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Planning a trip to Lima, Peru? You’re in for a treat!
Peru is our favorite country in South America, and its capital city is the perfect place to soak up the country’s vibrant culture, yummy food, and fascinating history. Most travelers tend to spend just a few days here, and since we know the city super well (we even lived here for a while), we decided to create the ultimate itinerary to help you plan the perfect three days in Lima.
Follow our insider guide and you’ll enjoy must-see attractions, local gems, and plenty of delicious food. So bring your appetite and your sense of adventure, and let’s dive in!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal favorite activity was this full-day tour to Huacachina and Paracas. We cruised to the Ballestas Islands to see sea lions and penguins, then hit the dunes in Huacachina for sandboarding and a wild buggy ride. It was a total blast from start to finish!
Day 1
Breakfast – Manolo
Kick off your first day in Lima with breakfast at Manolo, a beloved spot known for its crispy, gooey churros. You absolutely have to try them, but I do recommend grabbing something more filling, such as a torta, to go with them. This afternoon’s cooking class doesn’t start until 2 pm, so you’ll want to have a filling breakfast!
Manolo opens at 7 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends, but either way, you should have plenty of time to enjoy those delicious churros before you meet the tour at 9 am. It’s located in Miraflores, and you can arrange to meet the tour outside a nearby hotel when you select the meeting point. I suggest INNSiDE by Melia Miraflores as it’s just a 4-minute walk from the café, or you can choose your own hotel if you stay nearby.
Speaking of which, we stayed in Miraflores and we highly recommend that you do the same. It’s a very central area, and it’s super convenient in terms of this itinerary, as you’ll be close to everything!
Morning – Explore Miraflores, Barranco & San Isidro with a local guide
We think this 3-hour tour is the perfect introduction to Lima! Instead of wandering aimlessly, you’ll enjoy a guided journey through Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco, and be back at your hotel around midday.
We had such a great time on this tour. We started at the Huaca Pucllana ruins, where we learned about ancient Lima cultures, then strolled through the peaceful Olive Park in San Isidro, which is filled with centuries-old olive trees and little ponds with turtles.
Later on, we visited Parque del Amor for stunning ocean views and snapped photos at the colorful mosaic walls and “El Beso” statue.
The final stop was Barranco, our favorite part of the tour, where we wandered past colorful murals, crossed the famous Bridge of Sighs, and got to know the artsy side of Lima. We loved checking out the area’s vibrant street art and learning the legends behind the “Bridge of Sighs” from our guide, Alex.
This is the kind of tour that really helps you get your bearings and see the contrast between Lima’s modern, historic, and bohemian sides. We left with a much clearer sense of how the city’s past and present blend together, and plenty of ideas for what to do next. It’s the kind of introduction that makes you want to explore even more!
Book the exact tour that we did right here and get FREE cancellation!
Stroll around Kennedy Park
You’ll have just under two hours before your next tour begins at 2 pm, and since it’s a cooking class, you won’t need to worry about grabbing lunch. Luckily, you don’t have to go far either because the class starts right in Miraflores, where you’ll be dropped back after your tour. So, we suggest spending this free time exploring Kennedy Park!
Kennedy Park is a lively little square that’s famous for its resident cats (yes, real ones!). It’s so cute to see them lounge around while locals pass through. The area around the park is full of small shops, street vendors, and cafés, so you could grab a coffee or just amble around. This is the perfect place to go for a wander without needing a plan.
Then, once you’re ready to head to the cooking class, it’s just a 6-minute walk from here to the meeting point. Or if your feet need a break, hotel pickup is an option too!
Afternoon – Learn how to cook Peruvian food and visit a local market
This half-day cooking tour was one of the most fun things we ever did while living in Lima, so book it for 2 pm this afternoon. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and spend around 4 hours learning how to cook authentic Peruvian food before being dropped off again at about 6 pm.
The entire experience feels authentic, from purchasing the ingredients at a local market to savoring the meal you’ve cooked. The guides do a great job of teaching you each recipe and making the whole experience super enjoyable!
