How much does it cost to visit the main tourist sites in Lima?

The department of Lima is home to different tourist attractions that are highly visited by locals and foreigners. In the same city, the Cathedral, the Huaca Pucllana, the Parque de las Leyendas, the Sanctuary of Pachacamac, the Magic Water Circuit and the different museums stand out. Outside the city you can also visit important places such as Caral, Chancay Castle or the Real Felipe Fortress. Find out what to see in these places and, above all, how much a visit costs.

The Cathedral of Lima

The Cathedral of Lima is the most important colonial temple in the city​​. It stands out for its Renaissance façade (a play of lights illuminates it at night). Inside there are samples of viceregal art. It stands out for its choir stalls, the thirteen chapels and the crypt where the remains of Francisco Pizarro were found.

The Cathedral is located right in front of the Main Square in Lima. Visiting hours are from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. During mass hours (Sundays at 11 in the morning) you can enter for free. A few steps from this temple are the Government Palace and the Municipal Palace of the city.

• Entrance ticket: 10 soles for adults and 2 soles for children.
• Location: Jirón Carabaya s/n (in front of the Main Square de Lima).

The Huaca Pucllana

In the heart of the tourist district of Miraflores is the archaeological site of Huaca Pucllana. This pre-Hispanic urban center was built by the Lima culture between 200 AD and 700 AD Later it was occupied by various cultures such as the Wari and Ichma. Today it is one of the most visited tourist sites in Lima.

Due to its location in the heart of the urban area of ​​Lima, surrounded by buildings and vehicles, the site’s protection work is remarkable. In 2017 it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. The opening hours are from Monday to Saturday from 9 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. The place also has a museum, restaurant and handicraft shop.

• Entrance ticket: 15 soles for adults, 7.50 soles for students and free admission for children under 5 years old.
• Location: Street General Borgoño, block 8, Miraflores – Lima.

The Sanctuary of Pachacamac

Pachacamac was the most important sanctuary in Inca times. Research indicates that its original constructions were made by the Lima culture, from 100 AD to 650 AD. It was then occupied by cultures such as Wari, Ichma and the Incas. The latter built important structures such as the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Moon and more.

Pachacamac covers a huge area of ​​465,032 hectares. In Inca times, a long pilgrimage had to be made before visiting the ‘idol of Pachacamac’. Today you only have to travel 1 or 2 hours from the center of Lima. The place also has a museum, cafeteria and handicraft shop. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

• Entrance ticket: 15 soles for adults, 5 soles for university students, 1 sol for children (from 3 to 17 years old) and free admission for children under 3 years old.
• Location: Old Panamericana Sur highway km. 31.5, Lurín – Lima.

Caral

Caral is the oldest citadel in America. The archaeological finds that were found there date from the 5th century BC. This urban center has squares, pyramids, residences, streets and more. Its discovery in the 20th century was a worldwide success. In 2009 it was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

To get to Caral, you must travel 174 kilometers by road north from the city of Lima (trip of approximately 4 hours). Research there continues to reveal unknown aspects of this ancient civilization. For this reason it is called ‘Sacred City’. The place has a site museum. Attention is from Monday to Sunday from 10 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

• Entrance ticket: 11 soles for adults, 4 soles for students, 1 sol for children and 5 soles for people over 60 and people with disabilities.
• Location: Height kilometer 184 of the Panamericana Norte highway, Barranca – Lima.

The castle of Chancay

Castillo de Chancay is a place out of context in the beautiful coastal landscape of Lima. It is a ‘medieval’ looking building ordered to be built in 1920 by Consuelo Amat y León (descendant of Viceroy Manuel de Amat). The construction took almost a century to adopt its current form, like a castle nestled on the seashore.

The castle has three levels, rooms with different themes, museums, squares with various shows, a hotel and a replica of a ship facing the sea. It is located in the so-called ‘Norte chico de Lima’, 73 kilometers by road from the city. It is open every day from 9 in the morning until 6 in the afternoon.

• Entrance ticket: 25 soles for adults, 12 soles for children (from 3 to 10 years old) and free admission for children under 3 years old.
• Location: Avenue Primero de Mayo 1224, Chancay – Lima.

