My Packing Guide for Lima

Written By Emily Lombardo

Winter (May through September)

My first trip to Lima was for the entire month of September, so I experienced the depths of winter through the transition to the sun coming out for twenty minutes at a time. I was spending a week in the Sacred Valley afterwards so I brought clothes that were suitable for hiking and casual adventures in the city.

If you’re coming to Lima in their winter, be prepared for the cold. I brought a leather jacket and the inside shell of a 2-in-1 Columbia jacket. I used both pretty much every day along with my scarf. The climate most reminded me of San Francisco: cloudy, and although the temperature seemed mild on my weather app, it was colder in person-especially in the mornings. I wish I had brought more long-sleeve shirts instead of T-shirts because when I left class at 6 pm, the sun had gone down and I was almost shivering on the street.

I would recommend a light down or puffer jacket, a mix of longsleeve and short sleeve t shirts, and an upscale outfit if you plan on going to lunch or dinner at any of Lima’s fantastic restaurants. The locals will be dressed up so you don’t want to be the tourist who shows up to an elegant restaurant in your hiking boots and athletic clothes.

Even with the cool weather, the UV index stays high. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. I’m very pale so I buy a two pack of Beauty of Josen sunscreen before I leave.

My packing list

  • 1 leather jacket

  • 1 Columbia 2 in 1 padded jacket

  • 1 Smart wool quarter zip top

  • 1 pair of Adidas hiking pants

  • 1 pair of black jeans, 1 pair of grey jeans that I bought in Lima

  • 5 T-shirts

  • 1 long sleeve (purchased at a concert in Lima)

  • 1 Uniqlo heat tech scarf

  • 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of ankle boots

  • Wide brim hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Sunscreen

  • 1 cross body zippable bag

Summer (December through March)

January is a beautiful time to visit Lima. There’s about a six-week stretch of sunny days that falls between January and February before it becomes misty and grey again. Due to all of the water vapor trapped in the air, it is also very humid.

Just like in winter, the UV index is very high, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are essential. I also carried a water bottle in my cross-body bag, but you can always duck into one of the many corner stores or Tambos (like a Peruvian 7/11) and get one if you need it while you’re out.

Last year, I fell in love with Comfort Colors T-shirts. They’re 100% cotton crew-neck T-shirts that cost under $10, come in a million different colors, and fit in a slightly slouchy but very flattering way despite being unisex. They’ve been the perfect travel and everyday T-shirt.

Dress for consistent 70-80-degree weather because when the sun shines, it is strong. Linen and cotton clothing are the way to go. I brought linen clothes and my leather jacket to dress up for more formal dinners, and a T-shirt and jeans (or shorts) were perfect for walking around the city.

My packing list

  • Leather Jacket

  • 1 linen tunic

  • 1 pair of linen pants

  • 1 pair of jeans

  • 1 pair of shorts

  • 1 pair of hiking pants and 1 long-sleeve athletic shirt for horse riding

  • 4 Comfort Colors T-shirts

  • 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of Lucky leather flats

  • Bucket hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Sunscreen

  • Mosquito Spray

  • 1 cross body zippable bag


Emily Lombardo
Next

Three Great Lima Restaurants (No Reservation Needed)