You start by heading to a market to collect all the necessary ingredients. The market itself was fascinating as it’s just so different from what we’re used to back home.
Then, your guide and personal chef will take you to the kitchen to prepare your choice of fish, beef, or vegetarian dishes. When we went, ceviche and Causa Rellena were on the menu (and they were equally delicious). Our passionate and hilarious chef instructed us the entire time, so we never felt lost in the cooking process.
This was such a fun and unique experience—we still make Lomo Saltado to this day! And it’s great value for money too, because you’ll get more than enough food for lunch and dinner.
Check out HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews and book this cooking class here!
Evening – See the Magic Water Circuit Show
One cool thing about Lima is that it’s actually home to the largest outdoor water fountain complex in the world—and it even has a Guinness World Record to prove it! So we think that the Magic Water Circuit show is a must-see while you’re in town, and it’s the perfect way to spend an evening.
You’ll find this dazzling light and water show in Parque de la Reserva. It has 13 fountains choreographed to music and colorful projections, a bit like the famous Bellagio fountain show in Las Vegas—only better!
Shows run nightly at 7:15, 8:15, and 9:10 pm. After your cooking class, we recommend hopping in an Uber or a taxi and heading over in time for the 7:15 show, as Parque de la Reserva is just a 15-minute drive from Miraflores. Entry is super affordable too, around 5 soles (or $1.50 USD).
Once the show wraps up, do what we did and walk a few minutes over to Pachanka Restaurant & Bar and wind down with a classic Pisco Sour. It’s the perfect way to end the evening—cheers!
Day 2
Breakfast – DeliBakery La Punta
DeliBakery La Punta is a super cute little breakfast spot that serves up a ton of tasty pastries and hearty breakfasts. Plus, it’s just a 6-minute walk from the 10 am meeting point for the morning tour. It opens at 7 am daily, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy your breakfast before you head out.
Morning – Swim with sea lions
Swimming with sea lions is an experience like no other! While there are a few different companies that offer the experience, we booked this exact tour with Viator and highly recommend it.
You meet at the port in Callao, which is around a half-hour drive from Miraflores if there’s some traffic. The boat leaves at 10 am and takes you to the Palomino Islands. These islands are just off the coast of Callao, where you can see penguins, sea birds, and of course sea lions!
There are actually thousands of sea lions here, so it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll see them and, more importantly, get to swim with them! We first noticed all the sea lions hanging around the island, grabbing some sun and playing in the water. Then we got to put on our wetsuits and jump in!
The sea lions are really curious and playful creatures, so they actually swim over to check you out. I had sea lions swimming around my feet and bumping into them under the water!
This tour uses a speedboat, which is faster and means less rocking around on the water. That’s good news if you’re like me and get easily seasick. I didn’t feel queasy at all! And I’m not the only one who loved it, as it has over 500 glowing reviews—read them here!
Book this bucket list experience here, with FREE cancellation!
Lunch – Ceviche
Ceviche originated right here in Peru, so where better to enjoy it than where it all began? You’ll find the world’s best ceviche here, so find a local spot for lunch and tuck in.
We spent a lot of time exploring Lima’s cevicherias when we lived here, so we’ll share a few of our favorites and you can choose the one that’s closest to where you’re staying. We loved Cevichería Barra Maretazo in Miraflores for both the fresh seafood and the amazing service, or Cevicheria Puerto 260 in the Historic Center is both delicious and affordable. And if you go to check out the Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre, El Bolivariano is a real standout.
Afternoon – Choose your own adventure
You’ve got a few free hours this afternoon, so it’s the perfect chance to explore at your own pace. Whether you’re in the mood for scenic ocean views or diving into more of Lima’s rich history, we’ve got a few great suggestions. You likely won’t squeeze in everything, so just pick the one that sounds most up your alley!
