Lima

Jorge Chávez International Airport is in Callao, 45 minutes northwest of Miraflores. Official Airport Express Lima buses connect to 7 stops in Miraflores for S/20 one-way (S/15 per person for groups). Microbuses labeled "Todo Faucett/Aeropuerto" also serve the airport from S/2. Long-distance buses operate from terminals in La Victoria district including Cruz del Sur to Arequipa/Cusco, Civa, Cromotex, and Oltursa. The Desamparados railway station serves regional rail.

Lima Metro Line 1 connects southern districts to the center, running from Villa El Salvador to Bayóvar. Metropolitano is the BRT bus system with dedicated lanes running north-south through the city center. Taxis are plentiful but agree on a price before departing. Walking is recommended in safe districts like Miraflores and Barranco. The historic center is best explored on foot but avoid walking alone at night.

Summer (December to February) brings sunny, hot weather with extreme UV index—stay in shaded areas when visiting archaeological sites. The rest of the year is overcast with temperatures between 20-30°C, feeling chillier due to dampness. June-August is the cool, misty "winter" with garúa (dense fog). Avoid visiting during February Carnaval if you prefer not to deal with crowds. Air pollution can be severe year-round.

Miraflores is the tourist hub with the most budget accommodation options, restaurants, and nightlife. Barranco offers a bohemian, artsy atmosphere with colonial architecture. San Isidro and Surco are upscale and safer but pricier. The historic center (Centro) has cheap options but is not safe for tourists at night. Airbnb and hostels dominate the budget scene; mid-range hotels cluster in the business districts.

Ceviche is the national dish—fresh raw fish cured in lime juice—and you must try it in Lima's many cevicherías (at least one per neighborhood). Chifas (Chinese-Peruvian restaurants) number in the hundreds, offering affordable seafood and chicken. Japanese restaurants are upscale but excellent for fresh seafood. Peruvian food can be very spicy; ask if dishes are "picante." Street food includes emoliente (hot barley drink, S/1 from vendors) and fresh jugos (fruit juices from S/0.50 at markets). Bembos serves Peruvian-style burgers; avoid generic fast food chains.

Pisco Sour is the national drink made with Pisco brandy and lime juice—sweet and easy to overconsume. Inca Kola is Peru's favorite soda (yellow fruit flavor). Chicha Morada is a refreshing non-alcoholic purple corn drink high in antioxidants. Jugos naturales (fresh fruit juices) are sold everywhere from S/0.50. Emoliente is a hot barley-herb drink sold by street vendors at night especially in winter.

Huaca Pucllana is a pre-Inca temple (500 AD) in Miraflores, open daily except Tuesday and Sunday 09:00-15:30 with guided tours (S/15). The Circuito Mágico del Agua is a fountain and light display in Parque de la Reserva. Museo Larco in Pueblo Libre showcases pre-Columbian art. Parque Kennedy in Miraflores is the entertainment district center, famous for its cats. Surfing and paragliding are available at Miraflores Beach. Folkloric dance shows with dinner run S/39.50-68 per person.

Bike Tours of Lima offers bicycle, walking, and food tours (US$35-90) with English-speaking guides—ranked #1 activity on Tripadvisor. The Lima Gourmet Company runs combined city and culinary tours including market visits and cooking classes. Exquisito Perú offers walking food tours ($59-159). Mirabus operates bus tours (adults S/70, children S/50) and road train city center tours (adults S/5) from Parque Kennedy information booth.

Do not intervene if you witness a crime—criminals often carry weapons. Maintain a low profile: leave fancy watches at home, avoid fine suits and laptops when hailing street taxis. Call a taxi rather than hire one on the street if you look like a tourist. The old city center is unsafe at night. Keep a relaxed, friendly attitude. Shanty towns on the outskirts have high poverty and unemployment—avoid wandering there.

Major mobile providers offer good coverage in urban areas; SIM cards are readily available. WiFi is common in hotels, cafes, and restaurants in Miraflores and other tourist areas. Power plugs use Type A/B sockets (same as US), 220V/60Hz. International roaming can be expensive; local SIM cards are more economical for data.

Budget travelers can manage on S/80-120 daily including hostel dorms (S/40-80), street food meals (S/15-30 per meal), local transport (S/5-15), and attraction entrance fees. Mid-range accommodation starts at S/120-200 for private rooms. Museum entry typically S/10-20. Long-distance bus tickets to destinations like Cusco start around S/50-100 depending on bus company.

Pachacamac in Lurin (30 minutes from Miraflores) is a sacred pre-Inca citadel with the Temple of the Sun. The Costa Verde green coast stretches between San Miguel and Chorrillos with beaches and viewpoints. The surrounding residential towns in the foothills offer spectacular views. The historic downtown is walkable but best visited during daylight hours.

Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu (4-hour train ride)—Cruz del Sur luxury buses run twice daily. Arequipa is the "White City" in the southern highlands. Nazca contains the mysterious Nazca Lines. Huaraz is a mountaineering center. Ica and Huacachina offer desert oasis experiences. Paracas provides boat trips to the Ballestas Islands. International flights include US$31 airport tax (rolled into ticket price); domestic flights US$7.40 tax.