The Lima International Airport Jorge Chávez

Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru's gateway to the world, is located in Callao about 13 km (8 miles) west of Lima's historic city center and approx. 20 km (12.5 miles) northwest of the district of Miraflores. The airport is named after the Peruvian aviation icon Jorge Chávez Dartnell and is one of the largest, busiest and most modern airports in Latin America.

The airport serves as a hub for more than 30 airlines and provides direct international flights to North, Central and South American countries, the Caribbean and Europe, along with national flights in Peru. 

Table of Content

• General Information about Jorge Chavez International Airport
  • History
  • Airlines and destinations
  • Passenger numbers
• Location and layout of Lima’s airport
  • Location
  • Layout of the terminal
• Facilities and services at Lima's airport
  • Airport maps
  • E-gates
  • WiFi
  • Money exchange
  • SIM card & eSIM
  • Luggage storage & lockers
  • Lost & Found
  • Sleeping Pods
  • VIP Lounges
  • Airport hotel
  • Airport bus
  • Taxis & Ride-sharing (ride-hailing) services
  • Parking
  • Other facilities and services
• Arriving at Lima's airport
  • Clearing immigration
  • Baggage claim
  • Clearing customs
  • Arriving with pets
• How to get from the airport to Lima
  • Best options (pick-up, airport bus, Uber/cabify)
  • Other options (taxi, rental car) 
• Departing from Lima's Airport
  • How to get to the airport
  • Check-in, security check and gates
  • Airport tax - TUUA
  • Prohibited items
  • Narcotics
  • Departing with pets

General information

Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru's gateway to the world, is located in Callao about 13 km (8 miles) west of Lima's historic city center and approx. 20 km (12.5 miles) northwest of the district of Miraflores.

History of Lima's Jorge Chavez Airport

Jorge Chávez International Airport was inaugurated in December 1965, replacing Lima’s old airport in San Isidro, known as Limatambo. In 2001, it was privatized when the Peruvian government granted Lima Airport Partners (LAP) - now a joint venture between Germany’s Fraport AG (80.01%) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group (19.99%) - a 30-year concession to develop, operate, and expand the airport.

Since then, the airport has undergone continuous expansion and modernization, making it one of the most modern, efficient, and traveler-friendly airports in Latin America. Over the past two decades, these improvements have been recognized with multiple awards, including Best Airport in South America (Skytrax World Airport Awards) and South America’s Leading Airport (World Travel Awards).

As part of a large-scale expansion project, a second runway and a new high-tech control tower were inaugurated in April 2023.

And after several delays, a new passenger terminal, three times larger than the old one, opened on June 1, 2025 replacing the old terminal, which is planned to be repurposed for logistics, medical services, offices, and private aviation, with the possibility of serving as a secondary terminal if needed.

The new terminal has a projected capacity of up to 40 million passengers annually, making Lima's airport one of the largest in the region. Despite its size, it remains easy to navigate, passenger-friendly and organized. The terminal features around 90 check-in counters, 42 self-service check-in kiosks, 59 boarding gates (46 with boarding bridges, 13 with buses), 37 elevators, 33 escalators, and 10 moving walkways, large commercial areas, and state-of-the-art technology for baggage handling and security. It also includes VIP lounges, fast-track connection areas, and rest areas, offering travelers a modern and efficient experience.

The expansion project also includes the development of the Lima Airport City, the first of its kind in South America. The project is integrated with planned improvements in Lima’s infrastructure, including a mass transit system (metro and buses) and an upgraded road network to ensure better airport access.

Airlines and destinations

Since the opening of the new terminal in June 2025, Lima’s airport serves as a hub for 36 airlines serving 71 destinations and as a cargo logistical hub in South America. To give you an overview which airlines connect Lima with the world find below a listing. Please note that the list is not exhaustive and routes are subject to change.

North America

• Aeroméxico: Mexico City
• Air Canada: Montréal, Toronto
• American Airlines: Dallas, Miami
• Delta Air Lines: Atlanta
• Interjet: Cancún, Mexico City
• JetBlue: Fort Lauderdale
• LATAM: Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Miami, Mexico City, Cancún
• United Airlines: Houston, Newark

Central America and the Caribbean

• AraJet: Santo Domingo
• Avianca: San José (CR), Santiago de Chile, San Salvador
• Copa Airlines: Panama City
• LATAM: San José (CR), Havana, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, Cancun
• Volaris: San José (CR)

South America

• Aerolíneas Argentinas: Buenos Aires
• Avianca: Bogotá, Guayaquil, Quito
• Boliviana de Aviación: Santa Cruz de la Sierra
• Copa/Wingo: Bogota
• JetSmart: Santiago de Chile
• LATAM: Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Santiago de Chile, Bogotá, Quito, and more
• Sky Airline: Santiago de Chile

Europe

• Air Europa: Madrid
• Air France: Paris
• Iberia: Madrid
• KLM: Amsterdam

Domestic Destinations within Peru

• LATAM Perú: Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Cuzco, Iquitos, Juliaca, Piura, Pucallpa, Puerto Maldonado, Tacna, Tarapoto, Trujillo, Tumbes
• Sky Airline: Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cuzco, Iquitos, Piura, Pucallpa, Tarapoto, Trujillo, Tumbes
• Star Perú: Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Cuzco, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Tarapoto

Jorge Chavez International Airport passenger traffic

Since the beginning of the 21st century, passenger numbers at Jorge Chávez International Airport have shown consistent growth, transforming the airport into a major regional hub. This upward trend continued steadily until 2019, when the airport reached a historic peak of 23.6 million passengers.

