Best Areas to Stay in Lima, Peru

Miraflores is a very touristy area and our recommended area to stay in Lima.

This area is bordered by neighborhoods such as San Isidro, Surquillo, Barranco, and the Pacific Ocean.

Miraflores is considered the modern area of the Peruvian capital. It boasts an urban atmosphere with well-preserved parks and green areas, embankments, and beaches.

Miraflores is popular for being the center of entertainment and leisure in Lima. Here, you can enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of the boardwalk, get amazing views of the Green Coast and the Lima beaches, or go shopping in the commercial area.

The metropolitan bus system has three important stations in the district: 28 de Julio station, Benavides station, and Ricardo Palma station connect Miraflores to other corners of the city.

Lima’s most prestigious and fashionable hotels are located in Miraflores, therefore it is not the cheapest area to stay in Lima.

San Isidro and Miraflores make up the commercial and most exclusive side of Lima.

San Isidro is located right next to Miraflores and near districts such as Lince, La Victoria, and Jesús María.

This district is very green, thanks to its variety parks. It also gathers the most important social, convention and educational centers of the city.

The Metropolitan bus grid has stations in Aramburú, Javier Prado Este and Paseo de la República avenues to connect with the rest of the city.

San Isidro is a safe area to stay in Lima.

Despite being an upmarket neighborhood and having several exclusive accommodation options, San Isidro also offers some cheap hotels to stay in Lima.

The Historical Center is, as its name suggests, the oldest area in Lima, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and located in the districts of Lima and Rímac.

The historic area of the city stands out for its squares, colonial balconies, convents such as San Francisco and other relevant monuments. Its main square, Plaza Mayor, has a very dynamic atmosphere.

In the historic center, public transport is the best option to move around; however, it is not so necessary since all attractions remain within walking distance for the most part.

As a rule of thumb, Centro Histórico is the area where most budget hotels are located.

Centro Histórico is by no means the safest area to stay in Lima, so caution is advised, especially at night.

The Barranco district is located near Miraflores, between Santiago de Surco and Chorrillos, it is one of the smallest in the city.

Barranco is famous for its nightlife, varied cuisine, and alternative environment, which is why it is popular with young people, hipsters, bohemians and everyone in-between.

It is an ideal area to walk, have a drink and go to the beach, but to go to the Centro Histórico, you will likely have to take a taxi.

The bus stations abound in the neighborhood, they are located near the stadiums of the district, on av. San Martín and on Plaza Las Flores.

It has become one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Lima, especially for young people.

Staying in Barranco is quite safe, cheap and you will remain close to the most popular bars in Lima.

Santiago de Surco is located at the southern end of the city, close to the Miraflores, San Isidro, and Surquillo neighborhoods.

It is a neighborhood with a quiet atmosphere, perhaps because it is a bit away from the urban center of Lima. Its parks and hills make it a very green area

Many traditional festivals are held in the Plaza de la Amistad and Plaza Mayor.

Line 1 of the city’s metro has three stations within the district, strategically located on Santiago de Surco, Andrés Tinoco and Aviación avenues.

Santiago de Surco is the residential district and one of the safest areas to stay in Lima.

The area offers a family-friendly atmosphere, is affordable, convenient and close to the entertainment areas.

San Miguel is located west of downtown Lima, next to the Pacific Ocean and bordered by the city’s largest and best-known avenues.

This district of Lima has several public transport stops.

The district is a commercial area and a good alternative to go shopping.

Avenida La Marina, Universitaria, and Elmer Faucett are quite lively, and they connect San Miguel with the metropolitan area.

In San Miguel, accommodation is usually of a lower category compared to the city center or the wealthy districts of Lima, so it has lots of budget hotels.

It is advisable to use public transport or taxi to get around San Miguel because it is not the safest place to stay in Lima.

Callao is a port city in Peru, west of Lima, near the historic center.

Officially, Callao is not part of Lima, but it is quite close to the Peruvian capital.

This province is famous for the Maritime Port and the Jorge Chávez International Airport that it shares with Lima.

El Callao has its own historic center, with pieces and monuments representative of colonial Peru.

The neighborhoods in Callao are not the safest, so it is advisable to move by car or taxi.

You can look for accommodation near the metropolitan area of Lima or in La Punta area, where you can find the best hotels in this district.