Lima is Peru's vibrant capital and largest city, stretching along the Pacific coast where ancient civilizations once flourished.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Greet everyone with a handshake or, between friends, a cheek kiss
Punctuality is flexible - social events run 30-60 minutes late
Lima's cuisine is a source of immense national pride - engage enthusiastically
Peruvians are very proud of their history; showing interest earns goodwill
Dress modestly when visiting churches and religious sites
Sunday is family day - expect restaurants to be packed with multigenerational groups
Football (soccer) is a passion; cheer for the local team if in doubt
Learn a few basic Spanish phrases - it goes a long way
Bargaining is appropriate at markets but not in established shops
Photography of people requires permission, especially in indigenous areas
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet people warmly with a handshake or cheek kiss
- Try the food enthusiastically - Peruvians love sharing their cuisine
- Ask permission before photographing people
- Learn a few Spanish words (gracias, por favor, disculpe)
- Dress smartly for fine dining restaurants
- Tip 10% at sit-down restaurants
- Carry small change for markets and taxis
Don't
- Don't compare Peru unfavorably to other countries
- Don't assume all Peruvians are the same - Lima is very different from rural Peru
- Don't photograph military installations or police operations
- Don't be loud or aggressive in public - Limeños value restraint
- Don't touch artifacts at museums
- Don't wear skimpy clothing in churches or traditional neighborhoods
- Don't assume prices are fixed at markets - respectful bargaining is normal
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Pisco Sour Ceremony
Offering a pisco sour to guests is a mark of hospitality; always accept graciously
El Beso (Cheek Kiss)
Women greet everyone with a single cheek kiss; men greet women with a cheek kiss and other men with a handshake
Sunday Family Lunch
Sunday midday meals are the biggest social event; restaurants fill with three-generation family groups
Independence Day (July 28-29)
Peru's biggest national holiday with parades, fireworks, and family gatherings
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshake for men; cheek kiss for and between women; cheek kiss for men greeting women
- Dining
- Wait for host to seat you; bread and butter is often served first; pisco sours before the meal
- Dress
- Smart casual for most restaurants; jeans acceptable but elegant; beach wear only at the beach
- Gifts
- Bring wine, flowers, or chocolates when visiting a home
- Business
- Business cards exchanged at start of meetings; relationship-building before business is important
- Tipping
- 10% at restaurants; optional for taxis; $1-2/day for hotel housekeeping
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Hola
Hello
OH-lah
Gracias
Thank you
GRAH-see-as
Por favor
Please
por fah-VOR
¿Cuánto cuesta?
How much?
KWAHN-toh KWES-tah
¿Dónde está...?
Where is...?
DON-deh es-TAH
La cuenta, por favor
The bill, please
lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR
¡Riquísimo!
Delicious!
ree-KEE-see-moh
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Lima.
Main: Roman Catholicism (75% of population), with indigenous and evangelical minorities
Sites: Lima Cathedral, San Francisco Convent, Santo Domingo Convent, La Merced Church
Holy Days: Semana Santa (Holy Week) in March/April; Día de Todos los Santos (Nov 1); Christmas
Conversations: Religion is personal; avoid political topics and comparisons to other countries