Lima Hop on Hop off Bus Tours

If you are planning to visit Lima, let me tell you that one of the best ways to do it is by taking a tour in one of its best tourist buses. It is a city full of history, culture and a world-renowned gastronomic offer. If you are looking for a convenient and exciting way to tour the city, you can't miss out on a sightseeing bus tour.

These buses have pre-defined routes that pass through the city's most emblematic places, such as the historic centre, the modern districts, the panoramic viewpoints and its best parks. This means you can enjoy the best things to do in Lima without having to worry about directions or the logistics of public transport. Plus the convenience of the Hop on-Hop off system, whereby you can get off wherever you please, walk around and get back on to continue the tour.

Explore the amazing city of Lima on this exciting sightseeing tour on a Hop on-Hop off audio-guided open top bus. This means you can start the tour at any of the stops and hop off wherever you wish to explore the main attractions Lima has to offer. Then, you can hop on again and continue the tour.

There are different panoramic route options to choose from: the historical tour, the tour of Barranco, Miraflores, the city tour and the night tour of the fountains. On the latter you can enjoy the spectacular fountains of the Magic Water Circuit.

Enjoy the incredible diversity and beauty of Lima on this tour that includes the old town, the Miraflores neighbourhood and the beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean from the Parque del Amor. This double-decker bus tour is perfect for the whole family and offers a great way to see Peru's capital without any hassle. Plus, being a roofless vehicle you can get 360° views, making it perfect for taking the best photos.

Tour

• Plaza de Armas: also known as Plaza Mayor, it is one of the most popular meeting places in Lima.
• Parque Kennedy: incredible park in the centre of the city surrounded by skyscrapers.
• Plaza San Martin: from here you can enjoy some of the most representative views of the city.
• Cathedral of Lima: with a beautiful architecture and a good amount of works of art inside.
• Government Palace: seat of the Peruvian government.
• Archbishop's Palace: this is an important historical and cultural landmark in the city, reflecting Lima's ecclesiastical influence and religious legacy.
• San Francisco Monastery: you can visit the famous catacombs and marvel at its architecture.
• Parque del Amor: enjoy incomparable views of the Pacific Ocean.
• Fortaleza Real Felipe: built during the Spanish colonial era, this historic fortress, considered one of the largest in South America, was named in honour of King Felipe V of Spain.
• Museo de Sitio Naval- Submarino Ex Bap Abtao: located in Callao, the museum is housed inside an authentic submarine of the Peruvian Navy.
• Huaca Pucllana: discover all the charm of the Inca empire in one of the most impressive archaeological complexes in Peru.

This tour is perfect to add to the list of things to do in Lima in summer, as it is on board of an open-top vehicle you can enjoy the warmth of the Peruvian climate.

Details of interest

• Price: from 31 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours in total, although if you decide to get off and walk around, the time will be longer.
• Timetables: the daytime tour departs every day at 9.15am and finishes at 2.15pm, and the night-time tour departs from Wednesday to Sunday at 7pm only.
• Advantages of this option: suitable for people with reduced mobility and wheelchairs.
• Disadvantages of this option: drinks and snacks are not included on board.

Discover all the charm of Lima on this tour with audio guide in different languages, aboard a tourist bus. The tour covers the three most important periods in the history of the Peruvian capital: the pre-Inca period, the Viceroyalty period and the present day, all aboard a comfortable open-top bus offering 360° views. An out-of-time experience not to be missed for anything.

From the pre-Inca period you will visit mythical places, such as Huaca Pucllana, an impressive ceremonial and archaeological centre, built in the 4th century AD. From the Viceroyalty period, you will be amazed by the historic centre of Lima, where you will see more than fifty monuments and colonial buildings, such as the Avenida de la República, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Plaza San Martín, the Plaza Mayor and the Municipal Palace. This tour also includes the entrance and a guided visit to the Cathedral of Lima and its Museum of Religious Art.

In the modern Lima, you will get to know the modern quarter and enjoy a unique view of the beautiful bay from the panoramic bus. You will see how the Peruvian capital is the perfect balance between the ancient and the modern, here you can enjoy the history of one of the most important and advanced civilizations of the new world, the Incas, while soaking up the most modern attractions, as Lima is one of the most modern cities in Latin America.

