Capital city, Peru
Lima for solo travelers
Is Lima good for solo travel?
Peru's huge capital on Pacific cliffs, with South America's top restaurants, museums and surf. Miraflores and Barranco are easy for solo travelers; traffic, grey winter skies and petty crime are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Catcalling is common. Solo women travel here widely; use app taxis at night and stay in Miraflores or Barranco. |
How to meet people in Lima
Hostels in Miraflores and Barranco with social nights, surf schools in Miraflores, cooking classes, language exchanges, coworking events and walking tours.
Good things to do alone
- Take a ceviche cooking class
- Walk the Miraflores and Barranco cliffs
- Visit Museo Larco and the historic center
- Surf a beginner lesson at Playa Makaha
- Paraglide from the Miraflores cliffs
Where to stay in Lima
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Miraflores | First stays: cliffs, restaurants, parks, safe and central |
| Barranco | Bohemian bars, galleries, nightlife, easy to walk |
| San Isidro | Quiet, business district, upscale hotels and parks |
| Surco and Jesús María | Longer stays: calmer, cheaper apartments |
Solo travel across Peru
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lima | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Machu Picchu | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Arequipa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sacred Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Máncora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huaraz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huacachina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puno | 3/5 | Limited |
| Paracas | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Iquitos | 3/5 | Limited |
| Puerto Maldonado | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nazca | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Lima good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Peru's huge capital on Pacific cliffs, with South America's top restaurants, museums and surf.
How do you meet people in Lima?
Hostels in Miraflores and Barranco with social nights, surf schools in Miraflores, cooking classes, language exchanges, coworking events and walking tours. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Lima?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Lima safe for solo female travelers?
Catcalling is common. Solo women travel here widely; use app taxis at night and stay in Miraflores or Barranco.
More about Lima
Going to Lima solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Lima meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.