Travelling To Lima, Peru, For The First Time: Top Travel Tips

I spent more than 2 weeks in Lima, the capital of Peru. I am a digital nomad, and this trip to Lima was part of an extended stay in South America. 

After exploring Lima, I can definitely say that it is one of my favourite cities in Latin America, and it is a perfect spot for digital nomads and travelers. 

Let’s discuss a few things you should know before travelling to Lima for the first time. Most ask about safety and culture. Here is everything I wish I had known before travelling to Lima, as well as a few extra tips to make the most of your time there. 

Where to stay in Lima, Peru?

Lima is divided into 43 districts, and not all of them are recommended to travellers to walk freely around. Luckily, if you stay in one of those modern and suitable districts for foreigners, you will have no safety issues. 

Most foreigners choose to stay in Miraflores.

But there are other neighbourhoods around that are starting to become attractive to foreigners as well, and the top ones are Barancco and San Isidro. San Miguel might also be an option, as it is slightly more affordable. 

I also visited the centre of Lima, which is highly touristy and felt very safe during the day and during the evening, but the general recommendation is to stay in Miraflores. 

I stayed at Urbano Apartments Miraflores Pardo, and it was great. They even have an underground parking spot, if you need it. The location is great, as you can basically walk anywhere in Miraflores from here. It’s only a few minutes away from the famous Kennedy Park, which is a popular meeting point for sightseeing tours and day trips. 

Is Lima safe?

Lima is safe for tourists, and there are probably many other places in the world that are less safe than Lima. But this is true as long as you stay in certain areas.

Don’t worry; these areas are extensive, and you will not feel confined in a small place or bored. The safe place of Lime is actually huge and is very walkable. You can also use Uber comfortably and pay within the app. 

But you need to know that Lima is a huge city and has many different neighbourhoods. 

According to the internet, not all of them are safe. But the chances of you ending up in one of those so-called dangerous areas are really low if you stay in the touristy area. You will see how these touristy neighbourhoods are very well maintained, have modern boulevards and buildings, and are very well patrolled by police. 

It’s hard for someone who hasn’t visited Lima to understand just how safe these upscale neighbourhoods really are, but if you research it online, you will find only positive reviews about Miraflores and the other places nearby.

Digital nomads in Lima

My boyfriend and I are digital nomads, and we used Lima as a comfortable base to work and explore a little bit. We weren’t sure if we made the right choice since there is so little information on the internet. 

But after the first day of exploring Miraflores, we realized that Lima has a huge potential to become one of the most popular spots for digital nomads worldwide. 

Many digital nomads travelling in South America choose Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, as the ultimate city for digital nomads. But that’s only because it reminds them of Europe, whereas Lima has more of a Florida vibe. 

After spending about 2 weeks in both Buenos Aires and Lima, I can honestly say I prefer Lima. 

High UV index in Lima

Lima doesn’t have a tropical climate, and because of the Humbolt current, it forms low clouds that will make it look really cloudy outside. However, you shouldn’t be fooled by the lack of direct sunlight. 

Regardless of the state of the sky, you have to wear sunscreen when going outside.

The UV index in Lima reached a very high value (over 9), which requires only 19 minutes to burn your skin. I possess the kind of skin that doesn’t usually burn when I walk outside in the sun, but this was not the case in Peru.

I strongly recommend bringing or buying the essentials for exploring Lima:

• sun cap
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• UV coverup for arms and chest (optional). I have it and it’s a life-saver.

Tips for visiting Lima,Peru

If you are planning on visiting Lima, Peru, for the first time, then here are my top tips to make your trip memorable: 

• Stay in Miraflores or Barancco. These are the most walkable areas of Lima, and the best thing to do is walk on the walkway near the coast at sunset. 
• Don’t be afraid to try different restaurants. Lima is by far one of the most culinary-rich cities in the world, and your chances of finding a bad restaurant are almost non-existent. They take cooking very seriously around here. 
• Wear sunscreen every time you go outside. 
• If you want to go shopping, you can go to Lima. The city is famous for its shopping malls and its very affordable prices on international brands. 
• Football is a religion here. Locals are very invested in their local teams, as well as in the football leagues of other countries in South America. 
• Try to learn a bit of Spanish. While in Miraflores and other touristy areas, you will find locals who speak English, and your whole experience will be better if you are able to utter at least a few phrases in Spanish. 
• The climate in Lima is very different from anything you’ve experienced before, so just enjoy the weird setting with the low clouds. 
• You’ll find many digital nomads around Lima. The internet is really good, and a lot of cafes will let you work from there. 
• Lima has a lot of serviced apartments, which are great for digital nomads and any kind of traveller. 
• You can use Uber to get around Lima. It’s very safe and affordable. 
• I use Airalo when travelling to always be connected to the internet. It worked great in Lima and everywhere else in Peru. 
• You can’t drink tap water in Lima, Peru. You will need to buy bottled water. If you’re staying for longer, buy one of those big cans of 8 litres and then refill your water bottle that you carry with you when you go out. 

Activities in Lima

Lima offers plenty of things to do. I recommend going to Lima downtown and exploring it for at least half a day. I took a free walking tour, starting from the Tourist Info point in Miraflores (located next to Kenedy Park) and from there, we went together as a group to the centre of Lima, using public transport.

I recommend exploring Miraflores as much as possible on foot. It is very safe, and it offers a lot of gorgeous corners, cosy cafes and yummy restaurants.

You also shouldn’t miss a trip to the Larco Museum. You have to take an Uber to get there. Plan to have lunch at the restaurant there, it is gorgeous.

As an exotic experience, I recommend booking this half-day boat tour to explore the Palomino Islands and swim with the sea lions. I am so glad I went on this trip; it was a beautiful ride.

Of course, there are so many other things to do in Lima, but these are the most important things you should definitely not miss while in the capital of Peru, Lima.