Lima, Peru’s bustling capital city, stretches along the Pacific coast of Peru and offers travellers a unique blend of historical architecture, world-class restaurants, and vibrant street art. It also has its fair share (or, more than its fair share, actually) of dodgy areas, so it’s important to know where to stay in Lima to make sure you are choosing accommodation in safe areas.
The majority of travellers stay in three main districts: Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. Each one has its own personality and its own vibe, so I’ve broken them down below.
Unlike many other South American capitals, Lima’s tourist-friendly areas are quite concentrated, and choosing between these three main neighbourhoods will likely be your biggest decision when planning where to stay. It wouldn’t really be wise to stay anywhere else, and definitely don’t stay downtown (I was advised to not even go downtown, even during the daytime, because its too dangerous.)
Whether you’re here to explore Peru’s famous gastronomy scene, surf the iconic Pacific waves of Lima’s beaches, or use it as a base for exploring other parts of Peru, this guide will help you choose the perfect place to stay in Lima.

Contents
- Miraflores, Central Lima
- Barranco, South Lima
- San Isidro, Central Lima
- Things to Consider
- Where to Stay in Lima FAQs
- Conclusion
🇵🇪 Read more: How to Plan the Perfect Peru Itinerary
Where to Stay in Miraflores, Central Lima
Best for: First-Time Visitors & Backpackers
Miraflores is Lima’s most tourist-friendly district and arguably the heart of modern Lima. If I was going to go again, I’d probably stay in Miraflores (when I was there I stayed in Barranco, and whilst there were good things about it, all told I think Miraflores is the better choice). Miraflores is perched on the sweeping cliffs of Lima’s shoreline that overlook the Pacific Ocean, and the area is characterised by well-maintained parks, shopping centres, and incredible restaurants.
The neighbourhood feels safe and walkable, with plenty of police presence and well-lit streets, even at night.
One of the main draws of Miraflores is the Malecón, a six-mile stretch of parks along the clifftops that offers stunning ocean views and perfect spots for watching Lima’s famous sunsets. It’s also home to Larcomar, a shopping centre built into the cliffs (and numerous paragliding launch points if you’re feeling adventurous).
The key thing about Miraflores is that basically all tours, trips and even experiences within the city itself leave from here, so if you stay somewhere else you often have to travel to Miraflores to get started.
Best Hostels in Miraflores
Pariwana Hostel Lima – I had some friends that stayed in this hostel in Miraflores, and had great things to say about it; really social vibes, comfortable beds, and huge common areas.
Naia Miraflores – This hostel in Miraflores is a former Selina hostel, and has a stunning rooftop bar with panoramic city views, as well as, of course, a co-working space for digital nomads. The modern pod-style dorms give extra privacy at backpacker prices.
Best Hotels in Miraflores
JW Marriott Lima – In this Miraflores hotel you get a prime oceanfront location with breathtaking Pacific views. The hotel offers luxury amenities throughout and sits within easy walking distance of the popular Larcomar shopping centre.
Casa Andina Premium Miraflores – This hotel in Miraflores is in a really central location in the heart of Miraflores. The hotel is known for its excellent breakfast spread and incorporates beautiful traditional Peruvian touches throughout its design.
🇵🇪 Read more: How Get from Lima Airport to Miraflores
Where to Stay in Barranco, South Lima
Best for: Bohemian Vibes & Cultural Experience
Barranco is Lima’s hippier, more artistic neighbourhood. It was once a seaside holiday resort for wealthy Peruvians, but Barranco has since transformed into a place for artists, musicians and other creatives. The streets are filled with colourful street art, and most of the hostels and hotels here are converted mansions, which is really cool.
I highly recommend taking a walking tour of Barranco’s street art, whether you end up staying here or not.
The neighbourhood centres around Parque Municipal and the famous Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros), a wooden bridge surrounded by local legends. The streets are lined with beautiful colonial and Republican-era architecture, much of which has been converted into boutique hotels, art galleries, and trendy cafes.
What I didn’t like about staying in Barranco is that we could never find anywhere good to eat – it was full of pastries and coffee shops, but we found hardly any actual restaurants (which is quite ironic as the one restaurant that does seem to be here in Barranco is Central, voted the best restaurant in the world in 2023.)
Best Hostels in Barranco
Ancestral Hostel Barranco – This is the hostel that I stayed at in Lima. It’s a huge hostel with food and drinks sold on-side (but there are also facilities to make food yourself). There are loads of common areas where you can hang out, meet people, or work, too. They were really helpful and arranged my transfer from Lima airport for a really good price, too. The only thing I didn’t like about Ancestral Hostal was that the basics like water and laundry were really expensive (and they lost two of my socks, too!).
Viajero Lima-Barranco Hostel – This is another hostel set in a huge, grand mansion building, with peaceful gardens, and a really social vibe. Viajero hostels is a hostel chain that you’ll find throughout South America. It’s kind of like Selina but for more backpacker vibes than digital nomad vibes. They are quite commercial and kind of predictable, but sometimes that can be a good thing!
