Where are the best areas to stay in Lima?
By Carles Barcelo. Updated October 27, 2023
Lima is a fascinating city where you’ll find a mix of old and new influences. Once the seat of Spanish colonial rule, the city is filled with beautiful old palaces and churches, juxtaposed between modern skyscrapers and sun drenched beaches. Marvel at Inca artefacts and learn about Peruvian history at the Museo Larco.
Visit the charming ancient library and catacombs of the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco. Walk, bike or skate the clifftop trails and beautiful gardens at the Miraflores Boardwalk. As night falls, head to the magical fountain displays at the Parque de la Reserva and prepare to be dazzled.
Two of the best areas to stay in Lima are Miraflores and San Isidro. Miraflores is an upscale district with an excellent selection of bars, restaurants and shops. In this area, you’ll be within walking distance of the beach, the parks, and some great shopping at the Larcomar mall. At San Isidro, you’ll be in the central business district where a good range of shops and top class dining options can be found. This is a modern cosmopolitan area where you’ll find it easy to change currency. From here, the historical centre can be accessed easily by taxi or using the Metropolitano bus system
If you are interested in where to stay in Lima, you may also be interested in where to stay in Cusco, where to stay in Bogota or where to stay in Quito
Miraflores and San Isidro, the best areas to stay in Lima
Miraflores
First Time / Tourist / Safe
Miraflores has some excellent museum and historic attractions, but if you get bored with history and want a little more modern excitement just head down to Pizza Street! “The Calle de las Pizzas” is a hot spot for young adults and has many clubs that fill up every weekend. It is a very exciting spot to start your night.
And if you ever get hungry for some real pizza, don’t look much farther! Because Miraflores has some of the best food Peru can offer. Peru restaurants are a diverse bunch and believe it or not one of the most popular and the most expensive is a Japanese outfit run by famous chef Humberto Sato. Peru has a legendary twist on Japanese and Chinese food, and tourists love sampling the flavors.
The best thing about Peruvian food is the Pacific Ocean, from the pacific a bountiful supply of seafood is extracted every day and there are countless great sea food joints in Mira Flora. One of the best of these establishments is a place called, “Punto Azul”. This restaurant utilizes a very special fish dish called, “palmerita”. The modest prices at this restaurant are definitely something to make you smile too. There is nothing on the menu that is over $8 (6 E). It is definitely worth the trip.
San Isidro
Business / Luxury Hotels
If you decide to venture north of Miraflores into San Isidro the financial hub of Peru a lot of good hotel options will await you there as well. You may have to pay a little more money but the extravagance of the, “Hotel Atton San Isidro” is world renowned. Being one of the main financial centers of Latin America, the San Isidro district has a constant cash flow that is used to renovate and beautify the neighborhood. San Isidro boasts some of the best parks and is filled with major malls and restaurants making it the tourist destination of choice.
San Isidro is a modern cosmopolitan city with a history that only dates back to April of 1931! Early on the land that now covers San Isidro was a hacienda; it was the ownership of the San Isidro Company that turned the hacienda into a city district leading to its official establishment in 1931. Many visitors are surprised at how new everything is, this location certainly is a modern hub of wealth. An amazing transition from a humble hacienda to the Latin American financial giant that it is today.
In addition to the banks, financial institutions and shopping malls San Isidro also lays claim to some of the best art galleries and some of the most beautiful parks in the area. San Isidro’s number one archeological claim is the site of “Huaca Huallamarca”, the site was the home of the Ishma and Incas. The site was first used as a temple, then as a temple and then later as a human settlement. San Isidro is full of modern wealth and ancient archeological wealth as well as classy art venues. San Isidro district is definitely worth the visit.
Other areas to stay in Lima
Barranco
Nightlife / Young People / Ocean Views
If you want to escape the chaos of downtown Lima and stay in a much more tranquil neighborhood, Barranco is the place for you! Located north of the historic center, Barranco is known as an artistic Bohemian neighborhood. Its beautiful colors and street art brings the neighborhood to life, and it is a very pleasant area to stay.
Art lovers will especially feel at home here. As well as the magnificent street art on display, Barranco is home to several excellent art galleries and exhibitions. Aside from this, Barranco also has a great culinary scene. You can enjoy eating at one of the many excellent restaurants and bars here, with authentic local cuisine and excellent coffee.
Despite being quiet, there is a lively nightlife in Barranco, so you can experience the best of both worlds. With numerous budget accommodation options plus several boutique hotels, Barranco appeals to all types of traveler.
Lince
Cheap / Central
Just a stone’s throw away from Lima’s downtown lies the beautiful district of Lince. It is a fantastic place to stay for those who want to experience Lima’s vibrant nightlife, as well as its pretty green spaces.
Indeed, you can certainly party the night away in Lince. Its Avenida Arequipa is particularly lively, and has a real authentic, local feel to it. There are also fantastic bars here and local specialty restaurants where you can find plenty of delicious, budget options. Lince is also renowned for its green spaces. You can enjoy walking and relaxing in many pretty parks, such as the expansive Parque Mariscal Castilla. There are also many plazas in this district, and there is definitely authentic and striking architecture.
Without doubt, Lince is a great place to stay for budget travelers, with many budget hotels available. However, you can also find higher range accommodation should you wish.
San Borja
Cheap / Central
For those who love upmarket accommodation, San Borja is a fantastic place to stay when in Lima. This is definitely an upper-class district, with a great range of luxury hotels and homes available. Restaurants and general costs are naturally higher than in other parts of the city.
San Borja is also a great place to stay for history enthusiasts. Within this district, you can find the fascinating, ancient archeological sites of Huaca Limatambo and Huaca San Borja. There are also several interesting museums here with detailed information on Lima and Peru’s history.
San Borja is also home to plenty of pleasant green spaces. Families can enjoy picnics and walks in the parks located here. Indeed, San Borja is generally a quiet and peaceful area, differing from the crowded downtown. There are certain nightlife venues and bars here, but generally the atmosphere is not as buzzing as certain other districts.
Our recommended hotels in Lima
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in LimaNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
