Lima Travel Forum

I am travelling to Peru for vacations and will be starting in Lima for 3 or 4 nights. Then i plan to move to the most interesting places in the country (cusco, machu picchu, etc...)
What do you think is the best area to stay in town...? A well located, safe and good location to plan my trip around the country... (maybe with some good local travel agencies, a good hotel and if possible close to nightlife)

I've had some people recommending Miraflores, is this the best location in town?

I appreciate your help. Thanks!

I liked Miraflores when I stayed in Lima. It was a short walk to the pyramid and to the indigenous crafts markets. It was also very near the trendy part of town with lots of great restaurants and nightclubs. Check out my Lima page. The hostel I stayed at is listed. The owner was also very helpful to recommend things to see and do around the country.

Depnds on your budget. I stayed at a hostel in Miraflores called Friends. Cheap enough if you don't mind sharing a room. I seem to remember being given a door key, so coming and going was no problem.

Hi Fraga

Miraflores is a good place, it has a good location and also is safe, I spend 3 nights in a nice & quiet hotel. About nightlife is very nice too, for example we went to Gotica and Aura Discotheques, these are located in Larcomar Shoppingh Center a very well known area in Miraflores. Nice restaurantas like Haití or Shehadi, I recommend those places.
If you like help with destinations and lodgings in Peru you could ask for help to Apu Kuntur Peru, this is a local tour operator, they helped us in our trip to Peru, is a reliable company, the email is apuquntur@hotmail.com

well have a nice day and good luck with your trip :)

Rodrigo

I prefer the restaurants around Parque Central/Parque Kennedy in Miraflores above those in Larcomar. Cafe Cafe, La Tiendecita Blanca, El Parquetito, La Tranquera (on Av. Pardo).

I stayed in Miraflores in January. It is one of the better neighborhoods in Lima to stay. Very safe with lots of restaurants, bars, etc. I stayed at Hostal El Patio. Very clean, pretty and safe with great staff. They met me at the airport for 15 US--well worth it. 35 for single room--45 for double with private bathroom.

Enjoy,

Tom

I stayed in Miraflores where most tourists/visitors really are when they are in town. There are many accommodations available from the non-rated to 5 star rated hotels. It just depends what your preference is. As for travel operators/agencies/miscellaneous questions, check with Noel aka "nhoolb" who has extensive knowledge about Peru and is really a VT expert in this area of the world. You find many lodgings/accommodations & nightlife not only in the Miraflores area, but also in San Isidro and Barranco. Goodluck & do enjoy beautiful Peru!

I'm in Miraflores right now. After 4 weeks here I can say by far it's the best part of Lima for a tourist.

Very safe, a travel agency almost on every block. Good food, safe water, and many people speak more than one language.

As for shopping for local items, they have lots here, but you will find better prices in the other cites (like Cusco).

As mentioned there is a type of hotel for everyone's taste. Book early and shop for prices. A 4 to 5 star room can go from as little as $100 to as much as $600+ a night.

Also when the hotel web site says only 25 minutes from the airport... the only time you are going to Miraflores that quickly is at 3 in the morning. I've been going back and forth every day, the fastest during daylight hours has been 40 minutes, and some days as much as an hour.

About currency exchange, don't mess with the airport. Dollars and Euros are accepted most everywhere, and if you do need Sol, there are exchangers on the street. They are easily spotted, wearing a bright vest with their ID # on it.

As for Cusco that is my favorate city here. So much history and culture to enjoy. Make sure you set enough time to fully enjoy it.