Travel

All international flights arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM).

One quirk worth planning around: most flights between the US and Lima both arrive and depart late at night, so build that into your first and last days.

February is summer vacation season in Peru, so we recommend booking a few months ahead. One way tickets usually cost about the same as round trips, which makes comparing dates easier, and booking directly with the airline makes changes simpler. We recommend arriving by Friday morning, February 26 at the latest, so you can settle in and join us for welcome drinks that evening.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union do not need a visa for tourism. You will be stamped in on arrival. Immigration may ask to see a return ticket, so keep yours easy to reach.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. If you are traveling from elsewhere, please check the requirements for your country.

Peru does not currently require any vaccines for entry, and none are needed for Lima.

If you are joining us in the Amazon or planning your own jungle trip, talk to your doctor well in advance about yellow fever and malaria protection. For Lima and the coast, there is nothing to do.

Peru is a country of superlatives. Lima is home to more people than New York City. The country contains the driest desert on Earth outside the poles, the second-largest share of the Amazon rainforest, Andean peaks above 22,000 feet, and 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

It’s hard to summarize the country and culture into just a few lines. From the coast to the mountains to the jungle, each region has its own food, dances, and more, and there’s something for every type of traveler to enjoy.

Whether you decide to extend your trip to Peru to get to know more about the country or not, we’re excited for you to visit Lima, a city where pre-Columbian pyramids, colonial history, and one of (if not the) greatest food scenes collide.

Late February is the height of summer in Lima. In a typical year that means warm, humid days in the high 70s to mid 80s (26 to 30°C), sunshine, and essentially no rain.

This year comes with an asterisk: forecasters expect a strong El Niño, which for Lima means hotter and stickier days than usual and an unusually warm ocean. Pack light clothing and plan for sun. You still will not need an umbrella in Lima; El Niño rains fall mainly in northern Peru and the mountains, which matters only if you are planning trips beyond the city (more on that on the Things to Do page).

Health standards in Lima are good, and pharmacies (boticas) are on nearly every corner. That said, there are two things we recommend:

1. Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is cheap and everywhere.

2. Pack basic stomach medicine just in case.

Altitude is not a factor in Lima, which sits at sea level. However, if you plan your own trip to Cusco (which sits above 11,000 feet), you may experience altitude sickness. There are many natural remedies for this, such as coca leaves, but you may also want to consider getting altitude medication from your doctor in advance.

Lima is a big city, and the guidance is the same as for any big city in the world: use common sense.

When getting around, use Uber rather than hailing taxis on the street; they are cheap and the safest option. Keep your phone in your pocket while walking rather than out in your hand. Don’t walk around wearing flashy jewelry or watches. Do not leave phones or wallets sitting on restaurant tables. You should absolutely be aware, but no need to be anxious.

The drive from the airport to Miraflores takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. The easiest options are a transfer arranged through your hotel, the official airport taxi service, or Uber from the airport.

If you would rather have your rides arranged in advance, the travel company we are working with offers airport pickup and drop off for our guests.

Uber and Cabify are widely used, inexpensive, and the easiest way to get around. Rides between Miraflores and the wedding venue take about 25 to 35 minutes. However, we will have a shuttle for the wedding itself.

Like other major cities, Lima traffic can be a beast. Expect ETAs to change based on time of day. For this same reason, we do not recommend renting a car.

Peru uses the sol (PEN). Visa and Mastercard are accepted nearly everywhere you will go; American Express is hit or miss, so bring a backup card. Some vendors ask for ID with a card payment, and a driver’s license is fine.

If a card terminal asks whether to charge in soles or dollars, always choose soles; you will get the proper exchange rate. A modest amount of cash is useful for markets and small shops. Exchange money at a casa de cambio rather than at hotels, or simply use an ATM sparingly (fees add up).

Like most other Latin American countries, Peruvians use WhatsApp to communicate. If you don’t already use it, download it and set it up before you leave home, while your phone can still receive verification texts easily.

It works over any Wi-Fi or data connection for free calls and messages.