The Covid pandemic in 2020 abruptly interrupted this growth from one day to another, causing passenger numbers to plummet to around 7 million due to global travel restrictions and a complete lockdown of Peru. A gradual recovery began in 2021, with traffic rising to about 10.8 million. By 2022, numbers rebounded strongly, reaching approximately 18.6 million passengers - a 72% increase from the year before. The recovery continued in 2023, with the airport nearly reaching its pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, Jorge Chávez set a new record by handling 24.5 million passengers, driven by renewed international demand and Lima’s growing importance as a transit hub.

In 2025, the airport opened a new terminal (a second runway and a high-tech control tower were already added in 2023) expanding its capacity and paving the way to handle over 30 million passengers annually in the next years and even 40 million mid-term. 

Location and layout of Lima’s airport

Location

Jorge Chávez International Airport is located in Callao, about 13 km (8 miles) west of Lima’s historic city center and approximately 20 km (12.5 miles) northwest of the Miraflores district. In June 2025, a new terminal was inaugurated within the airport complex. It now handles all domestic and international flights. The old terminal nearby remains intact for now and may be repurposed in the future. Access to the new terminal is now via Av. Morales Duárez.

Layout

The new terminal at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima represents a significant expansion built to support the increasing demand for air travel in Peru and the region. Covering approx. 270,000 sq m (2.9 million sq ft) it's three times larger than the old terminal. The new terminal spans five levels - four above ground and one basement - each designed to streamline passenger flow and improve the travel experience. 

While this may sound like one of the large and confusing airports in North America or Europe, Lima’s new terminal despite its size is just as easy to navigate, passenger-friendly, and well-organized as the old one. Additionally, signage is in both Spanish and English, and most airport personnel are bilingual, ensuring a smooth experience for travelers. So, you’re unlikely to get lost and should have no trouble finding your way.

Generally speaking the terminal is divided into four sections:

• Left side: International departures and arrivals
• Right side: Domestic departures and arrivals
• Upper section: Shared area for both domestic and international flights
• Central section: Restricted key arrival and departure services such as immigration, customs and baggage claim in the back and public arrivals and departure areas including check-in, public food court, shops, services,and lounges.

1st and 2nd level - Arrivals

The first and second level of Lima's airport terminal are primarily dedicated to arriving passengers. A notable exception are the remote departure gates on the first floor (marked "B" on the map), which require a bus transfer to the aircraft.

 

On the second floor arriving passenger conveniently find the national and international transit areas before being directed to the first floor. The public area on the second floor offers a seating area with food and beverage options, car rentals, numerous shops as well as the Sleep 'N Fly Lounge, now rebranded to "Sleepover". The first floor houses immigration, baggage claim, and customs as well as the public arrivals area. The layout offers a smooth and efficient arrival process.

3rd level - Departures

The third level of Lima's airport terminal is dedicated to departing passengers. Upon entering the terminal, travelers are in the public departure areas, which includes the check-in area with 120 check-in counters and numerous self-check-in machines, various shops, and Perusuyo, a gastronomic space that celebrates the richness and diversity of Peruvian culture and cuisine.

Behind the check-in counters lies the security checkpoint. After passing through security:

• to the left is the international departures area. Once through immigration control, you have access to a wide range of shops, duty-free stores, restaurants, and the international departure gates (D).
• to the right is the domestic departures area, which also offers shops, restaurants, and the domestic departure gates (A).
• the C gates are mixed-use and serve both national and international departures.

4th level

The fourth level is home to the airport's VIP lounges, including The Club LIM Lounge (operated by Collinson International through Airport Dimensions) for international travelers and starting in August 2025 the LATAM Lounge. A national VIP lounge is in planning.

Facilities and services at Lima's airport

Lima’s new airport terminal, opened in June 2025, offers all the essential services and facilities you would expect from a modern international airport - clear signage, easy to navigate layout, state-of-the art technology and modern immigration, customs, baggage handling and check-in areas, as well as a Peruvian design with spacious waiting zones, a good range of shops, restaurants, practical amenities and essential services. So, whether you are arriving, departing or in transit the airport is a world-class hub set up to meet international standards and passenger expectations.

Find below a list of services and facilities most travelers are looking for.

Airport maps

Check out our chapter Airport terminal layout above and/or scan below QR code with your phone or mobile device and you get the maps of the airport terminal, which include many facilities and amenities when you zoom in/out. At the top you can change the floor.

