10 best places in Lima

December to April is summer here: sun, 25-28 degrees and the beaches below the Miraflores cliffs in full use. From May to November the garua settles in - a dense grey drizzle and low sky - though actual rain is rare, since Lima sits in a desert. If you are continuing to Cusco and Machu Picchu, that region is drier from May to September instead.

Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro feel fine by day and in the evening, but phone snatching and pickpocketing happen across the city. Do not flag taxis on the street - use ride-hailing apps. Visit the historic centre around Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco monastery in daylight and without valuables on show.

Clearly cheaper than most European capitals. A one-bedroom in Miraflores runs roughly 500-800 dollars a month, and a menu del dia lunch at a neighbourhood spot costs a few dollars. Imported electronics and fine dining stay expensive, and Lima has a surprising amount of the latter.

Tourists are generally admitted within an annual cap of around six months in total. Longer stays run through work visas, a rentista route for people with verified passive income, and investor categories, with naturalisation possible after a few years of lawful residence. Peru has revised its migration rules in recent years, so check current requirements with Migraciones.