Top Lima Day Trips

Discover the serene landscapes of the Peruvian countryside on a full-day tour from Lima. See Humboldt penguins and sea lions on the Ballestas Islands, visit a local winery, and slide down the Huacachina dunes over the course of a day. If time permits, you can also make a stop in Chincha Alta to enjoy more experiences in the countryside. This small-group tour is a great way to enjoy local culture and beautiful nature.

Don’t let limited time in Lima stop you visiting Huacachina and Paracas. See the desert oasis and natural hotspots on a full-day tour, ideal for travelers short on time. After traveling to Paracas, you’ll embark on a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, regularly compared to the Galapagos Island, to see colonies of sea lions and seals. Then, explore Huacachina desert in a dune buggy and go sand boarding. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Paracas is a favored weekend getaway for Limeños but even if you have only a day to spare, you can enjoy its highlights on this guided tour from Lima. You'll sail to the Ballestas Islands to see marine wildlife including penguins and sea lions; go sand boarding on the dunes of Huacachina, and enjoy some wine and Pisco-tasting at a local vineyard.

With one day in Lima you can explore the very best of the city, from the colonial architecture of the historic center to pre-Colombian art and seaside neighborhoods. See the gorgeous interior of the San Francisco Convent, tour the Museo Larco, then get a glimpse of Lima’s earliest history in Miraflores. This full-day, private tour of Lima offers the flexibility and convenience of a personalized tour, including pickup and drop-off at hotels in some neighborhoods, and it’s an ideal choice for first-time visitors.

The island of Palomino is home to a large colony of sea lions that live without natural predators. While the sea lions are still wild animals and it’s forbidden to touch them, this sightseeing cruise from Lima allows you to get in the water and swim with them. Plus, during the ride to Palomino, you'll cruise past other islands that host Peruvian birds such as Humboldt penguins and Peruvian boobies. Pickup and drop-off from Lima are included.

Calling all nature lovers, this tour allows you to swim alongside wild sea lions in their natural environment. Departing Lima, travel by boat to the Guanera Islands (Islas Guaneras), home to Humboldt penguins, guano birds, and sea lions. Plunge into the water to enjoy a supervised swim with the marine mammals before admiring rock formations and other wildlife on your return journey. Refreshments are included.

Discover the wealth of historic and modern attractions found in the Peruvian city of Lima during this sightseeing tour. Feel like a real ‘Limeño’ (a Lima local) as you explore the town’s colonial and Incan architecture, visit its charming residential neighborhoods, see the scenic cliff-strewn coast, and admire its many religious shrines and churches. This Lima city tour also includes entrance fees, a guide, and round-trip hotel transport.

Get acquainted with the rich regal history of Lima on an educational sightseeing tour of the Peruvian capital. Alongside a knowledgeable guide, delve into the ambient tangle of Lima’s historical center; gaze at the fabulous façade of the Presidential Palace; descend to the eerie catacombs of San Francisco Monastery; and admire the ancient Dominicans Tower. Enrich your knowledge of Lima’s fascinating past on this enriching excursion.

Get your trip to Peru off to a good start and pre-book a private transfer service. Meet the driver at Lima Airport (LIM), waiting for you with a sign, and head to the car for the quick transfer to your hotel in the city. Or, if you are leaving Lima, this service is also available for pickup from your hotel and on-time transfer to the airport.

Calling all active travelers, this half-day tour allows you to escape the city and immerse yourself in Lima’s coastal landscapes. In a small group limited to eight, cycle along El Malecon, a cliffside walkway that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, before hiking to the summit of El Morro hill for spectacular city views. All equipment and bottled water are included.

Cruise off the coast of Lima during a half-day tour of five islands. Sail aboard a luxury yacht and relax with provided snacks and beverages while you sightsee. Admire the beautiful natural scenery en route to El Camotal, San Lorenzo, and the Palomino Islands. Then slip on a provided wetsuit and life jacket before you frolic in the Pacific Ocean with sea lions.

Climb aboard a distinctive double-decker bus to discover the spectacular sights of Lima on a city sightseeing tour. Choose from three daytime options—the historic tour, Barranco and Miraflores, and the city tour—or the Night and Fountains tour, which includes entry to the Magical Circuit of Water. Feel the wind in your hair from the top deck of an open-top bus and listen to audio commentary to learn about the city its landmarks like the ancient Monastery of San Francisco and Parque del Amor (Love Park).

