Where to Stay in Lima (For First-Timers)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Lima | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | YouTube Video | FAQs

A lot of tourists to Peru merely pass through Lima on their way to the Peruvian Andes. But I highly encourage you to plan at least a couple of nights here, as Lima is surprisingly cosmopolitan and has a lot to offer. Just know that Lima’s size (as populous as London!) means you need to carefully pick where you stay. 

I’m here to help, though! I’ve visited Lima multiple times, most recently for a two-week stay over the holiday period.

Most first-timers in Lima should keep it simple and stay in Miraflores. This seaside neighborhood is famous for its stunning cliffs and is the most tourist-friendly part of the city. 

The best located hotel is Casa Andina Standard Benavides, perfectly situated between the center of Miraflores and the sea.

If you want something fancier from a brand-name, I recently stayed nearby in the Hilton Lima Miraflores and really enjoyed it. 

You have other options, though, notably the upscale neighborhood of San Isidro. It’s less touristic than Miraflores, but it’s also really nice. A great hotel in San Isidro is Sonesta Hotel El Olivar. Its stellar guest reviews and peaceful location overlooking an olive tree park earn it my top spot, especially for families, couples, or anyone worried about safety. 

Read on, and I’ll break down the pros and cons of the four main areas of Lima you should explore (including one you should visit but avoid staying in). Stay until the end for lots of personal tips to help you make the most of your stay.

Best Places to Stay in Lima

If you’re short on time, you can’t go wrong with these top hotels in Lima: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Sonesta Hotel El Olivar
• 📍 Best Location – Casa Andina Standard Benavides
• 🙋‍♂️ Where I Stayed – Hilton Lima Miraflores (read my review)
• 💎 Best Luxury – Country Club Lima Hotel
• ✈️ For an Airport Layover – Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport or Holiday Inn – Lima Airport
• 👪 For Families – INNSiDE by Meliá Lima Miraflores
• ❤️ For Couples – Pullman Lima Miraflores
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – WasiPai Boutique Hotel
• 🌊 Best Near Cliffs of Miraflores  – SOUMA Hotel Vignette Collection
• 🎒 Best Hostel – Pariwana Lima or Viajero Lima
• 🛏️ Best Budget – ibis budget Lima Miraflores
• 🔑 Apartments – Search Airbnb rentals in my #1 neighborhood

That’s my quick summary. But keep reading for much more, including the pros and cons of each area I recommend in Lima. 

You can also watch my Lima YouTube video.

Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Lima

Lima is a massive city (bigger in population than Paris or Bangkok). But, for most tourists, there are really four neighborhoods that should be the focus of your trip: Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco, and Centro Histórico. 

The first three are set along the Pacific Coast and are home to the majority of Lima’s tourist accommodation.

Centro Histórico is also worth a visit for its high concentration of attractions, though it is prone to mild safety issues (particularly at night), and so most tourists should probably visit but not stay there. 

Miraflores

👉 Best Area For First Timers | ✨ Best Miraflores Hotels: Casa Andina Standard Benavides • Pullman Lima Miraflores • ibis budget Lima Miraflores • Hilton Lima • WasiPai Boutique Hotel 

Miraflores is the most tourist-friendly area of Lima. I’ve always stayed here, and it’s the simplest choice for most first-timers. It’s safe, lively, walkable, and filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, and shopping. 

Miraflores is large and sprawls across several sub-areas. The center of Miraflores can be found around John F. Kennedy and 7th of June Parks. These parks contain artists selling paintings, seasonal fairs, extensive flower beds, and quite a number of friendly cats. Snap a photo in front of the Parroquia La Virgen Milagrosa church. 

In my opinion, what makes this area stand apart is its massive “malecón.” This is a lengthy boardwalk that runs along the towering cliffs of Miraflores.

