Lima City Guide - Getting Around

With no urban train system in Lima, the cheapest and most colourful way to get around is to take a municipal bus, a privately owned microbus or a collective minibus (known as a combi or colectivo). The distances between the historic centre and suburbs, such as Miraflores or Barranco, make walking difficult.

Buses cover every part of the city and most services run between 0600 and 2300 (some until 0100). There is no specific bus service provider, but the Municipality of Lima (tel: (01) 427 6080) is responsible for overseeing transport in the city. Municipal buses and microbuses charge a flat rate. Tickets are purchased from the driver. The combis (small vans converted for passenger use) are faster and cover the main routes but charge slightly more and have a poor safety record.

Taxis can be hailed from the street. These don't have meters, so the fare should be agreed before the prospective passenger gets in. Street taxis usually have a red and white sticker in the window - some are private cars being used to generate extra income. There are also some 24-hour licensed companies that accept advance reservations, such as Moli Taxi (tel: (01) 479 0030). It is a good idea for passengers to lock their doors when going through rough areas. If travelling as a single woman at night, an officially registered taxi probably is the safest option. Licensed taxis are usually yellow and will cost more than unlicensed taxis.

Driving around Lima is a stressful experience, mainly because traffic moves at terrifying speeds and does not respect the road lanes. Traffic lanes and even traffic lights are routinely ignored, and horns are used frequently. One tip for drivers is to keep a wide berth between cars, as shunts from behind are extremely common and often costly.

There is 24-hour parking available in most parts of the city - usually an open-air yard (playa). Parking meters are common in the suburbs of Miraflores and San Isidro.

Most car hire companies have offices at the airport, where everything can be arranged and the car picked up and dropped off. Drivers must be at least 23 to 25 years old. A valid driving licence, identification and a credit card are required. The insurance policy may cover only minor damage and not major accidents, though extra cover is usually available.

The three main companies are Avis, Avenida Javier Prado Este 5233 (tel: (01) 434 1111; website: www.avisperu.com), Budget, Avenida Canaval y Moreyra 569, San Isidro (tel: (01) 442 8706; website: www.budgetperu.com) and Hertz, Jiron Cantuarias 160, Miraflores (tel: (01) 445 5716; website: www.hertz.com). Car hire is expensive, reflecting the high cost of driving and Lima's accident rates.

With accidents an everyday occurrence on Peru's anarchic road system, cycling in the Lima area is rare and bike hire is not readily available.