Digital Nomad’s Guide to Lima

Beautiful tinted coastal view of Lima, Peru.

Lima is a sprawling metropolis that’s…ok. Its coastline is a nice feature though, where it’s easy to go surfing. For plant-based visitors, the vegan scene is solid. Lima is known for its great food, though I’d say Cusco’s was actually a little better.

(Want to know what Peru sounds like? Here’s a playlist of great Peruvian bands and artists.)

Coffee Shops

Coleccionista Coffee

Av. San Martín 144, Barranco 15063, Peru

A beautiful, stylish cafe in the hip Barranco neighbourhood. Great coffee. Great outdoor space. Cool art.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Café Ancestral

Av. San Martín 141, Barranco 15063, Peru

An elegant, expansive space with colourful, decorative, and varied rooms.

Elegant, beautiful interior image of a building with white walls, chandelier, green bannisters.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Restaurants

El Jardín De Jazmín

Av. Alfredo Benavides 571, Miraflores 15074, Peru

This cute, vegan, gluten-free restaurant with a spiritual vibe was my favourite place in Lima. The food is great, and some of the menu items are pretty interesting and exotic.

Groovy restaurant interior with beautiful chairs, tables, and art.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Florencia

Jr, Jirón Cora 364, Barranco 15063, Peru

Funky vegan resto in a surprisingly big space.

Funky restaurant interior with counter and blue walls.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Watson

Av. Francisco Bolognesi 802-a, Barranco 15047, Peru

Colourful, proudly vegan restaurant with more casual options, named after English Vegan Society founder Donald Watson.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Parks and Recreation

Ocean Boardwalk

The best part of Lima is its Pacific Ocean boardwalk. The water is great for surfing, and it’s not hard to find rentals.

Pathway view of the Pacific Ocean in Lima, with graffiti on walls.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Lima Museum of Contemporary Art

Av. Almte. Miguel Grau 1511, Barranco 15063, Peru

Not the biggest art museum, but it’s got a solid selection of interesting art, including local stuff.

Wide open artspace with various artworks on walls and colourful work in the center of the floor.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol: Legal drinking age in Peru is 18.

Cannabis: Possession for personal use is decriminalized, and medical use was legalized in 2017. Recreational sale is not permitted, though this does not appear to be strictly enforced in certain parts of the country.

Psychedelics: Ayahuasca and San Pedro (Wachuma) are legal and readily available in specific locations. Coca leaves and their derivatives are legal and widely accessible. Most other psychedelics are illegal, although psilocybin is openly sold in some areas.