Lima Daily Budget: Complete Cost Guide 2026
Complete daily budget guide for Lima, Peru. Accommodation, food, transportation, activities, and total costs for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers in Lima.
Lima is Peru's capital and largest city, known for its world-class food scene and coastal location. Understanding daily costs helps you budget for accommodation, dining, transportation, and activities. This guide breaks down exactly what you'll spend each day in Lima.
Lima Daily Budget Summary
Budget Traveler
$35-$55
per day
- • Hostel: $15-$25
- • Food: $12-$20
- • Transport: $3-$6
- • Activities: $5-$10
- • Misc: $5-$10
Mid-Range Traveler
$70-$120
per day
- • Hotel: $50-$80
- • Food: $35-$60
- • Transport: $10-$20
- • Activities: $20-$40
- • Misc: $15-$25
Luxury Traveler
$180-$350+
per day
- • Luxury hotel: $150-$300
- • Fine dining: $80-$150
- • Private transport: $40-$80
- • Premium tours: $60-$120
- • Misc: $30-$60
Detailed Daily Cost Breakdown
1. Accommodation Costs by Neighborhood
Miraflores (Most Popular)
- Budget hostels: $18-$30/night (dorms $18-$22, private $25-$30)
- Mid-range hotels: $60-$100/night (3-star, breakfast included)
- Luxury hotels: $180-$400+/night (5-star, ocean views)
- Airbnb: $40-$120/night (apartments)
Best for: First-time visitors, safest area, near clifftop boardwalk
Barranco (Bohemian)
- Budget hostels: $15-$25/night
- Mid-range hotels: $50-$90/night (boutique hotels)
- Luxury hotels: $150-$300/night
Best for: Nightlife, art scene, slightly cheaper than Miraflores
San Isidro (Upscale)
- Mid-range hotels: $70-$120/night
- Luxury hotels: $200-$500+/night (business district)
Best for: Business travelers, quiet, upscale dining
Downtown Lima (Budget Option)
- Budget hostels: $10-$18/night
- Basic hotels: $25-$45/night
Note: Cheaper but less safe at night, farther from tourist areas
2. Food & Dining Costs
Budget Eating ($12-$20/day)
Breakfast: $3-$5
- Bakery: $2-$3
- Cafe con leche + sandwich: $3-$5
- Market breakfast: $2-$4
Lunch: $4-$8
- Menu del dia: $4-$7
- Ceviche at local spot: $6-$10
- Street food: $3-$5
Dinner: $5-$10
- Local restaurant: $6-$12
- Pizza/Chinese: $7-$12
Mid-Range Eating ($35-$60/day)
Breakfast: $8-$12 (cafe or hotel)
Lunch: $15-$25 (tourist restaurant, good ceviche)
Dinner: $20-$35 (nice restaurant)
Drinks/coffee: $8-$15
Recommended: La Mar (ceviche), Isolina, Tanta, Panchita
Luxury Eating ($80-$150+/day)
Breakfast: $20-$30 (hotel buffet)
Lunch: $35-$60 (upscale restaurant)
Dinner: $60-$120 (fine dining)
Wine/cocktails: $30-$60
Recommended: Central, Maido, Astrid y Gastón, Rafael (world-class dining)
Lima Food Tips:
- Lima is Peru's culinary capital - don't miss the food scene
- Lunch is cheaper than dinner at same restaurants
- Ceviche is best at lunch (traditional serving time)
- Menu del dia offers great value at $4-$7
- Book fine dining restaurants weeks ahead
3. Transportation Costs
Within Lima
- Walking: Free (Miraflores/Barranco very walkable)
- Metropolitano (BRT): $0.70 per ride (fast, safe)
- Local buses: $0.50-$1 (crowded, confusing routes)
- Uber/Cabify: $3-$8 within Miraflores, $8-$15 to downtown
- Official taxis: $5-$12 (negotiate before getting in)
- Bike rental: $10-$15/day (great for boardwalk)
Airport Transfer
- Uber to Miraflores: $15-$20 (30-40 min)
- Official airport taxi: $25-$30
- Airport Express bus: $8 (to Miraflores)
Day Trips from Lima
- To Paracas: $15-$25 bus (3.5 hours)
- To Huacachina: $20-$30 bus (4 hours)
Daily transport budget: $3-$6 (budget), $10-$20 (mid-range), $40-$80 (luxury with private drivers)
4. Activities & Entrance Fees
Museums & Cultural Sites
- Larco Museum: 30 soles ($8) - Pre-Columbian art
- Museum of the Nation: Free - Peruvian history
- MALI (Lima Art Museum): 30 soles ($8)
- Huaca Pucllana: 15 soles ($4) - Ancient pyramid
- Monastery of San Francisco: 15 soles ($4) - Catacombs
