Lima City Guide (Peru, 2026)

Backpacking in Lima
UNESCO World Heritage site
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Lima is where Peru’s food reputation lives, and ceviche alone justifies the flight. What gets overlooked is how much a backpacker saves by treating the capital as a hub rather than a hurdle: the coast, the desert and the Andes all start here. The city sprawls along the Pacific cliffs in the central coast of Peru, and the tourist zones of Miraflores, Barranco and the historic center sit 20 to 40 minutes apart. Skip taxis for most hops and take the Metropolitano bus, which costs little and saves you hours in traffic. One afternoon in Barranco, I asked a woman at a corner stall what she would eat, and she skipped the fancy menu and handed me a hot, crackling anticucho with a wink: “Pruébalo con ají, joven.” Sweet, smoky, fiery. Lima suits eaters, walkers and night owls; it won’t suit anyone craving quiet or sunshine in winter, when gray skies settle in. Up on the Miraflores cliffs, paragliders drift past the park’s cat colony.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Peru Travel Guide.

Best time to go: September - April
Population: 9.8 million
Daily cost: US$47 to 99 [peru.travel]

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in PeruWhat makes it a must-see city

Lima earns its place on a Peru route because it feeds you better than anywhere else in the country, and it does so on a backpacker’s budget if you eat at the right places. The city has some of the continent’s most celebrated restaurants, but the real draw is the menú lunch counters and market stalls where a set meal is a fraction of the price. Beyond food, Lima is where the international flights land and where overland buses fan out north to Huaraz and south toward Ica, Arequipa and Cusco, so you will pass through whether you plan to or not. Hostels cluster in Miraflores and Barranco, with the former calm and walkable and the latter better for bars and live music. Give it two or three days. That is enough to eat well, see the colonial core and the museums, and recover from the long haul. Staying … read more 👉

Lima earns its place on a Peru route because it feeds you better than anywhere else in the country, and it does so on a backpacker’s budget if you eat at the right places. The city has some of the continent’s most celebrated restaurants, but the real draw is the menú lunch counters and market stalls where a set meal is a fraction of the price. Beyond food, Lima is where the international flights land and where overland buses fan out north to Huaraz and south toward Ica, Arequipa and Cusco, so you will pass through whether you plan to or not. Hostels cluster in Miraflores and Barranco, with the former calm and walkable and the latter better for bars and live music. Give it two or three days. That is enough to eat well, see the colonial core and the museums, and recover from the long haul. Staying longer works only if you love urban sprawl, because the city is huge and traffic is heavy. The Pacific coastal cliff path gives you a long, flat, free walk with ocean views.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

Plaza Mayor and Cathedral of Lima: The historic center’s main square, with the cathedral holding Francisco Pizarro’s tomb and the Government Palace beside it. The changing of the guard happens around noon. Cathedral entry is about US$5 to 7; allow 1 to 2 hours. Go in the morning.
Convent of San Francisco and Catacombs: A yellow colonial monastery with a library of old books and underground ossuaries holding thousands of bones arranged in circles. Guided tours only, about US$4 to 6, roughly 45 minutes. Go early to avoid groups.
Larco Museum: Pre-Columbian pottery in a restored viceroyal mansion with gardens, including a famous erotic ceramics gallery and a well-organized gold and silver room. Entry around US$15 to 20; allow 2 hours. Mornings are quieter.
Huaca Pucllana: A massive adobe pyramid

