All the ways to get around Lima

Notorious for its chaotic traffic, Lima is a sprawling megacity that can be intimidating for newcomers to navigate.

Yet once you’ve gotten your bearings – and moved past the shock of near-constant car horns and optional-at-best turn signals – getting around the Peruvian capital can become a manageable adventure. Even, dare we say, a fun one.

Here are all the ways you can get around in Lima, Peru.

Choose from Lima’s many types of buses

Any visitor to Lima will quickly take note of the city’s huge variety of buses – which come in every size, shape, color, model and amount of tailpipe emissions.

Considering the risk of accidents and pickpockets, we recommend leaving the small, usually white vans known as combis or colectivos to the locals. Slightly safer are the larger buses that are painted in myriad colors. Look for street names listed on the front that indicate their route.

Though bus stops throughout the city are marked (look for blue signs that read paradero), there is no set bus schedule, nor maps depicting bus routes. In other words, you will constantly have to ask locals which bus to get on, when to get off and how much to pay. (It’s easy, once you get the hang of it.)

If you want to avoid the old system’s confusion and potential safety issues, seek out the newer generation of bus service, Corredor Azul. The five trunk routes routes stretch from Barranco to the eastern district of Rimac and can be found on the website, along with designated bus stops. To board, wait in line and have your coins at the ready to pay the flat fare of 1.50 Peruvian soles. A ticket with one transfer costs S2.45; with two, S3.60.

Unfortunately, the safer the bus system, the longer it takes to get from point A to point B. If you are in a hurry, try another form of transport.

Reach downtown fast on the Metropolitano

Lima’s Metropolitano is a bus-rapid-transit (BRT) system that links 12 districts, including the neighborhoods most popular with visitors.

The first of its kind in Peru, the fleet of bi-articulated buses runs along the Paseo de la República expressway in its own designated lane. This makes it a great option for those based in districts such as Barranco or Miraflores who want to get to the historic center.

Before you board, you'll need to purchase a rechargeable card (S4.50) from any metro station, then load it with credit. The fare is set at S4.50 no matter the route. Once you’ve loaded credit onto your card, simply swipe it at the turnstile and continue to the platform.

As at subway stations, passengers wait for the the bus at elevated platforms, and each station has a customer information booth. Scan the QR code at each station for real-time information.

Splurge on a taxi to get from one neighborhood to another

Taxis are the most expensive mode of transport in Lima – but they can come in handy when you need to get between far-flung districts.. Official cabs should have a rectangular authorization sticker with the word SETAME on the upper left corner of the windshield. They may have yellow paint, too. Avoid the countless unlicensed taxis if you don’t want to get ripped.

Lima’s taxis don't use meters, so always negotiate a fare before getting in. (Non-Peruvians will always pay more than locals, alas.) Better still, opt for a rideshare app like Uber or Cabify if you’re looking for fare clarity.

Explore Lima on foot – then take a bike ride on the malécon

Sprawling Lima isn’t the most pedestrian-friendly city – though since travelers tend to stick to a few districts that border one another, and are linked by a coastal pathway, pounding the pavement is a viable option for visitors.

The walk from Surquillo, home to Lima’s best food markets, to central Miraflores takes just minutes on foot. After shopping or grabbing a bite to eat, enjoy a 20-minute walk to Barranco for amazing museums, galleries and boutique cafes.

Looking to while away the afternoon in a greener setting? Bike, jog, or walk along the malecón until you find the grassy patch with your name on it.

A smoothly paved path that follows the natural curves of Lima’s coastal cliffside, the malecón is one of the city’s most iconic features. Stretching roughly 10km, the malecón extends through a handful of Lima’s most popular neighborhoods.

Along the malecón, municipalities have started to roll out fleets of bikes for rent. It’s a big step for a city that is still light years behind when it comes to cycling.

Note that beyond the coastal path, official bike lanes are few and far between, and cyclists should take caution when pedaling in heavy traffic.

Accessible transportation in Lima

As the capital of Peru, Lima has a long way to go for inclusive access and conveniences for travelers who are hard of hearing or vision-impaired. The latest shopping centers have elevators, but sidewalks can be narrow or busy, and Braille signs are absent for the visually impaired.

Nearly all Metropolitano stations, however, have elevators to the platforms, and designated spaces for wheelchairs aboard the bi-articulated buses are clearly marked.

Lima’s light rail does have wheelchair access and fellow passengers are obliged by law to give preferential access to those who are disabled. The current single line offers a smooth ride, with 26 stops around the city.

Useful resources for disabled travelers in Peru include Conadis, a government agency offering information and advocacy for people with disabilities in the country.