Should you rent a car in Lima?
Peru
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Lima
Any mention of visiting Peru is naturally first going to bring up the country’s jewel in the crown that is Machu Picchu, but any visit to this undoubted wonder of the Americas really needs to start in the city of Cuzco, rather than Lima.
You might want to start a Peruvian road trip in Lima and then head towards Machu Picchu as the highlight, but you are looking at a full day of driving, or perhaps a very long overnight bus trip. It’s no wonder that most people with the means to get to Peru in the first place will travel on to Cuzco by internal flight.
Lima Introduction
Needless to say, Lima isn’t the sort of city where there’s any point in getting a hire car just to drive around, and there is certainly no point if you are only stopping here briefly before continuing on elsewhere. However, Lima also sits as a major gateway to the Andes mountains, and as such, the city provides access to some of the most breathtaking roads anywhere in the world.
Why should you rent a car in Lima?
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In terms of factors like the cost of the hire itself, fuel costs, road tolls and parking charges, is it worth hiring a car in Lima?
Lima Car hire summary
Cheapest rate for one week
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€135
#157/300
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How much should I expect to pay in the peak season?
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€X
# 300/300
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Free parking score
Total 388 - of which 200 have free parking. [full notes - parking] |
52%
#118/300
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Now we do need to be very clear about what these roads entail – hugging to the sides of steep cliff faces, with sheer, unforgiving, drops that aren’t for those of a nervous disposition, whether they are doing the driving or not.
Why not? Visiting Lima without a car
Lima public transport quick facts
Overall public transport score
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60%
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Walking and Cycling Overview
Active travel score
(walking + cycling) |
60%
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To follow.
Ratings
Car rental in - Lima Need v worth & should!
Do you need a car in Lima?
Based on comparison with transit, walking and cycling. |
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Is it worth hiring a car in Lima?
Based on value for money |
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Should you rent a car in Lima?
Weighing up the above, if you are asking about hiring a car, is it a good idea? |
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Who is travelling?
Is it worth renting a car in Lima if I am a solo / budget traveller?
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What about for 2 people travelling together?
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For families?
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Where are you staying?
Do you need a car in Lima if we are staying in a central area?
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What if we are staying on the edge of the city/resort?
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Or in a rural area?
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What is your attitude towards driving?
Should I hire a car in Lima if I prefer not to drive?
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If I am easy either way?
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If I prefer to drive?
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Verdict
Go back up to:
So maybe Lima isn’t somewhere where you want to rent a car and drive it yourself, but it is certainly a city from where you will want to start a road trip of some sort, and for this reason, and with this caveat, our recommendation is a yes, quite possibly as a hired car with driver or private tour.
Would you hire a car in Lima?
Have you driven in Lima?
Do you agree with our advice on whether or not it's worth hiring a car in Lima?
| Tell us what you think using the comments section below: |
