Essentials
- Population
- 9,700,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-150 Mbps (Fiber available via Win or Movistar)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 3.75 PEN (Peruvian Sol), 1 EUR ≈ 4.10 PEN. ATMs are widespread.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled or filtered water (approx. 2.50 PEN per liter).
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and C sockets (flat and round pins).
- SIM Card
- Claro or Movistar; 30-day 10GB plans for approx. 30 PEN ($8 USD).
- Banking for Expats
- BCP, Interbank, and Scotiabank are major local banks; Revolut/Wise work at most POS.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Urbania.pe, and Roomia for long-term shares.
- Cashless Friendly
- High in Miraflores/San Isidro; cash still needed for small local markets.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; avg. $40-$70/night in Miraflores.
- Budget Accommodation
- Selina Miraflores (Dorms from $12/night), Pariwana Hostel (approx. $15/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Miraflores (Safe, tourist-centric) or Barranco (Bohemian, artsy).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Barranco (vibe and cafes) or San Isidro (quiet, upscale, business-focused).
- City
- Lima, Lima Province, Peru
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Comunal Coworking (various locations, approx. $180/month), WeWork Real Dos (San Isidro).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Puku Puku (Miraflores), Caleta Dolsa (Barranco - great Wi-Fi and power outlets).
- Networking Events
- Lima Tech Meetups at UTEC Ventures, Expats in Lima events.
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Lima, Lima Language Exchange (every Tuesday at various bars).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (standard), Cabify (premium/safe), InDrive (negotiable prices).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- CityBike Lima (approx. 4 PEN for 30 mins), Grin electric scooters.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Makaha (Miraflores - Surf), Punta Hermosa (45 mins south - professional surf).
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline (low cost).
- Top International Airline
- LATAM, Delta, Iberia, KLM.
- Highway Access
- Pan-Americana Sur (to beaches), Vía Expresa (fast north-south transit).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Terrestre Plaza Norte (Buses), Estación Central Metropolitano.
- Public Transport Passes
- Tarjeta Metropolitano (5 PEN card, 3.20 PEN per trip).
- Regional Travel
- Cruz del Sur or Ormeño bus lines for luxury long-distance travel to Cusco or Ica.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Clínica Delgado (Miraflores), Clínica Anglo Americana (San Isidro).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Lima Yoga (Miraflores - approx. 40 PEN/class), Zenda Yoga (Barranco).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Smart Fit (approx. 90-110 PEN/month), Bodytech (Premium locations).
- Laundry Services
- Lava Ya (various locations, approx. 6 PEN per kilo).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Rappi (extremely dominant), PedidosYa.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Ceviche at La Mar ($25), Lomo Saltado at Isolina ($18).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- El Germinado, Raw Café (Miraflores), Veda Restaurante.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Picarones Mary (Kennedy Park - 8 PEN), Blu Il Gelato del Quartiere (Barranco).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Surquillo No. 1 (Fresh produce), Gamarra (Textiles/Clothing).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Perú, Falabella.com.pe.
- Grocery Delivery
- Wong (High-end), Plaza Vea (Standard) via Rappi or their apps.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Barranco (Ayahuasca, Victoria Bar), Miraflores (Calle de las Pizzas).
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Barbarian (Miraflores), Barranco Beer Company.
- Wine Bars
- La Matilde (San Isidro), La Gastrónoma (Miraflores).
- Street Food Stalls
- Anticuchos de la Tía Grimanesa (Miraflores - legendary skewers).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Maido (Nikkei - fusion Japanese/Peruvian), Edo Sushi Bar.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Huaca Pucllana (Pre-Inca pyramid), Plaza de Armas (Historic Center).
- Museums & Art Venues
- MATE (Mario Testino Museum), Larco Museum (Pre-Columbian art).
- Historical Sites
- Convento de San Francisco (Catacombs), Pachacamac (Outer Lima).
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de Lima, Santuario de Santa Rosa de Lima.
- Annual Events
- Mistura (Food festival - varies), Señor de los Milagros (October).
- Cultural Districts
- Barranco (Artistic district), Historic Center (UNESCO).
- Theater Venues
- Gran Teatro Nacional (San Borja), Teatro Marsano.
- Local Markets
- Feria de Barranco (Handicrafts), Indian Market (Miraflores souvenirs).
- Music Scene
- Sargento Pimienta (Live rock), Jazz Zone (Miraflores).
- Street Art
- The murals of Barranco (specifically near Puente de los Suspiros).
- Cooking Classes
- Sky Kitchen (Miraflores - approx. $65/class).
- Art Galleries
- Wu Galería, Galería Lucía de la Puente (Barranco).
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio de Gobierno, Casa Riva-Agüero.
- Local Heritage
- Criollo music heritage, Peruvian Paso Horse tradition.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lomas de Lachay (trekking), Paracas (3 hours south).
- National Parks Nearby
- Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge (Chorrillos).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- El Malecón (6-mile boardwalk along the cliffs of Miraflores).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Morro Solar (Chorrillos) for sunset city views, Larcomar balcony.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Pantanos de Villa (over 200 species recorded).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- León Dormido beach (south Lima, subject to seasonal permits).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Serpost (Postal), DHL, Olva Curier (Domestic leaders).
- Tech Repair Services
- Wilson (Av. Garcilaso de la Vega) for affordable hardware repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Tenis de Mesa Lima (San Luis), various community parks.
- Language Classes
- El Sol Spanish School (Miraflores), Perú Spanish.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Nacional del Perú (San Borja), Miraflores Municipal Library.
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural PUCP (San Isidro), ICPNA (Miraflores).
- Gaming Lounges
- Gaming Factory (Miraflores), various 'cabinas de internet' in Lince.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Atlantic City Casino (Miraflores), Majestic Casino.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $84,000 in Miraflores).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 in Surco/Magdalena).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $152,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 29.5%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% for residents and non-residents.
- Tax System
- Territorial for non-residents; Residents taxed on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% (on income over 45 UIT).
- VAT
- 18% (IGV - Impuesto General a las Ventas).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents with foreign holdings in low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- Approx. 0.2% to 1.0% of the self-assessed value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% Alcabala tax (paid by buyer, first 10 UIT exempt).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa yet; tourists (183 days) generally avoid local tax on foreign income.