Where to stay in Lima – What You Need to Know
Lima, the capital of Peru is, in many ways, the highest expression of what you would expect from a large Latin American city.
Huge, thriving, hot and somewhat chaotic, Lima is anything but boring.
With a relatively well-preserved historical center dotted with colonial-era palaces and some other jewels of art nouveau and decó styles, the center of Lima is an area worth visiting.
The wealthy districts of Miraflores and San Isidro offer a more modern metropolis side of the Peruvian capital, as well as many leisure and dining options.
And is that if something is worth visiting Lima, it is for its gastronomy. The Peruvian capital boasts some of the continent’s most emblematic restaurants and worldwide renowned cuisine. The dishes of Peruvian cuisine perfectly blend the indigenous flavors of the pre-Columbian civilizations with Spanish colonial influence and Asian and African touches.
Peruvian gastronomy is fantastic, whether you taste it in a budget restaurant, one of its markets, or any of Lima’s famous luxury restaurants.
As with Bogota, Lima is a large city that, for the moment, lacks an efficient urban transport system, so choosing the best area to stay in Lima is the most important part of preparing a trip to the city.
Here we offer you a guide with the best areas to stay in Lima. As we did with our Bogota and Caracas accommodation guides, in addition to the information on the different districts, we have also included a small “is it safe?” section, so you take safety into account when choosing the best area to stay in Lima.
Accommodation map: Lima, Peru
The Best Areas to Stay in Lima, Peru
1. Best area: Miraflores
Undoubtedly one of the best areas to stay in Lima.
South of the city center, Miraflores is the most touristic district of Lima.
It doesn’t have much charm, but it’s a modern, high-end neighborhood.
It is in Miraflores where you can find most of the hotels in the city, as well as restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.
The Miraflores malecón (promenade) is the place where luxury hotels and shopping venues are located.
Is it safe? Miraflores is a wealthy neighborhood, but being a commercial and business area, it is not completely safe from crime. It is not a dangerous area, but caution is recommended at night and in deserted areas.
What makes this the best area to stay in Lima
- One of the safest areas
- Luxury hotels
- Best restaurants
- Shopping centers and leisure areas
- Business hotels
- Best area for tourists
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickCasa Suyay offers free WiFi and a free buffet breakfast. The property is 10 km from the center and commercial area of Lima.
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Budget Option
Explorer’s House is 11 minutes walk from the beach. Explorer’s House is located in Lima, 500 meters from Costa Verde Beach Circuit and Miraflores Lighthouse, features a rooftop terrace and free Wi-Fi.
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Midrange Option
Larq’a Park Rooms is a 12-minute walk to the beach. Featuring a terrace and free WiFi, Larq’a Park Rooms is located in Lima, 100 meters from Kennedy Park in Miraflores. It also houses a bar.
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Luxury Option
Radisson Decapolis Miraflores is located in an impressive building with pool, gym, restaurant, and 2 bars. It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and a plasma TV in Miraflores, a half-mile from the Larcomar shopping area.
2. Lima Centro (Old Historic Quarter)
Because of its location, the central quarter is always the best place to get acquainted with the city and easily move on foot to the main attractions.
Although the center of Lima is quite chaotic, it has a unique atmosphere and presents an opportunity to see the limeño way of life.
It is the oldest part of Lima, home to some of the best preserved colonial buildings in Latin America.
Some of the attractions that await you in the center of Lima are the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral, the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Palacio de Torre Tagle.
Generally speaking, hotels in this area are the cheapest to stay in the Peruvian capital.
Is it safe? Centro is not the safest area to stay in Lima. Although in the daytime there is usually no problem at all if you use common sense, it is an area that at night can be very dangerous, so it is recommended to practice caution if you choose to stay in this neighborhood, especially in dark/quiet areas.
What makes this the best area to stay in Lima
- Great historical value
- Cheap restaurants
- Monuments and museums
- Cheap hotels
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Pick
Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima offers a free Wi-Fi connection. It is located in the center of Lima, near the Plaza San Martin and a few steps from shops, restaurants, and means of transport.
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Budget Option
Hotel España is located in the historic central district of Lima, 200 meters from the Museum of the Holy Inquisition, it has a terrace and views of the garden.
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Midrange Option
Hotel Inka Path is located in the historic downtown district of Lima, 200 meters from the Museum of the Holy Inquisition, it has a terrace and views of the garden.
3. San Isidro
San Isidro is, next to Miraflores, one of Lima’s most exclusive districts.
In this area you can find most of the large shopping malls, five-star hotels and office skyscrapers.
Hotel rates in this district are usually somewhat higher than in the rest of Lima, but due to the abundance of accommodation properties in the area, it is easy to find good deals and nice places to stay.
Is it safe? Just like Miraflores, San Isidro is not completely free of crime, although it is a safe area to stay in Lima if you use common sense.
What makes this the best area to stay in Lima
- Most exclusive area of the city
- Pretty safe
- Malls
- Business style hotels
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Pick
Del Prado Hotel offers rooms with park views and a hot tub in the exclusive San Isidro district, just a 15-minute drive from the historic Lima circuit. There is free WiFi.
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Midrange Option
Casa Bella is located in the Lima district of San Isidro, 2 km from the beach. It offers rooms with a balcony.
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Luxury Option
The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center has an indoor pool, spa services, and a hot tub, and has 2 restaurants and panoramic views of Lima. There are shops 300 meters away and the historic center of Lima is 6 km away. It has a free WiFi connection.
4. Barranco
Barranco is located several kilometers from the center of Lima, by the sea.
This district, formerly a fishing village, is a quiet and relaxed area that has become the trendy place to be in the Peruvian capital.
Here you will find some of the best restaurants in town, as well as many bars and live music venues.
Barranco is popular with limeños and tourists alike, and has become a favorite area to stay in Lima, especially for young travellers.
Is it safe? Barranco is a quiet district, not too busy and a quite safe area to stay in Lima.
What makes this the best area to stay in Lima
- Access to the beach
- Alternative atmosphere
- Best area for young travelers
- Safe area to stay in Lima
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Pick
3B Barranco’s – Chic and Basic is located in the Bohemian neighborhood of Barranco and offers comfortable accommodation with free Wi-Fi, as well as free private parking. There is also a microwave, refrigerator and a 24-hour reception.
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Budget Option
Lima Wari Hotel Boutique is located in the Barranco district of Lima, just 1.5 km from the Larcomar shopping center in Miraflores. This renovated house of the early twentieth century has free WiFi.
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Midrange Option
Hotel Park Suites is located a 12 minute walk to the beach. Hotel Park Suites is located in the trendy Barranco district, 100 meters from the nearest metro station and 1 km from Miraflores. It offers 33 spacious deluxe suites, free Wi-Fi and free parking.
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