Where To Stay in Lima?

Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by James Bustamante

Are you planning a trip to Lima and wondering where to stay? We want to let you know which neighborhoods are the best and which hotels to consider when planning where to stay in Lima. We are Lima experts, just like in Machu Picchu and the rest of the country. So travelers can trust us to know where to stay in Lima. 

Travel Tip: If you plan a trip, check out our guide to Lima for more good resources. We have great ideas and unique tours in Lima that will make your Peru itinerary unforgettable. 

The Best Neighborhoods In Lima For Any Traveler

Lima is a large city; this makes it difficult for travelers to know which neighborhood is safe to stay in. The Lima historical center is impressive; however, unlike many other cities, it might not be the safest place to stay during your stay. Instead, travelers can choose from several districts surrounding the center. 

This article is meant to put certain items in perspective, and each traveler can decide where the “perfect” place to stay in Lima is, or at least find a district that matches their travel style. So the best places to stay in Lima are the following three districts:

• Miraflores
• Barranco
• San Isidro

Below are some of the hotels we recommend. We use these hotels in our tour packages in Lima. They’ve been selected according to amenities, location, cleanliness, and service.

The Miraflores District

The Miraflores district is undoubtedly the most popular place to stay among tourists. There is plenty of sound reasoning about staying in the neighborhood with the highest concentration of hotels, restaurants, markets, stores, corner shops, and bars. Direct access to the pacific ocean can also be quite appealing if you’re into breathtaking photography and soothing ocean sounds. 

Miraflores is an excellent place for travelers who consider themselves foodies. The district has two of the top ten restaurants in the world, according to the 50 Best awards. Central and Maido are two exceptional places to eat, but they aren’t all there is to try in Miraflores. 

There are plenty of “cevicherias” to try out, the local, national dish of “Ceviche” and other seafood dishes eaten along the Peruvian coastline. But, of course, there are plenty of other options as well if you aren’t into seafood. 

If you want to try street food, Kennedy park in the heart of Miraflores is an excellent place to start. Try “anticuchos” and “butifarras” before going for “picarones” for dessert. 

Travel Tips: Anticuchos are skewered beef hearts in a panka sauce. Butifarras are sandwiches made with a local ham called “Jamon del Pais”; it also has an onion sauce in the sandwich. Lastly, Picarones are deep-fried Peruvian donuts. These are all Peruvian dishes you have to try during your trip.

Miraflores also has many hotels and hostels in all price ranges. I recommend Miraflores for almost all travelers looking for where to stay in Lima. It is the most centric district for virtually any type of traveler. 

Below are some of the hotels we recommend. We use these hotels in our tour packages in Lima. They’ve been selected according to amenities, location, cleanliness, and service. 

The Hilton Garden Inn

The Hilton Garden Inn is near the Malecon Balta, across from a tennis club. The hotel is right in the district’s center, just a few minutes walking distance from Kennedy park. The 4-star property has excellent views of the Pacific Ocean on the upper floors. 

Address: Mal. Balta 770, Miraflores 15074

Phone: (01) 5104000

Hotel El Tambo Dos de Mayo

This affordable 3-star property is located in the famous Avenida 2 de Mayo near the Ovalo Miraflores (roundabout) that connects Pardo Avenue to Kennedy Park. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the surroundings for travelers to explore during their stay. The hotel’s friendly staff is always courteous and will help travelers with questions about Lima. The hotel is small but has affordable, modern rooms. 

Address: C. 2 de Mayo 494, Miraflores 15074

Phone: (01) 2413130

Miraflores Park Plaza 

The Miraflores Park Plaza is a luxurious property on the Malecon de La Reserva near the Larcomar cliffside shopping center. The hotel was built to cater to luxury-style travelers, and it shows with its big rooms facing the pacific ocean. The presidential suite has a balcony pool for summertime travelers to refresh before seeing Lima in the evenings.

Address: Mal. de la Reserva 1035, Miraflores 15074

Phone: (01) 6104000

The Barranco District

Barranco is known as the bohemian district and is a great place to stay in Lima. The Barranco district is a lively neighborhood with art galleries, painted murals, theaters, and plenty of street art. Although Barranco was an upper-class area of Lima in the past, this is still obvious just by looking at its colorful old mansions and impressive summer houses that have been turned into museums. 

The promenade, just like in Mirflores, features breathtaking views of the Pacific ocean. This cultural hideaway becomes a vibrant scene at night, where local Peruvians and foreign travelers gather to have Chilcanos and Pisco Sours. 

I recommend Barranco as one of the best places to stay in Lima for single travelers or the younger crowd that wants to be close to the local bar scene.

Hotel B

In the Barranco district, a historic area located by the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find this summer pavilion built in the Belle Époque style. The building is made of marble and exotic woods and has a white facade, balconies, and high ceilings that let in lots of natural light through skylights on the roof – known as “teatinas” in Lima. These features give the building a lot of charm.

The pavilion has recently been renovated by Fine Arts sculptors and an Italian master carpenter, who worked to preserve and enhance its exceptional architectural design. In addition, hotel B, located in the heart of Barranco, showcases contemporary Peruvian artists’ works, giving the hotel a unique and artistic atmosphere that reflects the neighborhood’s bohemian vibe.

Address: Jirón Sáenz Peña 204, Barranco 15063

Phone: 2060800

Villa Barranco Boutique Hotel

The Villa Barranco Boutique hotel operates in a former mansion from the 1920s, restored with great care while respecting the original architecture and art. Barranco, Lima’s cultural, bohemian, and artistic district, is consolidating its position as Lima’s best boutique hotel area. The location is magnificent for its tranquility, being only four blocks away from Barranco Square and excellent restaurants.

Address: C. Carlos Zegarra 274, Lima 15063

Phone: (01) 3965418

The San Isidro District

San Isidro is, for the most part, the financial district in Lima. Therefore, San Isidro is an excellent option for business travelers to plan where to stay in Lima. In addition, the neighborhood is among the safest places to stay in the Peruvian capital. 

The area has plenty of local shops, restaurants, guest houses, and good hotels. In addition, San Isidro is known for its olive tree park, “El Olivar.” If you are in Lima for business, look at the following hotels.

Swissotel Lima (Swissôtel Lima)

Swissotel Lima is a beautiful, modern luxury hotel in the heart of San Isidro, known as Lima’s premier financial center and one of its safest neighborhoods. You’ll be within walking distance of some of the city’s best stores, restaurants, and nightclubs, making it a perfect location to explore the city. Plus, it’s only 7 miles from Jorge Chavez International Airport, so you can quickly get there once you arrive.

Address: Av Santo Toribio 173, Via Central 150, LIMA 15073

Phone: (01) 4214400

Casa Andina Premium San Isidro

The Casa Andina Premium San Isidro is located about 40 minutes away from the Jorge Chavez International airport. The Casa Andina brand is a Peruvian hotel chain with properties nationwide. So if you want to support a local business, this might be a good route for you. The hotel has 157 rooms and is decorated in a highland theme. This property also has a grill, restaurant, and bar to relax in. 

Address: C. Amador Merino Reyna 320, San Isidro 15046

Phone: (01) 4880960

Conclusion

There are multiple places to stay in Lima, and our list constantly changes each year since new properties pop up and others improve as well. However, if you are new to Peru, we suggest sticking with Miraflores. It is the overall best district to stay in a while visiting Lima. 

 If you are part of the younger crowds, Barranco might be the district you are looking for with its lively nights and exciting art scene. San Isidro might be a wise choice for business travelers if your meetings occur there.

For more information on where to stay in Lima or want to know about our Peru tour packages, contact our travel advisers today.