Lima is the capital of Peru and the country's largest and most populous city, as well as the third largest in Latin America, behind Sao Paulo in Brazil and Mexico City in Mexico. It overlooks the Pacific Ocean in the centre of Peru and together with the port of Callao forms the Lima Metropolitan Area, with a population of more than 10 million.
It was founded by Spanish Conquistadors in 1535 as Ciudad de los Reyes and became the capital of Peru after the country secured its independence in 1821. Lima is only 12 degrees south of the Equator and is one of the world's driest capital cities, with very little rainfall, mild temperatures and high humidity, due in part to its sub-tropical desert location and the effects of the Humboldt Current in the Pacific.
The Andes mountains are east of Lima and help prevent many rainstorms from reaching Lima's coastal location. The humidity can lead to heavy fog and mist and it can be very cloudy at times, particularly in winter months.
As it lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite those of Europe and the North America, with the summer months from December to April and winters from May to late October or early November. Spring and Autumn, in November and May respectively, are very short seasons.
Although Lima is often used as a stopping-off point for visitors on their way to other Peruvian destinations, such as Cusco and Machu Picchu, it is a cosmopolitan city at the centre of Peru's political and cultural life and offers plenty for visitors to see and do. It teems with restaurants, bars and nightlife, as well as museums, art galleries, and parks.
Notable events include the Anniversary of Lima in January, celebrating the city's foundation, National Pisco Sour Day in February, and Carnaval, just before Lent. Lima is a huge, sprawling city and getting around by road can be difficult, as traffic can be heavy.
Taxis and microbuses are the preferred form of tourist transport and there has been investment in a rapid transport bus network. Lima also has a Metro rail network which is due to grow to six lines by the time it is completed.
Most hotels are in the Miraflores district and there are restaurants and bars of all sizes and styles here too. Try the national dish of ceviche, fish marinaded in lime or lemon juice served with various ingredients including onions, potatoes, avocado and plantains. Wash it down with the locals' favourite drink, a Pisco Sour.
It is worth remembering for those visitors who plan to move on to other parts of Peru that the country's weather is incredibly diverse,
Summer Weather in Lima
Lima has mild to cool temperatures for half the year, but the summer months from December to April can be stiflingly hot. The hottest months of the year in Lima are December and January, with an average high of around 29.5°C, and a low of 21°C. The high can go above 33.5°C on regular occasions.
Days are hot and humid, with early morning fog that clears as the day goes on. There is little or no rainfall and it is not uncommon for a month or more to pass without any precipitation. When they do come, showers are light and pass quickly.
The late summer months are the best time to enjoy the weather in Lima, with warm temperatures and hardly any rainfall in March. The locals call Lima's stunning summer sunsets 'cielo de brujas' ('sky of witches') and the best time and place to see them is at about 7pm from the cliffs above the city.
Autumn Weather in Lima
Autumn in Lima comes and goes very quickly and usually only lasts for the month of May before winter takes over. It is characterised by average daily temperatures of 18°C, clouds, mist and fog.
Accommodation prices start to fall as winter approaches, so this is a good time for budget travellers to visit Lima. Take advantage of the smaller crowds to see the ruins of Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores, or Pachacamac just outside Lima. Venture further afield to Machu Picchu and Cusco - all of which are likely to look mystically shrouded in mist at this time of year.
Winter Weather in Lima
Winter temperatures are mild in Lima. The winter season lasts from late May through November. Average highs hover between 18-22°C, with lows of around 15-16.5°C, and down to 10°C on the rare colder nights.
Lima winters are characterised by grey and cloudy skies and cooler temperatures, although humidity is still high. Drizzling rain known as garúa is also more common. Overall it is still mild and there is plenty to see and do, with Latin America's largest procession, Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles) taking place in late October or early November. There is no snow in Lima during the winter.
Spring Weather in Lima
Spring in November is another brief transitional season, with temperatures moving from cool to very warm in a few short weeks, with average temperatures between 22°C and 16°C. Accommodation prices are often lower as tourist numbers fall and this is a good time of year to visit for some of Lima's major festivals, including Todos Santos and Dia de los Muertos, when Limeños celebrate the dead.
Extreme Weather and Hazards
El Niño is a natural phenomenon caused by interactions between the ocean and atmosphere that can affect Lima's weather. When it does, the Pacific currents get warmer, air pressure increases and trade winds are disrupted. There is also a lot more rain and in Lima, this El Niño effect can lead to severe flooding from flash-thunderstorms, although these are relatively rare.
El Niño events usually take place in the summer months, especially around December. They are associated with widespread changes in the climate system that last several months and can have an impact upon infrastructure, agriculture, health and energy supplies.
The name 'El Niño' is widely used to describe the warming of sea surface temperature that occurs every few years, typically concentrated in the equatorial Pacific.