Lima
Capital of Peru
Lima is the capital of Peru and had a population of nearly 10 million in 2022. The city draws visitors with its historic sites and museums.
What to see
Lima features two sites recognized by UNESCO: the Historic Centre of Lima and Pachacamac. The city contains many landmarks, including the Plaza Mayor, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima, the Legislative Palace, the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, the Casa de Aliaga, and the Gran Hotel Bolívar. For those interested in culture and history, the city offers the Larco Museum, the Lima Art Museum, and the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru. Outdoor spaces include the Parque de la Reserva and the Parque de las Leyendas.
When to go
Lima experiences very little rainfall throughout the year. The warmest months are January, February, and March, with daily highs reaching 24 °C to 25 °C and lows around 20 °C to 21 °C. Temperatures drop between May and November, with daily highs ranging from 18 °C to 21 °C and lows between 15 °C and 17 °C.
Getting there
Travelers can reach the city via Jorge Chávez International Airport, which is located 9 km from Lima.
Top sights in Lima
Weather by month
The warmest month is February, with an average high of 25 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 |
| Average low, °C | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| Rainfall, mm | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Rainy days | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Lima (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, Lima
- Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, Lima
- Casa de Aliaga
- Gran Hotel Bolívar
- Larco Museum
- Legislative Palace
- Lima Art Museum
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima
- National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru
- Parque de la Reserva
- Parque de las Leyendas
- Plaza Mayor, Lima