… read more 👉

Plaza Mayor and Cathedral of Lima: The historic center’s main square, with the cathedral holding Francisco Pizarro’s tomb and the Government Palace beside it. The changing of the guard happens around noon. Cathedral entry is about US$5 to 7; allow 1 to 2 hours. Go in the morning.
Convent of San Francisco and Catacombs: A yellow colonial monastery with a library of old books and underground ossuaries holding thousands of bones arranged in circles. Guided tours only, about US$4 to 6, roughly 45 minutes. Go early to avoid groups.
Larco Museum: Pre-Columbian pottery in a restored viceroyal mansion with gardens, including a famous erotic ceramics gallery and a well-organized gold and silver room. Entry around US$15 to 20; allow 2 hours. Mornings are quieter.
Huaca Pucllana: A massive adobe pyramid from around AD 200 to 700 sitting in the middle of Miraflores. Guided tours run about 45 minutes. Evening visits are lit and atmospheric.
Barranco district: Bohemian streets of colorful houses, murals, the Bridge of Sighs and galleries leading down to the sea. Free to wander; allow 2 to 3 hours, best late afternoon into evening.
Malecón de Miraflores and Parque del Amor: A clifftop path above the Pacific, with paragliders overhead and a mosaic-covered park. Free; allow 1 to 2 hours, ideally late afternoon.
Magic Water Circuit: Parque de la Reserva has a set of illuminated fountains you can run through, with a laser show at night. Entry about US$1 to 2; allow 1 to 1.5 hours after dark.
Mercado de Surquillo: A working local market with fruit stalls, fresh fish and cheap lunch counters. Entry is free, and a meal costs a few dollars. Go before lunch, for about an hour.

Pachacamac, the huge coastal temple complex south of the city, and Caral to the north make the best day trips.

Huaca Pucllana and the Malecón pair well in one day, with the pyramid in the afternoon and the cliffs at sunset.

Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsHow different areas shape the experience

Lima sprawls along a desert cliff, so pick two or three districts and attack them properly instead of crisscrossing the whole city.

Miraflores: The clifftop district where you walk the Malecón, watch paragliders over the Pacific and eat ceviche at lunch counters. It is pricier than elsewhere, but everything sits within a 20 minute stroll, so you save on transport and get the most hours per dollar.
Barranco: Cross over on foot or a short ride and you hit leafy streets, street murals, the Bridge of Sighs, galleries and the city’s best bar scene. Go at dusk, wander until the music pulls you into a pisco bar, then take a taxi home after dark.
Historic Center: Plaza Mayor, the Convent of San Francisco with its catacombs, and noisy market streets full of juice stalls and cheap set lunches. Spend a

… read more 👉

Lima sprawls along a desert cliff, so pick two or three districts and attack them properly instead of crisscrossing the whole city.

Miraflores: The clifftop district where you walk the Malecón, watch paragliders over the Pacific and eat ceviche at lunch counters. It is pricier than elsewhere, but everything sits within a 20 minute stroll, so you save on transport and get the most hours per dollar.
Barranco: Cross over on foot or a short ride and you hit leafy streets, street murals, the Bridge of Sighs, galleries and the city’s best bar scene. Go at dusk, wander until the music pulls you into a pisco bar, then take a taxi home after dark.
Historic Center: Plaza Mayor, the Convent of San Francisco with its catacombs, and noisy market streets full of juice stalls and cheap set lunches. Spend a morning here, since it is hectic and the light fades early, and use the Metropolitano bus rather than paying for a taxi.
San Isidro: Glassy offices, olive groves at Parque El Olivar and polished cafés. It is quiet at night and short on backpacker energy, so treat it as a daytime detour.
Magdalena and Pueblo Libre: Local markets, family-run lunch spots and the Larco Museum with its pre-Columbian ceramics. Both reward you with lower prices and fewer tourists, and a bus or short taxi gets you there.

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

8:30 AM, Plaza Mayor and Cathedral: Start in the colonial center before the heat and crowds. Step inside the cathedral to see Pizarro’s tomb, then watch the palace guards. This is the stop not to skip because everything else in the city makes more sense after it. Walk five minutes to the next stop.

10:30 AM, Convent of San Francisco: Join a tour of the library and the catacombs, where bones are stacked in geometric patterns. Afterward, catch the Metropolitano bus south toward Miraflores.