- Casa de la Literatura: Free - Literary museum
Tours & Activities
- Free walking tour: Tip-based ($5-$15 tip expected)
- City tour: $30-$60 (half day)
- Food tour: $60-$120 (includes tastings)
- Cooking class: $50-$100
- Paragliding: $60-$80 (Miraflores cliffs)
- Surfing lesson: $30-$50
- Bike tour: $25-$40
Free Activities
- Miraflores boardwalk (Malecón)
- Parque Kennedy (cat park)
- Barranco neighborhood walk
- Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros)
- Plaza de Armas (main square)
- Parque de la Reserva (free entry, water show $1)
- Beach walks (Costa Verde)
5. Additional Daily Costs
- Bottled water: $0.50-$1.50 (stores vs tourist areas)
- Coffee: $2-$5 (local vs specialty cafe)
- Beer: $2-$5 (local bar) or $5-$10 (Miraflores bar)
- Pisco sour: $5-$12 (Lima's signature cocktail)
- Laundry: $4-$8 per load
- SIM card data: $1-$2 per day
- Souvenirs: $10-$100+ (markets vs boutiques)
- Tips: 10% at restaurants (often included), $5-$15 for guides
- Sunscreen: $8-$15 (buy before arriving, expensive in Lima)
Sample Daily Budgets in Lima
Budget Day in Lima: $45
Accommodation: $20 (hostel dorm in Miraflores)
Breakfast: $3 (bakery)
Lunch: $6 (menu del dia)
Dinner: $8 (local cevicheria)
Transport: $4 (Metropolitano + one Uber)
Activities: $8 (museum entrance)
Misc: $6 (water, coffee, snacks)
Total: $55
Mid-Range Day in Lima: $95
Accommodation: $65 (3-star hotel in Miraflores)
Breakfast: $10 (cafe)
Lunch: $20 (good ceviche restaurant)
Dinner: $28 (nice restaurant)
Transport: $15 (Ubers throughout day)
Activities: $30 (food tour)
Misc: $12 (coffee, drinks, tips)
Total: $180
Luxury Day in Lima: $280
Accommodation: $220 (5-star hotel, ocean view)
Breakfast: $25 (hotel buffet)
Lunch: $50 (upscale restaurant)
Dinner: $90 (Central or Maido - world-class)
Transport: $50 (private driver)
Activities: $80 (paragliding + private tour)
Misc: $35 (cocktails, tips, shopping)
Total: $550
Money-Saving Tips for Lima
- Stay in Barranco: Slightly cheaper than Miraflores, great vibe
- Eat menu del dia: Save $10-$15 per meal
- Use Metropolitano: $0.70 vs $5-$10 Uber for same routes
- Visit free museums: Museum of the Nation, Casa de la Literatura
- Eat ceviche at lunch: Cheaper and fresher than dinner
- Walk the boardwalk: Free, beautiful, safe during day
- Buy water at stores: $0.50 vs $2 at tourist spots
- Take free walking tours: Just tip your guide
- Shop at Wong/Metro: Supermarkets for snacks and water
- Avoid Larcomar mall: Tourist prices, go to local markets
How Many Days to Budget for Lima
Recommended: 2-3 days in Lima
- Day 1: Arrive, Miraflores boardwalk, Parque Kennedy ($40-$90)
- Day 2: Historic center, museums, food tour ($50-$120)
- Day 3: Barranco, beach, fine dining ($45-$150)
Total 3-day Lima budget: $135-$360 (budget to luxury)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need per day in Lima?
Budget travelers need $35-$55 per day in Lima, mid-range travelers need $70-$120 per day, and luxury travelers need $180-$350+ per day. This covers accommodation, food, transportation, and activities in Peru's capital.
Is Lima expensive?
Lima is moderately priced. Tourist districts like Miraflores and Barranco are more expensive than other areas. Budget hostels cost $15-$30/night, meals $5-$12, and transport $2-$8. Lima is pricier than Cusco but offers excellent dining value.
How much does food cost in Lima?
Budget meals in Lima cost $4-$8, mid-range restaurants $12-$25, and upscale dining $30-$60+ per meal. Lima is Peru's culinary capital with options from cheap ceviche to world-class fine dining.
How much does accommodation cost in Lima?
Hostels in Lima cost $15-$30/night, mid-range hotels $50-$100/night, and luxury hotels $150-$400+/night. Miraflores and Barranco are most expensive. Budget travelers can find cheaper options in other safe neighborhoods.