The fortress of Real Felipe

The Real Felipe fortress is one of the most impressive constructions of the viceregal era in Peru. It is in the province of Callao. Its construction dates from 1774 AD Its purpose was to defend the city from the attacks of common pirates at that time. However, over the years it came to serve as a defense of the Republic of Peru against the Spanish onslaught in the famous battle of May 2.

This castle covers an area of ​​more than 70 thousand square meters. It has a pentagon-shaped structure with five bastions at its corners. It also has turrets, artillery areas, cannons, halls and more. Today he is in charge of the Armed Forces of Peru. The hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.

• Entrance ticket: 15 soles for foreign adults and 10 soles for Peruvian adults.
• Location: Square Independencia s/n, Callao – Lima.

The Magic Water Circuit

In the heart of Lima is this theme park where its thirteen water fountains stand out, offering a show of water, lights and music. It also offers sculptures and information panels about the city. Its construction took place in 2007. The place holds the record as the largest water sources located in a single public space.

The Magic Water Circuit belongs to the famous Reserve Park, a long-standing public space in the city. In 1980 it was declared as the Monumental Urban Environment of Lima. It is an excellent option to go with family and children. The opening hours are Monday through Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Friday to Sunday, from noon to 8:00 p.m.).

• Entrance ticket: 4 soles for adults and 2 soles for people with disabilities.
• Location: Jirón Madre de Dios s/n, Cercado de Lima.

The Park of Legends

The Parque de las Leyendas is the most popular zoo in Peru. It encompasses a huge area with archaeological remains, replicas of mines, the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, artificial lagoons, games for children, a huge botanical park and, of course, animals. These are approximately 1,585 and are divided into: coast, mountains, jungle and international zone.

The Parque de las Leyendas is located only 14 kilometers from downtown Lima. Its origins date back to 1964 with the creation of the park ‘Las Leyendas’ by Peruvian conservationist Felipe Benavides Barreda. Then and until today the park is administered by the Municipality of Lima. It is visited by Lima families as well as people from other localities. The opening hours are from Monday to Sunday from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

• Entrance ticket: 15 soles for adults (from 13 years old and over), 8 soles for children (from 3 to 12 years old) and 4 soles for adults from 60 years and over.
• Location: Avenue Parque de las Leyendas 580, San Miguel – Lima.

The Larco Museum

The Larco museum is one of the best in Peru due to its extensive collection of ceramics, textiles, as well as gold and silver treasures that span a period of up to five thousand years (up to the Inca culture). It owes its name to the fact that it was founded in 1926 by the archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle. It stands out for its collection of ceramics from the Mochica culture.

The museum has eight permanent rooms. It also has five rooms belonging to the ‘erotic ceramics’ of the Mochica culture. The on-site facilities also offer a video library, research room, cafeteria, and more. The hours of operation are from Monday to Saturday from 11 in the morning to 7 at night.

• Entrance ticket: 35 soles for adults, 30 soles for adults over 60 years old, 17 soles for students and free admission for children up to 8 years old.
• Location: Avenue Simón Bolívar 1515, Pueblo Libre – Lima.

The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru

This museum, since its foundation in 1822, has gone through several stages. It is the oldest in Peru. It was sponsored by General José de San Martín himself. It currently has thirty rooms that cover more than 10,000 years of history, from ancient Peru to the republican period. Today it is one of the most important in the country.

The museum exhibits objects of great historical value. The ‘Estela de Raimondi’ from the Chavín culture, the ‘Manos Cruzadas de Kotosh’, or the ‘Obelisco Tello’ stand out. Important personalities were in charge of its direction. It is worth mentioning Max Uhle, Luis E. Valcárcel and Julio C. Tello. Today it is in charge of the Ministry of Culture of Peru. The hours of operation are from Monday to Sunday from 8.45 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

• Entrance ticket: 10 soles for adults, 1 sol for students and 20 soles for the night visit.
• Location: Square Bolívar s/n, Pueblo Libre – Lima.

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023