1:00 PM, Mercado de Surquillo: Lunch at the market is where locals eat. Order a fresh ceviche or a set menu, then browse fruit you may never have seen, like lúcuma and pepino. It sits slightly off the standard tourist trail and is worth the short ride from Miraflores.

3:00 PM, Huaca Pucllana: Take a guided … read more 👉

8:30 AM, Plaza Mayor and Cathedral: Start in the colonial center before the heat and crowds. Step inside the cathedral to see Pizarro’s tomb, then watch the palace guards. This is the stop not to skip because everything else in the city makes more sense after it. Walk five minutes to the next stop.

10:30 AM, Convent of San Francisco: Join a tour of the library and the catacombs, where bones are stacked in geometric patterns. Afterward, catch the Metropolitano bus south toward Miraflores.

1:00 PM, Mercado de Surquillo: Lunch at the market is where locals eat. Order a fresh ceviche or a set menu, then browse fruit you may never have seen, like lúcuma and pepino. It sits slightly off the standard tourist trail and is worth the short ride from Miraflores.

3:00 PM, Huaca Pucllana: Take a guided walk around the stepped adobe pyramid, with llamas in the small zoo area below. The brickwork is packed with detail, and the pyramid contrasts sharply with the modern towers around it.

5:00 PM, Malecón and Parque del Amor: Walk the cliff path toward the park, watching paragliders and surfers below. Pause at a bench for the view and use the light for photographs.

7:30 PM, Barranco: Cross the Bridge of Sighs, wander past murals and pick a bar or a peña with live music. Grab dinner at a small spot off the main square and end the day with a pisco sour.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Lima

Lima is best from December to April, when the sun finally breaks through and the beaches are usable.

Summer (December to April): Warm and sunny, with highs of 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F) and lows near 20°C (68°F). Days are long, the sea is swimmable, and prices for beds rise around Christmas and Carnival.
Winter (June to September): A gray lid of cloud called garúa sits over the city, with temperatures of 14 to 19°C (57 to 66°F) and damp, penetrating air. Days are shorter, rain is rare, and beds are cheaper.
Shoulder months (May, October, November): Clouds thin or return, temperatures run 17 to 23°C (63 to 73°F), and crowds are modest. These are good months for museums, food and wandering.
Holidays: Peru’s Independence Day on July 28 and Easter week bring domestic travelers and higher prices for buses

… read more 👉

Lima is best from December to April, when the sun finally breaks through and the beaches are usable.

Summer (December to April): Warm and sunny, with highs of 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F) and lows near 20°C (68°F). Days are long, the sea is swimmable, and prices for beds rise around Christmas and Carnival.
Winter (June to September): A gray lid of cloud called garúa sits over the city, with temperatures of 14 to 19°C (57 to 66°F) and damp, penetrating air. Days are shorter, rain is rare, and beds are cheaper.
Shoulder months (May, October, November): Clouds thin or return, temperatures run 17 to 23°C (63 to 73°F), and crowds are modest. These are good months for museums, food and wandering.
Holidays: Peru’s Independence Day on July 28 and Easter week bring domestic travelers and higher prices for buses and rooms.

If you are heading to the Andes afterward, fly in during the dry months of May to September and spend your Lima days on food and culture.

source: climatestotravel.comJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Miraflores is the easiest base for a budget stay in Lima, with Barranco a strong second.

Miraflores has the largest choice of hostels and cheap guesthouses in the city, from lively dorms to quiet private rooms. Streets near Parque Kennedy and along the main avenues stay busy and well lit late into the evening, and police and private security patrol visibly. Noise is the main thing to check, as rooms near the park and the nightlife on Calle de las Pizzas can be loud on weekends. Choose a back-facing room if you want to sleep. Transport links are the biggest advantage: the Metropolitano stops along … read more 👉

Miraflores is the easiest base for a budget stay in Lima, with Barranco a strong second.