Best Hotels in Barranco
Villa Barranco by Ananay Hotels – This Barranco hotel offers an intimate boutique experience in a beautifully preserved building with traditional architecture. The hotel treats guests to stunning ocean views and provides a perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort.
Second Home Peru – This hotel in Barranco is a guesthouse that literally overlooks the beach. This couldn’t be better placed because I saw some of the best sunset of my life here in Lima!

🇵🇪 Read more: A Full Guide to the Peru Backpacking Route
Where to Stay in San Isidro, Central Lima
Best for: Business Travellers & Luxury Stays
San Isidro is Lima’s upscale business district, between Miraflores and the historical centre. San Isidro neighbourhood is characterised by its manicured gardens, embassy buildings, and high-end shopping areas. The famous Olive Grove Park (Bosque El Olivar), home to centuries-old olive trees, is right nearby.
San Isidro offers some of Lima’s most luxurious hotels and finest restaurants, including several that regularly appear on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list. While it’s not as tourist-oriented as Miraflores or as bohemian as Barranco, it provides an elegant, quiet base with excellent amenities.
Best Hotels in San Isidro
The Westin Lima Hotel – This hotel in San Isidro offers spectacular city views from its upper floors and houses one of Lima’s best spas. The hotel is known for exceptional service and sophisticated business facilities.
Country Club Lima Hotel – This San Isidro hotel occupies yet another stunning building conversion, and surrounds guests with old-world elegance. The hotel overlooks the Golf Club of Lima and houses an impressive collection of colonial artwork on loan from the Pedro de Osma Museum.
🇵🇪 Read more: 24 Unmissable Landmarks in Peru
Things to Consider When Choosing Where to Stay in Lima
Before booking your accommodation, there are several important things to consider about where to stay in Lima. Lima’s notorious traffic makes it essential to stay close to your planned activities, as crossing the city gets incredibly time-consuming (I arrived in the middle of the night, and it still took more than two hours to get from the airport to Barranco, simply because we got stuck in traffic).
From June to November, the city experiences a heavy fog known as ‘la garúa’, which can limit those coveted ocean views and the sunsets I won’t stop going on about!
While Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro are relatively safe areas, it’s still wise to take normal city precautions, especially after dark. Uber provides reliable transport around Lima (except to and from the airport – check this article about how to get from Lima Airport to Miraflores for more info), and is often the most convenient way to get around.
If you’re planning to take day trips, Miraflores offers better transport connections to other parts of the city and to other places nearby in Peru, like Paracas and Huacachina.
Finally, Lima’s reputation as a culinary capital means many top restaurants in these areas require reservations weeks in advance, so plan accordingly if fine dining is on your agenda.
Where to Stay in Lima FAQs
What part of Lima is best to stay in?
Miraflores is generally considered the best area to stay in Lima, especially for first-time visitors. Miraflores has excellent restaurants, shopping centres, beautiful parks along the Malecón, and easy access to tours and transport connections. Plus, most activities and tours depart from Miraflores, making it an ideal base.
How many days are needed in Lima?
I’d say 2-3 days is ideal to explore Lima’s highlights. Most people say not to spend (waste) any time here, and if you are short on time then I’d definitely recommend spending only one night here, but if you have plenty of time then there’s a lot to see in 2-3 days!
What is the nicest neighbourhood in Lima, Peru?
San Isidro is Lima’s most upscale neighbourhood, however, for tourists, Miraflores and Barranco offer more charm and character. Miraflores provides modern amenities and ocean views, while Barranco offers colonial architecture and street art.
Is Lima a walkable city?
The tourist-friendly districts of Miraflores and Barranco are very walkable, with well-maintained sidewalks and pedestrian areas. The Malecón in Miraflores offers six miles of beautiful clifftop walks. However, Lima as a whole is not very pedestrian-friendly, and it’s best to use taxis or Uber when travelling between districts due to safety concerns.
Which is the safest area to stay in Lima?
Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro are the safest districts in Lima for tourists. Miraflores is particularly secure with regular police patrols and well-lit streets, even at night. It’s best to avoid staying in downtown Lima, which can be dangerous even during daylight hours.
Is Miraflores or Barranco better to stay in?
Miraflores is ideal for first-time visitors, offering modern amenities, excellent restaurants, and easy access to tours and transport. Barranco is perfect for those seeking a more artistic, bohemian experience with stunning street art and colonial architecture. Miraflores tends to be more convenient as most tours and activities depart from there.
What’s the best time of year to visit Lima?
The best time to visit Lima is from December to April when the weather is warmest and sunniest. From June to November, the city experiences heavy fog (‘la garúa’), which can limit ocean views and outdoor activities. However, this is also the low season, so you might find better accommodation rates.
Conclusion
Whether you choose the modern comforts of Miraflores or the artistic charm of Barranco, both neighbourhoods offer excellent bases for exploring Lima. While other districts like San Isidro (business district) and the Historic Centre (home to colonial architecture) are worth visiting, staying in either Miraflores or Barranco will give you the best combination of safety, amenities, and authentic Lima experience.