Miraflores Malecon and paragliding
The Miraflores Malecón is one of Lima’s best spots to take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, lush parks, and the city skyline. It stretches for about 6 miles (10 kilometers), so it’s perfect for a leisurely walk. You can go as far or as little as you want, soaking up the fresh ocean breeze and watching locals enjoy the open spaces. Whether you’re strolling, stopping for a coffee, or just relaxing on a bench, the Malecón offers a peaceful escape right in the heart of Miraflores.
But if you’re anything like me, you might find yourself craving a bit more adventure, in which case I suggest you book this epic paragliding flight. This is such a cool experience, as you get to fly tandem with an expert pilot and soar up to 300 meters (984 feet) above the ocean in a lightweight paratrike, which is basically a lightweight trike with a paraglider wing. The flight lasts from 10–12 minutes, and in that time, you get incredible aerial views of Lima’s gorgeous Costa Verde.
Check prices and book this top-rated paragliding experience here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Larco Museum
The Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre is a must-visit for anyone interested in Peruvian history and pre-Columbian culture. It’s open daily from 9 am—7 pm, and it’s home to a stunning collection of well-preserved artifacts, including incredible gold necklaces and headpieces that will take your breath away!
English tours run every half hour starting at 9:30 am for just 10 soles. We caught one, and our guide, Jahssel, was full of fascinating stories that brought the exhibits to life. Give yourself about two hours here because you’ll want plenty of time to enjoy one of the best museums in Latin America.
Plaza de Armas and San Francisco Covenant
Lima’s historic center is always worth checking out. It’s full of beautiful buildings and boasts a lively atmosphere, so if you’re into architecture, history, or just people-watching in a pretty plaza, this spot’s for you. And just around the corner, you’ll find the Basílica and Convent of San Francisco, which is home to Lima’s famous catacombs.
You can just show up and join a guided tour—there’s no need to book ahead. The tour is super interesting and takes about an hour. It costs 20 soles (around $5 USD) and afterwards, we suggest spending some time wandering the surrounding streets and soaking up the history.
Evening – Taste your way around Lima
I love food tours, and this one is my top choice in Lima because it includes 15 different food and drink tastings! Book it for 5 pm, meet your guide at the Plaza San Francisco, and make sure you come hungry because this walking food tour is sure to leave you full!
You’ll not only try a variety of Peruvian dishes, but you’ll also get to participate in workshops to learn about making some yourself.
In between all of the delicious tastings, you’ll get a tour of the trendy Barranco neighborhood and enjoy cultural sights such as the Bridge of Sighs. While we were certainly here for a food tour, we really liked these additional activities. They help break up the eating portions so you can build up that appetite!
One of my favorite dishes I tried on this tour was causa rellena, which is a delicious layered potato casserole that I washed down with some Andean punch. I also loved the lomo saltado, a typical local dish with marinated sirloin and grilled vegetables over French fries and rice. It’s like the Peruvian version of poutine, so the Canadian side of me felt right at home!
This food tour has hundreds of five-star reviews for good reason, so make sure to book in advance to avoid missing out! Oh, and remember that you’ve got an early start and a big day tomorrow, so just head back to your hotel and get a good night’s rest after the tour ends.
Book our favorite food tour here and enjoy FREE 24-hour cancellation!
Related Read: For even more travel inspiration, check out our roundup of 10 fun things to do in Lima here to pack your days with even more unforgettable experiences!
Day 3
Take a full-day trip to Huacachina and the Ballestas Islands
We love exploring Lima, but getting out on a day trip to Huacachina is a must while you’re here. Seriously, this small town is one of my favorite places in South America. And on this full-day tour, you’ll not only get to visit this incredible Insta-worthy town, but you’ll also visit the beautiful Ballestas Islands, which are often referred to as “Peru’s Galapagos.”
You can try and do a day trip to these areas on your own, but a bus ride from Lima takes about 4.5 hours, making it a super long day. The tour that we did makes it so much easier to visit these epic Peruvian destinations in just one day.
