If you plan on taking a trip through South America, it would be a shame not to spend a few days in Lima, the capital city of Peru. Lima is one of the largest cities on the continent and certainly one of the most fascinating. The city is technically an oasis, surrounded by coastal desert and hidden away in the Andes Mountains, meaning you’ll be only a few kilometers from the beach as you walk the streets of Lima.
Lima is home to a large number of historic churches, several museums dedicated to several different disciplines, beautiful beaches, archaeological sites, and so much more. The people of Peru are some of the nicest in the world and you’ll always feel like a welcomed guest while you’re in Lima. But, being that Lima is such a massive metropolis, you’ll need a way to get around, and the best way to do that efficiently is by hiring a motorcycle.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Lima. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motor scooter. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit to hire a motorbike in Peru
- Whether it’s safe to drive a motorcycle in Lima as a foreigner
- The price of motorbike hire in Lima
- The best places to find motorcycle hire in Lima
- The best things to do in Lima by motorcycle
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Rent a Motorcycle in Peru?
If you plan on driving in Peru for more than 30 days, you’ll need to obtain an international driving permit. If you’ll be driving in the country for under 30 days, your license from your home country is perfectly sufficient. If you do want to apply for an international driving permit before your stay in Lima, you can do so here.
There is a $20 application fee and you should apply at least two weeks before departing for Peru because that’s how long the permit typically takes to arrive in the mail. Once you have the permit, it’s valid for one full year. So, if you’re staying in Peru for more than six months but less than a year, it may be a better idea to get an international driving permit than to register for a Peruvian license.
What Is It Like to Drive in Lima?
Driving in Lima is an all-around nightmare for many reasons. The quality of the roads is very bad, so you’re better off renting a four-wheel drive vehicle. However, four-wheel drive vehicles are very rare and expensive to rent in Lima. And driving a motorcycle can be very dangerous on such shoddy roads.
While there are certain peak congestion times on the roads of Lima, there is always traffic in the city. You’ll probably spend the majority of your time sitting in traffic and wishing there were a better way to get around the city. But, unfortunately, there really isn’t. On top of all that, criminality in the city makes driving at night dangerous, so you should always be wary of your surroundings while driving in Lima. If you want to go ahead and hire a motorcycle in Lima, you’ll be free to travel around at your own leisure without having to wait for public transportation. Just be careful and drive slowly and defensively.
What Is the Cost of Motorcycle Rental in Lima?
On average, the cost of motorcycle rental in Lima is fairly affordable. You can find a solid motorcycle, such as a Honda CB 500, for around €70 per day. If you want something even more affordable, you can probably find a motor scooter for a cheaper rate, but it won’t be as fast or powerful.
Whatever kind of vehicle you choose to rent during your stay in Lima, make sure that insurance is included in the stated rental cost. If something happens to your vehicle and you aren’t covered by insurance, it could end up costing you a whole bunch of money. Also, if you plan on staying in Lima for an extended period of time, ask your rental shop if they have discounted rates for weekly or monthly rentals. You might just get a better deal.
Where Are the Best Places to Find Motorbike Rental in Lima?
If you plan on flying into the area around Lima, you’ll probably arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport, which is located in Callao and is the main airport serving Lima and its surrounding areas. If you search online, you should be able to find a motorbike rental service that will deliver a motorcycle right to your airport terminal so that you can drive directly to your accommodation in Lima.
If you want to wait until you get into the city of Lima before renting a motorbike, you should be able to find a rental shop in the Chama area of the city, which is located just south of the city center. Of course, you could always just ask an employee at your accommodation or someone on the street where the best place to rent a motorcycle is.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Lima by Motorcycle?
Now that you know everything you need to rent a motorcycle in Lima, here are some of the best things to while you’re cruising around:
Museo Larco
The Museo Larco, known in English as the Larco Museum, is a privately owned museum dedicated to pre-Columbian art located in the Pueblo Libre district of the city. The 18th-century building that houses the museum alone is beautiful enough to make the Museo Larco a worthy stop, but the contents of the museum are truly awe-inspiring as well.
Inside the museum, you’ll find galleries arranged chronologically that show the history of pre-Columbian Peru through the art that was made by the people who lived there. It’s incredible to see so clearly how the art evolved over time and how the traditions carried from one generation to the next. You can purchase tickets to the museum online or in person.
Huaca Pucllana
If you’re interested in stepping into the past and exploring the urban centre of a lost civilization, the best place in Lima to do so is Huaca Pucllana, which is located in the beautiful Miraflores neighborhood. The site features an impressive ancient pyramid that was built by the pre-Incan inhabitants of the region and is surprisingly well preserved for how old it is.
This pyramid played a massively important role for this civilization, as it was the main source of irrigation for their farmlands that were surrounded by the coastal desert climate. It was also used as a main hub for cultural gatherings, administrative meetings, and storage of staple crops. All in all, Huaca Pucllana is a great place to gain an understanding of how the people of this ancient civilization lived.
Plaza de Armas
Often referred to as the birthplace of Lima, the Plaza de Armas is a must-see destination in the city. The site was the heart of the Spanish colony dating back to 1535 and many of the original Spanish buildings are still intact, even if they aren’t exactly photo-worthy. Don’t worry, though; there are still many beautiful buildings around Plaza de Armas where you can get that perfect picture.
As soon as you enter the plaza, you’ll be amazed at the beautiful, yellow Municipal Palace. Then, you can make your way over to the ornate bronze fountain that sits in the middle of the Plaza de Armas. You can either walk around from building to building on your own or you can sign up for a guided tour, most of which are very affordable.
Drive Around Lima in Style
While driving a motorcycle in Lima can be a bit stressful at times with its poor road conditions and reckless drivers, hiring a motorbike gives you the opportunity to explore the city at your own pace. You can also take your motorcycle outside of the city and see the amazing countryside that surrounds the city. It’s sure to be an experience that you’ll never forget.
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