Peru · CITY TOURS IN LIMA
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 city tours in Lima worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Start with hotel pickup in Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro, then visit Huaca Pucllana and Lima’s grand colonial center. Walk through Plaza San Martín, Jirón de la Unión, Plaza Mayor, and San Francisco Monastery with a local guide. Guides such as Jordan, Aura, and Edwin are praised for clear history and personal tips.
“The guide was knowledgeable, polite, helpful. I have no complaints!”
Start at Larcomar and ride an air-conditioned Turibus through Miraflores before exploring Lima’s historic center on foot. Guides such as Bryan and Yoanna lead the central walking tour, covering Pucllana, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Government Palace, and Santo Domingo. WiFi and USB chargers are included, but hotel pickup is not.
“Awesome experience!!! Both of our guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. I really enjoyed the casual and relaxing atmosphere, Gracias amigos!!”
Use a six-hour private tour to see Lima between flights. Your guide meets you at Jorge Chávez Airport, then a driver handles the city traffic while you visit Miraflores, Parque del Amor, the historic center, San Francisco Catacombs, Plaza de Armas, ChocoMuseo, and Plaza San Martín. Guides such as Ismael, Andres, Julia, and Jose have been praised for clear English and flexible pacing.
“Our tour guide Julia was amazing, and the driver Javier as well. They both made our layover experience great. So glad we booked this tour for our 11 hours layover. They picked us up bright and early, and dropped us off at the airport with enough time before our flight.”
Spend four hours tracing Lima from Huaca Pucllana to the colonial center and Pacific coast. Your guide handles transport, cathedral entry, craft shops, and a ChocoMuseo tasting. Morning and afternoon departures, hotel pickup, and groups capped at 15 make this a useful first look at Lima, though traffic can shorten some stops.
“David was so friendly and very knowledgable about Lima! This tour’s pacing was perfect. We had one day to see Lima, and this tour delivered in a four-hour timeframe. They picked us up from our hotel right on time and got us back on time as well. Worth it!”
See Lima’s historic center, San Francisco catacombs, Plaza de Armas, Miraflores Love Park, and Surquillo Market in about six hours. A local guide such as Julia, Andreas, or Vilko leads the visit in a small air-conditioned van, with a ceviche and Pisco Sour demonstration and free port-area pickup and drop-off. Lunch costs extra.
“Very knowledgeable and friendly Would definitely recommend you give these guys a go. You will not regret it . Far better value than booking similar tour on cruise line excursions.”
You’ll travel from Pachacamac’s pre-Inca and Inca oracle to Barranco, Lima’s historic center, San Francisco Convent, and the Magic Water Circuit. A guide such as Andy, Andrea, or Pamela leads the day, with transport, entrance fees, and a two-course lunch included. The small group has a maximum of six people.
“It was a wonderful trip to the past. Pamila my tour guide was very friendly, informative and knowledgeable . She explained everything nicely. I was treated as royalty. Lunch was perfect. Timing and schedule was suitable. Our driver Jorjes knew his way around . I really enjoyed the tour and would advise you to take it yourself. Engulfed into history. The last part of your which is the magical fountains was superb.”
Spend a full day touring Lima by air-conditioned minivan, from Parque del Amor and Huaca Pucllana to Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo, and Larco Museum. Lunch, a pisco sour, snacks, hotel transport, and the Magic Water Circuit are included. Bilingual guides such as Gabriella, Ursula, and Victor have led past departures.
“Really enjoyed our tour. Had 2 very knowlegeable guides. Lunch was lovely.”
Spend about four hours touring Lima with a guide and a maximum of 13 people. Visit Love Park, Huaca Pucllana, El Olivar, the historic center, and Santo Domingo Church, with drone video filmed at Love Park and given to you as a keepsake. Guides may include Verónica, Jair, Benjamin, or José.
“Excellent tour of downtown Lima and its parks. Benjamin, our guide a star along with the driver who touched us that day, 01 inside.Auto-translated”
In four hours, you travel from Miraflores through Huaca Pucllana, San Isidro, and the Magic Water Circuit to Lima’s historic center. A bilingual guide leads the bus commentary and walking tour, followed by a 30 to 40-minute visit to the San Francisco catacombs. Hotel transport, food, and drinks are not included.
“Comunicación más con el guía,, quizás especificar más en el tour que incluye ,,”
Spend roughly three hours exploring Lima’s old center with an English or Spanish guide. Visit Plaza San Martín, Jirón de la Unión, La Merced, Plaza Mayor, and San Francisco Monastery with its catacombs. Guides Pamela, Saul, and Vilma have earned praise for clear history, warm service, and adapting the walk to guests’ interests.
“Pamela from Apullay Tours was amazing - completely fluent in English, very knowledgable about Peruvian history and culture, friendly, helpful and responsive to our interests. In a few hours, we got an amazing overview of the culture, history and architecture of Lima with time to stop in a museum that provided a great overviw of pre-Incan history and ceramics. We were lucky enoguh to be the only couple on our tour and so got a private tour for an amazing value, including pick up and drop off at our hotel. This was a wonderful experience!”
Spend about three and a half hours exploring Lima’s historic center with a guide such as Felipe, Leidy, or Moises. Walk from Plaza San Martin along Jiron de la Union to Plaza de Armas, then visit San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Groups are capped at seven, with hotel pickup in selected Lima districts.
“Amazing tour with an amazing guide! Moises was very informative, personable and entertaining. He showed us main sites and viewpoints and gave great information that I wasn’t aware of. Also took time to take pictures of whomever wanted them in the group :) The day turned out longer than expected but that was due to crazy traffic! Would still recommend this tour.”
Start at Terrua Cafeteria and cycle through Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco with a guide speaking English or Spanish. You’ll see Huaca Pucllana, El Olivar Park, the coastal boardwalk, and Barranco’s street art. The four-hour ride includes a bicycle, safety equipment, and a small snack, with groups limited to seven.
“Bel tour attraverso tre quartieri di Lima, bici perfettamente funzionante, esperienza super consigliata! :)”
Spend about four hours exploring Lima by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an official guide. You’ll see San Isidro’s olive grove, Huaca Pucllana from outside, the Cathedral and Pizarro’s crypt, Plaza Mayor, Parque del Amor, and ChocoMuseo. Guide David is noted for patient, clear explanations.
“Just a little regret that Huaca Pucllana was closed, only see it from the van. Interesting walk through the city centre.”
Visit Lima’s ancient Huaca Pucllana adobe pyramid, then view pre-Columbian ceramics, jewelry, and art at the Larco Museum. A professional English or Spanish-speaking guide and private transportation handle the four-hour outing from your hotel. Miguel and driver Jaime have earned praise for clear explanations and friendly service.
“Miguel was very informative, and I learned a lot from what he taught. Jaime, the driver, was a great driver.”
Spend four hours seeing Lima from Miraflores to the historic center, with stops at Love Park, Huaca Pucllana, Plaza San Martín, San Francisco Church and Catacombs, and Plaza de Armas. Your private guide may be Susan, Valeria, Rosario, Diana, or another local expert. Expect history, traffic, shopping, and a close look at Lima’s colonial past.
“Valeria was an amazing guide and Carlos was.a fantastic driver. They made my trip worth every penny.”
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