One day in Lima ? Lima is one of the largest cities in South America. And when you are vacationing in Peru, Lima becomes a not to miss attraction in the country. The city has so much to offer to its tourists ranging from history and nature to culture and beaches. Talking about your Lima 1 day itinerary, well, I agree no traveler wishes to explore a destination on a tight schedule. But sometimes we have to do it, irrespective of our desire, right?
Despite this, I would say one day is also enough to make the best of your Lima tour. This post includes all the best things to do in Peru, Lima and what to know before your trip to help you plan an ultimate tour of the city. With that being said, let’s start this Lima 1 day itinerary.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Lima Peru?
Being one of the most popular travel destinations, Lima has a range of accommodation options spreading in various neighborhood areas. Though almost every district in Lima offers a wide range of hotel options, there are some places where lodging is an experience in itself. Want to know what those places are? Well, here you have your answer!
Miraflores
Miraflores is undoubtedly one of the best attractions in Lima and there are plenty of amazing things to do in Miraflores. It is also counted as one of the safest neighborhood areas to enjoy a stay in Lima. There are plenty of hotel options available in Miraflores to choose from. From high-end hotels and resorts to family-run guesthouses, this place offers accommodation for all sorts of travelers. Whether you are on a budget trip or prefer comfort over money, Miraflores has a range of options in hotels to serve you. Besides, what makes your stay a memorable one here in Miraflores is the fact that this district also has some great options in bars, clubs, street-side cafes, and shopping centers. And not to forget, Miraflores is also known as a popular Lima beach destination which makes your stay in Miraflores altogether different and indelible.
Central Lima
If you choose to stay in this part of Central Lima, you will be in the downtown of the city, close to all the popular attractions. Besides, it keeps you close to the history of Lima. There are some great hotel options for budget travelers near the Main Square. There are cheaper options than you will find in the district of Miraflores. However, when it comes to safety, the neighborhood cannot be compared with Miraflores. You have to take the necessary precautions if you are choosing to stay in this area. Traveling in Central Lima during the night is completely unsafe. So, it is recommended to avoid it. If you prefer luxury, then I would suggest you stick to Miraflores.
San Isidro
If you are not satisfied with what Miraflores has in its fold, then you can consider San Isidro. It is another upscale district which is also known as one of the most popular places to stay in Lima. It is considered as an elite neighborhood and you can find high-end bars, golf clubs, tennis clubs, and whatnot here. However, there are several hostels in San Isidro but you cannot expect to get good deals from them. However, if you are a luxury person, this is the perfect place to book your stay in Lima. Besides, it is completely safe to stay here. In the San Isidro region, you will also find a good number of fine dining restaurants like Segundu Muelle and Malabar.
How To Get Around in Lima?
There are a number of ways to get around in Lima. In total, Lima has as much as four different ways to travel within the city.
Lima Taxis
Taxis are everywhere in Lima. Taxis are the most popular way to get around in the city of Lima and also it is inexpensive. However, there are a lot of rumors about taxis in Lima that they are not safe. Well, for the fact, a majority of taxi rides in the city are safe. However, you should also take necessary precautions like not booking a taxi in the night to stay away from any sort of trouble.
Lima Buses
Buses are also the most popular way to travel within the city. There are two types of buses option in Lima – the bus and the express bus (Metropolitano). The vast network of buses covers the entire city of Lima. It takes you to each and every corner of Lima. For a fact, there isn’t a route system in Lima. People just hop in and out whenever it is convenient for them. Whereas, Metropolitano is another bus system which is different altogether. It is more like a train network that has different lanes on the roadways.
Biking in Lima Peru
Traveling by bike is another popular way of getting around in the city of Lima. It is one of the most enthralling means of transportation in Lima. You can just rent a bike from a trusted service provider. And once you have got a bike, you are good to hit the roads.
Uber in Lima Peru
Uber is also common transportation means to travel within the city of Lima. However, you can expect a little delay from the driver as it is difficult to get around by car in the city.
How Safe Is Lima?
I won’t say Lima is completely safe. Like any other big cities all over the world, Lima can also be a dangerous place. Thus, while on your 1-day itinerary, you keep yourself safe and secure by taking several precautions. How can you do that? Well, here are some tips on Lima warnings to stay away from any trouble.
- Limit phone use while traveling on the roads.
- Do not travel with your backpack to all places.
- Do some research while going to a particular place.
- If you find yourself into any sort of robbery, don’t fight back.
- Always be vigilant about your surroundings and use common sense.
One Day In Lima Itinerary
Free Walking Tour
One of the fun things to do in Lima, Peru is the Free Walking Tour. It is one of the best ways to discover the city through the eyes of locals. With the Free Walking Tour, you will get to explore the culture and history of the city. The tour begins at 9:50 in the morning from the Tourist Information Center in Miraflores. The tour takes you to some of the top tourist sites in Lima. At these spots, the guide will explain to you all about the history of each of the places. Not just this, you can also choose to explore the tour of Miraflores which starts at 3:00 PM from the Tourist Information Center. Though these tours are free, a tip to guide is expected.
