Are you thinking about which Lima Peru beaches are best for a visit?
The Peruvian capital is located right on the Pacific Coast, and between enjoying city food tours and exploring ancient ruins and museums, we can also enjoy various city beaches and nearby beach towns. This includes beaches that are ideal for swimming and relaxation like San Bartolo and Playa El Silencio – as well as great surfing beaches like Punta Hermosa and Makaha.
In this guide we’ll explore the very best Lima Peru beaches that you can visit, whether they are ideal for swimming and surfing, and anything else that you need to know. We’ll also answer some of your most asked questions too in our FAQ section.
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The Very Best Lima Peru Beaches Inside The Peruvian Capital
Let’s now take a look at the very best beaches you can enjoy inside Lima Peru, and what makes each one so unique.
Playa Los Yuyos, Barranco (For Swimming Inside Lima)
If you’re looking to go swimming in Lima and not go too far away, then Playa Los Yuyos is a great pick. Located within the trendy neighbourhood of Barranco (a popular place to stay in Lima, and close to Miraflores), here we can enjoy a dip in the sea when the temperatures are ideal. Like with all swimmable beaches, please check local conditions on the day before going into the sea.
Playa Makaha, Miraflores (For Views And Surfing Inside Lima)
This is the most famous stretch of coastline in Lima, which can be seen when walking from high above on the hills of Miraflores. Playa Makaha is best-known for its scenic views, as well as for sunbathing during the warm months. While not safe for swimming, it’s a popular place to catch a wave or two.
Playa La Herradura, Chorrillos (For Advanced Surfers Inside Lima)
If you’re a surfing pro or admirer of the sport, then Playa La Herradura is a must visit during your time in Lima. World-famous for its giant curls and high-speed left wave, it often holds big events and competitions when swell conditions are just right. It’s located in Chorrillos, which is the next district south just after Miraflores and Barranco.
Playa Agua Dulce, Chorrillos (For Families Inside Lima)
If you’re looking for one of Lima’s (and a contender for Peru) most popular family-friendly beaches, the Playa Agua Dulce is a great option. Easily reached by taxi from Miraflores in just 20 minutes, this wide sandy beach has much calmer waters compared with other spots along Lima’s Costa Verde stretch – making it a safe area to enjoy a relaxing swim with views of the nearby Morro de Solar mountain.
The Very Best Lima Peru Beaches Within The Surrounding Lima Region
Next we’ll now take a look at the best nearby beaches from Lima, each just a maximum of an hour’s drive away.
Playa Embajadores, Santa Maria Del Mar (For Swimming Just Outside Lima)
If you’re looking for a more exclusive and relaxed beach experience, then Playa Embajadores is a great choice. Requiring a bus and taxi to get to (you can also take a taxi directly from Lima), it’s popular with locals and is great for swimming – although it’s still quieter in the high season when compared with the nearby beach towns of San Bartolo and Punta Hermosa.
Playa El Silencio, Punta Hermosa (For Swimming Just Outside Lima)
Punta Hermosa is known as one of Lima’s most beautiful beach towns – with a sea of buildings and facades painted in bright whites. As well as enjoying local seafood restaurants and views from bungalows right on the ocean, the beach of Playa El Silencio is great for both taking in the rays and swimming in the calm waters during the summer season.
Playa Sur, San Bartolo (For Surfing Or Relaxation Just Outside Lima)
Another beach town similar to Punta Hermosa, San Bartolo is also a popular escape town for locals once temperatures start warming between November and April. Playa Sur is one of its most popular beaches for those who want a quiet experience enjoying the sands, or to go surfing in calmer conditions which are ideal for both pros and beginners.
Playa Cerro Azul, Cañete (For A Relaxed Escape Just Outside Lima)
If you’re looking for a quieter coastal town just south of Lima, then consider heading to Playa Cerro Azul. Located in Cañete which is two hours south of the capital city, it’s famous for its long sandy shoreline and historic pier. Most days it’s suitable for swimming (it’s important to check for conditions on the day), and the promenade behind offers incredible Peruvian cuisine and seafood in their local restaurants and cafes.
The Very Best Beaches As Day Trips From Lima Peru
If you don’t mind travelling for a few hours, there’s also some incredible beaches outside the region that you can see as day trips from the capital.
Playa La Mina, Paracas (For Crystal-Clear Waters In The Ica Region)
Known as one of Peru’s most beautiful beaches, travellers often spend several days in the nearby town of Paracas to fully enjoy it. However it’s also easily accessible from Lima, which is roughly a 3-4 hour drive. A sheltered beach within the famous Paracas National Reserve, it’s best known for its transparent turquoise waters and peaceful setting. There’s also the surrounding desert cliffs that make you feel you are in an otherworldly location.
