For your next stay in the capital of Peru, you are wondering where the most dangerous neighborhoods are located in Lima and where the best areas to stay are.

It is true that the cities of South America have the reputation of being dangerous for tourists. And if it is sometimes justified, is it also the case for the city of Lima?

Here is a study on the safety of tourists staying in Lima, on the neighborhoods deemed dangerous but also on the best areas to stay in the Peruvian capital.

To help you find your way, you will also have a Google Map of the main districts of Lima.

This article was designed by synthesizing information published in 2024 from serious sources: global rankings, economic media, local press articles.

Is Peru dangerous?

When discussing crime, violence, drugs, and drug trafficking, it's true that Peru isn't among the top-ranked countries in the world. Even though crime in Peru decreased significantly between 2010 and 2020 (see the Wikipedia article on crime in Peru ), insecurity remains a problem in the country.

Furthermore, in terms of crime, Peru displays great geographical disparities. Some areas are safe and other areas should be avoided.

That is why, in 2024, the French Government is warning visitors about very specific areas requiring vigilance: See details on the France Diplomatie website.

The U.S. State Department's OSAC , which assesses Peru at level 2, also mentions the Colombian border area in the Loreto region and the central region of Peru.

Lima dangerous in 2024?

Yes Lima is considered a dangerous city but to what extent and in which places?

In 2024, according to the Numbeo ranking , Lima was ranked the 10th most crime-ridden city out of the 24 largest cities in South America. With its very high crime index of over 70, Lima was among the most dangerous South American cities, alongside Rio de Janeiro , Fortaleza , and Bogotá in Colombia!

And globally , Lima (just like Tijuana , Memphis or Johannesburg ) is also among the least safe cities in the world.

Is it safe to travel to Lima in 2024?

Insecurity and crime in Lima are not present everywhere in the city and are generally absent during the day at tourist sites. In fact, you just need to avoid the dangerous areas of Lima (see details below) and be very careful as in all tourist cities.

Personally, I had the chance to visit Peru in 2016, and when I spent the last two days of my trip in Lima , everything went very well, even the nights. I highly recommend an evening at the excellent Astrid y Gaston restaurant , which is a must-try in Lima!

But in 2024, as insecurity increased, France Diplomatie classified Lima as a Zone of Enhanced Vigilance . It specifically indicated that:

• The historic center of Lima is particularly not recommended after dark.
• During the day, you should be careful and take care of your personal belongings.
• It is dangerous to walk in the evening on the beaches bordering the capital where delinquents are rampant.

Concerning the most dangerous areas of Lima where it is recommended not to choose your hotel, the list can be found further down in this article.

Lima neighborhood map

The Province of Lima has 43 districts, the complete list of which can be found on Wikipedia , which themselves group together small neighborhoods.

To better identify the most dangerous neighborhoods in Lima, which we will discuss below: Map of Lima's neighborhoods

Most dangerous neighborhoods in Lima

Thanks to a database of statistics on crime and citizen safety, the website inei.gob.pe provides information on the insecurity of neighborhoods and streets in Lima: http://datacrim.inei.gob.pe/

Otherwise, according to statistics published in 2024, here is the list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Lima:

• The Victoria
• The Augustinian
• The city center (Cercado de Lima) where tourism and money attract thieves and delinquents
• Rimac
• Window
• San Martin de Porres (see article on Infobae.com: " Alcalde de San Martín de Porres to declare in emergencia al distrito por alto índice de delincuencia e inseguridad")
• surquillo

Areas to avoid in Lima

Far from the beautiful neighborhoods of Lima, the city is surrounded by sad shanty towns built on the hillside. Peruvians call them Pueblos jovenes but in fact they are favelas where the poorest population of Lima live. Just like everywhere where social poverty has developed, drugs and violence are present there.

Here are the main districts that are home to slums to avoid in Lima (click on their links to find their location):

• Comas
• Villa Salvador
• San juan de lurigancho
• Los Olivos
• Villa Maria del Triunfo

Safest neighborhoods to stay in Lima

It's difficult to tell you where to stay in Lima because there are so many neighborhoods that are very nice and safe to choose your accommodation. Among the most popular areas, local real estate agencies designate the following neighborhoods:

• San Isidro
• Miraflores
• Barranco
• La Molina
• Santiago de surco
• Free town
• San Miguel

Where to stay in Lima for tourists?

For a tourist stay in Lima, the most popular district for travelers is Miraflores.

It is indeed a beautiful, lively neighborhood with shopping streets, bars, restaurants and a great hotel offering for all budgets.

By staying in this neighborhood, visitors can explore Lima's most iconic sites on foot or by tourist bus (Parque del Amor, numerous monuments in downtown Lima, Huaca Pucllana, Malecones with its beautiful ocean views). See how I explored Lima on foot in one day.

In addition, Miraflores is located right next to two tourist areas of Lima: Barranco and San Isidro.

The Aloft Lima Miraflores hotel that I recommend below is located in the beautiful Miraflores district next to the best restaurants in Lima.

Here's a very well-located hotel in Miraflores with good value for money: Hospedaje Dimar Inn . It's the one I chose for my trip in 2016.

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How to visit Lima safely?

Here's the best, safest, and most convenient way to visit Lima's must-see sights with a guide's explanations: Private Tour of Lima