Where to Stay in Lima + What to do in Each District

The best area to stay in Lima for most first-time visitors is Miraflores, with Barranco a close second if you have two days or more and want art, bars and a slower pace. Peru’s capital Lima is usually the first port of call for visitors travelling into this South American country. Don’t be fooled by the size of the Larcomar area, this city is huge. Around 10.4 million people reside in the 43 districts, that’s almost double the population of Scotland! Three main areas boast the most hotels and hostels in Lima, the historic Central Lima, bustling Miraflores and the bohemian Barranco. If using Lima in transit and just staying for one night then Miraflores is your best option. If you are spending 2 days in Lima, we encourage you to venture out to the laid-back Barranco. Here’s your guide on where to stay in Lima and what to do in each district.

Quick answer: where to stay in Lima (checked October 2026)

• First visit or one night: Miraflores. It has the most hostels and hotels, the clifftop Malecón and the Airport Express bus stops.
• Two days or more: Barranco, Lima’s arty, greener district of galleries, bars and the Bridge of Sighs.
• Sightseeing first: the Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but accommodation quality varies so choose carefully.
• Early flight: stay near Jorge Chávez International Airport, whose new terminal opened on 1 June 2025.

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Where to stay in Lima

There is no shortage of accommodation in Lima. In fact, there are over 70 Lima hostels and 250 hotels with prices ranging from £5 to £500 per night so there really is something to suit every type of budget.

Room prices below are what we found when we wrote this guide, so treat them as a rough guide and check live rates before you book. If Lima is the start of a bigger trip, our guide to backpacking Peru covers the routes, treks and transport beyond the capital.

Here’s how the main areas compare at a glance:

What about San Isidro? It’s Lima’s business district, sitting between Miraflores and the centre, so it’s quieter and more corporate. Good for a work trip, but for a holiday we’d still pick Miraflores or Barranco.

Miraflores accommodation

Miraflores is a built-up area of the city, a little grimy yet packed with backpackers. Here you will find the usual American embassies (McDonald’s, KFC) as well as Peruvian restaurants serving Ceviché (raw fish cooked in lime juice, served with cold sweet potato, corn and coriander) and Pisco Sours.

There’s a restaurant/bar strip found close to the cat park (John F Kennedy) plating up Western menus as well as Peruvian meals. The most attractive area of Miraflores is the Larcomar (shopping centre) which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and boy those sunsets are wild.

Hostels in Miraflores

Miraflores hostels come in all shapes and sizes. You will find the typical chain hostels (you will stay in one of them at least once during your time in Peru!) such as the always effortlessly cool, Hostel Kokopelli (we stayed with them in Cusco).

Don’t be put off by its lively rooftop (with stonebaked pizzas), Kokopelli designs its rooms with the traveller in mind – hostel dorm beds have curtains for privacy (like the old fashioned trains, romantic!) and some private rooms have balconies. Free breakfast is also included as well as free city walking tours of Lima. Click here to check availability.

Update (October 2026): Kokopelli’s Miraflores listing has gone, and its Lima hostel now trades as Viajero Lima-Barranco Hostel over in Barranco, so the links above take you there.

Update (October 2026): Pool Paradise, the pool hostel we flagged here when it opened in 2018, is no longer listed on Hostelworld. For a sociable Miraflores hostel now, Pariwana Hostel Lima and Dragonfly Hostels Miraflores both had dorms from around €9 to €10 a night when we checked. Compare every Lima hostel here.

A more chilled alternative is the B&B Tradiciones in Miraflores, a home away from home hosted by Norma and Angelo. This B&B offers free breakfast and private rooms starting at around £30. Click here to check availability.

Miraflores Hotels

Hotels in Miraflores are surprisingly economical for a capital city. All hotel facilities include WiFi and breakfast unless stated otherwise.

One of the top picks in Lima is Apart Hotel Petit Palace Suites. Holidaymakers like the clean comfortable rooms, fruit and bread continental breakfast and professional staff. WiFi is excellent and flatscreen TV includes English movies.

A nice addon is the use of free bikes, I recommend riding along the Malecón! Standard rooms start around £50, prices go up to suites at £100 (5 people). Click to check availability.

For boutique hotels in Lima check out Ife Boutique Hotel. This uniquely decorated Miraflores hotel offers free toiletries.

Staff go above and beyond for their guests, mention if you are visiting for a special occasion for a nice surprise. Some of Ife’s rooms have a terrace and a spa bath to rest the muscle after a day of sightseeing or cycling.

