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What to Pack for Lima

What to Pack for Lima

Lima Lima Province, Peru Travel Guide

Summer Attire Dec - Apr

Pack light, breathable clothing like cotton and linen. Shorts, t-shirts, and dresses are appropriate. Evenings near the coast get cooler, so a light sweater or jacket is useful.

Summer Essentials

  • Lightweight tops and bottoms.
  • Swimwear for beaches or pools.
  • A light sweater or jacket for evenings.

Winter Attire Jul - Sep

Layers are appropriate during these months. Pack long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and a light to medium jacket. A light rain jacket is useful for protection against the persistent drizzle and "garúa".

Winter Essentials

Footwear Recommendations

City Exploration

Comfortable Walking shoes or Sneakers are appropriate for extensive walking.

Prioritize comfort.

Evenings & Upscale

Pack dressier shoes or Sandals for dining out or evening events.

Smart casual appropriate.

Hiking & Beaches

For excursions, Sturdy hiking boots. Sandals or flip-flops for the coast areas.

Activity-specific footwear.

Essential Documents

Travel Papers

Keeping your important documents organized and accessible prevents stress. Carry both physical and digital copies of everything.

  • Valid passport (6 months validity beyond stay).
  • Visa documentation (if your nationality requires it).
  • Proof of onward/return travel (flight itinerary).
  • Travel insurance policy info (physical & digital).
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) with home license (if driving).
  • Vaccination records (e.g., Yellow Fever certificate for jungle travel).
  • Printed and digital copies of all reservations (flights, hotels, tours).
  • Emergency contact information (family, embassy, insurance).

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Stay connected and powered up with the appropriate electronic gear and accessories. Peru uses different electrical standards than North America.

Electricals & SIMs

  • Peru operates on 220V, 60Hz with Type A (flat parallel) and A EUROPLUG (round pins) plugs. Bring a Universal travel adapter.
  • Most modern smartphones are compatible. Ensure your phone is unlocked for a local SIM card (Claro, Movistar).
  • A Portable charger is useful for keeping devices powered while exploring.

Apps & Data

Download these apps before your trip for convenience. Protect your photos and documents by backing them up regularly.

Digital Tools

  • Navigation: Google Maps and Waze. Translation: Google Translate (offline Spanish pack).
  • Ride-sharing: Uber, Cabify, Didi. Accommodation: Booking.com, Airbnb.
  • Contingency plans: Use online storage for photos/documents. An External hard drive stores large amounts of data.

Secure Your Digital Presence

VPN Service

A VPN (NordVPN) (ExpressVPN) secures your connection on public Wi-Fi.

ESIM for Connectivity

Consider Airalo for international eSIMs to avoid physical SIM hassle.

Camera & Gear

Bring your standard Travel camera or rely on your Smartphone. Extra batteries and memory cards. Waterproof bag for protection.

Health & Wellness Items

Personal Medical Kit

A well-stocked personal health kit addresses minor ailments and maintains your well-being. Beyond standard items, include these for common travel issues.

First Aid & Meds

Prescriptions & Prevention

Ensure you have an adequate supply of prescription medications and proper documentation. Protect yourself from insects and the sun.

Medication & Protection

Altitude & Water Safety

Altitude & Motion

  • There's no risk of altitude sickness for Lima (sea level).
  • If traveling to the Andes, consider altitude sickness medication.
  • Motion sickness remedies are appropriate for twisting mountain roads.

Water Purification

Activity-Specific Equipment

Surfing Gear

Wetsuits are often useful due to cool water temperatures year-round. Surfboards are readily available for rent locally at surf schools along the Costa Verde.

  • Rent locally.
  • Wetsuits for cool water.
  • Surfboards available.
  • Local surf schools.

Hiking Essentials

For day trips outside Lima, sturdy shoes and a Daypack are appropriate. Renting Camping gear is feasible for multi-day trips outside Lima.

  • Sturdy shoes.
  • Daypack for outings.
  • Camping gear rental.
  • Sun protection.

Paragliding & Cycling

Bicycles are easily rented in tourist districts like Miraflores and Barranco for exploring at your own pace.

  • Bikes for rent.
  • Explore Miraflores.
  • Explore Barranco.

Rent vs. Bring Decision Matrix

Good to Bring Often Better Quality/Fit

  • Personal medications with prescriptions.
  • High-quality hiking boots/shoes (personal fit).
  • Specific personal hygiene brands.
  • Your preferred camera gear.

Good to Rent Availability/Convenience

  • Surfboards and wetsuits (easy local rental).
  • Bicycles for city exploration.
  • Gear for camping for multi-day trips outside Lima.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security

These tiny items contribute significantly to your comfort and security during your travels. Protecting your valuables from theft is important.

Travel Comfort & Protection

Reusable & Hard-to-Find Items

Contribute to sustainable travel and reduce waste. Consider packing items that might be difficult or expensive to purchase locally.

Sustainable & Specific Packing

  • Bring a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste.
  • A Reusable shopping bag for market purchases.
  • Reusable utensils can be handy for street food.
  • Specialized medications or specific brands of personal items might be hard to find.

Sustainable Travel Items

Solid Toiletries

Shampoo bars, solid toothpaste.

Reusable Bags

For making purchases and markets.

Reusable Mug

For java or tea.

Portable Utensils

Avoid single-use plastics.

Destination-Specific Items

Unique to Lima

  • No items are specifically unique to Lima that travelers typically bring beyond general travel essentials.
  • However, specific gear for photography or coastal activities may apply based on interests.
  • Consider a Beach towel if planning to visit the Costa Verde beaches.

Hard to Find Locally

  • Specialized medications or specific brands of personal items might be hard to find.
  • High-quality hiking gear can be more expensive to purchase in Lima than at home.
  • Certain personal care products or specific beauty items may have limited availability.

Packing Pro Tips

Roll your clothes to maximize space and minimize wrinkles. Use packing cubes to organize items and compress clothing. Weigh your luggage before heading to the airport to avoid paying more for luggage.

For valuable electronics, use a Specialized electronics retailer for protective cases and reliable chargers.