"Lima la grise" (that's the nickname we give it) because of the garua (the fog that prevails there for much of the year), on the Pacific coast, now has more than nine million inhabitants spread over 43 districts, ten if we add the informal suburbs, or almost half the population of Peru. Its surface area of 2,644.67 km² makes it the largest city in the world on a desert, ahead of Cairo. In Lima, as elsewhere in developing countries, the visitor is struck by the cohabitation of islets with noisy wealth with slums without water or electricity. The first developed on the coastal plain (Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco), while the young Pueblos, where the younger generations from the rural exodus live, attacked the emaciated hills along the river (río Rímac). In residential areas, there are elegant shopping malls, parks, the headquarters of large companies, as found in the most industrialized countries. Nothing to do with the districts of Rímac and Barrios Altos, with their share of poverty, delinquency, their brightly coloured adobe or tin huts, their unpaved streets, their dust, their piles of rubbish on which the gallinazos, little black vultures found all over the coast, are busy. The population is growing by 250,000 people per year, mainly poor peasants, fleeing the misery of the sierra and hoping to find ways to survive in the capital. This flow continues to pose new problems for the municipality: housing, traffic, water supply (almost everywhere outside the city, inscriptions say: "¡ agua es la vida, cuidala !", water is life, take care of it !), health, crime. The hunt for street vendors - who, with the crisis, have multiplied but are the foundation of Lima's popular identity - is open in the city centre, where the police concentration is truly impressive. Stretching over forty districts (incessant traffic jams make the journeys even longer and more difficult), Lima is built according to the principle of parallel and perpendicular streets forming cuadras: each cuadra represents about one hundred metres, or one hundred street numbers (example: cuadra 5 groups the numbers from 500 to 599). This organization, typical of Latin American cities, makes it quite easy to orientate. The architectural and living styles differ from one part of the city to another. From November to April, the temperature fluctuates between 16 and 28°C, from June to September, it stagnates at around 14°C. Although it never rains in Lima, a continuous mist, called garúa, envelops it in autumn and winter (from May to November). Today, it aggravates the pollution problems of a megalopolis, rightly known as the grey city, overrun by millions of cars and buses. However, the city is active and the grey sky does not limit its ardour. Gastronomy in the lead, it is increasingly becoming an essential stopover for its architectural and cultural richness, its new projects. The World Travel Awards have recognized it as the leader in the South American region as a weekend destination and Limenians are looking at this craze for a city they know rather poorly.A good idea? Visit Lima in summer (December-May). The impression is quite different. The sun pierces the opaque veil and imposes itself on the blue sky. Paragliding and surfers are out. At the end of the afternoon, a light sea breeze dissipates the tuft, even giving a feeling of real freshness linked to the ambient humidity.

What to visit Lima?

When to go to Lima?

When to go to Lima? There are two seasons to take into account to know when to go to Lima: if the high international tourist season extends from May to November, the great Peruvian school vacations run in January and February, when Lima is less populated than usual. If you are looking for some peace and quiet in the big city, the best time to go to Lima is from December to April, the lowest tourist season, although at the peak of the summer (December-March), it can be very hot in Lima, so aiming for November-December and April-May is not a bad idea.

Use the map to see the lowest prices at a glance:
See prices on map

Weather at the moment

Loading...
Weather all year round

The weather in Lima varies: from December to May it is rather hot and dry, while from May to November the sky tends to be overcast. Lima's temperatures are quite pleasant, ranging from 15°C to 25°C throughout the year, with some peaks of 30°C between January and March.

Jan.
19° / 28°
Feb.
19° / 28°
Mar.
19° / 28°
Apr.
17° / 27°
May
16° / 23°
June
14° / 20°
Jul.
14° / 19°
Aug.
13° / 19°
Sept.
14° / 20°
Oct.
14° / 22°
Nov.
16° / 23°
Dec.
17° / 26°
Budget

The currency of Peru is the nuevo sol( pluralsoles ) and is symbolized S/. Even though the cost of living has increased considerably in Lima recently, a trip to the capital is still affordable. A double room in an ordinary hotel costs about 15 € and a night in a palace a little less than 100 €, while on the food side, you can find in the restaurant breakfast formulas at very low prices.

Procedures

For a tourist stay of less than six months in Lima and Peru, no visa is required and a valid passport is sufficient. In general, you will be granted a 90-day visa, unless you specify otherwise at the time of customs clearance and at the discretion of the customs officer. The maximum per year is 183 days. The visa is obtained once on the territory and can be valid from 30 to 183 days. There is no more immigration form, everything is computerized.

If you plan to stay longer than six months, you should apply for a long-stay visa at the Peruvian Embassy in France. Attention: it is no longer possible to extend your stay with the Migration Department. However, if your situation changes during your stay, you can now change the type of visa without leaving Peru.

Health

Health conditions and medical infrastructures are very modest in Peru (except for private clinics), and the further you move away from the two poles of Lima and Cusco, the more difficult it will be to receive effective care for diseases that you may contract during your trip. The local diseases are different from those which prevail in Europe and a minimum of precautions is necessary. If the water is a priori drinkable in Lima, we nevertheless recommend to hydrate yourself with bottled mineral water.

How to go to Lima? Our advice & tips

Peru is obviously a destination perfectly known by the tour operators and other specialists of tourism. The city of Lima in particular is however very often only a stage before leaving to the assault of the wonders of the country. Nevertheless, it is possible to focus your trip on the capital alone, by orienting your trip (honeymoon, family, solo) on the gastronomy, the history, the architecture... Or all at the same time.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

From France, the average price of a flight to Lima in July (high season) is about €1,000. From about 700 € in low season. It should be noted that the price variation depends on the company borrowed but, above all, on the time required to book. To obtain attractive rates, it is essential to do so well in advance. Remember to buy your tickets six months before departure!

As in many capitals, there is no shortage of means of transport in Lima: "combis" (these colourful local minibuses that hold about twenty people), buses, the metro (Line 1 offers an air trip that can be interesting to see this popular Lima and its districts built on the hills of the desert where you will not necessarily have the opportunity to venture), taxis as well as many applications such as Uber, Easy taxi, VIP Taxi, Cabify....

Organize your trip with our partners Lima
Transportation
Accommodation & stays
Services / On site

Lima travel inspiration

Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners

Pictures and images Lima

Survol de Lima. Fotos593 / Shutterstock.com

Discover Lima

When to travel?

When to go to Lima? There are two seasons to take into account to know when to go to Lima: if the high international...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

The weather in Lima varies: from December to May it is rather hot and dry, while from May to November the sky tends t...
Read more about it

Budget

The currency of Peru is the nuevo sol( pluralsoles ) and is symbolized S/. Even though the cost...
Read more about it

Formalities

For a tourist stay of less than six months in Lima and Peru, no visa is required and a valid passport is sufficient....
Read more about it

Health

Health conditions and medical infrastructures are very modest in Peru (except for private clinics), and the further y...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

From France, the average price of a flight to Lima in July (high season) is about €1,000. From about 700 € in low...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Peru is obviously a destination perfectly known by the tour operators and other specialists of tourism. The city of L...
Read more about it

Getting around

As in many capitals, there is no shortage of means of transport in Lima: "combis" (these colourful local minibuses th...
Read more about it

Send a reply