Airport shuttle and free parking are available. Standard rooms start at just over £50 with suites coming in at around £65. Click to check availability.

The Luxury Inkari Hotel is something else! The heated swimming pool (hello views!) and a well-equipped gym with sauna make it a favourite for those looking to splurge during their trip to Lima.

Visitors like the restaurant and creative cocktails. An airport shuttle is also available. Click to check availability.

The 5-star Hilton Lima Miraflores boasts of a rooftop pool with the best views of the city. The super modern rooms are elegantly decorated, kitted with luxury linen and is a hit even with visitors who don’t normally choose chain hotels.

The restaurant is recommended, some guests even choose to dine in several times during their trip to Lima.

Deluxe rooms start at around £150 with Executive for four people capping at around £320. Click to check availability.

Things to do in Miraflores

Cat Park

One of the strangest Lima points of interest is Kennedy Park, officially known as Parque Kennedy but affectionately called the Cat Park. Sorry, JFK, feline friends are more popular than you in Miraflores – this park is home to triple figure furry kitties.

Jokes aside, it’s quite a sad story as this is the park is where cats are dumped by owners who can’t look after them. Locals, the church and the Feline Protection Volunteer Group take on the role of mum. Help the team feed residents of Cat Park by donating here.

Lover’s Park

A nicer park story and quite a funny one at that is the Park of Love/Parque del Amor in Lima found down by the Larcomar shopping centre.

This park features a huge sculpture of two lovers having a smooch.

El Beso by Peru’s famous sculpture, Víctor Delfín portrays him and his wife in an embrace and represents a local kissing competition apparently.

You will see young couples with tongues down each other’s throats at some point in your adventure around Peru, they are very open about affection.

Malecón

Nothing quite chases the Pisco Sours cobwebs away like a stroll along the Malecón seafront, the perfect location for people-watching and paragliding spotting in Lima.

This is also the place to be a sunset. If you are into shopping while holidaying check out the Larcomar.

Bike Tours of Lima

Why not cover more ground and take a bike tour from Lima to Barranco?

Tours start at 09:45 to avoid the heat and if you are lucky you will get our tour guide, the enthusiastic Miraflorian, José.

During the bike tour, you will be treated to a historical account of natural disasters, the war between Chile and Peru, terrorism, corrupt governments, and stories of migration while you make your way by wheels to the ‘town within the city’ Barranco.

Lunch of sandwiches called Butifarras (ham or vegetarian cheese and olive) is served at a local cafe such as Piselli where you dine over great chat about life in Peru.

I always recommend taking a tour while travelling because you get to speak with a local, usually one that is tuned into politics and current affairs which is a particular interest of mine. I also like the local tips for cheaper eats and things to see!

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Barranco accommodation

Barranco is the coolest area of Lima. Its chilled out vibes completely contrast with the hustle of Miraflores and it’s easy to see why the area is named the Soho of Lima.

Barranco is an extremely green area of the city covered in colourful sweet-smelling plants.

The plants are not the only aesthetically pleasing thing about Barranco, the architecture is interesting and there are pockets of street art to see too.

Barranco Hostels

Barranco hostels are limited in numbers but they make up for it in variety.

Going against the grain of chilled vibes, The Point Lima is a popular party hostel in Barranco.

The Point bar closes at 1am but the party doesn’t stop, a guide takes you to a club in Barranco!

Meals are available onsite but it’s so close to the cute cafes in Barranco so you will want to dine out. Dorms available from around £8. Click here to check availability.

Update (October 2026): The Point’s Barranco hostel is no longer listed, but the brand now runs The Point Hostels Miraflores on Calle Berlin, still with a lively rooftop bar, so the links above go there instead.

Update (October 2026): Casa Estrada, the family-run hostel we used to recommend for a low-key stay, is no longer listed on Hostelworld. For a quieter Barranco base now, look at Viajero Lima-Barranco Hostel (the old Kokopelli) or Ancestral Hostel Barranco, which had dorms from around €11 a night when we checked. See all Lima hostels.

Barranco Hotels

An economical option for hotels in Barranco is the colourful Lima Wari Hotel. Rooms vary in size accommodating 2-7 guests with a private bathroom or shared.

The hotel has a shared common area and use of a microwave. Airport shuttle available on request. Room rates start at £27-£55 – click here to check availability.

A little on the pricier side, Villa Barranco is a boutique hotel based in a 1920s building.

The hotel has a glorious garden and relaxing modern patio. Some rooms are bright and modern, others are rustic.