You’ve probably come across the town of Huacachina on your Instagram feed. This small town, or “Oasis,” as it’s called, is centered around a lake and palm trees in the middle of mountainous sand dunes. It’s one of my favorite places in South America and definitely shouldn’t be missed on your trip to Peru!
You’ll start with a luxury bus ride to Paracas, complete with comfy seats, air conditioning, onboard toilets, and even TVs. In Paracas, we hopped on a boat tour around the Ballestas Islands to spot sea lions, seals, penguins, and rare birds in their natural habitat. Afterward, it was off to Huacachina, where we had time to explore before hopping in a dune buggy and hitting the slopes for some sandboarding thrills.
This is an unforgettable day packed with adventure! You’ll get back at around 11:30 pm, so it’s a long day, but it’s so worth it. You don’t want to miss Huacachina or the Ballestas Islands, I can promise you that—and the FIVE THOUSAND glowing reviews certainly agree with me!
Book this tour here before it sells out!
Related Read: Heading to Cusco next? Check out our Cusco itinerary here on how to spend three days in this historic city, from exploring Incan ruins to wandering the cobblestone streets of San Blas.
Where to Stay in Lima, Peru
Now that you’ve got the perfect Lima itinerary sorted, you’ll need a place to stay! Lima is a big city with lots of options, but as mentioned, we recommend staying in Miraflores because it’s super central and will make exploring a breeze.
We even lived in the neighborhood for a while, and so we’ve got some insider recommendations to share. These places all have great reputations, and there’s somewhere to suit every budget, so keep on reading to find your ideal base in the Peruvian capital.
Luxury – $$$
JW Marriott Hotel Lima is located right behind the Miraflores’ Larcomar shopping center, with amazing views of the ocean. The location is absolutely perfect! The rooms are luxurious, and the bathrooms feel like mini spas. You might even struggle to drag yourself away and go exploring!
Rooms start at around $300 USD per night, and you can find the best rates on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Larq’a Park Rooms is a beautiful hotel with amazing reviews. The hotel is in a heritage building right next to Parque Kennedy, and the rooms are modern, clean, and comfortable. They have a nice common area where you can enjoy the complimentary continental breakfast. Although we’ve included it as mid-range, it could easily be considered a budget option because rooms start as low as $45 USD. Click here to snag this awesome deal!
Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro is my top pick in Miraflores, Lima. The hotel has a 9.2 on Booking.com, and it’s no wonder since the staff are so attentive and sweet! It’s perfectly located in a quiet and safe area within walking distance of many restaurants, cafes, and shops. Rooms are super clean and come with either a king bed or two singles. Stays here include breakfast and cost only $70 USD per night. You can book your stay at Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro online here.
Budget – $
NAIA Miraflores Lima is a bright, modern hostel in Miraflores with a colorful aesthetic and super clean rooms and bathrooms. It has a nice, easygoing vibe that makes it easy to meet people, and its location in the heart of Miraflores is perfect for exploring cafes, shops, and parks. Prices start at around $12 USD for a bunk and $42 USD for a private room, depending on availability. You can book NAIA Miraflores Lima on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Pariwana Hostel is the most popular and famous party hostel in Miraflores. It’s the perfect hostel to let loose and meet other travelers. Plus, prices are super reasonable, with dorms costing less than $20 USD and private rooms less than $70 USD. If you want to party and have fun in Lima, you can book the Pariwana Hostel on Hostelworld or Booking.com.
For even more options, check out all of Lima’s hotels listed here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
There’s so much to see and do in Lima, but I hope this 3-day itinerary has helped you sort out your visit! We’ve tried and tested all these experiences ourselves, and they truly showcase the best of what this vibrant city has to offer. We hope you have an incredible time here!
If this is just the start of your journey through this beautiful country (lucky you!), make sure to check out our other Peru blogs here for more travel tips and ideas. Or, we’ve picked out a few of our favorites below that you might find helpful—happy exploring!
Where to Stay in Cusco, Peru: 4 Best Areas & Hotels