How much does it cost to travel to Lima?
You should plan to spend around $75 (S/.283) per day on your vacation in Lima. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $17 (S/.65) on meals
- $5.61 (S/.21) on local transportation
- $96 (S/.363) on hotels
A one week trip to Lima for two people costs, on average, $1,052 (S/.3,964). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Lima has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Lima expensive to visit?
Lima is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Peru, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within South America, Lima is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Curitiba or Arica.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Lima Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Lima?
The average Lima trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Lima travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
S/.363
($96)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
S/.21
($6)
|
Food 2
|
S/.65
($17)
|
Entertainment 1
|
S/.32
($8)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
S/.5 -
14
($1 - 4)
|
Alcohol 2
|
S/.10 -
31
($3 - 8)
|
Accommodation Budget in Lima
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Lima is $48 (S/.181). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Lima is $96 (S/.363). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Lima? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Lima
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Lima is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.61 (S/.21) per person, per day, on local transportation in Lima.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$5.61
S/.21
How much does it cost to go to Lima? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Lima will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Lima are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Lima, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Taxi Ride
S/.20
-
Taxi Ride
S/.20
-
Short Taxi Ride
S/.15
Food Budget in Lima
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Lima can vary, the average cost of food in Lima is $17 (S/.65) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Lima should cost around $6.89 (S/.26) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Lima is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$17
S/.65
Typical prices for Food in Lima are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Lima, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Lunch for Two
S/.16
-
Ice cream
S/.13
-
Coffee
S/.11
-
Donut
S/.3.50
Entertainment Budget in Lima
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Lima typically cost an average of $8.47 (S/.32) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$8.47
S/.32
Typical prices for Entertainment in Lima are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Lima, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Lima
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Lima
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $5.51 (S/.21) on alcoholic beverages in Lima per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$5.51
S/.21
Typical prices for Alcohol in Lima are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Lima, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Bottle of Wine
S/.27
-
Beer
S/.15
-
Cocktail
S/.12
Water Budget in Lima
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.34 (S/.5.05) on bottled water in Lima per day. The public water in Lima is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.34
S/.5.05
Lima On a Budget
Lima, Peru
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
Lima's climate is mild and warm. It's located in a desert in the tropics, but its proximity to the Pacific Ocean keeps temperatures cooler than you might expect. Temperature extremes are rare and lows rarely fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit while highs are rarely above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two distinct season: summer, between December and April, and winter between June and Octobers. May and November are transitional months where temperatures are less predictable.
Sights
Lima has a historic center that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is impressive colonial architecture throughout with highlights being the Monastery of San Francisco, the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Palace of Torre Tagle. There are many impressive churches throughout the city that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Some interesting ones include the Cathedral of Lima, the Monastery of San Francisco, and the Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas. There are also several beaches along the Pan-American Highway that you can visit during the summer months.
Lima also has the highest concentration of museums in the country. The most famous are the
Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, Antropología e Historia del Peru,
Museum of Art of Lima, the Museo Pedro de Osma, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the Nation, The Sala Museo Oro del Peru Larcomar, the Museum of Italian Art, the
Museum of Gold, and the Larco Museum.
Neighborhoods
There are some interesting districts in Lima. Barranco is known for its nightlife, bohemian vibe, and beachfront location. Centro Historico, in central Lima, has the highest concentration of colonial buildings, churches, and shopping areas. Miraflores is a more touristy, upscale neighborhood with great restaurants. San Isidro is a residential area with many hotels, restaurants and shops. It's a great area to walk around. Other residential areas include La Molina, La Planicie, San Borja, Surco, and Monterrico.
Activities
There are a variety of activities that you can enjoy while you're in Lima. Many of these are also great for families and children. If you're traveling here with a family, check out this
family packing list for Peru, as the terrain and weather might not be what you expect.
Live folklore shows are a popular activity. Peruvian horses and Marinera Dance Shows are interesting. Sporting events are also fun to attend. Soccer is popular as is fronton, which is a racquet sport comparable to squash.
For more ideas about what to do, check out this
guide to spending one day in Lima, Peru.
Food and Dining
As Peru's capital city, Lima has some of the best food in the country and it is easily the best place to sample some interesting Peruvian specialties. Some of your more interesting options include ceviche, which is very popular throughout the country, and other seafood options. You will also find all kinds of international cuisine throughout the city including Indian, Chinese, and other types of Asian. There are also some typical western fast food restaurants if you're feeling a little homesick. The city also has no shortage of bars and clubs. There are plenty of places to grab a quick drink or meet up with fellow travelers and swap stories until late in the night. You can expect to pay more at the places that are targeted specifically at tourists, as there will be a marked up price.
Transportation
There's public transportation in Lima in the form of buses and a limited number of trains, but taxis are a good and cheap option in the city as well. Taxi rides between neighborhoods typically cost about US$2 if you can negotiate hard. Longer rides could cost as much as US$7. You must negotiate the price before getting in the vehicle because taxis do not typically have meters. Make sure the rate has been set before you get in the car.
Micro buses or combi vans are small buses that get very crowded. There are designated stops where you can get on, or you can occasionally flag them down. Larger buses are also available on most routes and they are slower, but slightly safer. Metropolitano is the rapid transport bus system. It's a modern system with dedicated lanes on express ways.
Metro de Lima is the metro system that has one fully functional line with 26 stations.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.