There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Lima each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) January 18: Foundation Day (national holiday)Lima celebrates the founding of the city by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on this day in 1535 with military and religious ceremonies, a parade, dances, traditional music and fireworks.
February: Lima Carnival (celebrated nationwide)Carnival is a very colourful celebration in Peru, with elaborate costumes, music and dancing, drawing visitors from around the world every February. This is a warm time of the year in Lima and throwing water at passers-by is a traditional carnival pastime!
May 1: Labour Day (national holiday) July 28–29: Independence Day (national holiday)The anniversary of Peru's declaration of independence on July 28, 1821 is the occasion for a large celebration: firing of cannons in Lima, military parade, ceremony at the cathedral, traditional music and processions.
August 30: Santa Rosa de Lima (national holiday)To commemorate the first canonized saint from Latin America, Santa Rosa de Lima, huge processions are held on this day in Lima. Pilgrims from throughout the country converge on the capital city.
October 18–28: Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles - local event)Celebrated since 1687, this major religious festival features large and solemn processions, drawing millions of faithful believers into the streets of Lima.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 19/66 | 26/79 | 0.8/0.03 | Good period to go
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February | 20/68 | 27/81 | 0.4/0.02 | Good period to go
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March | 20/68 | 26/79 | 0.4/0.02 | Good period to go
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April | 18/64 | 24/75 | 0.1/0.00 | Not the best period to go |
May | 16/61 | 22/72 | 0.3/0.01 | Not the best period to go |
June | 16/61 | 20/68 | 0.7/0.03 | Not the best period to go |
July | 15/59 | 19/66 | 1/0.04 | Not the best period to go |
August | 15/59 | 19/66 | 1,5/0.06 | Not the best period to go |
September | 15/59 | 19/66 | 0.7/0.03 | Not the best period to go |
October | 15/59 | 20/68 | 0.2/0.01 | Good period to go
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November | 17/63 | 22/72 | 0.1/0.00 | Good period to go
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December | 18/64 | 24/75 | 0.2/0.01 | Good period to go
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Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport is located about 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the city centre.
Lima covers a very large area. Buses are the best option for getting around the city. Given the constant traffic jams, not to mention the often reckless local drivers, using a car to get around Lima is best avoided!
Lima's bus network offers extensive coverage of the city and is quite efficient. Thousands of buses run on routes criss-crossing all districts. Fares range from about PEN 0.50 to PEN 2. If you need to cover long distances within the city, the Metropolitano buses use special reserved lanes along major thoroughfares. Fares on these buses may only be paid using a rechargeable card, which you can purchase for PEN 5, plus PEN 2.50 per ride. The fastest way to get around Lima.
Tens of thousands of taxis operate in Lima. Short trips within the city usually cost between PEN 5 and PEN 30. You should be aware that taxis do not always follow the Highway Code.
Upon your arrival in Lima, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
iPerú Tourist Information and AssistanceOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc).
See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Lima counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
VaccinationsBooster doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccines are recommended.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
It is recommended to:
Avoid drinking tap water. It is best to drink bottled water.
Travellers wishing to stay in Peru for more than three months need to obtain a visa and must be in possession of a passport valid for the duration of their proposed stay.
For further information, visit the website of the Peruvian Directorate of Migrations: https://www.migraciones.gob.pe/index.php/inmigracion-y-nacionalizacion
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Lima, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Spanish phrases that will make your stay in Lima a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: ¡ Buenos días ! (morning) / ¡ Buenas tardes ! (afternoon)
Thank you very much: Muchas gracias
I don't understand: No entiendo
Could you repeat ?: ¿ Puede repetir ?
What time is it ?: ¿ Que hora es ?
Sorry: Disculpe (to say sorry)
Excuse me: Con permiso (to get past) / ¡ Por favor ! (to get attention).
Train station: Estación de trenes
I'm looking for (…): Estoy buscando (…)
How much is (…)?: ¿ Cuál es el precio de (…) ? /¿ Cuánto es ?
Do you have (…)?: ¿ Tiene (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: ¿ Dónde puedo encontrar (…) ?
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory in Peru, but any amount will be appreciated accordingly. In restaurants, if you are pleased with the service, you can leave a tip of 3 to 5 PEN. You can also leave a few soles in bars. For taxis, the gratuity is already included in the fare.