When to Go
Lima is a desert city, and you’d expect it to be dry and sunny. It does have bright sunshine from December to May, summer to the beginning of fall, but during the rest of the year, you can expect gray, cloudy skies. Not from rain, but from the coastal mist called the garúa that blankets the city and the coast, closing in the humidity. Year-round, the temperatures are mild and spring-like.

Air conditioning isn’t needed and you’ll need a light jacket for the evening. A pleasant side benefit of this climate is the absence of most flying insects. As you climb up the desert floor into the foothills of the Andes, you’ll find sun.
Check today’s weather in Lima.

Most tourists go to Peru from June to August, which is the dry season in the highlands. During the summer months, Peruvians flock to the beaches, but pollution is a problem. If you plan your visit to participate in festivals and fiestas, you’ll be there in:

February – March for Carnaval

June 24 – Inti Raymi

July 28 - Independence Day

November 2 – Dia de Todos los Santos

November 5 – Puno Day

More Festivals and Holidays of Peru
Practical Tips

Cuisine and Nightlife - Whether you're into jazz, criollo, Latin, or rock music, you'll find it, along with discos of every flavor. The best after-dark scenes are in Miraflores and particularly Barranco.

Hotels in Lima, Miraflores, San Isidro and other locations

Chinatown - near the city center, is a blend of Peruvian and Chinese cultures. There are many Chinese restaurants, called chipas

Shopping: Peru is famous for beautiful textiles (alpaca rugs, wall hangings, shawls and sweaters), as well as pottery and jewelry, especially gold, silver and turquoise. You’ll probably want to buy a bottle (or more) of Pisco.

• The Indio Market (Mercado Indio) specializes in crafts. Bargain for fine woolen clothing, carved wood, tooled leather cushions, stools, silver jewelry, and other curios
• Jockey Plaza Shopping Center is considered the best in South America. It has a private parking lot and almost 200 exclusive shops
• Petit Thouars Handicraft Market, in Miraflores, offers textiles, handmade wool sweaters, ceramics, silver and gold jewelry, bomboo quenas, traditional outfits, alpaca carpets and be bought and admired here.

Safety Tips:

• Theft is always a problem in any city and Lima is no exception. Take care of your possessions. Don't wear a valuable watch or jewelry in public. Leave your valuables in the hotel safe. Hold your camera close to your body. Take only small amounts of money and credit cards on outings. Never leave your luggage unattended.
• Do business only with reputable businesses indoors and get a receipt for tours, etc.
• Have absolutely nothing to do with drugs. Do not accept drinks, cigarettes or food from strangers. If you're clubbing, buy and pick up your drinks from the bar yourself.

Read page 3 for things to do and see in and around Lima.