Love Lima for less: how to stretch your budget in the Peruvian capital
Home to world-renowned restaurants and award-winning boutique hotels, the cosmopolitan capital of Peru can be posh indeed. Yet straying from the “best of” lists can give you options for accommodations, eating out and even transportation to please every type of budget.
Getting the most out of your trip to Lima needn’t break the bank. In fact, opting for lesser-known (and less expensive) experiences often brings a more enriching taste of local life and culture. Here are some travel tips that will keep help you navigate Lima on budget.
Book flights to Lima during the shoulder seasons to save 10% to 20% in airfare
At the cusp of Lima’s summer (September to November) and again at its tail end (April to May), the city hosts a comparatively low count of tourists. One of the biggest perks of being an off-season tourist is lower airfare. What’s more, avoiding the crowds of travelers that arrive during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer season can allow you to feel less like a, well, tourist and more a part of local life. You’ll also likely find that the staff at restaurants and hotels are more accommodating when there are fewer customers to serve.
There is only one airport in Lima, but many ways to get to your lodging in town
The Jorge Chávez International Airport is the central hub for almost everyone arriving in Lima and traveling on to every other corner of the country. After retrieving your luggage, you will be swarmed by overpriced taxi services practically begging you to choose them. On the other end of the price spectrum are city buses and taxis you can hail on the street. Avoid these for safety reasons.
If traveling with one or more persons (or lots of luggage), consider using a rideshare app like Uber. It'll cost you approximately S/40–50 (US$11–13.70) to the Miraflores and Barranco districts.
For solo travelers staying in the Miraflores district, use Quick Llama Airport Shuttle (US$5) or Airport Express Lima (US$8); the latter also offers services to San Isidro (US$6). If staying in Barranco, you can simply take one of the bus services to Miraflores followed by a cheap and quick taxi ride onward to your hotel.
Take a menú for lunch
A fixed lunch with no-fuss tableware and decor, a menú in Lima is the ideal way to try the flavors of Peru without having to splurge. A chalkboard or whiteboard will list the day’s options, including a traditional Peruvian starter (think stuffed avocado or potatoes bathed in a creamy sauce), a main dish and beverage (usually a watered-down fruit juice or the sweetened herbal drink called emoliente).
Many hole-in-the-wall establishments in the city only serve menús. Frequented by a diverse crowd that includes business people as well as construction crews during the lunch hour, menús are typically priced between S/8–15 (US$2–4) – anything lower than that may not be worth risking your stomach for. With prices like these, you could save up enough to splurge at one of Peru’s leading fine-dining restaurants for your last meal of the trip.
Head to Lima’s historical center on the metro
Another transportation option for travelers looking to spend an afternoon in Lima’s downtown is the metropolitano system. Also referred to as the metro, the rapid transit service runs from the Historic Center and heads south, making stops along the way in San Isidro, Miraflores, Barranco and Chorrillos.
In order to ride the metro, you will need to make a small investment of S/5 ($1.30) for a rechargeable card. No matter which station you board from or get off at, each ride costs S/1.50 (US$.4o). With a fixed price and regular schedules, Lima’s metro is far more user-friendly than the city buses.
If time is not a factor, brave the public bus
Lima traffic is notorious for its chaos, and some of the key performers in the streets’ daily dance are the city buses. Packed with passengers and unafraid to swerve and cut tight corners, the public buses in Lima are undeniably cheap.
For less than a single dollar, you can ride from a touristy district like Barranco or Miraflores and arrive at Gamarra, the massive fabric and clothing market in La Victoria. The ride will be much longer than if you had opted for a taxi, but you can sit back and enjoy the trip as a scenic tour of Lima neighborhoods. Plus, there is always the thrilling chance that a street performer will come aboard to entertain. Read More…
