Is Lima Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Lima, as most of the large cities around the world, has its safe and unsafe areas. Common-sense precautions such as not flashing expensive items or travelling alone at night should be observed. Public transport can be crowded and a bit chaotic, so watch out for pickpockets. It's always advisable to stay in populated areas and tourist zones where there is a greater police presence and security measures. Overall, careful planning and vigilance can ensure a safe trip to this vibrant city.

Safety rating

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How safe is Lima?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Lima's safety at night varies based on the area. Some districts like Miraflores and Barranco are generally safer, especially in areas with heavy police presence. However, other parts of Lima are not recommended to traverse alone at night. Public transportation should also be used with caution. Using reputable taxi services or ride-share apps is usually safer, especially after dark. Like any bustling city, caution should always be applied in Lima, regardless of day or night. Always stay alert, avoid displaying valuable possessions, and stick to well-trafficked areas.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

Public transportation in Lima is generally reliable and can be used safely. However, it can also be chaotic and crowded especially during peak hours. This can sometimes make it uncomfortable and more vulnerable to petty thefts. Mini vans or 'combis' are usually not recommended due to their erratic driving. The Metropolitano (bus) and the Lima Metro are comparatively safer, but it's always necessary to stay alert about one's belongings. It's certainly possible to navigate through Lima with public transportation, but it must be done cautiously.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

In Lima, you may encounter a moderate level of street harassment. It's common to hear catcalling and you might receive some unwanted attention. However, the general population is rather respectful. It is always important to use your street sense, ignore unwanted attention, dress modestly, and stay in populous areas whenever possible.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

While Lima has much to offer in terms of culture and beauty, petty crimes such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and theft can be quite common, particularly in crowded areas and tourist hotspots. It's essential to always stay alert and be cautious with your belongings to minimize the risk of falling victim to such crimes.

Is Lima worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 16 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.3/5

Safety

4/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5
Luisa

Luisa

Colombia

Solo travel

It was my first time in Lima, and I can say I totally recommend it. On my first day in Lima I went to Plaza las Armas there was a lot of shops to buy anything you need on an affordable price, the main square is very cozy and chill you can walk around easily it connects to another smaller square around 3 or 4 blocks away. The coast of the city is absolutely beautiful and well maintained, there's a lot of parks with different tematics, I was mostly exploring Miraflores which is one of the most popular neighborhoods in there, I felt safe all the time, I walked around the beach and saw people surfing (there were surfing academies a long it), hotels and a lot of activities you can do, also went to the local market all with a guider from a place called Huarikebike, on this one you can visit those place around the neighborhood on bicycle while learning about the history of the city, also eat some of the local food which is 100% delicious the place is called Maraparte. I stayed near the Arena 1 (I went to a concert there) and the Malecones where the Panamerican youth games happened, I stayed in a room at an Airbnb 10 minutes away, with a lovely family the host name was Flor. The general price of the city is cheap to average and it's mostly safe, of course it's always better to be careful around it, as the locals recommended me there were some parts of the city on which is better to take an InDrive to move around, it's cheap and easy to use. I'm hoping to go there one day again, there was so much left to see.

Posted: May 27, 2025Experienced: April, 2025
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Solo travel

Lima, Perú is a wonderful place! I stayed around 4 days and then travelled to Cusco. I enjoyed delicious food; one of them that is typical is Ceviche, a dish marinated in citrus and seasonings, along with ingredients like onions, chiles, and herbs. One of the funniest activities I did was to go to the Huacachina desert, where I travelled around the desert on buggies and did sandboarding. I highly recommend it!

Posted: May 7, 2024
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Solo travel

I really fell in love with Lima, which I didn't expect, because I heared a lot of mixed stories from other travellers. You need to know which areas are safe, but especially in Barranco and Miraflores I felt super safe! A lot of cute restaurants and cafés, I'll definitely come back to stay here longer!

Posted: February 8, 2024Experienced: February, 2024
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Solo travel

I spent a few days alone in Lima in January of this year. I really had a good time (I stayed in Miraflores) and didn't have any problems. I took a great walking tour, ate incredible food, and everyone was very kind. I recommend adhering to usual safety rules and not walking alone after dusk.

Posted: November 5, 2023
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Jov

Jov

Ecuador

Solo travel

Worked remote from Lima for 2 months and loved it. Friendly culture, lots to do, affordable, easy to get around. Felt safe as a female solo traveller The food is incredible! It’s easy to eat and live healthily in Peru. Lots of activities

Posted: May 15, 2023Experienced: January, 2020
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Solo travel

Personally, I was not a fan of Lima. The traffic was a nightmare and I spent ages moving from one place to another (I used Uber). The old town had some amazing buildings and it was worth spending a day there. I stayed in Miraflores. I felt safe walking around there, but I was cautious in the evening.

Posted: April 11, 2023
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Is Lima safe for women?

Safety index

2.4 /5

Based on 19 local experiences

Crime index

3 /5

Based on 19 local experiences

Lima, Peru is suffering from many extortions, so if you are coming specifically to Lima, I recommend NOT using public transportation and avoiding the districts: Callao, Los Olivos, Comas, San Juan de Lurigancho, and Cercado de Lima.

Posted: April 13, 2025
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Jenni

Jenni

Lima is not the safest place , you have to know which parts of Lima you can walk around for example Miraflores, barranco, san isidro, and historical center are the safest. if you are aware of this you would find your self having a good time and not feeling scare.

Posted: March 4, 2025
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Safety in Peru