Where to Stay in Lima (2024) 5 Epic Areas for ALL Budgets!

Looking for where to stay in Lima? I lived in Lima practically all my life, so I’m happy to share my best, hand-picked Lima areas and hotels with you!

The best area to stay in Lima definitely is  Miraflores, especially for first-timers! 

I have gone ahead and manually compared practically all accommodation there is in the city and hand-picked the best of the best for each area. What is more, I made sure everyone can find their ideal accommodation because it is sorted by budget. 

1. MIRAFLORES – WHERE TO STAY FOR FIRST-TIMERS

Miraflores has it all! Nightlife, historical landmarks, and natural beauty! It is also the safest district to stay, making it perfect for first-time travelers. 

Its main attraction is the Malecón de Miraflores, a 10 km (~6 mi) esplanade along the shore with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

After all that walking, you can stop by Buenavista Café and relax with the gorgeous view in front of you. I recommend you try the Lucuma Cake, which is made from the native fruit!

You can also see ruins in this area. I highly suggest you visit the Huaca Pucllana Site Museum, a clay and adobe pyramid right in the middle of the city!

Parque Kennedy is ideal for a relaxing stroll and cat-seeing. Yes, the park is full of cute cats! You can also buy crafts made by local artists in its outdoor market!

Don’t forget to shop til you drop at Lima’s renowned outdoor mall, Larcomar!

2. HISTORIC CENTER – BEST PLACE TO STAY FOR SIGHTSEEING

The historic center is also known as Lima Centro. It is ideal for all of those looking to visit historical landmarks and enjoy traditional food and drinks on a budget.

The cherry on top of your day will be a relaxing drink at Vichama. A great place to meet locals and listen to live music while drinking affordable beers.

During your stay, you can visit the iconic Unesco World Heritage Site, the San Francisco Convent. I highly recommend you also check out the Catacombs underneath at its museum.

The Catacombs were built in 1546, and members of the catholic faith were buried here until 1810.

Wander around Plaza de Armas, also known as Plaza Mayor, and admire the beautiful Government Palace.

A must-stop in the area is Museo de Arte de Lima, which features unique Peruvian pre-columbian exhibitions.

For a comprehensive list of activities in the city, check out our guide with 12 amazing things to do in Lima.

3. BARRANCO – FOR LIMA’S EPIC NIGHTLIFE!

This district is the best place to stay in Lima for nightlife, offering a lot of entertainment. For a fun night out, stop by Sargento Pimienta Rock Bar and end the day on a high note! They usually have live music.

But Barranco has so much to offer besides nightlife. It is home to artists and poets; you will find them in every corner of the district.

All that artsyness makes it a great place to stay in Lima for couples.

Barranco is known as the Soho of Lima because of its unique artsy vibe.

I highly recommend you stop by Dedalo, which is a stunning art gallery featuring many local artists and a cute terrace cafe where you can relax after shopping.

This district has a unique chill feeling – you can stroll around the old, colorful colonial houses or relax at one of the area’s quirky cafés.

You can also find the Lima Museum of Contemporary Art in this area. Here, you can find art pieces from the 50’s to the present day.

Another great museum in the area is Museo Pedro de Osma, which features a private collection of Peruvian colonial art.

4. SAN ISIDRO – BEST AREA FOR FAMILIES

The upscale area of San Isidro is one of the quietest and safest residential areas in Lima. This makes it one of the best neighborhoods for family vacations!

This beautiful, relaxed residential district has plenty of high-brand shopping malls, restaurants, and lush parks.

Bosque El Olivar, also known as Olive Grove Park, is a great attraction for families with young kids. It is the perfect place for relaxing family strolls and picnics. This park also has a cute koi fish pond.

San Isidro used to be a beautiful area filled with Olive trees. In the 16th century, it was integrated into the city by the Spanish colonizers.

For shopping, I recommend venturing to Avenida Conquistadores. Along this street, you can find cute boutique clothing shops and restaurants – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you want to uncover history with the whole family, visit stunning archaeological sites in the area, like Huaca Huallamarca. It will be a fun, educational day for everyone.

5. PUEBLO LIBRE – FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS

If you’re looking for an area as quiet as San Isidro but at cheaper prices, Pueblo Libre, once called Antigua Magdalena, is definitely for you.

Another advantage of Pueblo Libre is its many attractions that can meet the tastes of everybody, and even if you’re on a budget, you’ll find something for you in Pueblo Libre.

There are plenty of museums in this area, so for the culture lovers among you, this neighborhood is the one.

In the former home of José de San Martin and Simon Bolivar, 2 key political figures in South America, you can visit the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru.

Another must-visit museum in the district is the Larco Museum. It is set in a stunning mansion with exhibitions of pre-Columbian artifacts. PRO TIP: Stop by the mansion’s onsite café. The decor is exquisite.

Pueblo Libre acquired its name after General José de San Martin liberated Peru from Spain. Pueblo Libre means ¨Free Town.¨

This district is home to a zoo and botanical gardens, Parque de las Leyendas, so if you’re traveling on a budget with kids, there’s plenty for them to do.