I highly recommend walking along the malecón just before sunset. The cliffs plunge to the sea below you, and the pebble beaches create an ambiance of loud ocean roars even while you’re up on the cliffs. Explore the sculptures at Love Park, try a crepe at Beso Francés, or view the surfers below at La Pampilla beach. Oh, and don’t miss Parapuerto Miraflores, where you can watch paragliders take off and land on the side of the cliffs.

I’ve stayed in Miraflores multiple times, most recently for two weeks at the Hilton Lima Miraflores. I had a great stay and really loved the stunning rooftop with its pool and jacuzzis (perfect for Lima’s brisk nights). You can read my full review here. 

For something more mid-range (~$100/night), the highly-rated Casa Andina Standard Benavides offers the perfect location exactly between JFK park and the boardwalk. I think it’s a “can’t-miss” option for most tourists. 

If you’re on an even tighter budget, the aptly-named ibis budget Lima Miraflores also features a solid location in the center of the neighborhood. Backpackers should consider Pariwana Hostel Lima. I have many great memories from my stay there years ago, and I recently re-visited and can confirm it’s as lively and social as ever.  

If you’d prefer a small local boutique, WasiPai Boutique Hotel gets fantastic reviews. 

Other popular hotels in Miraflores to consider: 

• Pullman Lima Miraflores – popular with couples, possibly the area’s best-rated 5-star. 
• SOUMA Hotel Vignette Collection by IHG – luxury and ocean views. 
• Aloft Miraflores – a mid-range option good for Marriott Bonvoy members. 
• JW Marriott Hotel Lima – Marriott’s top property, overlooking the ocean. 
• Radisson Hotel Decapolis Miraflores – mid-range, with a pool. 
• ibis Styles Lima Benavides Miraflores – the best-rated of several ibis properties. 
• Casa Suyay – an affordable, more traditional-style Peruvian boutique. 

Pros of Staying in Miraflores:

• Most tourist-friendly area of Lima
• Easy access to the Miraflores boardwalk 
• World-class restaurant scene 
• Safe, clean, and walkable area
• Loads of hotel options

Cons of Staying in Miraflores:

• Somewhat far from the airport 
• Streets can get noisy in places (though true in most of Lima) 

San Isidro

👉 Best Area For Luxury | ✨ Best San Isidro Hotels: Sonesta Hotel El Olivar • Country Club Lima Hotel • The Westin Lima Hotel • Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima City • NM Lima Hotel • Hyatt Centric

San Isidro is a lovely upscale neighborhood just north of Miraflores. In my opinion, it’s probably the single fanciest part of Lima, and it’s definitely the safest. It’s a good area for families or luxury travelers to stay. 

My top recommendation here is the Sonesta Hotel El Olivar. It’s a highly-rated property with views over El Olivar de San Isidro Park, a gorgeous park filled with olive trees and koi ponds. The location is quiet and near a street with a lot of cafes, dining options, and boutique shops. 

For luxury travelers, consider the Country Club Lima Hotel. Clara’s local friend took her here to their bar, and Clara thought the property was just stunning. 

Even if you stay elsewhere, I really recommend visiting the Huaca Huallamarca archaeological site. It’s a 2,0000-year-old pyramid that is surrounded by skyscraper apartment buildings and hotels. When Clara and I visited, it only cost 5 sol (~$2) to enter. And, unlike the more popular Pucllana pyramid in Miraflores, you aren’t required to follow a group, and are allowed to climb the pyramid by yourself. When we visited, we had the site to ourselves! 

Overall, I really adore San Isidro. The only reason I rank it behind Miraflores is that it doesn’t have as much coastline access (there’s only a small stretch of boardwalk near Bicentennial Park). Instead, most of the development is inland, a bit away from the ocean. 

