Lima tends to be an under-appreciated city, tourism-wise, but it’s got a lot to offer, including a climate that is generally pleasant all year round. Hotels tend to be cheap, though at the lowest ranges you’ll get something very basic, and maybe not in the best neighborhood. There are many really nice and affordable hotels in the beachy Miraflores area, which many travelers find to be an ideal location.
If you are traveling independently and you skip the popular city bus tours then most of the attractions are either free or very cheap. The city center of Lima is jammed with cathedrals and other interesting monuments, and seeing them costs nothing.
If you’ll be moving on to Cusco, here’s how to do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on a low budget.
| Population | 7,600,000 |
| Area | 8,500,000 |
| Timezone | UTC-5 |
| Currency | Peruvian Nuevo Sol |
| Airports | Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) |
Food in Lima is generally cheap as well, and don’t miss the famous ‘Pizza Street’ in Miraflores, which is lined with pizza restaurants among other things. Drinks tend to be quite affordable as well, so once you get here it’s fairly easy to have a good time without spending too much cash.
| Budget breakfast | If your hotel doesn't include breakfast it should be easy to find a local restaurant for a budget meal. | $1.77 - $2.99 |
| Budget lunch | Follow the locals for set-price lunch plates of good Peruvian favorites at great prices. | $2.58 - $4.48 |
| Budget dinner | In both Downtown Lima and Miraflores you'll find modestly priced sit-down restaurants with good daily specials. | $3.53 - $6.79 |
| Beer (.33l bottle) | Cheap local lagers are often on special at restaurants and pubs. | $1.90 - $3.26 |
| $- |
| Month | High F | Low F | PRECIP (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 79 | 68 | 0.0 |
| February | 80 | 69 | 0.0 |
| March | 80 | 69 | 0.0 |
| April | 76 | 66 | 0.0 |
| May | 72 | 63 | 0.1 |
| June | 69 | 61 | 0.1 |
| July | 67 | 60 | 0.2 |
| August | 66 | 60 | 0.2 |
| September | 67 | 59 | 0.1 |
| October | 69 | 61 | 0.1 |
| November | 72 | 63 | 0.0 |
| December | 76 | 66 | 0.0 |
Lima has a very mild climate, but it’s also quite unusual as well. Temperatures throughout the year tend to stay within a pleasant range, both night and day, yet it’s not quite as perfect as it might appear. Skies are overcast much of the year, especially during the June through August winter season, and it’s fairly humid through most of the year as well, though usually less so during summer.
In spite of the frequent cloud cover, it almost never rains in Lima, especially during the summer months. At least you won’t have to pack rain gear, but you can probably count on cloud cover and humidity anyway.
| 21 Mar | 6:12am | 6:18pm |
| 21 Jun | 6:27am | 5:52pm |
| 21 Sep | 5:58am | 6:04pm |
| 21 Dec | 5:41am | 6:31pm |
With its location in the southern hemisphere, not far from the equator, Lima hotel season are quite easy to predict. The high season generally lasts from October through March, with December through February being the peak.
The rest of the year, April through September, is considered the low season, and hotels tend to be cheaper during this period. If you are coming in December or January then booking a room in advance is a great idea, but otherwise you should be able to find something, and maybe even a good deal, without much advance notice.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 15.00 - 40.00 |
| 20.00 - 60.00 |
| 32.00 - 97.00 |
| 59.00 - 142.00 |
| 190.00 - 250.00 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 5.00 - 12.00 |