Top Lima Day Trips

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.

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.

Get hands-on experience preparing some of Peru’s most iconic dishes and shopping at a local market during this Lima cooking class. First stop by the market to pick out fresh meat and produce, discovering the incredible diversity of ingredients in Peruvian cuisine. Then head to the kitchen choosing to prepare a choice of fish, chicken, beef or vegetarian dish like ‘Ceviche’ or ‘Lomo Saltado,’ learning the necessary steps in fun, relaxed atmosphere. Your cooking excursion also includes round-trip hotel transport (for most areas of Lima), professional chef instructor, snacks and either lunch or dinner.

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.

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 all that Lima has to offer, both modern and historic, during this 9-hour exploration of the top sites in the Peruvian capital in this small-group tour. Visit the pre-Incan archaeological site at Pachacamac, then head to Pantanos de Villa, a one-time family home that’s been converted into an eatery, for lunch and to learn how to make a Pisco Sour. In the afternoon, continue to Lima’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed downtown for a walking tour, see the historic neighborhood of Chorillos and admire the visual spectacle of the Magic Water Circuit park. This full-day Lima tour also includes a driver-guide, round-trip hotel transport, entrance fees and bottled water.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Discover two of Lima’s most popular and picturesque attractions on an exciting evening tour of the city. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, be transported back to pre-Colombian cultures with the ancient artifacts of the Larco Museum (Museo Larco), and then awaken your senses with a spectacular light and sound show in Lima’s Parque de la Reserva (Park of the Reserve).  Stop off to sample local delicacies and a refreshing pisco sour during your exciting excursion into the night.

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.

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.

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 centuries of colonial history and exciting flavors shared down the generations, Lima is an vibrant city where adventure hides round every corner. On this walking tour, explore the streets and markets of Lima as your guide brings the city’s history to life, and sample the street food snacks the locals love. With pickup and drop-off at your centrally located Lima hotel included, mingle with Lima’s residents and see the best of the city with ease.

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.

Visit Peru's Supe Valley without the stress of planning logistics on this intimate small-group tour that includes snacks, admission tickets, and the convenience of round-trip hotel transport. Going with a guide ensures you learn the function of unmarked ruins in Caral, the oldest center of civilization in the Americas, as well as visit a hidden gem beach town known for its views and seafood.

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.

Expand your awareness of Peruvian nature and culture on this tour to the Ballestas Islands from Lima. Take a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands and tour the Paracas National Reserve before heading to the historic tunnels at Chincha, an important site in Peruvian history.

A guide and hotel pickup and drop-off make your trip to the Magic Water Circuit extra memorable. Tour the world’s largest fountain complex at night for a chance to see a light laser show coordinated with classic Peruvian music, plus interactive exhibits like the Tunnel of Surprises and a water maze make this an ideal kid-friendly evening activity.