The tickets are valid for 24 hours from the moment you validate them with the driver, meaning that you can enjoy all the main attractions and tourist sites, touring at your own pace, throughout the whole day.

Tour

• Larcomar Shopping Centre: one of the most important shopping centres in Lima.
• Palacio Municipal de Miraflores: emblematic building that houses the administrative and governmental headquarters of the town of Miraflores.
• Parque Kennedy - Parque Central de Miraflores: lively and picturesque public space that stands out for its vegetation, recreational areas and for being a cultural and social meeting point in the city.
• Huaca Pucllana: impressive archaeological site located in Miraflores, Lima, which represents the ancient pre-Inca culture with its imposing adobe pyramids and its rich history.
• Circuito Mágico Del Agua: marvel at this fascinating fountain complex, which combines lights, music and water in an enchanting setting.
• Museo de Arte de Lima: the MALI offers an enriching insight into the culture and history of the country.
• Parque de la Exposición: the park is home to various monuments, sculptures and fountains, making it an ideal space for strolling, enjoying cultural events and relaxing in the middle of the city.
• Plaza Grau: the square is an emblematic place that pays homage to the illustrious Peruvian naval hero, Admiral Miguel Grau. In addition to its historical value, the square is a popular meeting point for locals and visitors alike, with benches, green areas and a lively atmosphere.
• Paseo de los Heroes Navales: this is an iconic coastal avenue of Lima, which pays homage to the brave Peruvian sailors.
• Plaza San Martin: one of the most representative public spaces in the city, surrounded by historic buildings and with the equestrian statue of General Jose de San Martin, considered one of the most important heroes of Peruvian and South American independence.
• Museo Central: the museum presents permanent and temporary exhibits that show the cultural richness and history of the country.
• Plaza de Armas (Main Square): the historical and political heart of the city of Lima, dating back to colonial times and characterised by its architectural beauty.
• Palacio Municipal de Lima: seat of the local government of the city of Lima.
• Cathedral of Lima: the cathedral is an architectural and religious landmark in the city.

Details of interest

• Price: from 33 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours in total. Of course, if you get off the bus the duration will depend on you.
• Timetables: the daytime tour departs every day at 9.30am and 2.30pm.
• Advantages of this option: it has an audio guide in several languages.
• Disadvantages of this option: people with reduced mobility cannot access the upper level of the bus, so they will not be able to enjoy the 360° views.

This tour offers a specialised local guide, who will tell you all the details of each of the places you visit. You will travel aboard a comfortable air-conditioned tourist bus through the main neighbourhoods of Lima and you will come face to face with the past and present of the Peruvian capital. And so that you don't miss a word your guide says, the activity includes headphones. This is not a Hop on-Hop off bus.

You will visit some of Lima's landmarks and taste a classic Pisco Sour at the same time, making this tour a very different option from the rest. If you are interested in local flavours, let me recommend one of the 10 best gastronomic tours in Lima. Peru's culinary universe is very interesting.

Please note that the bus has wifi connection on board and includes entrance to the Santo Domingo Monastery, which is located in the heart of the historic centre of Lima. This tour is perfect to take some amazing pictures of the city and its surroundings. Also, keep in mind that you can get on at any of the many stops along the way.

Tour

• Parque del Amor (Park of Love): one of the favourite places for couples in love.
• Huaca Pucllana: the perfect place to discover all the charm of the Inca empire.
• Miraflores: one of the most important districts of Lima, facing the sea.
• El Olivar de San Isidro Park: stroll through beautiful olive groves while listening to your guide.
• Plaza San Martin: meeting place for locals and tourists. Here you can see the imposing equestrian statue of General San Martin, liberator of Latin America.
• Historical Centre of Lima: the most picturesque, the historical centre of the city is ideal to get to know the spirit of Lima.
• Santo Domingo Convent: a must-see for those interested in history, religious architecture and Peruvian devotion.
• Government Palace: the seat of the Peruvian government and an impressive building.
• Lima Cathedral: another of the city's must-sees, the Lima Cathedral is beautiful, both inside and out.
• Lima Municipal Palace: symbol of municipal authority and the city's history, its architecture reflects the Peruvian neo-colonial style.

Details of interest

• Price: from 37 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours in total.
• Timetables: the daytime tour departs daily at 9.30am and 2.30pm.
• Advantages of this option: Bottled water is included for each passenger.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not include lunch and it is not a Hop on-Hop off option.