Miraflores has the largest choice of hostels and cheap guesthouses in the city, from lively dorms to quiet private rooms. Streets near Parque Kennedy and along the main avenues stay busy and well lit late into the evening, and police and private security patrol visibly. Noise is the main thing to check, as rooms near the park and the nightlife on Calle de las Pizzas can be loud on weekends. Choose a back-facing room if you want to sleep. Transport links are the biggest advantage: the Metropolitano stops along the Via Expresa, and buses and taxis are everywhere, including airport transfers.

Barranco suits you if you want to be near the bars and a more bohemian crowd. Hostels there are fewer and often smaller, with a social atmosphere, and the area is quieter on weeknights. Some side streets are dim late at night, so take a taxi for the last stretch if you are out late. Buses to the center are easy to reach on the main avenue.

Book ahead around December to February and national holidays, when dorms fill quickly.

Best hostels in Lima

Best quality hotels in Peru

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Lima

Hopping into any taxi hailed on the street without agreeing on a fare first costs visitors the most money in Lima, and sitting in rush hour traffic costs the most time. Lima is huge and chaotic, but the neighborhoods you want are compact. Walk within Miraflores, Barranco and the Historic Center, and use a bus or app for the long gaps between them.

Walking: Free, and the best choice in Miraflores and Barranco, where the clifftop paths link parks, cafés and viewpoints. Between those two districts it takes about 30 to 40 minutes, a pleasant stroll that saves a fare.
Metropolitano bus: A rapid line running in dedicated lanes from Barranco and Miraflores up to the Historic Center, with fares around US$0.90 on a rechargeable card (about US$1.30 for the card). It avoids traffic, runs from early morning

… read more 👉

Hopping into any taxi hailed on the street without agreeing on a fare first costs visitors the most money in Lima, and sitting in rush hour traffic costs the most time. Lima is huge and chaotic, but the neighborhoods you want are compact. Walk within Miraflores, Barranco and the Historic Center, and use a bus or app for the long gaps between them.

Walking: Free, and the best choice in Miraflores and Barranco, where the clifftop paths link parks, cafés and viewpoints. Between those two districts it takes about 30 to 40 minutes, a pleasant stroll that saves a fare.
Metropolitano bus: A rapid line running in dedicated lanes from Barranco and Miraflores up to the Historic Center, with fares around US$0.90 on a rechargeable card (about US$1.30 for the card). It avoids traffic, runs from early morning until late evening, and gets crowded at rush hour, so watch your pockets. For a backpacker this is the best value by far.
Ride-hailing apps and taxis: Uber, Cabify and inDrive give a price upfront, usually US$2 to 5 within Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro, or US$6 to 12 to the Historic Center. They are comfortable, door to door and the safest option after dark, but traffic can double the time at rush hour.
Combis and colectivos: Minibuses with a conductor shouting the route cost about US$0.30 to 0.70 per ride. They go almost everywhere and are the cheapest option, but they are cramped, hard to decode and slow, so use them only if you enjoy the challenge.

Pay in soles and carry small bills for buses. Airport transfers by app or official taxi run roughly US$10 to 20 and take 45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Lima

Backpacking in Lima costs about US$47 to 99 a day, and a comfortable budget traveler usually lands near US$70 including a dorm bed in high season.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season)	US$12 to 20	Miraflores and Barranco hostels charge most from December to April, usually with breakfast.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)	US$9 to 15	Prices dip between May and November, and some hostels offer weekly deals.
Meals	US$10 to 20	A set lunch costs US$2.50 to 4, while a ceviche meal runs US$8 to 15.
Local transport	US$3 to 10	Combis cost under US$1, and short app rides run US$2 to 5.
City transport pass	US$2 to 4	A Metropolitano card costs about US$1.30 plus a fare of roughly US$0.90 per ride.
Basic activities and entry fees	US$5 to 15	Pachacamac is roughly US$5 to 7, and the catacombs and