Pros of Staying in San Isidro:

• Gorgeous upscale area with parks, restaurants, and shopping
• Probably the single safest part of Lima (and relatively quiet) 
• Lots of quality hotels to choose from 

Cons of Staying in San Isidro:

• Has only a small seaside boardwalk (though Miraflores is right next door)
• Hotels can get pricier 

Barranco

👉 Best Area on a Budget | ✨ Best Barranco Hotels: Casa Fanning Hotel • Lima Wari Hotel Boutique • Viajero Liam – Barranco Hostel

Barranco is a small seaside neighborhood just to the south of Miraflores. It’s got a more artsy, bohemian vibe and older buildings compared to Miraflores.

Visit the Bridge of Sighs, a small 150-year-old wooden footbridge that crosses over a colorful area filled with cafes, restaurants, and street artists. 

A block away is the Barranco Municipal Park, featuring statues, fountains, and landscapes in the shadow of a historic church. Nearby, you can find lots of cute cafes and restaurants. 

I also really enjoy strolling along Barranco’s seaside boardwalk. The waves crashing against the pebble beaches are so loud you can hear them even up on the cliffs. You can descend down to Playa Barranquito if you want to get closer, or sit up in the park and watch the surfers below. 

The boardwalk path connects to Miraflores via the Puente de la Paz, a more modern footbridge with a glass middle section that makes it feel like you’re walking on air over the highway below. 

Hotels in Barranco are pretty limited compared to Miraflores. There are a few budget boutiques to consider, though, particularly Casa Fanning Hotel and Lima Wari Hotel Boutique. 

For backpackers, there’s also Lima’s top-rated hostel: Viajero Lima – Barranco Hostel, which is known for a social environment set in an Instagram-worthy historic building. 

Barranco also has a number of apartment rentals to consider, such as this stunning luxury rental or the artsy Barranco Wasi property. 

Pros of Staying in Barranco Neighborhood:

• Artsy and bohemian vibes 
• Lots of cute cafes and intimate bars 
• Seaside boardwalk views over surfers below 
• Authentic small neighborhood feel 

Cons of Staying in Barranco Neighborhood:

• Kinda far from the rest of the city (and very far from the airport) 
• Not many hotels (mostly apartment rentals and hostels) 

Centro Histórico

👉 Lima’s Historic Center (But Don’t Stay Here) | ✨ Best Centro Histórico Hotels: Sheraton Lima Historic Center • Casa Lima • Hotel Diamond Lima

Lima’s historic center is a lively area filled with classical architecture, government buildings, and giant public squares. 

You definitely need to visit the Centro Histórico, but I would NOT suggest staying here.

Centro Histórico’s main square, Plaza Mayor, reminds me a lot of Mexico City’s Zócalo. On my most recent visit during December, it was lit up with lights and decorations for Christmas. There are many attractions worth visiting in the area, including the towering Lima Cathedral, the catacombs at Museo del Convento de San Francisco, and the gorgeous stained glass ceiling at the Peruvian House of Literature. 

Again, I would suggest you do not stay in this area. But, if you really insist, the biggest hotel here is the Sheraton Lima Historic Center, which sits on a busy street opposite the Supreme Court of Perú. If you want an affordable boutique, Casa Lima sits right in the historic area, and its interior looks stunning. Or, for a modern no-frills hotel in a central location, check out Hotel Diamond Lima. 

One advantage of staying here is that it’s closer to the airport, so it might be a good option if you only have a night in Lima but still want to experience the most important sites quickly during the day. 

That said, just know that there are some issues with this area. It’s a little gritty, and very noisy and crowded. Some travelers may feel unsafe walking at night. We even had a police officer warn us about safety.

For most travelers, I’d suggest visiting Centro Histórico, but staying in Miraflores or San Isidro. 

Pros of Staying in Centro Histórico:

• Lots of historic architecture and attractions
• A very lively area 
• Convenient to the airport for quick stays

Cons of Staying in Centro Histórico:

• Not the safest area, particularly at night
• Very loud and crowded
• A little gritty
• Not many great hotel options 

Tips for Staying in Lima

It Almost Never Rains in Lima

Lima has a mild desert climate that is remarkably consistent and pleasant. Most of the year temperatures range very little, usually staying in the 60s and 70s on the Fahrenheit scale. 