What to Expect Lima Peru
Plaza de Armas
Located in the downtown of the city, Plaza de Armas is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Centro Historico. Here at the main square, you can adore the pulchritudinous colonial architecture. Being a renowned tourist site in the LIma, you can expect to see a huge gathering of tourists here at this place. If you are exploring some time during the evening, it is highly recommended to stick around Centro Historico as this neighborhood is not safe after sundown.
Address
Plaza central Lima, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru
Hours Of Operation
Open 24 hours
Mirabus
Since you have only one day in Lima, Mirabus is the perfect way to get around the city to enjoy the beautiful sights of Lima while learning about its history at the same time. This is a double-decker bus, hence, you have the option of sitting either on the first floor or on the second floor. Tours of Mirabus are operated daily both day and night. All the tours begin from Parque Kennedy in Miraflores. According to your time, you can choose either a day tour of Mirabus or a night tour. Just to let you know, on this tour, you will get to explore the famous Pachacamac – the Machu Picchu of Lima.
Address
Calle Mártir José Olaya cuadra 190, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Hours of Opperation
9AM–7PM
Cost
S/. 306
Boardwalk in Lima Peru
Also known as Malecon, Boardwalk in Miraflores is one of the must things to do in Lima, Peru. It is a 6 mile stretch of a boardwalk that begins with Malecon de la Marina and ends at Malecon Cisneros. It is a cliff-top walk which is known to offer some gorgeous sights of the Pacific coast. A series of parks are there along the coast. If you are looking to visit any of these parks, then it should be Parque del Amor, which is often known as Love Park. Here at this park, you can either spend some quality time with your partner or can also choose to picnic here. There are also trendy bars & restaurants and shopping venues which you can also explore on your Lima 1 day itinerary.
Barranco
Barranco is another popular tourist destination in Lima located close to Miraflores. For a fact, Miraflores and Barranco are the two safest neighborhoods in Lima for tourists. So, irrespective of time, you can explore Barranco anytime either day or night. Barranco is known to house some exceptional art galleries, high-class restaurants & bars, colonial architecture, boutique shops, and more.
Food Tour
Surely, you don’t want to leave Lima without a food tour, right? After all, Peruvian food is one of the best experiences to relish while in Lima. It gives you the opportunity to savor the taste of the authentic local cuisine. For a fact, food tourism in Peru is a big thing and Lima is one of the hideouts where you oodles of food lovers can be seen. Not many people know that the country of Peru features in the World’s 50 best restaurants and it’s Lima where most of the restaurants are located. You can say it is a special culinary destination in Peru. If you are looking to plan a food tour in Lima, consider foodiesperu.com. They have amazing Lima food tours that take you to the best restaurants in the city.
The Peruvian Experience
For all those who are looking to savor the taste of everything that the country of Peru has in its fold to offer, The Peruvian Experience is a must thing to do on your trip to Lima in one day. It is a state-of-the-art facility in the neighborhood of Miraflores and it will take you on an ultimate tour of Peru’s culture. On this whirlwind tour, you can expect to learn about the rich history of the country through an interactive multimedia presentation. Also, you can learn how to make causa or ceviche with the help of Peruvian chefs. Not just this, you also get to visit a classic bar and learn the famous dance – festejo. The Peruvian Experience is the perfect way to relish the unique experience of Lima in a single trip. But what is the best part about this tour, well, you can do all of this within just a couple of hours.
Address
Calle San Martin 509, Miraflores 00018, Peru
Hours Of Operation
10:30 AM–7:30 PM
Huaca Pucllana
Huaca Pucllana is one of the most popular historical places to visit in the city of Lima. Located in the district of Miraflores, it is a well-preserved pre-Inca temple complex. The one-hour tour of this fascinating place will give you a chance to learn about the three pre-Incan cultures. This archaeological site during day time is different but as the sun falls asleep, the beauty of this place blooms up. There is also an upscale restaurant that is known to serve delectable Peruvian cuisine. This restaurant is situated at the foot of the pyramid.
Address
Ca. Gral. Borgoño cuadra 8, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Hours Of Operation
9AM–5PM, 7–10PM
Just to let you know, the above-mentioned places are just a handful of activities and attractions in Peru. There is much more to explore and experience if you have the time. One of the main reasons people travel here is to visit the famous Machu Picchu. So, make sure you are open about new experiences as well you come across while exploring the places mentioned above. I hope this 1 day Lima itinerary will help you plan an indelible tour. Also, do let us know your experience in Lima. I would be keen to hear it!
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