Our most recommended things to do in Lima

From Lima: Full-Day Paracas and Huacachina Bus Tour

1. From Lima: Full-Day Paracas and Huacachina Bus Tour

Discover the serene landscapes of the Peruvian countryside on a day trip from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina with hotel transfers included. See Humboldt penguins and sea lions on the Ballestas Islands and slide down the Huacachina dunes by sandboarding and dune buggy ride.  Your adventure begins with an early-morning pickup from your hostel or hotel. From here, travel to Paracas, a beautiful small town by the sea, on a spacious bus where you'll be able to relax for the 4-hour ride. Once in Paracas, begin a 2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, a smaller version of the Galapagos. Spot sea lions, penguins, and plenty of birds up close and all in their natural habitats. You may even get the chance to see a dolphin or two. Around lunchtime, it's time to move on from Paracas to Huacachina, a natural oasis located in the Ica Desert, home to the biggest sand dunes in South America. Enjoy some free time here. Explore and have lunch (at your own expense) in one of the local restaurants around the oasis. Following lunch, it will be time for 2 hours of exhilarating dune buggy rides and sandboarding. Dune buggy up the sand dunes and sandboard down these giant hills of sand, a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the only natural desert oasis in South America. In the evening, board your bus back to Lima. Once onboard, sit back and relax on the comfortable seats while you enjoy a movie on board. You will later be dropped off directly at your hotel/hostel upon arrival in Lima.

From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Full Day Guided Tour

2. From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Full Day Guided Tour

Start with pickup from your hotel in Lima at around 05:00 AM, all depends your location in Lima, where you will board the coach for a 03:30-hour journey to Paracas town. Before getting to Paracas, we will stop to have breakfast. On your arrival in Paracas, make your way to the dock where you will board a speedboat to the Ballestas Islands. During your journey to Ballestas, see the enigmatic figure of the Candelabro, a stunning design drawn on the side of a hill in the Peninsula. There are many hypotheses regarding its origin, some believe it is related to the Nazca Lines but still found no proof or evidence that can define its creation. In the Ballestas Islands, you will see a stunningly rugged world filled with birds and sea lions. You will navigate around the islands at a distance allowed, and depending on the sea conditions, visit nearby caves. Return to the port at 11 am, and spend some time in Paracas where you will have free time for restrooms or a short time to relax. Then, continue to the next destination, Huacachina oasis. Have a small break to prepare for your desert tour; then board a buggy for 1-hour adventure across the sand dunes that surround the water source. Return to Huacachina and have time for refreshment. Continue towards to traditional vineyard and taste the best of the local wine and Pisco or lunch at the vineyard restaurant, then Drive back to Lima arriving and dropping off at your hotel. At around 21:30 or 22 pm On this one-day tour, you will have an assistant guide on the trip who will help you with your concerns on your trip.

From Lima: Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina

3. From Lima: Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina

Experience a 2-day tour outside of Lima. After your hotel pickup in Lima, depart to Paracas, a beautiful town by the sea. Travel on a spacious bus and relax for the 4-hour ride. Once in Paracas, take a 2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, a smaller version of the Galapagos Islands. See sea lions, penguins, and plenty of birds up close and in their natural habitat. Enjoy free time from 12:00PM to 1:30PM for lunch. Ask your guide for recommendations! At 1:30 PM, move on from Paracas to Huacachina, a natural oasis located in the Ica Desert home to the biggest sand dunes in South America. There, have more free time to explore around the oasis. Next, prepare for 2 hours of exhilarating dune buggying and sandboarding. Dune buggy up the sand dunes and sandboard down these giant hills of sand, a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the only natural desert oasis in South America. The following day, go from Huacachina to Nazca in a shuttle. Arrive in Nazca around 11:00AM and go straight to the airport. Fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines, which have left thousands of people baffled for years. Have 2 hours of free time in Nazca, enough time to visit the Cantalloc Aqueducts. At 3:00PM, travel back to Huacachina and later that night, travel back to Lima. Sit back and relax on the comfortable seats. At the end of your journey, get dropped off directly to your hotel or hostel.

Lima: City Tour with Pickup and Drop-Off

4. Lima: City Tour with Pickup and Drop-Off

Join an insightful tour of Lima's city center and travel back in time to the colonial era. Admire amazing collections of 17th and 18th-century oil paintings, wooden verandas, and gilded mirrors. Immerse yourself in local culture and history with the assistance of your guide. Admire the monuments of Plaza Mayor, such as the cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, Municipal Palace, and Palace of the Union. Continue to the Baroque-style San Francisco Monastery and take a look at its catacombs. Along the way, discover hidden gems, such as the remains of the old city walls, the historic bridges over the River Rimac, and one of the oldest bars in Peru at the Cordano Bar. Immerse yourself in a tour full of history, culture, and more. Finally, your professional driver will drop you off at your hotel.