It also almost never rains in Lima. At most, you get a misty sort of fog, but even that is pretty rare. 

Consider Elevation When Planning Your Peru Itinerary

Planning to also stay in Cusco, visit Machu Picchu, or explore any of Peru’s mountain destinations? You’ll likely need time to acclimate to the elevation before doing any hiking or strenuous activity. 

Just remember, Lima sits at sea level, so it is unfortunately not a good place to get that acclimation in. Consider this when building your Peru itinerary. 

Drivers in Lima Love to Honk Their Horns 

I can’t think of a place outside of Asia where I’ve heard as much honking as I do in Lima. It feels like half the drivers are practically leaning on their horns. I’ve seen signs asking drivers to stop in some of the more upscale neighborhoods like San Isidro, but they don’t seem to deter the honkers. 

If you’re sensitive to noise (like I am), be thoughtful about the location of your Lima hotel and consider asking for a room facing away from the street. 

Lima is Very Festive During the Holidays

Lima is a city that absolutely loves Christmas, so if you’re traveling around the holidays, you’re in for a treat. On my last trip in December, there were SO many lights, trees, and nativity exhibits everywhere. Practically every restaurant or shop was playing Christmas music. And lots of the nicer hotels had special Christmas dinners on offer. 

Lima is MUCH Bigger Than Many Think

A lot of tourists seem to discount Lima as some sleepy capital city, but actually, Lima is a massive, world-class city. Lima is home to a whopping 10.5 million people, according to the latest UN population estimates [source]. That makes Lima roughly the same size as London or Paris! 

Plan time to get around the sprawling city (especially around rush hour). And think carefully about where you stay. 

Also, realize there is a lot more to see and do in Lima than you probably think. Lima has dozens of museums worth visiting, a number of significant historical sites, outdoor activities along the coastline, and a booming culinary scene. I’m telling y’all, it’s a city I could live in. 

But 2-3 Nights is Probably Enough for Most Tourists to Get a Taste 

I’ve spent weeks in Lima and still have not discovered everything on my list. If you’re blessed to have enough time, you can definitely linger in Lima.

But, realistically, I realize most readers are visiting Peru on their limited vacation time. And, honestly, Peru has even more magical destinations to explore in the mountains and jungle. If I only had a week or two in Peru, I’d dedicate more of it to exploring the area around Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. 

Two to three nights is enough time to get a quick taste of Lima. And, hey, you can always come back! 

👉 Going to Machu Picchu? Don’t miss my guide to where to stay for Machu Picchu.

Liked This Guide? You’ll Love My Lima YouTube Video

If you found this guide helpful, you’ll probably like my YouTube video guide to Lima. Give it a watch now or add to your watchlist for later:

For more Peru videos, check out my full Peru playlist on YouTube.

FAQs about Lima Hotels

How many days should I spend in Lima?

For most tourists, two to three days is enough to sample Lima’s main sites and attractions. That’s enough time to visit the Historic Center, walk the cliffs of Miraflores, explore a few museums and historical sites, and taste your way through Lima’s dining scene. If you have more time, you can certainly stay (much) longer, but most visitors will want to get on to exploring other destinations in Peru. 

Where should I avoid staying in Lima? 

Most tourists should avoid staying outside Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco (or perhaps at an airport hotel). I would specifically suggest avoiding staying in the Centro Historico, as it can feel unsafe at night. While not excessively dangerous, there are real risks of pickpockets or snatch-and-grab robberies.

What are the safest parts of Lima to stay in? 

The safest parts of Lima to stay in are San Isidro, Barranco, and Miraflores. 

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Thanks for reading! I hope I’ve helped you pick a place to stay in Lima. Any questions, drop me a comment. 

Doing more travel around Peru? See my guide to where to stay for visiting Machu Picchu or my guide to where to stay in Cusco.