Photo: Neo-Kat, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lima, Peru
Peru's coastal capital, and the main gateway to Machu Picchu and the Andes.
Lima's clifftop Miraflores district overlooks the Pacific, and the city has become a genuine culinary destination in its own right, alongside its role as the standard entry and exit point for trips to Cusco and Machu Picchu. It's a practical, if not essential, stop for most Peru itineraries.
Best time to visit
December–April (Lima's summer) brings the warmest, sunniest weather, though the city is famous for overcast skies much of the rest of the year.
Top attractions
- •The historic center (Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral of Lima)
- •Miraflores and its clifftop Malecón promenade
- •The Larco Museum for pre-Columbian art
- •Barranco, the bohemian, art-and-nightlife neighborhood
- •A connecting flight onward to Cusco and Machu Picchu
Practical tips
- •Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) has no rail link — a licensed airport taxi or pre-arranged transfer is the standard, safer option into the city.
- •Most Peru itineraries treat Lima as a bookend to a Cusco/Machu Picchu trip — check that domestic connection times allow a reasonable buffer.
- •Tap water isn't recommended for drinking — bottled or filtered water is the standard choice for visitors.
Frequently asked questions
What airport serves Lima?
Lima's main airport is Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM).
When is the best time to visit Lima?
December–April (Lima's summer) brings the warmest, sunniest weather, though the city is famous for overcast skies much of the rest of the year.
Is Lima a good place to meet someone flying from a different city?
Peru's coastal capital, and the main gateway to Machu Picchu and the Andes.
Meeting someone in Lima?
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