Is Lima Safe? Your Complete Trip Preparation Guide

Is Lima safe for tourists to explore and walk around? As one of Peru’s most visited cities, it’s worth covering this topic properly so you feel well-prepared before your trip.

As Peru’s modern and cosmopolitan capital, Lima is usually the first place that tourists will visit during their trip around the country. Known for its breathtaking Pacific coastline, mouthwatering cuisine and beautiful plazas, it’s also one of the most memorable destinations if you know how and where to explore properly. This is where understanding the safety situation in Lima is crucial before your visit, so you know where to stay, what to expect, and other practical guidelines to keep you safe during your trip.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the safety situation in Lima, including our own advice on how to have the smoothest trip possible when here. Later in this article we’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section.

Quick Overview: Is Lima Safe For Tourists?

Overall Lima can be safe for tourists, but only when staying within certain districts. Areas like Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco are the safest for tourists, and are used to catering for lots of tourists daily. They are also the most built-up areas of the city, where we will find the most luxurious hotels, top dining experiences, beautiful views of the Costa Verde and many other incredible things to see and do in Lima.

Other areas like the Historic Center and Magdalena are also popular to visit in Lima for their own unique sights and plazas, however it’s vital to exercise caution - and ideally visit with a private tour company or local guide. It’s also important to follow specific safety tips when heading out and around Lima, such as only using registered taxis and leaving valuables back in your apartment or hotel. Later in this guide we’ll cover them all so you’re properly prepared for a visit to the Peruvian capital.

5 Important Lima Safety Tips: Trusted Advice From The Luxury Peru Travel Company

• Stay In Miraflores, Barranco Or San Isidro - These areas are both the safest and most built-up in all of Lima, and are ideal for walking around and exploring both during the day and night. They are also home to lots of luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants and worthwhile sights nearby.

• Explore Other Districts With A Reputable Tour Provider - Certain top destinations such as the Historic Center, Larco Museum and La Punta are located outside of the main touristy zones - so local guidance is key for exploring them safely. Here at The Luxury Peru Travel Company we arrange private tours with expert guides for all of our guests.

• Use Only Registered Taxis And Ubers To Get Around - Lima is a giant city, and as such you’ll need rides to visit certain destinations. Registered taxis and Ubers are by far the safest ways to get around the Peruvian capital, and are especially abundant in popular tourist zones like Miraflores and Barranco.

• Avoid Bringing Valuables Out With You - Pickpocketing and theft can be a risk in certain areas, and especially in busy markets or crowded plazas. Be sure to leave things like your passport and extra cash back in your hotel, and keep valuables like your phone and wallet in your front pockets.

• Eat And Drink The Local Cuisine With Care - Lima has many incredible dishes which are worth trying when here. We suggest sticking to upscale restaurants which follow best hygiene practices, and only try street foods or drinks with a local tour guide who knows which stalls or markets are safe.

Lima Safety On The Ground (What Tourists Actually Experience)

Let’s now see exactly what it’s like exploring Lima on the ground, which includes the safest areas to explore, whether it’s fine to walk around at night, as well as a true perspective on crime here.

Walking Around Lima By Day And Night

During the day, areas like Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro are perfect for walking around. The main touristic hubs, they are filled with beautiful plazas, long coastal walks along the Costa Verde, and have many beautiful parks and sites to wander around. It’s very similar when comparing how safe Cusco is in its touristic areas, where you can really relax and enjoy yourself. However, any districts outside of these areas are not ideal for tourists to wander around without proper guidance, so if you plan on heading out of these areas then be sure to take proper guidance to avoid any mishaps.

At nighttime, the touristy areas mentioned above (Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro) are also fine for exploring, especially with their array of fine luxury restaurants and swanky nightlife options. However we suggest taking taxis between visits, as there is a little risk of pickpocketing in certain areas. It’s highly recommended to not visit any districts outside of these at night, since crime can be much more common.

Crime In Lima: What’s Common Vs What’s Rare

Lima is a massive city - the second biggest in all of Latin America - so it’s important to know that while crime can happen, it’s easy to avoid becoming a target by staying in the right areas and following our proper preparation advice when you head out for the day or night.

Firstly within the touristy areas like Miraflores and Barranco, crime targeted towards tourists is rare - however past incidents that have occurred and are generally theft or pickpocketing-related. This means that you can avoid this issue entirely by not bringing or flashing high valuables with you when heading out (such as walking with the latest iPhone out in your hand), and also keeping things like your wallet and passport in your front pockets if visiting busy markets or crowded streets. 

When it comes to more serious incidents such as violent crime, they are extremely rare in the touristy areas of Lima such as Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco. This is because they are well-policed and orderly, especially around main hubs like the Kennedy Park, Larcomar and Barranco Municipal Park. However such issues are more common in non-touristy areas outside of these districts - so we highly recommend not visiting unless you are going with a reputable tour provider who knows the area well.

Using ATMs And Carrying Money Safely

As Lima is a well-developed city, you’ll find withdrawing and using money here much more simple compared with other parts of Peru. Big branches like BCP, Interbank and Scotiabank can be found in almost all major streets of Miraflores and Barranco, where you can safely withdraw inside buildings (which are almost always guarded by local police).

Ideally it’s best to carry around low amounts of cash for daily needs, and also a credit card for larger expenses or in case you need to make more ATM withdrawals. Given pickpocketing can be a risk in certain areas, it’s best to leave large amounts of cash back in your hotel room or apartment just to be safe.

Expert Tip: Lima is very well-developed in many areas, and you’ll often see ATM’s offering USD as well as the local Soles as withdrawal options. Dollars are commonly accepted in many hotels and restaurants, meaning it can make life much more simple here when understanding and converting costs. Just remember to exchange any remaining USD before you leave Lima - as the rest of Peru is much less likely to accept Dollars as a form of payment.