Rooms start at £152-£330, some have a standalone bath, wow factor. Click here to check availability.

Hotel B is the luxury boutique hotel in Barranco and is famous for its art and striking decor.

Breakfast and afternoon tea is included in the price, the gin bar gets a thumbs up from tourists too.

The patio is a great place to lose an hour or two. Rooms include a flatscreen TV, iPod dock and some have a standalone bath.

They start at around £275 to £500 and include air conditioning. Click here to check availability.

Things to do in Barranco

Craft Beer

Nothing beats a fresh beer, ok a fresh craft beer beats just any old fresh beer and this can be found at Barranco Beer, Lima’s craft beer brewery. Barranco beers serve every type from IPAs to Pilsners and also food such as pizzas while football is on the big screen.

Bridge of Sighs/Puente de Los Suspiros

Walk the length of this wooden bridge whilst holding your breath then your love will last forever.

Now you can tell your sweetheart that they really do make you breathless!

Art Galleries

You won’t be surprised to hear that Barranco is where the artists live.

The famous photographer, Mario Testino, who has captured everyone from Kate Moss to Kendall Jenner and even the Royal Family, is from Barranco.

You can see his work at MATE (Museo Mario Testino). Modern art fans should also swing by the MAC.

Hit the Beach

Get a tan while watching the surfers attempt the wild waves of the Pacific Ocean. Stay to watch the electric sunset over the city.

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Historic Centre of Lima

There’s no surprise that Ciudad de Los Reyes or the City of Kings is where you will find most of the historically important buildings in Lima such as the main square, Cathedral and Government Palace.

This area of Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historic Centre of Lima Accommodation

Accommodation in Lima’s historic centre really varies in quality so if you decided to make this area your base, choose wisely.

Lima Historic Centre Hotels

Kamana Hotel is centrally located, each room has a safety deposit box and en-suite shower.

Rooms vary – some are modern, others look slightly dated. Prices start at £37-£50. Click here for availability.

Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima is not just a hotel, it’s a national monument and the oldest hotel in Lima.

Since the 1920s royalty and celebrities have graced its floors! This grand, vintage hotel with its large spacious rooms is suitable for couples and families. Request a balcony room as rooms can get hot. Prices start at £42-£130, click here to check availability.

Things to Do in Lima’s Historic Centre

Plaza Mayor

Check out the colonial buildings of the Government Palace and the Cathedral of Lima which surround the main square in Lima.

Lima Catacomb

One of the most interesting things to do is see in Lima is the catacomb at the Monastery of San Francisco.

Members of the public can view the skeletons of the brotherhood which have been strategically placed underneath the church.

Walking Tours

Let a local guide you through the history of time on this 4-hour walking tour of the city.

This tour stops at the oldest buildings, Central Market to sample some Chicha de jora, Saint Francis Monastery and the Park of the Wall.

One of the best Lima city tours for culture and history. Click here to check availability.

Best Time to Visit Lima

Lima hardly ever sees proper rain, but don’t expect blue skies all year. From June to October a thick sea mist (the locals call it garúa) sits over the city, cloud covers 80% to 93% of the sky and the Pacific drops to about 17°C. January to April is the sunny, warm stretch, with average daily temperatures of 22 to 24°C at the airport, and that’s when the beaches in Barranco and Miraflores come alive.

We pulled together NASA satellite data, the weather station records from Lima airport and sea temperature data so you can see the difference month by month. Tap the buttons to switch between cloud, sunlight, air and sea temperature:

Getting to Lima

Jorge Chávez International Airport is located 10km outside of the city centre. Its new passenger terminal opened on 1 June 2025 and is reached from Avenida Morales Duárez in Callao, so allow a little extra time on the road. There are licensed taxi firms with desks in arrivals, including the Taxi Green firm which we used.

Flat fee rates started at around 50-60 soles when we visited and can take around 45 minutes to get to Miraflores, traffic depending, so confirm the current fare at the desk before you get in. Uber operates in Lima!

Click here to find out more about this transport option, prices similar to taxis.  It is not advised to hail an unofficial taxi in the are of Callao.

Alternatively, there is the Lima Airport Express Bus which has onboard toilets, USB chargers and WiFi. A single costs S/20 (about US$6), or S/15 each when two or more of you travel together, and there are 4 stops in Miraflores. Buses leave the airport every hour from 07:00 to 22:00 (see the timetable).

If time is on your side and your budget is against you, check out AeroDirecto, the public bus that links the new terminal with the city.

