Lima travel guide

Only 12° south of the equator, you would expect a tropical climate, but Lima has two distinct seasons. The winter is from May-November, when a damp 'garúa' (sea mist) hangs over the city, making everything look greyer than it is already. It is damp and cold, 8° to 15°C. The sun breaks through around November and temperatures rise as high as 30°C. Note that the temperature in the coastal suburbs is lower than in the centre because of the sea’s influence. You should protect yourself against the sun’s rays when visiting the beaches around Lima, or elsewhere in Peru.

Downtown Lima can be explored on foot in the daytime, but take all the usual precautions. The central hotels are fairly close to the many of the tourist sites. At night taxis are a safer option. Many of the better hotels and restaurants are located in Miraflores and neighbouring San Isidro. The Lima public transport system, at first glance very intimidating, is actually quite good. There are three different types of vehicle that will stop whenever flagged down: buses, combis, and colectivos. They can be distinguished by size; big and long, mid-size and mini-vans or cars, respectively. The flat-rate fare for the first two types of vehicle is US$0.35, the third costs a little more. On public holidays, Sunday and from 2400 to 0500 every night, a small charge is added to the fare. Always try to pay with change to avoid hassles, delays and dirty looks from the cobrador (drivers assistant). Routes on any public transport vehicle areposted on windscreens or written on theside. CSee Transport, page .

All international flights land at Jorge Chávez Airport, some 16 km from the centre of the city. It is a little further to Miraflores and Barranco. Transport into town is easy if a bit expensive. Remise taxis have desks outside International Arrivals and National Arrivals: Taxi Green i T01-484 4001, http://www.taxigreen.com, US$8 to San Miguel, US$13 to the city centre, US$11.50 to San Isidro, US$15 to Miraflores and Barranco; Mitsui i T01-349 7722, remisse@mitsuiautomotriz.com, US$27 to centre, US$31 to San Isidro and Miraflores, US$36 to Barranco, and CMV i T01-422 4838, cmv@exalmar.com.pe, a little cheaper. There are many taxi drivers offering their services outside Arrivals with similar or higher prices (more at night). The Bus Super Shuttle I T01-517 2556, www.supershuttle airport.com, runs from the airport to San Miguel and the centre, US$15, San Isidro, Miraflores and Barranco for US$19 (prices for 6 people sharing). To get to Miraflores by combi, take the Callao-Ate with a big red S (La S), the only direct connection between the airport and Miraflores. Catch it outside the airport, on Avenida Faucett, US$0.45. From downtown Lima go to the junction of Alfonso Ugarte and Avenida Venezuela where many combis take the route Todo aeropuerto-Avenida Faucett, US$0.35-0.45. At busy times (which is anytime other than very late at night or early in the morning) luggage may not be allowed on buses. NoteDo not take the cheapest, stopping buses to the centre along Avenida Faucett. They are frequently robbed. Pay more for a non-stop bus. If you are feeling confident and not too jet-lagged, go to the car park exit and find a taxi outside the perimeter, by the roundabout. They charge US$4-7 to the city centre. The security guards may help you find a taxi. The airport is the best and most cost-effective place to arrange car hire. The larger international chains Avis, Budget, Hertz, Localiza, National are usually cheaper and tend to have better-maintained vehicles than local firms. If arriving in Lima by bus from the north and heading for the airport, you do not need to go into the centre: ask to be let out at Fiori (look for the sign on top of a building on the left-hand side of the highway). This is by the junction of the Panamericana and Avenida Tomás Valle, which leads almost to Jorge Chávez. Take a taxi from Fiori. If staying in Lima after arriving by bus, it is likely youll pull into the main terminal at Jirón Carlos Zavala, just south of the historic centre of Lima. Take a taxi to your hotel even if its close, as this area is not safe day or night. Some of the high-class bus companies have terminals in safer areas.