Lima vs Cusco: Which is better?
Is Lima or Cusco better for a visit?
Two of the most visited cities in Peru, travelers almost always spend more time in Cusco than Lima.
However the capital also has its own flexes, and we think it’s a good idea to really compare both to see which one is better for you and your own travel style.
Lima vs Cusco: Which is better?
In this guide we will explore both Lima and Cusco. We’ll compare both using factors such as the best time to visit, things to do, food and cost of travel.
We’ll also give our own personal takes on both cities, which will hopefully give you a better idea of which destination is best for you.
Before we start, it is also worth mentioning that it is relatively easy to get from Lima to Cusco (we’ve done this trip more than once) so why not visit both cities while visiting Peru?
Let’s now start this comparison guide by looking at the…
Best time to visit Lima vs Cusco
The weather varies extremely between both cities, each with their own particular micro-climate.
Lima lies along the Pacific Coast, and is best for those who dislike rain and extremely cold temperatures.
It virtually never rains here, with as little as 0-0.5 inches falling throughout each month!
Average daily temperatures during the summer (December until February) range from 70-74°F, with highs of 80°F and lows of 65°F. The winter season (from June until August) has average temperatures of 62-64°F, highs of 69°F and lows of 59°F.
We can find Cusco nestled within the Andean mountains, and is better for those who like clearer skies and don’t mind cooler temperatures.
The winter season runs from June until September, with average temperatures of 48-51°F, highs of 65°F and lows of 32°F. This is also the dry season, with just 0.1-0.5 inches falling throughout each month.
The summer season (December until February) has average temperatures of 52-54°F, highs of 65°F and lows of 43°F. Rainfall is heavier, with between 2-4 inches falling each month.
🏅 Our Winner: Cusco
Things to do in Lima vs Cusco
Whilst Cusco needs little introduction, travelers will also be surprised with the variety of experiences on offer in Lima. Within the capital we can find one of the most thriving and upcoming food scenes on the globe.
There’s several dishes such as Lomo Saltado and Ceviche to munch on, where you can also try local staples such as the Papa Rellena.
The Costa Verde is a must visit, where you can cycle along the green hills and also go surfing.
There’s also lots of history here, where we can visit the ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana and the San Francisco Catacombs which are both incredible in their own right.
We recommend heading on this city tour which includes visits to both, as well as other awesome gems.
Cusco is arguably the best activity destination on the continent, let alone just Peru!
Here we can find many breathtaking ruins, such as those of Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuamán and Moray.
There’s also many incredible hikes to do, such as the multi-day Inca Trail hike as well as visiting the seven lakes of Ausangate.
The historic center of Cusco is great to explore on your days off, with many beautiful churches, narrow streets and miradores. You could easily spend days at a time exploring all nooks and crannies, especially with its variety of museums you can explore along the way.
🏅 Our Winner: Cusco
Food in Lima vs Cusco
Given each city has very different roots (and geographical positioning), it has led to each having their own particular cuisines.
Lima is the absolute must-visit for food, with this city now rightfully making its way into the global stage. A variety of fusion mixes from European, Latin and Asian influences has led to some really incredible dishes being made.
Ceviche and Chaufa are two of these, with starters such as Causa and Papa Rellena great for a quick bite. You can head on this ultimate food tour for a memorable local experience, trying as many as 15 different foods and flavors.
Cusco draws heavily from its mountainous roots, and here dishes such as Lomo Saltado and Caldos (hot soups) rule the roost. It’s worth heading to the San Pedro Market to try some of these, where local stands serve these dishes at really great prices.
Cuy (Guinea Pig) is another popular staple amongst locals. Whilst it puts most off, I (George) have tried it and it’s not actually that bad if you leave the sentiments to one side…
🏅 Our Winner: Lima
Accommodation in Lima vs Cusco
Both cities are great for finding quality accommodation options, suiting all kinds of tastes and budgets.
When in Lima, the best area to stay is Miraflores, which is much safer and also feels more upscale. Budget travelers can find many great value hostels, and we highly recommend the Selina Hostel for its social vibe and great location.
Those after a more luxurious experience will want to stay at the Tarata Boutique Hotel, where you’ll be in a private room overlooking Larcomar Avenue.
Cusco is similar with having one winner for location, with the area of the Historic Center the best for a stay with its incredible vibe and variety of nearby attractions.
The Kokopelli Hostel is great for those on a budget, which also includes an awesome breakfast in the room rate.
If you’re looking for a private room, then we highly recommend El Virrey Boutique, which is right in the heart of the Plaza de Armas.
🏅 Our Winner: Cusco
Tourist attractions in Lima vs Cusco
By tourist attractions we are referring to the variety of different districts within each city, and the different feels you get from each.
Lima is a giant, and overall has many more areas to explore. Miraflores and Barranco are the more popular and upscale neighborhoods, and the latter is much more chill and better for relaxing.
The Historic Center is full of colonial architecture, and also feels much more traditional and Peruvian than the others. Chorrillos is another area which is less touristy, and gives a different perspective of Lima.
Cusco is all about the Historic Center. Full of striking colonial architecture and bustle, it’s a memorable place to visit to say the least. It’s similar in the adjacent district of San Blas, known for its markets and pretty streets.
Unfortunately there’s not really any other areas outside of the center worth exploring (aside from the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu of course), hence why we personally think Lima is the winner here.
🏅 Our Winner: Lima
Public Transport in Lima vs Cusco
Being straight up; public transport and driving in Peru can be an absolute nightmare. However if you lower your expectations, then it can be a great and affordable way of getting around.
Lima is a giant city (one of the largest in the continent), and as such distance and travel times can be an issue.
You’ll most likely be traveling from the airport to Miraflores (use Uber to save!), and also between districts such as Barranco and the Historic Center.
Uber is a great way to get around, although you can also use local colectivos (public buses) to get around for cheap.
Cusco is definitely the easiest to get around, given pretty much everything worth seeing in the city is focused within the Historic Centre and San Blas neighborhoods. You can easily walk, and also take Ubers to get to some of the sites when tired.
A lot of the must-visits within the Sacred Valley are really easy using organized tours and taking colectivos. There’s regular buses heading to Ollantaytambo and Pisac daily. It’s also pretty easy to get to Machu Picchu.
🏅 Our Winner: Cusco
🏆 Summary and Our Final Winner
Overall, we’ve found that Cusco has more going for it as seen through the above sections.
However this is based only on our own personal experiences here, and what you want and will enjoy will most likely be different from us.
This is why it’s crucial to do extra research to know which will better suit you and your own trip needs (such as budget, time available etc).
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Lima vs Cusco: Which will you visit first?
And that’s all for our guide on visiting Lima vs Cusco.
Both of these Peruvian destinations are incredible, and we highly recommend spending a decent amount of time in each if you can.
In this guide we’ve looked at factors such as the weather, food, things to do and also the ease of getting around in each destination.
We’ve also listed our winner for each category, however we still recommend doing some extra research based on what you specifically want.
Be sure to read our customized Peru Itinerary to learn how you can fit these two into one trip, along with other incredible destinations along the way.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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