Experience a more authentic, less-touristy side of Lima during this half-day walking tour through the city’s Chorillos and Barranco neighborhoods. Observe the hum of activity in ‘fish town,’ a section of Chorillos that hosts a fish market and a cast of local fishermen, before heading to the nearby cliffs to sample some local snacks. Continue to the increasingly trendy Barranco area to admire colorful mansions and hip art galleries.

Uncover the ancient mystery of the Pachacamac Temple on a captivating and comprehensive tour from Lima. Explore the remarkable religious compound with a knowledgeable guide to discover its intriguing history and 200 AD origin; gaze at majestic pyramids dedicated to the sun and the moon; and admire the architectural precision of the buildings while learning about the customs of prehistoric Inca civilization.

Discover Lima's best side on this guided evening tour of the city. Dress up for cocktails at a trendy beachfront bar, enjoy gourmet dining at a restaurant inside of a 2,500-year-old archaeological complex, and finish up with a walking tour of the bohemian Barranco district en route to dessert. This tour includes all food, drinks, and transportation, ensuring a night to remember.

The UNESCO-listed archeological site of Caral, first inhabited between 2600 BCE and 2000 BCE, is among Peru's most impressive ruins. Getting there, however, can be tricky. This small-group tour tour from Lima promises a hassle-free experience. You'll get picked up from your accommodation and taken directly to Caral where your guide will offer insights into its ancient civilization.

Taste your way through historic Lima on an evening food tour that combines local landmarks with a series of food and drink tastings. Since Lima draws foods and traditions from all around the country, you’ll have the chance to try a wide range of treats, with a local guide to help find the very best versions among the overwhelming options in the city center.

Explore Lima by bike on an off-the-beaten-track cycle tour from Miraflores. Ideal for active travelers, this bike tour covers top Lima attractions—including the pre-Inca ruins of Huaca Pucllana, El Malecon, and the Bridge of Sighs—and hidden gems in the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco. This small-group tour, limited to eight people, offers a morning or afternoon departure time.

The trip to Paracas is a preferred weekend getaway for Limeños, but without your own transportation, getting there can be difficult. This day trip from Lima takes you to and includes a boat excursion to see the marine fauna to the Ballestas Islands, buggies through the dunes and sandboarding in the desert, as well as a pisco and wine tasting in a vineyard.

Begin your vacation in Peru the right way with a convenient and comfortable arrival airport transfer. Enjoy a smooth and stress-free journey from your Lima hotel to the airport with a shared airport arrival transfer. Arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport and travel directly to your Lima hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Skip crowded taxi ranks and avoid navigating confusing public transport systems with this stress-free option. Available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, the transfer will coincide exactly with your arrival flight. Arrival transfers are only available to those staying in San Isidro, downtown Lima, or Miraflores.

Taste the delicious diversity of Peru’s thriving cacao industry during this 2-hour chocolate-making workshop at Lima’s ChocoMuseo. Learn about every step of the chocolate-making process, including roasting the beans, removing the husk, grinding the nibs and refining the paste in a ‘melangeur.’ You’ll then get to create your very own chocolate with your choice of ingredients, leaving with a delicious handmade dessert. This chocolate-making workshop includes all necessary ingredients, a chocolate drink tasting and a handmade chocolate souvenir.

Explore the mysteries of Peru’s stunning Nazca Lines during this full-day excursion, complete with Cessna flight, departing from Lima. Drive south along the Pacific coast to Paracas, where you board your plane for an aerial adventure above this UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you soar above these intriguing works of art, also known as ‘geoglyphs,’ capture photos from your window seat, and listen as your guide explains the puzzling questions about their creation. Your Nazca Lines adventure also includes round-trip transportation from your hotel in Lima.

Experience a sound and light extravaganza to remember on this fountains tour with dinner and a show in Lima. Following pickup at your accommodation in downtown Lima, Miraflores, or San Isidro, transfer to the Magic Water Circuit—where enormous jets of water explode into the skies to music and lights. You’ll also have time for a delicious dinner, with a performance of traditional Peruvian music and dance.

The Marcahuasi stone forest is often overlooked by visitors, but this mystical site shouldn't be missed by anyone with an interest in nature or history—and this private guided tour will show you why. Discover monolithic stone forms, unobstructed vista points, and tucked-away attractions far from any crowds as you explore off the beaten path and delve into Peruvian lore.