Lima

Lima is Peru's capital, on the Pacific desert coast. Visitors come for a UNESCO-listed colonial center, pre-Inca adobe sites and a food scene known as the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas.

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Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, on the Pacific coast in the central desert, and the country's political, cultural, financial and commercial center. Its metropolitan area had about 10.15 million people in 2023. It spreads over the valleys of the Rímac, Chillón and Lurín rivers and rises gently from the ocean into hills. Spaniard Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1535 as Ciudad de los Reyes. The Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, holds colonial churches, plazas and mansions around the Plaza Mayor.

Travelers come for colonial history, pre-Inca sites and food. Huaca Pucllana, an adobe site, sits inside the city, and the Pachacámac sanctuary lies outside it. Cooking in Lima blends Spanish, Andean, African, Chinese and Japanese traditions. Miraflores and Barranco are the main tourist and nightlife districts. Summers, from December to April, are sunny, hot and humid. Winters, from June to September or October, bring gray skies and a light morning drizzle called garúa.

Lima in five

Allow time for the airport transferJorge Chávez (LIM) opened a new terminal in 2025. Allow 45–90 min to Miraflores by road, depending on traffic.
Book the famous restaurants weeks aheadThe best-known tasting-menu restaurants book up weeks ahead. Cevicherías serve lunch only, so plan ceviche for midday.
Expect gray skies in winterFrom about June to October, a low cloud called garúa covers the coast. It rarely rains, but the sun is scarce.
Fly on to Cusco earlyFlights to Cusco take about 1.5 hours. Morning flights are less likely to be delayed by weather in the Andes.Machu Picchu tickets
Match the season to the AndesLima's sunny season is the Andes' rainy season. For Cusco and Machu Picchu, May to September is drier.Best time to visit Peru

Things to do in Lima

See all attractions in Lima

Restaurant · LimaCafe Museo LarcoMake an online reservation, especially for a busy period.

a large building with a fountain in front of it

Historic site · LimaLima Main SquareThe central garden area is fenced off; plan to view the square from around its perimeter.

Landmark · LimaBridge of SighsExplore beyond the bridge to include nearby parks, murals and shops.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to LimaPut the places you like in Lima on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Jorge Chávez (LIM), 45–90 min to Miraflores
Getting there: Flights from the Americas and Europe
Getting around: Ride apps and taxis; the Metropolitano bus
Best base: Miraflores or Barranco
Time needed: 2–3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Festival

Best

JanuaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Sunny, beach
FebruaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Sunny, hot
MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Sunny
AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low20°Warm
MayClear1 rainy dayHigh22°Low18°Clouding over
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Gray, garúa
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Gray, damp
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low15°Gray
SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low15°Gray
OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low16°Gray, clearing
NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Sun returns
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Sunny

Average daily high and low in Lima, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Oct Lord of Miracles

Right now in Lima

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 24°
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 17 km/h
Chance of rain: 31%

Lima

06:22 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today27°20°31%Monday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 31%.
Tue25°21°27%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 27%.
Wed25°21°69%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
Thu25°21°48%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 48%.
Fri25°20°20%Friday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 20%.
Sat26°20°28%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 28%.
Sun27°20°21%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 21%.

Updated 05:05 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.467 PEN

Amount

Converted to

PEN · Peruvian Sol

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Lima

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

OctLord of MiraclesLima

Day trips by train

PachacámacAbout 1 hour by roadPre-Inca temple city in the desert.
Paracas and the Ballestas IslandsAbout 3.5–4 hours by roadSea lions and birds; better with a night.
CaralAbout 3.5 hours by roadOne of the oldest cities in the Americas.

Before you go to Lima

Lima food and city toursCeviche, markets and old centerCompare tours

Stays in Miraflores and BarrancoCliff views, walkable restaurantsCheck availability

eSIM for LimaRide apps and maps on landingRead the guide

Insurance for Lima and the AndesCover for domestic flight delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Lima, checked

Entry requirements depend on your nationality. Check your status with Migraciones, Peru's immigration authority, before you book.Source
Declare cash and goods above the limits on the customs form. Check the current limits with SUNAT, Peru's tax and customs authority, before you travel.Source
Dial 105 for police, 116 for fire and 106 for an ambulance anywhere in Peru.
Tap water in Lima is not always potable, so drink bottled water. About 1.7 million people lack a piped network and buy water from tanker trucks.

Plan around Lima

All of Peru

Regions, best months and entry rules

Read the guide Cusco

The Inca capital, about 1.5 hours by air

Read the guide Arequipa

The white city, an hour or so by air

Read the guide Best time to visit Peru

Sunny coast months versus dry Andes months

Read the guide Machu Picchu tickets

Book entry before you book flights onward

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for domestic flight delays

Read the guide Connectivity

Data and ride apps from the airport

Read the guide

Lima FAQ

How many days do I need in Lima?

Two to three days covers the center, Miraflores, Barranco and a few long lunches. Add a night in Paracas for wildlife.

Where should I stay in Lima?

Miraflores for a first trip, Barranco for bars and art. Both are on the coast and close to each other.

When is the best time to visit Peru?

It depends on where you go. Lima is sunny from December to April, while the Andes are dry from May to September.

Is Lima safe for tourists?

Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro are fine with normal care. Use ride apps or registered taxis, and keep your phone out of sight on busy streets.

Should I fly or take the bus from Lima to Cusco?

Fly: about 1.5 hours against a day or more by bus. Buses are cheaper but long, and a morning flight leaves the afternoon free to acclimatize.