Transport, Crossing Roads And Getting Around Lima Safely

Is Using Registered Taxis Or Uber Safe?

Registered taxis are the safest way of getting around Lima, and are ideal both for short rides within districts, and also if heading out further afield (say to the airport or another area you are planning to visit). While in Cusco there are designated areas for secure taxis to wait in, in Lima it’s a bit harder to work this out even in areas like Miraflores - so we suggest booking licensed taxis through your hotel, or at a restaurant or shopping mall which are used to such requests.

Uber is also a very good option, since drivers are vetted which makes it both a safe and convenient way to get around without relying on knowing Spanish or finding registered taxis. Waiting times are usually very short in busy areas given how popular the app is, so you can often find a ride in just 3-5 minutes in the touristic areas of Miraflores and Barranco.

Using Other Forms Of Private Or Public Transport

Any transport that is hotel-arranged or provided by your tour operator is also very safe, and is an ideal choice alongside registered taxis and Uber. Not only are they the safest and most reliable option, they are also very comfortable and usually have air-conditioning on hot days and more legroom.

When it comes to using any other public transport option such as using local buses, unmarked taxis or anything else, we suggest avoiding these entirely during your time in Lima. While they are not all unsafe at every moment, the risks of crime are more likely for tourists using them, and can be quite an uncomfortable and hectic experience when compared with using safer and trusted methods like Ubers and hotel-arranged rides.

Crossing Roads Safely In Lima

Another important part of preparing for a trip to Lima is knowing how to safely cross roads. While this may seem obvious, unfortunately the driving culture can be less predictable over here, and signals don’t carry the same importance as they do back home. So even when there is a green light to walk, just be sure to double-check your surroundings for moving vehicles before crossing to be completely safe.

This is usually less of an issue in more developed areas like Miraflores and San Isidro, where traffic wardens actively patrol busy junctions and walkways. However it’s still important to look at the road and for moving traffic even if there’s a green light to walk, in order to ensure maximum safety when enjoying your time within the Peruvian capital.

Food And Water Safety In Lima 

Another big topic of concern for tourists heading to Lima is how to stay healthy. Below we’ll cover the most important things to know about eating and drinking safely in the Peruvian capital, while enjoying the incredible culinary scene on offer here.

How To Eat Safely In Lima

The heart of all Peruvian cuisine, Lima is by far the best place to try all kinds of delicious dishes that hail from the various Pacific, Andes and Amazon regions. Throughout the city there are almost endless choices for eating both Peruvian and international foods, and we suggest sticking to either highly-rated restaurants, or those that our expert guides suggest. This is because they are vetted and follow best hygiene practices, so there is minimal to no risk of getting a stomach bug when sampling new foods and cuisines.

If you do want to try typical Peruvian street desserts, or other local dishes within markets, then just remember to follow a few practical tips. Firstly it’s best to avoid anything served with raw salads or unpeeled vegetables, since these are common culprits for food bugs. Also try to stick to places that are busy and have long queues, as this is a sign of local trust. Likewise you can also head on a local food tour, as tour guides are experts in the city’s food scene and know exactly which places are safest for tourists to eat at.

Is Drinking The Water Safe In Lima?

It’s important to know that drinking tap water should be avoided entirely, as public water systems in Lima are rarely treated. While certain luxury hotels in the capital have safe tap water for drinking, it’s still best to build the habit of only drinking from sealed bottles of water. This way you can stay healthy during your trip, and not have to worry about getting any bugs or having to make any unplanned hospital or pharmacy visits.

When dining at restaurants in Lima, you can safely enjoy different types of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This includes Pisco Sour, Chicha Morada, Chilcano and various fruit juices that are made from local exotic fruits. Again just be cautious when trying drinks in markets and local-style restaurants, preferably going with a local tour guide who can recommend the safest options.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding If Lima Is Safe For Tourists

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about whether Lima is safe, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

Is It Safe To Walk Alone In Lima?

Certain districts like Miraflores and Barranco are ideal for walking alone both during the day and night. Of course you’ll still want to use caution and prepare properly before heading out, however these areas are very tourist-friendly. Any other areas can really be hit or miss, and we would highly recommend only heading to them with a local guide who knows the best areas and how to keep you safe.

Is Lima Peru Safe For Foreigners?

Yes, Lima is generally a safe city when sticking to the right areas. This includes Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro, all of which are well built-up and have many luxury hotels and restaurants dotted around. If planning to head outside of these areas, please use caution, leave valuables back at your hotel, and ideally go with a reputable tour guide or private tour company to show you around.

What Not To Do In Lima Peru?

Aside from the basics of only staying in safe areas and not venturing out alone after dark in new areas, there’s also other things worth avoiding doing in Lima. This includes taking unmarked taxis, drinking the tap water as well as walking with your phone out in your hand. Also be sure to avoid bringing valuables out with you when exploring new areas or if planning to walk in busy markets.

Overview Of Is Lima Safe And How To Prepare Before Your Visit

And that’s all for this guide on the topic of is Lima safe, and how to prepare properly before you arrive here.

The Peruvian capital is much more than just an arrival hub for tourists eager to explore this South American country. Here we can explore ancient ruins built several thousands of years ago, enjoy the finest cuisine in luxury restaurants, and also marvel at beautiful architecture and sites in areas like the Historic Center and Barranco. Overall Lima is a safe city to visit when staying in tourist-designated areas - however it’s very important to follow our other tips mentioned throughout this article.

Ready to explore Lima and the rest of Peru in style? Here at The Luxury Peru Travel Company we can help you plan your dream Peru vacation exactly the way you want, whether that’s staying in five star hotels in the Andes, visiting the Amazon Rainforest or enjoying the coastal destinations of the Pacific.