… read more 👉

Backpacking in Lima costs about US$47 to 99 a day, and a comfortable budget traveler usually lands near US$70 including a dorm bed in high season.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season)	US$12 to 20	Miraflores and Barranco hostels charge most from December to April, usually with breakfast.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)	US$9 to 15	Prices dip between May and November, and some hostels offer weekly deals.
Meals	US$10 to 20	A set lunch costs US$2.50 to 4, while a ceviche meal runs US$8 to 15.
Local transport	US$3 to 10	Combis cost under US$1, and short app rides run US$2 to 5.
City transport pass	US$2 to 4	A Metropolitano card costs about US$1.30 plus a fare of roughly US$0.90 per ride.
Basic activities and entry fees	US$5 to 15	Pachacamac is roughly US$5 to 7, and the catacombs and museums cost US$3 to 8.
Miscellaneous	US$5 to 10	Laundry, SIM card, snacks and a pisco sour at about US$4 to 7.
Total Daily Budget	US$47 to 99	About US$47 using the low end with high-season dorms and US$99 at the top.

Cook your own breakfast at the hostel and eat the main meal at a set lunch, which fills you up for less than half the price of dinner.

source: peru.travel

⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

Lima works well as a base for day trips, with most good options within two hours by road and a bus terminal or tour office within a short ride.

Pachacamac:

This huge pre-Inca temple complex sits on a desert bluff above the Pacific, about 30 km south of the center. Get there by a combi from Barranco or a taxi for roughly US$10 to 15 each way, and plan about 1 to 2 hours there. Entry is around US$5 to 7. Go in the morning, wear a hat and take water, as there is no shade. First-timers often arrive in the afternoon after the museum shuts.

👉 Explore Pachacamac

Caral:

One of the oldest cities in the Americas, with pyramids more than 4,500 years old, lies about 3 to 4 hours north by road. Tours from Lima cost around US$40 to 60 including transport, or you can take a bus to Supe and hire a taxi for the … read more 👉

Lima works well as a base for day trips, with most good options within two hours by road and a bus terminal or tour office within a short ride.

Pachacamac:

This huge pre-Inca temple complex sits on a desert bluff above the Pacific, about 30 km south of the center. Get there by a combi from Barranco or a taxi for roughly US$10 to 15 each way, and plan about 1 to 2 hours there. Entry is around US$5 to 7. Go in the morning, wear a hat and take water, as there is no shade. First-timers often arrive in the afternoon after the museum shuts.

👉 Explore Pachacamac

Caral:

One of the oldest cities in the Americas, with pyramids more than 4,500 years old, lies about 3 to 4 hours north by road. Tours from Lima cost around US$40 to 60 including transport, or you can take a bus to Supe and hire a taxi for the final stretch. The site is quiet, so you get the ruins to yourself. Go in the dry months from May to October, and leave early since the return trip is long.

Paracas and Ballestas Islands:

Sea lions, penguins and seabirds crowd the rocky islands you reach by boat from Paracas, about 3.5 to 4 hours south by bus. A bus costs US$8 to 15 one way, the boat trip about US$15 to 20, plus the reserve fee. It is a long day, so take an early departure and book the last bus back. Mornings have calmer seas.

👉 Explore Paracas

Cieneguilla and Lunahuaná:

For a break from the city, Lunahuaná is about 3 hours south in a river valley with rafting, vineyards and pisco tastings. Rafting runs US$10 to 20, and the best water is from January to April. Many people try to see too much in one day, so pick the river or the vineyards.

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Lima

Lima is Peru’s food capital, and the best flavors here come from its coastal and mixed immigrant heritage. Start with ceviche at a lunch-only cevichería, where the fish is cut that morning and served with sweet potato and toasted corn. Sample tiradito, the sashimi-style cousin, and chifa, the Chinese-Peruvian cooking behind lomo saltado and fried rice, which you can eat all over the city. Nikkei cuisine, a Japanese-Peruvian blend, shows up at spots in Miraflores and Barranco.