The best way to book this and other types of tours is through the internet. This way you are guaranteed that the company offering the service is serious and reliable, and you can also find out the opinions of other travellers who have already taken this tour. This is an excellent way to know what to expect from the tour. Also, tips, schedules and details to keep in mind are often shared.

In general this kind of tours have an average duration of 4 hours in total. Keep in mind that if it is a Hop on-Hop off bus, the duration will depend on the time you dedicate to each of the sites you visit. You can spend the whole day walking and touring the city, as this type of tour is valid for about 24 hours.

This type of tour is perfect to get in touch with the city of Lima, as the tour includes the main tourist attractions. In the particular case of Lima, being a city with so much history, which dates back to pre-Inca times, you will see ruins and temples hundreds of years old, fountains, parks, palaces from the colonial era, the main square, as well as the more modern neighbourhoods and surprising sites.

It will depend on the type of bus. The Hop on-Hop off type, once the tour is contracted you can use your ticket whenever you wish. It is activated when you get on the bus, the driver checks the validity of the ticket and you can get on and off as many times as you wish within the next 24 hours. On the other hand, the traditional bus tours have a fixed time and day for the activity.

Here are some tips and recommendations that may be useful for this type of tour:

• Choose the right type of tour: First and foremost, keep in mind that there are different types of tourist buses. If they have a Hop on-Hop off mode, you can get off the bus at any of the many stops along the route and get back on whenever you want. This allows you to explore the city at your own pace.
• Stops and frequency: Remember, in the case of Hop on-Hop off buses, it is best to locate on the map where the stops are on the route, as well as the frequency. This way you will be able to organise yourself better and optimise your visit time.
• Bring drinks and snacks in your backpack: If the activity does not include them, it is advisable to bring a bottle of water or some kind of snack, as the tour will surely work up an appetite.
• Read a little before you go: Reading a little about the city you are going to visit will enrich your walk, so you will be able to identify more easily and pay special attention to everything that the audio guide or the guide shows you.

These types of tours are very affordable, even for the tightest budgets. They generally cost around 35 euros per person, although you can check with the company offering the tour to see if minors pay a ticket. It is always advisable to book your place in advance, and through official websites. There are also other types of bus tours to other cities or regions, which are also highly recommended. If you are interested, I recommend one of the many tours to Machu Picchu from Lima, undoubtedly one of the most popular in Peru.

I always recommend doing this type of tour when you arrive in a new city, especially during the first few days, as it will help you to locate the main places of interest on the map. Then you can go back to the ones you liked the most or visit new places, but with a general idea of what the city has to offer. After touring the whole city you can join one of the day trips from Lima, to explore other cities or regions of Peru and get to know even more of its culture, traditions and incredible destinations.

While touring on your own is a good way to get to know a city, it can also happen that you miss out on visiting this or that attraction because you didn't know you were near it. In the case of the tourist bus, you can have a complete idea of what are the must-see places in Lima, without the need to draw complex itineraries, you just have to relax and enjoy the ride.

Here is another option to discover all the magic of Peru.

Explore the Palomino Islands, a natural adventure just a few kilometres from the centre of Lima

If you are looking for an unforgettable getaway from the city of Lima, there is no better option than to visit the Palomino Islands. Located just a few kilometres off the Peruvian coast, these beautiful islands are a natural paradise that will leave you in awe. With their diverse wildlife and breathtaking scenery, a visit to the Palomino Islands is an experience not to be missed for anything.

I assure you that the tours of the islands from Lima are an unforgettable experience. To begin your adventure, you should head to the port of Callao, located just a few kilometres from Lima. From there, you can embark on an exciting boat trip to the Palomino Islands. Tours usually last around four hours, which is plenty of time to enjoy all that these islands have to offer.

These islands are home to thousands of birds, the famous sea lions and Humboldt penguins. Tours also often offer the option of snorkelling, which allows you to explore the marine life without having to dive completely underwater. And if you prefer to keep your feet on land, you can walk along the white sandy beaches and enjoy the serene surroundings.

It is important to note that the Palomino Islands are a protected natural refuge, so it is essential to respect and preserve their ecosystem. Be sure to follow the directions of the tour guides and do not disturb the wildlife.