Planning a trip to Peru’s capital? Here’s a list of the best places to stay in Lima.
The capital of Peru, Lima is a colorful, lively and sprawling city with over forty districts. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the Peruvian capital is the5th largest city in the Americas. The Lima metropolitan area is home to a total of 13 million inhabitants, almost half of Peru’s total population. It’s a bustling city, where you’ll find plenty of entertainment, activities and contrasts.
Lima boasts a rich cultural heritage, despite a violent earthquake that destroyed most of the city in 1746. Since then, the city center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your stay, you’ll find numerous religious buildings, such as the cathedral dating from 1535, and several beautiful squares, including Plaza Francia and the famous Plaza Mayor.
Here are the top 4 neighborhoods to choose for your home in Lima.
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Miraflores
Photo credit: Flickr – Vlad Podvorny
Miraflores is certainly one of the safest districts in the Peruvian capital. It’s also the most touristy district and the closest to Western urban lifestyle. No great change of scenery here, but if you’re looking for a place to stay in Lima, Miraflores promises to be a real « coup de coeur ». You’ll find a beautiful seafront promenade, a wide choice of activities and restaurants, as well as a large number of tourist accommodations. Despite this, prices for accommodation in Lima remain very reasonable in this part of the city.
Located close to the historic center, this district enjoys a certain tranquility thanks to its various parks, such as the Parque Central, a veritable green lung, and the Parque del Amor, famous for its statue of two lovers sharing a kiss. Miraflores is certainly the district to choose if you’re wondering where to sleep in Lima during your trip.
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Barranco
Photo credit: Flickr – Steven Collis
The city’s bohemian district, Barranco has an electric, intense atmosphere all its own. If you choose Barranco for your accommodation in Lima, you’ll be seduced. With its contrasting surroundings, discovering Barranco promises to be a real adventure where you’ll be constantly stimulated. Through its colorful streets, you’ll be immersed in the heart of local life. It’s also one of the best areas to discover the city’s sometimes surprising architecture. For your visit, Barranco is strategically located close to the city center, yet right on the ocean. This makes it an ideal place to stay in Lima. Over the past few years, its ambience has inspired artists and Barranco has been transformed into a hipster district, giving it a real soul. Safe and trendy, Barranco is also the place to go out in Lima if you’re a party animal.
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San Isidro
Photo credit: Flickr – Martin Garcia
Located in the south of the city, this is Lima’s most modern and chic district. With its buildings and offices, it attracts workers and entrepreneurs. This makes San Isidro a very safe and peaceful district. It also boasts a number of parks. The Parque el Olivar, for example, with its hundreds of 500-year-old olive trees, promises a pleasant stroll. Some would say that San Isidro has a Beverly Hills feel to it, with its golf course and luxury stores… However, if your budget allows, the San Isidro district is a very good choice if you’re looking for accommodation in Lima.
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Historical center
Photo credit: Flickr – Art DiNo
On the list of areas to stay in Lima, the historic center is the subject of much debate among tourists to Peru. On the one hand, staying in the city center means you can start visiting the city as soon as you wake up, without needing any transport… But some travelers report a lack of security in this area, especially at night. This puts it in last place in this ranking of the best places to stay in Lima. However, if you’re not too keen on partying, the historic center is still a great place to visit. It gives you easy access to the city’s various monuments, so you can make the most of your stay without spending it in traffic jams. For example, you can start your walking tour at the imposing Plaza Mayor, home to the Cathedral of St. John of Lima and the Government Palace. It’s also the ideal place to stay in Lima if you want to discover the city’s surroundings, as it’s from here that you’ll find most means of transport.
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Map of hotels and accommodation – Lima,pe