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Airport Accommodation

Update (October 2026): Mama Backpackers in Los Olivos, our old layover pick, is no longer listed on Hostelworld. Kurmi Hostel Lima Airport is a newer option near the airport, with dorms from around €9 a night when we checked. Check Lima hostel prices here.

Lima Airport hotels are fewer in numbers but the Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport sits opposite the old terminal at Jorge Chávez International Airport, and runs a free shuttle to the new terminal every 30 minutes.

This very modern hotel has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and fitness suite.

Rooms include large TVs with cable and suites have a hot tub. Double room starts £144, click here for availability.

Getting Around Lima

We mainly moved around the city by foot or bike. Most tourists use taxis to get from Miraflores to the Historic Centre although microbuses do operate and welcome visitors.

You will hear the bus boys shouting out destinations before they pull over. Traffic is crazy, a member of our bike tour was hit by a taxi driver who mounted the pavement.

Thankfully she was safe and made it home to Portland, Oregon. I still recommend a bike tour of Lima, it was a freak accident and we've cycled in various cities since then.

Is Lima safe for tourists?

Most visits are trouble-free, but street crime is a real issue in Lima, and the UK Foreign Office warns that robberies happen in tourist areas including Miraflores and Barranco. Its advice is simple: don't hail taxis on the street, use the official desks at the airport or a licensed app, avoid quiet streets on your own at night and use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres. Sort your backpacker travel insurance before you fly too.

Currency and ATMs in Lima

Peruvian Sol is the main form of currency accepted in Peru although some tours do advertise in USD $ and modern hostels, big hotels and restaurants will accept USD $.

ATMs are widely available and you can withdraw both Soles and USD from them. Credit cards are accepted in most larger restaurants, hotels and by tour companies.

Day Trips from Lima

If you are spending 2 or 3 days in Lima you may want to consider taking time out of the city to catch some of Peru's epic attractions.

One of my favourite days out was the Paracas-based boat tour of Islas Ballestas. We nearly skipped this trip to save time but I'm so glad we didn't because we saw sea lions and baby penguins and a Nazca Lines style design call the Candelabra.

This full day tour from Lima also stops at the stunning Paracas National Reserve (Peru's Playa Roja/Red Beach) and sand dunes. Want to stay longer? Here's why you shouldn't bypass Paracas.

Don't just see the sea lions, swim with them on this half-day tour from Lima to Palomino Islands.

The tour picks you up at your hotel and takes you to Callao Harbor where you board a luxury yacht.

You then sail around El Camotal, San Lorenzo and Palomino before taking a dip in the Pacific Ocean with the sea life (wetsuits and life jackets provided).

If you like wine, Pisco and adventure check out this tour of Ica and Huacachina. Ride the buggies, board down the dunes then sample Peru's wine and brandy, Pisco. Lunch in Ica is included. Check availability here.

If you are short on time but want to experience the Nazca Lines you can still do so on this full-day all-inclusive tour to Nazca. See the bird's eye views of Peru's geoglyphs from the small plane.

Headsets during the journey are provided so you can hear your local English speaking guide.

Where to Stay in Lima: FAQs

What is the best area to stay in Lima?

Miraflores is the best area to stay in Lima for most first-time visitors. It has the widest choice of hostels and hotels, the clifftop Malecón and the Airport Express stops.

Is it better to stay in Miraflores or Barranco?

Stay in Miraflores for one night or a first visit, and Barranco if you have two days or more and want galleries, bars and a slower pace. The two districts sit side by side on the coast, so you can easily visit both.

How do I get from Lima airport to Miraflores?

The Airport Express bus costs S/20 one way (S/15 each for two or more) and runs hourly from 07:00 to 22:00 to four stops in Miraflores. Otherwise book an official taxi at the desks in arrivals or use a ride app.

How many days do you need in Lima?

Two days is enough to see Miraflores, Barranco and the Historic Centre. Add a third if you want a day trip to Paracas and the Islas Ballestas.

Is the Historic Centre of Lima a good place to stay?

It's handy for sightseeing, as the whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but accommodation quality varies a lot and it's quieter at night. Most travellers sleep in Miraflores or Barranco and visit the centre by taxi.

Final Words

Visiting Lima, Peru is not stressful. The city is relatively easy to get around by taxi, foot or bike, the locals are accustomed to tourism and there is lots to look at. Hotels/hostels/apartments accommodation exists for every budget and travelling style.

Heading south next? Our favourite hostels in Arequipa and cool things to do in Cusco will help you plan the next leg.

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Have you been to Lima?
Any questions, fire them below and I will get back to you.