Palomino Islands: Swim with Sea Lions in the Pacific Ocean

5. Palomino Islands: Swim with Sea Lions in the Pacific Ocean

Embark on an incredible yacht tour to Palomino Islands and for the chance to witness Peru's incredible seabirds and marine wildlife and swim with thousands of sea lions in their natural habitat. First, get picked up from your hotel if you choose the relevant option when booking, otherwise make your own way to the meeting point in Callao. Start the tour from La Punta Bay where you will board a comfortable and safe yacht equipped with sophisticated navigation equipment, bathrooms, and other amenities. Sail out into the Pacific Ocean on an unforgettable 4-hour journey past the islands of Callao and along the coast of San Lorenzo Island. Pass a naval base and the El Frontón Island, where a maximum-security prison existed until the 1980s. Cruise along the coast of the Cabinzas Islands which are inhabited by several colonies of guano birds, until you finally reach the central attraction, the Palomino Islands. When you arrive, observe a colony of approximately 8000 sea lions, one of the largest in the area. Get kitted out with neoprene wetsuits and life jackets and take the opportunity to jump into the water as you get up close to these friendly animals. The tour will be under the surveillance and guidance of the experienced crew.

Paragliding Costa Verde - Miraflores, Lima

6. Paragliding Costa Verde - Miraflores, Lima

Our experienced and licensed pilot guarantee optimal safety standards. We use professional equipment and fly during the most suitable conditions, serving thousands of passengers, accident free. Paratrike is a seated paraglider geared with a rear engine and 3 wheels. Location: The flying site is located in the district of San Miguel, 15 minutes north from Miraflores. We launch from the beach and climb to heights, flying by the Costa Verde's cliffs, over San Miguel, Magdalena, San Isidro and Miraflores districts. When you arrive to the flying zone, you will fill out a form. Then while we are preparing the equipment, we will give you a helmet and life jacket to wear during the flight. Flight Time: The flight is 10 to 12 minutes long, flying between 80 and 300 meters. Weight limit: 240 lbs Minimum age: 5 years old. You will receive an unedited footage of your entire flight, that will be sent by a download link to your WhatsApp.

Lima: Colonial City Tour with Catacombs Visit

7. Lima: Colonial City Tour with Catacombs Visit

Immerse yourself in Lima's colonial history with this tour. After getting picked up from your hotel, start your experience at San Martin Square, where you can admire colonial architecture buildings. Later, visit the breathtaking Plaza de Armas and admire impressive buildings such as the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral, and more. Finish your tour exploring the fascinating Catacombs and Museum of San Francisco. Learn more about Peru's colonial period through the museum's vast collection of artwork, see rare editions in the library and wander through the blood-curdling passages of the catacombs, where the bones of 25,000 people lie. At the end of the day, get dropped off back at your hotel.

Lima: Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour

8. Lima: Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour

Along with your friendly local guide, embark on a walking food tour in which you’ll have breakfast and lunch! During this culinary experience, you will taste the most traditional local delicacies from a variety of small restaurants and local shops. But on this tour, you won't only eat well, but you’ll also visit one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Lima: Barranco. Taste 15 different local flavors from fruits, to drinks and dishes. Meet with inspiring local artisans and small entrepreneurs, and learn about their stories while enjoying some of the best Peruvian dishes such as lomo saltado, ceviche, pisco sour, and many more.

From Lima: Nazca Lines and Ica Desert Day Trip with Lunch

9. From Lima: Nazca Lines and Ica Desert Day Trip with Lunch

Begin your journey of the Ica Desert with a bright and early hotel pickup, where you will be greeted by your guide who will take care of you throughout the day.  Head straight to Nazca, whereupon you'll stop at Kilometer 50 of the South Pan-American Highway to enjoy a breakfast consisting of juices or hot drinks, accompanied by artisan breads from the area. Next, head to the airfield in Nazca, where you'll pass through security before boarding a small plane to view the famous Nazca Lines from up above. Sit back and relax on your 45-minute flight, as you view the incredible collection of giant geoglyphs — designs or motifs etched into the ground — that were created by the ancient Nazca culture. Tuck into a delicious traditional lunch upon landing before heading to your final stop, the Huacachina Oasis. This natural lagoon is surrounded by palm trees and desert dunes, from where you can watch the sun setting over the sand. Pump up your adrenaline and hop into sand buggies, and sandboard down the perfect dunes before returning to Lima late in the evening.

Callao: Swimming with Sea Lions Palomino Islands Boat Tour

10. Callao: Swimming with Sea Lions Palomino Islands Boat Tour

Meet your friendly crew then sail to the islands of Callao, travelling through the "El Camotal" underwater, open sea and passing by San Lorenzo Island.  At 11:30 AM, reach the farthest point, Palomino Island, which houses a large colony of sea lions. Here, you can freely swim alongside these great animals in neoprene suits. Then, at 12:35 PM, you will return to the meeting place in Calloa at Calle La Mar 229. Your return will begin through impressively shaped cliffs and islets. You will have the chance to enjoy a snack on board before arriving at the pier in Callao at 1:00 PM.

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What people are saying about Lima

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 2,380 reviews

Wonderful experience, if you get sea sick it might be a little rough (I typically don’t and the there were around 20 minutes where I really started feeling it) but if you are willing to put up with that it’s a really amazing experience. Be sure to bring a waterproof camera with you!

Our tour was wonderful! Jessica was an excellent and knowledgeable tour guide, and our driver Victor was great as well. Lots of history in Lima was covered!

This was a really fun day! Well worth the cost and early morning start to see some highlights of the south coast with everything organized smoothly for you

Jose was a fantastic guide! He showed us all the best parts of Barranco, and at our speed. Thank you for introducing us to the donuts also!!

Good way to see the coastline on my first day in Lima. Jose was an excellent guide and the trip was done safely on dedicated bike lanes