Sip a pisco sour in Barranco, where the bars pour it with lime and a frothy white top. Sweet street snacks include picarones, pumpkin and sweet potato doughnuts drizzled in syrup, sold around Barranco and Miraflores.

For budget meals, hunt down the menú del día, a set lunch of soup, main and drink for about US$2.50 … read more 👉

Lima is Peru’s food capital, and the best flavors here come from its coastal and mixed immigrant heritage. Start with ceviche at a lunch-only cevichería, where the fish is cut that morning and served with sweet potato and toasted corn. Sample tiradito, the sashimi-style cousin, and chifa, the Chinese-Peruvian cooking behind lomo saltado and fried rice, which you can eat all over the city. Nikkei cuisine, a Japanese-Peruvian blend, shows up at spots in Miraflores and Barranco.

Sip a pisco sour in Barranco, where the bars pour it with lime and a frothy white top. Sweet street snacks include picarones, pumpkin and sweet potato doughnuts drizzled in syrup, sold around Barranco and Miraflores.

For budget meals, hunt down the menú del día, a set lunch of soup, main and drink for about US$2.50 to 4 in local neighborhoods and markets such as Surquillo. Markets also have fresh juice stalls where you can sample unusual fruit like lúcuma and chirimoya. Cevicherías generally close by 4 pm, so plan lunch accordingly.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Lima is manageable for travelers who stay alert, and the problems are almost all petty theft. Phone snatching is the main issue, especially in the Historic Center, crowded buses and around Plaza San Martín, so keep your phone in a front pocket and avoid using it at curbs. Carry only the cash you need and leave your passport in your room, taking a copy instead. Miraflores and Barranco are the safest districts for walking, though you should still take a taxi back after dark rather than walking along the Malecón or quiet side streets. Unlicensed taxis are the main scam, so use an app or ask your hostel to call one, and confirm the fare before getting in. Express kidnapping is rare but is the reason to avoid hailing cabs on the street at night. Solo travelers, including women, do well by sticking … read more 👉

Lima is manageable for travelers who stay alert, and the problems are almost all petty theft. Phone snatching is the main issue, especially in the Historic Center, crowded buses and around Plaza San Martín, so keep your phone in a front pocket and avoid using it at curbs. Carry only the cash you need and leave your passport in your room, taking a copy instead. Miraflores and Barranco are the safest districts for walking, though you should still take a taxi back after dark rather than walking along the Malecón or quiet side streets. Unlicensed taxis are the main scam, so use an app or ask your hostel to call one, and confirm the fare before getting in. Express kidnapping is rare but is the reason to avoid hailing cabs on the street at night. Solo travelers, including women, do well by sticking to busy streets and keeping valuables out of sight. Street vendors and touts are persistent but harmless, and a firm “no, gracias” works.

Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Three days is enough for Lima’s highlights, though a long weekend suits food-focused travelers. Spend one day in Miraflores and Barranco, a second in the Historic Center and its catacombs, and a third at Pachacamac or the Larco Museum. Add a fourth day if you want Paracas, which is about 3.5 to 4 hours by bus.

Lima is manageable for solo backpackers who use common sense. Stay in Miraflores or Barranco, where streets are busy and well lit, and take an app taxi (US$2 to 5 within these districts) after dark. Keep your phone out of sight in the Historic Center and on crowded buses, where snatching is the main risk.

Lima is known for its food, especially ceviche, Nikkei and chifa cooking, with pisco sours as the signature drink. The Historic Center has colonial architecture and catacombs, and Pachacamac, about 30 km south, preserves pre-Inca temples. The cliffs of Miraflores and Barranco's art scene round out a visit.

⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Peruvian cities near Lima

Explore more nearby:

Huancayo—Sunday market, Mantaro Valley, weaving villages, trout lunches| 199 km away
Huaraz—Cordillera Blanca, glacier lakes, trekking base, altitude prep| 285 km away
Tingo María—Oilbird cave, Huallaga valley, waterfall pools, Sleeping Beauty ridge| 326 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Lima

Lima is at its best from December to March, when the sun finally burns off the coastal gray and the beach and cliff paths come alive. Outside those months, pack a light jacket and plan indoor stops for midday. I would book a late afternoon in Barranco, because the light and the music make the city friendlier.

✈️ When did I visit Peru?
Peru I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Peru, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.

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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpack

Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story

Peru🇵🇪 | citiesLimaCeviche, Pacific cliffs, Barranco murals, pyramid in Miraflores | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Lima
UNESCO World Heritage site
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in PeruWhat makes it a must-see city

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

Things to do in Lima

Lima Food Tour: 9 Peruvian Experiences

Lima Bike Tour Miraflores Pyramid & Bohemian Barranco

Dream tour: Full day in Paracas, Ica and La Huacachina

Full day Huacachina from Lima Buggy and Sandboard and Lunch

Miraflores Lima: Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour

Tour Miraflores + Fotografía Profesional

From Lima to Nazca Premium overnight Bus & Nazca Lines Flight

Lima Photo Day Tour

Huaca Pucllana site inside + City Tour in Lima & Catacombs.

Private Experience in the Shipibo Community of Lima-Cantagallo

🏘️ NeighborhoodsHow different areas shape the experience

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Lima

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPeru Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Lima

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Lima

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Lima

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Other Peruvian cities near Lima

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Lima

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Peru🇵🇪 | citiesLimaCeviche, Pacific cliffs, Barranco murals, pyramid in Miraflores | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in LimaUNESCO World Heritage site🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298b738')

✨ Why go?Ranked #2 city in PeruaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298c621')What makes it a must-see cityaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298c628')

💡 HighlightsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298d643')Must-see experiences and standout momentsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298d64a')

Things to do in Lima

Lima Food Tour: 9 Peruvian Experiences

Lima Bike Tour Miraflores Pyramid & Bohemian Barranco

Dream tour: Full day in Paracas, Ica and La Huacachina

Full day Huacachina from Lima Buggy and Sandboard and Lunch

Miraflores Lima: Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour

Tour Miraflores + Fotografía Profesional

From Lima to Nazca Premium overnight Bus & Nazca Lines Flight

Lima Photo Day Tour

Huaca Pucllana site inside + City Tour in Lima & Catacombs.

Private Experience in the Shipibo Community of Lima-Cantagallo

🏘️ NeighborhoodsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298e0ae')How different areas shape the experienceaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298e0b6')

⌛️ 1 dayaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298f015')Seeing the highlights in 24 hoursaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298f01e')

🌤️ When to go?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298fa81')Best time to visit LimaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a298fa8a')

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPeru Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a2990900')How to pick the right areaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a2990905')

🚌 Getting aroundaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29911aa')How to get around LimaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29911af')

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a2991bfd')Travel costs and budget guide for LimaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a2991c01')

🚌 Day tripsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a13de')Short trips worth addingaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a13e7')

🍲 FoodaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a1a72')Eating & Drinking in LimaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a1a76')

🛡️ SafetyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a20c3')Staying Safe: What Travelers Should KnowaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a20c7')

FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a2165')Common questions from travelersaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a2169')

Other Peruvian cities near LimaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a523d')

We 💚 feedbackaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a5412')Final thoughts on visiting LimaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a5416')

👋 Meet the founderaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a545c')Who’s Behind Take Your Backpack?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78a29a545f')

Backpacking in Lima
UNESCO World Heritage site
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in PeruWhat makes it a must-see city

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

🏘️ NeighborhoodsHow different areas shape the experience

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Lima

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Lima

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Lima

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Lima

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Other Peruvian cities near Lima

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Lima

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?