Where to Stay in Lima, Peru: Miraflores vs. Barranco

​Where to stay in Lima is likely one of the first orders of business to sort out while planning your trip to Peru. No doubt that a city of 10 million inhabitants spread across 43 diverse districts can render a city overwhelming to navigate, even for the seasoned traveler. Having served over 20,000 clients that have had the pleasure to discover the city, we are happy to pool their insights with our local knowledge to give you a few tips that will hopefully make this part of the planning stage less daunting.

Where to stay in Lima, Peru

​Out of the 43 districts mentioned above, we can safely narrow it down to two top contenders: Miraflores and Barranco. So let's take a look at what they have to offer:

Miraflores, Lima

This district has been the center of tourism in the city for decades. Located on a gorgeous stretch of the Pacific coast, Miraflores has it all. It's a lively district with plenty of restaurants (including one of the top 10 in the world, Maido) and nice walks along the coast. Whether you want something quiet or in a more happening area, you'll find it here. Another plus is that most of the hotels are located in areas where you can easily walk from one place to another and nothing within Miraflores is more than a 10 minute taxi ride away. It has something for everyone: surfing, cultural tours of pre-Incan temples, paragliding, food tours, shopping, and even wifi-enabled public parks. Here's our breakdown.

Attractions in Miraflores

​Outdoor Attractions in Miraflores

• Go for a walk along the coastline (known as the malecón)
• ​Surfing in the Pacific Ocean
• Paragliding along Lima's seaside cliffs
• Rent a bike and explore the district on two wheels
• Tour pre-Incan ruins at the Huaca Pucllana

Emblematic Parks of Miraflores

• Miraflores Central Park (Kennedy Park) - on the weekends it's full of handicrafts 
• Parque del Amor - mosaic benches and modern sculptures frame the park
• Reducto No. 2 Park - family-oriented with a farmer’s market on Saturdays
• El Faro Park - an impressive lighthouse and immaculate gardens

Shopping in Miraflores

• Inca Market  - rows upon rows colorful artisan handicrafts
• Larcomar - an outdoor mall with spectacular sea views
• La Paz Avenue - a street peppered with antique and silver items

Restaurants in Miraflores

​Peruvian food runs the gamut in terms of diversity, style, and cost. In Miraflores, you’ll find it all. You will definitely want to get your reservations squared away with plenty of time in advance, but if you prefer winging it, you have no shortage of options. Some of our favorites include:

• La Huaca Pucllana: traditional Peruvian cuisine with a twist among pre-Incan ruins
• Ana: an all-female ensemble serving classics and modern culinary creations 
• Maido: the top Nikkei cuisine in the world, sitting at #7 among the world’s best
• El Mercado: Amazingly fresh seafood with great ambiance

Miraflores Airport Transfers

​Traffic in Lima can be chaotic and unpredictable and if you are trying to catch a flight, you don't want to leave it to luck. Usually rides from anywhere in Miraflores to the airport will take you from 45 minutes to one hour. If you are making the trek early on a Sunday morning you can shave 15 minutes off of that estimate, but on a Friday night, if you hit the really bad traffic, it can take you up to 90 minutes.

Barranco, Lima

​If you are looking for an authentic, vibrant step back in time, Barranco is the place to be. Many buildings and areas are officially protected as cultural heritage, therefore, the Republican and colonial style facades give the district personality that you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. This district is considered the bohemian, romantic and artsy center of life in Lima and there is no shortage of fascinating art galleries, shops selling uniquely hand-crafted goods, and an emergence of hip bars and restaurants to give Miraflores a run for its money. ​

Attractions in Barranco

Cultural Attractions in Barranco

• Bridge of Sighs
  
• Barranco's main plaza
  
• Mirador of Barranco

Museums in Barranco

• Pedro de Osma Museum
  
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)

Art Galleries in Barranco

• Lucía de la Puente Gallery
  
• Dédalo Gallery
  
• Wu Gallery

Restaurants in Barranco

​Barranco is a very walkable district, and due to the stunning architectural legacy and graffiti art masterpieces, it would be a shame if you missed it. The district abounds in restaurants that offer quite varied cuisine, however barranquinos are upping the game to compete with Miraflores on the foodie scene. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Central: another pick among the world’s best restaurants, sustainable and artistic
• Kjolle: and again, another global favorite, with the chef Pia Leon at the helm
• Isolina: yet again, another worldwide winner dishing up Peruvian comfort food
• Siete: boutique, under-the-radar kind of vibe with the freshest dishes around
• Mérito: pushes the envelope in terms of creativity while offering impressive flavor

Barranco Airport Transfers

Barranco is the next district over from Miraflores, in the opposite direction of the airport. In terms of physical distance, the difference isn't much, but with traffic you can add 10 minutes to the Miraflores estimates, so on average, 55 minutes to an hour and 10 minutes.

Accommodations in Lima

In Lima you'll find everything from large international chains, like the JW Marriott, to quaint B&Bs like Second Home Peru. While luxury chains can run you a couple hundred dollars a night, you can find some amazing charmers that feel just as luxurious for around $100 per night. Our faves in terms of boutique hotels include Casa Republica, Villa Barranco, and Hotel B.

Now, if you just want to sit back, relax, and leave it to the pros, you can check out our Lima food and city tours, which cover both districts plus San Isidro, the main sights, some hands-on activities and was designed for people who want to see the city while tasting the best dishes.