Cami & Jose

Most visitors split time between the cliffside districts (Miraflores, Barranco) and, for a full day, the UNESCO-listed historic center—compact colonial blocks and big plazas, best visited with daylight on your side.

• Time zone: Peru stays on GMT−5 year-round (no daylight saving).
• Language: Spanish by default; English is common in hotels and higher-end dining.
• Coastal garúa (mist) is normal—pack layers even when the thermometer looks mild.

Airport (Jorge Chávez): pre-book a ride or use the official taxi desk. Directo is a long-standing, trusted taxi company many locals recommend for airport transfers.

• Uber and Cabify work well for point-to-point trips; prices are usually clear before you ride.
• Never hail a taxi off the street unless it is truly your only option—stick to apps, the hotel desk, or a booked company car. Random street cabs are a gamble on fare, vehicle condition, and safety.
• Rush hour is real (roughly 7–9:30 a.m. and 5–8 p.m.); allow extra time crossing districts.
• The Metropolitano bus line is cheap and fast along its corridor, but crowded—fine for an adventure, less ideal with heavy luggage.

A few logistics that make the trip smoother—nothing dramatic, just good habits.

Peru uses the sol (PEN) and, in many tourist-facing businesses, US dollars. ATMs are easy to find in malls and main avenues; withdraw soles for markets and tips.

• You can change US dollars to soles at the airport booths or with street cambistas in Miraflores—look for people in beige vests (licensed money-changers). Count your bills and stay alert; banks are the slowest but safest option.
• Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere. American Express and Diners Club are less common, but most upscale restaurants and hotels still take them.
• Cards are widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets.
• Contactless (Apple Pay / Google Wallet) is increasingly common in urban chains.
• Some charges may post in USD—check your receipt before you tap or sign.

For a first visit, we suggest basing yourself in one of these districts—all are well-lit, busy at night, and full of dining options:

• Miraflores — the default choice: ocean views, parks, walkable blocks, and easy access to the Malecón.
• San Isidro — quieter, leafy, more corporate; excellent hotels and business-class comfort.
• San Borja — residential and calm; very safe, slightly fewer tourist landmarks within walking distance.

• Temperatures are mild year-round; the coast rarely feels “tropical hot,” but humidity is noticeable.
• Gray skies are common—UV is still strong. Sunscreen is non-negotiable on coastal walks.
• Evenings can cool off quickly after sunset; a light jacket or scarf helps.
• Altitude is sea level—no acclimatization needed before heading to the wedding venue.

With 2–3 days, you can add the historic center and a museum day without rushing:

Peruvian summer on the coast is a better fit for a quick add-on after Lima—sun, desert, and beaches without the highland rain gamble.

• Huacachina (Ica) — oasis and sand dunes; easy to pair with a Nazca flyover if you book ahead; by bus, use only CIVA or Cruz del Sur
• Paracas — national reserve, Ballestas Islands wildlife, and seafood towns a few hours south; by bus, book only CIVA or Cruz del Sur
• Máncora / northern beaches — warmer water and surf; fly from Lima (domestic to Piura or Talara) plus ground transfer—we would not do this leg as a long bus from Lima

Peru’s food reputation is deserved: ceviche, causa, anticuchos, and regional tasting menus are all part of daily life—not only special occasions.

• Ceviche is traditionally a lunch dish (fish caught that morning); many classic cevicherías close by mid-afternoon. Skip ceviche at night—late fish breaks local habit for a reason and is a common trigger for stomach trouble.
• Your gut flora is not the same as Lima’s; piling on rich, spicy, and unfamiliar food (especially all at once) often throws visitors off for a day or two. Eat a little less than your eyes want, especially the first nights.
• Weekday menú ejecutivo set lunches are an affordable way to try serious cooking without the dinner price tag.
• Reservations matter at ranked restaurants—book as early as your plans allow.
• Most venues use Mesa 24/7 or Meitre for online bookings; installing both before you land saves back-and-forth on WhatsApp.
• Service charge is sometimes included; if not, 10% is a common guideline when you are happy with the meal.
• For a classic pisco sour in a landmark room, stop at the bar of the Gran Hotel Bolívar by Plaza San Martín (historic centre)—order is famously generous.

Lima takes coffee seriously—specialty roasters sit next to old-school panaderías. Mornings are a good time to recover from jet lag with strong espresso and maracuyá anything.

• Neighborhood cafés: Arabica, Puku Puku, and Strada are reliable chains with cozy branches.
• Historic Barranco: Tostaduría Bisetti for beans and pastries; Hotel B’s patio if you want a splurge breakfast.
• For churros or picarones, follow the local queue—sweet snacks are a street-food art form on weekends.

• Police: 105
• Firefighters: 116
• Ambulance (SAMU): 106
• Rímac Seguros (customer service, Lima): +51 1 411-1111 — use your policy’s assist or claims line if your documents list a different number

• Anchor plans around meals—Lima rewards reservations and punctual appetites.
• Traffic swings distances more than maps suggest; pad transfers around peak hours.
• Carry sun protection even when the sky looks overcast.
• Mix one “big” culture day with slower coastal days—you will remember both.