What's the Weather like in Lima in February
Temperature
February in Lima, Peru is the hottest month of the year on average and is usually very warm and humid. The average temperature in February is 24°C with a high of 27°C and a low of 20°C. The highest recorded temperature for Lima in February is 32.5°C. The average sea temperature is the best of the year, at 23°C. Check our local weather report before you travel.
Rain
As is the case for most of the year, the odds on rainfall in Lima in February are very low, at eight per cent. The city can stay dry for the whole month and when it does rain, it gets an average of 0.4mm/0.01 inches of rain on just one day. This is half the average rainfall for January and compares to a February average rainfall of 150mm/5.9 inches across 15 days of the month for Vancouver in Canada.
Sunshine
Lima has the highest average daily sunshine of the year in February, with seven hours or 196 for the month. It shares this highest daily sunshine average with March and April. The chance of cloud is 33 per cent and daylight hours are gradually decreasing, from an average of 12 hours and 37 minutes on February 1 to 12 hours and 20 minutes by February 28. The average relative humidity for Lima in February is 82.1 per cent.
Wind
In February the average wind speed in Lima remains constant throughout the month at 7.4mph. This only deviates on average by 0.1mph and winds generally blow from the south.
Dress Code
The extremely high temperatures and humidity in Lima in February call for light summer clothing and umbrellas and waterproofs can be left at home. Always check our 14-day forecast for Lima before departure.
Lima Hotels in February
Leon De Oro Inn & Suites
The boutique Leon De Oro Inn & Suites offer flexible accommodation in a modern setting right in the heart of Miraflores. This is a mid-range hotel that scores highly for its location, close to the sea, shops and nightlife. Staff are multi-lingual and there's a free breakfast buffet daily. Rooms are homely, with reds and golds dominating the décor and furnishings. There is no restaurant, but with some of the best places to eat in Lima on the doorstep that should not be a problem.
Ibis Larco Miraflores
The Ibis Larco Miraflores hotel is another mid-priced hotel in the busy Avenida Larco in central Miraflores and within walking distance of all the main attractions of this popular tourist district. It boasts of offering 'high quality at a low price' and there's a free daily breakfast, a restaurant serving Peruvian dishes and tapas for lunch and dinner, a 24-hour bar for the night owls, parking and free wifi.
Holiday Inn Lima Airport
Away from the tourist mecca of Miraflores, the Holiday Inn Lima Airport is a well-equipped venue ideal for those who want to be close to Jorge Chavez Lima International Airport, which is a short walk away. There are 179 soundproofed rooms, the first-floor San Lorenzo bar, open 24 hours, and the light and airy Restaurant Callao offering Peruvian and international food from breakfast to dinner.
Hotel Continental Lima
Back in the colonial heart of central Lima, the Hotel Continental Lima overlooks some of the city's oldest and finest buildings and is close to museums, galleries and the city's thriving Chinatown district. The hotel offers a tranquil setting in the heart of this busy city thanks to its sound insulated rooms. Facilities are limited, but there are plenty of places to eat and drink all around and the basic rooms are clean and sensibly priced.
Lima beaches in February
Punta Hermosa is where many Lima local head for when the temperatures rise. It's 26 miles south of the city, about a one-hour bus ride down the Pan-American Highway. It's a popular surfing spot due to its big breakers and swimmers should follow local safety advice.
Bars and Restaurants
Astrid y Gastón
In a small colonial mansion in Miraflores Astrid y Gastón has been wowing diners for more than 20 years and is now acknowledged as one of Lima's finest. The brainchild of chef Gastón Acurio and his German chocolatier wife Astrid Gutsche, this is Peruvian haute cuisine as its best, with everything from ceviche to a tasting menu that has drawn rave reviews. This is about as good as it gets in Lima and you'll need to book in advance.
El Dragon De Barranco
For drinks and dancing in the bohemian Barranco district, El Dragon De Barranco is the place to go. It's often hailed as the best dance club in Lima, mixing Latin rhythms with dance and adding live music and a whole range of genres. The crowd is young and the place is packed at weekends. Drinks are cheap and there are set nights for jazz, reggae, electronic and local bands.
Maido
Japanese food is big in Lima and Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura fuses it with traditional Peruvian cuisine with great success at Maido in Miraflores. He's not the first to do so, as Japanese immigrants first arrived more than 100 years ago and 'Nikkei' cuisine is very popular. But Mitsuharu takes it to another level and Maido is ranked as the second-best restaurant in Latin America and eighth best in the world. There's a 13-course tasting menu for those wanting the full Nikkei experience, or try sea snails and potato stew.
Xcess Larcomar
When you have finished shopping in the huge Larcomar Shopping Center, stay there for a drink and a dance at Xcess Larcomar under the Plaza Gourmet. Drink prices are very reasonable and there is a huge dance floor for the energetic. Electronic music is the preferred choice and there are also regular events featuring live music and DJs, with a Ladies' Night every Thursday.
Things to do in Lima in February
Cerro San Cristóbal
One of the best spots for a panoramic view of Lima and the ocean, the hill of Cerro San Cristóbal, dominates the skyline to the northeast of downtown Lima. It is possible to walk up, but most people take a bus or taxi from the Plaza de Armas. Lima's stunning sunsets can be viewed from here, but check the weather first, as cloud and fog can spoil the view. There is a museum at the top.
The MATE Museum
Mario Testino, the world-famous photographer to Hollywood stars and Royalty, is a Lima native and his gift to the city is the MATE museum a not-for-profit venture promoting Peruvian culture and heritage. Founded six years ago, it is a vibrant and colourful place to see the best of the country's art and photography from established and rising young creatives. There are guided tours and workshops at the museum, which is in Barranco's thriving cultural quarter.
Huacachina
Escape the noise and traffic of Lima and enter a desert world with an oasis at its centre in Huacachina. Located among huge sand dunes, some hundreds of feet high, the oasis is home to a small village and is four hours from Lima in Ica province, so an overnight expedition is recommended. Take an organised tour and enjoy buggy rides on the dunes, sand-boarding and boat trips out to the islands.
Huaca Pucllana Temple
Peru is full of historical sights, but you won't have to travel far to see the amazing Huaca Pucliana pyramid and temple, as it's situated slap bang in the middle of the hotel and tourist area of Miraflores. Built in around 500AD, the site was used for religious ceremonies and sacrifices before the arrival of the Spanish. Visit at night to see the ruins at their most atmospheric. There is a popular restaurant on site too.
