-friendly districts. Known for its artistic flair and modern design, the hotel offers an inviting blend of contemporary comfort and sincere hospitality. This boutique hotel stands as a beacon of warmth and professionalism, consistently prioritizing a clean and comfortable environment for its guests.
Pullman Lima Miraflores Hotel
Located in the exclusive district of Miraflores, close to the Pacific Ocean, archaeological sites and a privileged boardwalk on the Costa Verde, a few blocks from Larcomar shopping center. Just 25 minutes from Jorge Chavez airport. Pullman Lima Miraflores is synonymous of vibrant, cosmopolitan and stylish. A place where business, pleasure, technology, comfort are not contradictory terms. This hotel offers 234 rooms and suites, 6 meeting rooms, a restaurant that offers breakfast buffet, 2 bars, a gym and a swimming pool located on our 16th floor, next to the rooftop with ocean views. It is an aesthetically beautiful and properly designed space where art stands out, especially the one of local artists. It has a 100% sustainable infrastructure.
Holiday Inn Lima Airport
Holiday Inn Lima Airport Hotel makes it easy to make it to your flight — the hotel is just a short walk from the Jose Lima International Airport. The hotel also offers a free transfer to the airport.
Crowne Plaza Lima Hotel
Located in the heart of the popular seaside district of Miraflores, the Crowne Plaza® Lima Hotel is perfectly suited for business or leisure trips. Centrally situated in the commercial area, surrounded by colonial buildings, lush green parks overlooking the ocean and a variety of trendy restaurants. It is within walking distance of Costa Verde Beaches and to find beautiful souvenirs at the Indigenous Market or shop at Lancomar Outdoor Shopping Center.

Insider-led Peru Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Get StartedPrivate drivers; English-speaking available.
Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
Insider-led Peru Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.