Playa Roja, Paracas (For Unique Scenery In The Ica Region)
If you want to visit one of Peru’s most unusual beaches, then Playa Roja is a fantastic all-round choice. It’s most famous for its deep red sand, which creates an incredible contrast with the blue waves of the Pacific Ocean. While swimming here isn’t possible due to the strong tides, it’s still one of the biggest highlights of the Paracas National Reserve and great for relaxing and memorable photography.
Turquillo Beach, Huarmey (For A Tropical Feel In Nearby Ancash)
While the Ancash region just north of Lima is best known for its high altitude snow-capped peaks, there’s also some stunning coastline here too. Turquillo is a crescent-shaped beach which has clear waters and great conditions for enjoying a relaxing swim. Getting here takes around four hours, and while it’s slowly growing in popularity – it feels quiet compared to Lima’s more popular beaches.
Puerto Inca Beach, Arequipa (For History And Secluded Swimming In Nearby Arequipa)
The furthest beach on our list from Lima, Puerto Inca might be pushing it as a day trip (two-three days here is much better) – however those who are driving can easily make the 4-6 hour drive south to this Pacific paradise. Once an ancient Inca port, this beach has calm waters ideal for swimming – and is known for its dramatic desert surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lima Peru Beaches
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about the best Lima Peru beaches, as well as anything else you need to know.
Does Lima Peru Have Nice Beaches?
Yes, Lima Peru has an incredible range of beaches – which often surprise travellers who think that the coast is just a rough Pacific shoreline. Inside the city there are both swimmable and surf beaches near Miraflores and Barranco, while nearby resort towns like Punta Hermosa and San Bartolo are well-known for their collection of idyllic beaches and beautiful Malecón boardwalks.
How Far Is The Beach From Lima?
The closest beach in Lima depends on where you are located, as many of the popular coastal districts have their own dedicated city beaches. For Miraflores the closest beach choice is Playa Makaha for views and surfing, while in Barranco it’s Playa Los Yuyos. If you’re staying further south in Chorrillos, then Playa Agua Dulce is one of the closest best choice beaches for relaxation and swimming.
Can You Swim In The Ocean In Lima?
Yes it’s possible to go swimming in the ocean in Lima – however it’s important to choose the right beaches, since many stretches of Lima’s Pacific coast have strong tides and can be dangerous. The safest beaches include Punta Hermosa and Playa El Silencio – however even then be sure to check local recommendations or signs since conditions can often change daily.
What Is The Most Beautiful Beach In Peru?
For pristine white sands and tropical weather, beaches like Punta Sal and Las Pocitas in Piura are the most beautiful – which are found in the extreme north near the border with Ecuador. For scenic and unforgettable coastlines, Playa La Mina and Playa Roja in Ica (close to Lima) are top choices. Then we have charming coastal towns, where San Bartolo and Punta Hermosa near Lima are clear winners. Overall the beaches in this South American country easily rank as some of the best places to visit in Peru – and are worth adding to your itinerary when here.
Do Many People Go To The Beach In Lima?
During the warmer months of Lima (between November and April), the beaches can get very popular with both locals and tourists alike. Some of the most popular beaches for a visit include the scenic coastal towns of Punta Hermosa and San Bartolo, while Agua Dulce (Chorrillos) and Makaha (Miraflores) are the most popular for relaxation and views within the city limits of Lima.
Is Swimming With Sea Lions In Lima Safe?
Not only is it possible to swim with Sea Lions within the Peruvian capital, it’s also very safe when going with a dedicated local tour group who know how to properly interact with them. Certain spots such as the Palomino Islands are known for their large colonies – where you can enter the water and swim next to these friendly aquatic animals – although months in the summer are often better as the water can otherwise be quite cool.
Overview Of The Best Lima Peru Beaches That Are Worth Visiting
And that’s all for this guide on some of the very best Lima Peru beaches that you can experience during your vacation.
The Peruvian capital is well-known for its trendy districts of Miraflores and Barranco, fascinating ancient ruins and museums, as well as an incredible food scene that is now reaching global heights. Those who love beaches are also in luck – where there’s both an abundance of idyllic beaches for swimming and relaxation, as well as those for epic coastlines or for enjoying a good surf.
Looking to make the very most of your time in Lima and visit some truly unforgettable destinations? Our Nazca Lines Day Tour is one of the very best choices you can pick – where you’ll fly over these ancient hieroglyphs in style, while also spotting animals in the Ballestas Islands and going sandboarding in the stunning Huacachina oasis.
