Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center worth booking?
Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center is a 2-hour experience in Lima, Peru, from $39 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $39 per person
Discover the best of Lima’s Historic Center on a tour designed to offer an authentic, dynamic and well-organized experience. Unlike other tours, this tour combines history, culture and visits to iconic landmarks such as
What you get
About this experience
Discover the best of Lima’s Historic Center on a tour designed to offer an authentic, dynamic and well-organized experience. Unlike other tours, this tour combines history, culture and visits to iconic landmarks such as St. Martin’s Square, Plaza de Armas and the impressive Convent of San Francisco with its famous catacombs. Focus is in small groups, allowing for a more personalized and closer experience with the guide. In addition, we include entrance to the catacombs and a tasting of traditional churros, providing additional value to your experience. With a certified guide, personalized attention and a careful organization, this tour will allow you to get to know Lima in a more complete, safe and memorable way.
What's included
Included
- Certified tour guide in English and Spanish
- Entrance to the Convent of San Francisco and Catacombs
Not included
- Tips (optional)
What you'll see and do
Plaza San Martin
We will start the tour in the historic Plaza San Martín, one of the most emblematic places in Lima. Here we will learn about its importance in the independence of Peru, its republican architecture and the most representative buildings that surround it. The guide will explain the historical and cultural context as we tour the square and take pictures.
15 minutes here
Jiron de La Union
We will walk along the traditional Jirón de la Unión, one of the most emblematic streets of Lima’s Historic Center. During the tour, the guide will explain the history of this important pedestrian road, its historic buildings and its relevance in the cultural and commercial life of the city. There will also be time to observe the architecture, see traditional shops and take pictures.
15 minutes here
Iglesia y Convento La Merced
We will stop in front of the church to learn about its history, its importance during colonial times and its main architectural features. The guide will explain the most relevant details as we look at its impressive facade and have time to take pictures.
10 minutes here
Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor)
We will visit Lima’s Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of the city and where it was founded in 1535. Here we will learn about its importance during colonial times and its evolution to the present day. The guide will explain the main buildings surrounding it, such as the Government Palace, Lima Cathedral and the Municipal Palace, as we tour the square and take pictures.
20 minutes here
Casa de la Literatura Peruana
We will stop in front of the House of Peruvian Literature to observe its elegant facade and learn about its history. The guide will explain how this iconic building, which was an old train station, became an important cultural space dedicated to Peruvian literature.
10 minutes here
Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas
We will discover the impressive Convent of San Francisco, one of the most fascinating places in Lima. We will walk through its ancient corridors, admire its colonial architecture and visit its historic library. Then we will descend to the mysterious underground catacombs, a place full of history and conundrums, where thousands of human remains rest since colonial times. As we explore these unique passageways, the guide will share amazing stories that will make this experience truly unforgettable.
40 minutes here
Parque de la Muralla
We will visit the Wall Park, where we will know the remains of the ancient wall that protected the city of Lima during the colonial era. The guide will explain its defensive function, its history and the importance of this place as we tour the area and enjoy the view of the Rimac River.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Lima
The guide will be waiting outside the main entrance. We will contact you via WhatsApp before the tour to coordinate. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends at the Parque de la Muralla, where remains of the ancient wall of Lima are preserved. We will enjoy the view of the Rimac River as the guide shares the latest stories. In the end, you will receive recommendations to continue exploring the Historic Center.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- JD Peru Experiences
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent tour of the historic center.
Many thanks to our guide Diego for the interesting tour and his performance. We liked getting to know the historic center of Lima with its history, and especially the catacombs.
Response from the operator: ¡Muchas gracias por compartir su experiencia! Fue un placer acompañarlos a descubrir el Centro Histórico de Lima y compartir con ustedes parte de nuestra historia. Me alegra mucho saber que disfrutaron especialmente la visita a las catacumbas. Gracias por confiar en JD Peru Experiences y esperamos volver a recibirlos en una próxima visita a Perú.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Lima guided tours
My family and I really enjoyed our two tours (bicycle and Lima city center) with Juan Diego! He is so knowledgeable and friendly and took us to the best sights! I highly recommend Juan Diego at JD Peru Experiences!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! It was truly a pleasure guiding you and your family on both the bicycle tour and the Lima Historic Center & Catacombs tour. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed discovering Lima's history, culture, and hidden gems. Your kind words and recommendation mean a lot to me and to JD Peru Experiences. I hope to welcome you back to Peru in the future for even more unforgettable adventures. Safe travels!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing family experience in Lima!
We had a wonderful time exploring the Historic Center of Lima with our family. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the history easy to understand for both adults and kids. We visited the main square, beautiful colonial buildings, and the San Francisco Monastery with its fascinating catacombs, which was definitely a highlight. The tour was well organized, relaxed, and never felt rushed. We also received great recommendations for local food and places to visit after the tour. If you're visiting Lima with your family, I highly recommend this experience. It was one of the best parts of our trip to Peru!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a true pleasure welcoming your family and showing you the Historic Center of Lima. I'm delighted to hear that both the adults and the kids enjoyed the experience, especially the San Francisco Monastery and its fascinating Catacombs. My goal is always to create relaxed, engaging, and personalized tours while sharing the history, culture, and local recommendations that make Lima such a special destination. It means a lot to know that our tour was one of the highlights of your trip to Peru. Thank you for your kind recommendation. I hope to welcome your family back to Peru someday for more unforgettable experiences together! Warm regards, Juan Diego Founder & Official Tour Guide JD Peru Experiences
via Tripadvisor
Exemplary service!
Juan Diego served us exemplary, with a lot of attention and courtesy.
Response from the operator: Muito obrigado pela sua gentil avaliação! Fico muito feliz em saber que você se sentiu bem atendido e que apreciou a atenção e o cuidado durante o tour. Meu objetivo é proporcionar uma experiência acolhedora, personalizada e inesquecível para cada visitante que escolhe conhecer Lima comigo. Foi um prazer recebê-los, e espero ter a oportunidade de encontrá-los novamente em uma próxima visita ao Peru. Warm regards, Juan Diego Founder & Official Tour Guide JD Peru Experiences
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Excellent City Tour in Lima with Diego
The city tour in Lima with Diego was outstanding. He knows an impressive amount about his city and its history. One of his insider tips we especially loved was the Casa de Aliaga, a truly fascinating place. We also discovered a lot on the culinary side — including Churros San Francisco, where you can find the best churros in the city. We can warmly recommend Diego and are already looking forward to booking a tour with him again on our next visit to Lima.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a real pleasure showing you the history, culture, and hidden gems of Lima. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed visiting Casa de Aliaga and discovering local culinary favorites like Churros San Francisco. Sharing these authentic experiences is exactly what I strive to do on every tour. Thank you for your kind recommendation. It means a lot to me, and I truly look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to Lima for another unforgettable experience. Warm regards, Juan Diego Founder & Official Tour Guide JD Peru Experiences
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lima.
How much does Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center cost?
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Prices start at $39 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Lima usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Lima is not rushed.
Is Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 8 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Lima, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Lima can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Lima and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lima The Best of the City with Catacombs and Historic Center start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Lima within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Lima?
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On Outty we rank every Lima experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Paracas & Huacachina Premium Experience from Lima, Day Tour From Lima: Paracas, Huacachina, Pisco Vineyard & Sunset, Premium Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima with Sunset Toast. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Lima?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Lima?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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