We wanted to make a list of things that we personally found to be confusing or seemed backwards to our “normal” way of doing things so that you can learn should you end up visiting.
Arrival:
We arrived at 10:15 PM and assumed this meant that immigration would be empty. We couldn’t be more wrong. Expect long lines and long waits.
Leaving the airport is very confusing and intimidating. You will have countless men coming at you asking if you need a taxi or Uber. One almost tricked me because he said, “Uber, Miraflores,” which is where we were heading and I had already requested an Uber. Luckily Caitlin jumped in and said, “No,” right when he requested payment in cash.
Places:
Miraflores: This is the district we stayed in and would highly recommend it to anyone else. It is a happening part of the city with everything you might need and is just walking distance to the coastline. We always felt safe in this neighborhood as well. Bonus - There’s a cat park (Kennedy Park).
Historical District (Downtown): Obviously this is where you are going to go to see the historical side of Lima. We strayed to some side streets outside of this area and let’s just say we moved our backpack to the front of our bodies. Nothing specific happened but sometimes you just get that uneasy feeling. We also read that being in this area after dark is somewhat risky.
Barranco: Super cool. We read that a lot of tourists overlook this area but this was one of our favorites. Awesome restaurants and the murals alone will keep you wandering for hours.
Health/Cleanliness:
It is not recommended to drink the tap water or even brush your teeth with tap water in Lima so go out and buy some bottles of water. They are extremely cheap and you can find them anywhere.
Bathrooms are hard to come by and if you do stumble upon one then it will probably cost you so make sure to have some change on you. They aren’t expensive (I think only about $0.25) but just an inconvenience.
People/Communication:
The people are very friendly. We never expect other places to speak English but it’s just a fact that many do in addition to their native language. However, we were surprised that no one spoke very good English or even attempted in Lima. Luckily Caitlin knows how to converse in Spanish which got us through without any hiccups.
Restaurants:
We went to a few lunch spots and you pay at the counter. Just be aware, unless you want to sit at your table forever because they will let you!
Tipping is expected, but the typical rate is 10% for great service.
Transportation:
They have a Metropolitano in Lima that consists of buses. These buses are extremely full so be prepared to get cozy. When buying tickets you will not receive change from the machines so try and get as close to the fare as possible.