Spread around the airport you additionally find numerous interactive "map-modules" showing you where you are and how to get from there to your desired point in the terminal.

E-gates

Lima's airport has over 20 e-gates at the arrival and departure area allowing some passengers to quickly and easily pass immigration control.

To use the e-gates you

• must be a Peruvian or a legal foreign resident in Peru (with carné de extranjeria).
• must be an adult (18+).
• must have a biometric passport.
• must create an account and pre-register your passport details and flight information up to 48h before your flight on MigraCheck.

Tourists, other non-residents, temporary visa holders, and minors cannot use the e-gates and must proceed to an immigration counter.

Wifi

Jorge Chavez International Airport offers free Wifi, which is not restricted by any time limits. Just connect your mobile device to the network .FreeWi-FiJorgeChavez and you are ready to go and enjoy free internet throughout your stay at the airport.

Money exchange

You can exchange money at the Global Exchange counters, for example, in the international arrivals area on the first floor next to the baggage claim, or at the World Xchange kiosk, for example, in the departure area on the third floor before the check-in counters. Since airport exchange rates are often unfavorable, it’s generally better to withdraw local currency from one of the many ATMs available throughout the terminal.

Here you find some tips when using ATMs in Peru

ATMs - Credit Cards - Traveler's Cheques

General Peruvian Money Information

When traveling you of course need money. Even though debit and credit cards are at least in major cities widely accepted, cash is still king in Per...

If you prefer to exchange at the airport, only change the absolute minimum to get to town. There rates are much better.

eSIM & SIM cards for tourists

PeruSIM by Claro, located in the arrivals area on the first floor, offers eSIM and SIM cards with special pre-paid plans for tourists. Prices for these tourist plans are a bit higher than "normal" plans at a Claro shop, however, you can buy the SIM with just a foreign passport. For available plans and prices check out the PeruSim website.

If you want a local phone number and stay longer than a few weeks in Peru, better skip the airport option and get the SIM for around S/ 10 at a Claro shop in town and choose there a more cost-effective package that better fits your needs.

Luggage storage & lockers

The “Left Luggage” (Guardianía de Equipajes) at the Lima airport is located on the 1st floor of the terminal. It is a safe and secure place to leave your luggage for a few hours, a day or even longer. The service is fast, easy and reliable. The luggage storage is open 24/7.

Price

• Small pieces of luggage (hand luggage, handbags, etc.): S/ 8 per hour or S/ 48 per day (24 hours).
• Large pieces of luggage (suitcases, large backpacks, etc. ): S/ 16 per hour or S/ 96 per day (24 hours).
• Over-sized items (surf boards, bicycles, etc.): S/ 20 per hour or S/ 100 per day (24 hours).
• Private lockers: S/ 20 per hour for all you can fit in or S/ 100 per day (24 hours). The dimensions of the lockers are 45 cm (wide) x 60 cm (long) x 75 cm (high).

Please note: Discounts for the storage of lots of luggage or for an extended period of time can be negotiated.

Terms & Conditions of using the “Left Luggage” include

• Show passport or ID when leaving your luggage.
• No valuables, food, flammables, drugs, and weapons are accepted.
• Payment when picking up your luggage.
• Only cash payments either in Peruvian Soles or US Dollars are accepted; payment with credit card is not possible.
• Area is monitored by video, so be aware that you are recorded.

Contact details

• Phone: (+51) 922 559 112
• E-mail: guardianiaequipajes [at] gmail.com

Lost & Found 

If you forgot or lost something in the airport terminal, get in contact with the "Oficina de Hallazgos" (Lost & Found office) at the airport. You can do so either in person (the office is on the third floor in the check-in area (before the security check to the left) or by e-mail under hallazgos [at] lima-airport.com.

Items must be picked-up in person and cannot be shipped within Peru or internationally.

Be aware that in case you lost or forgot something in the airplane you should contact the airline.

Sleepover Lounge (Sleeping Pods)

The Sleepover Lounge, formerly known as Sleep ´N Fly Lounge, offers comfortable accommodation and private sleep/rest options for everyone from single traveler to families .

The lounge is conveniently located on the arrivals level (2nd floor) in the central area of the airport terminal and is accessible to both arriving and departing passengers. Sleepover is open 24/7.

Accommodation options include:

• Flexisuites: The private Flexisuite is equipped with a spacious and fully reclinable flat-bed, which is inspired by business class airline seating, a folding dual table and desk, plus plenty of storage for your belongings.
• Bunk Cabins: The private Bunk Cabin, designed in a minimalist Scandinavian style, features a bunk beds with single-sized mattresses (80x200cm bottom, 80x190cm top) and a small workspace. The cabins are ideal for solo travelers or companions seeking a quiet, private space to rest or work.
• Family Cabins: The private Family Cabin has space for the whole family and can accommodate up to four guests making it an ideal space for families needing a private area to relax during layovers .

All accommodation options are equipped with essentials such as air conditioning, power outlets, soundproofing and lockable compartments for secure luggage storage and grant access to spacious toilet and shower rooms. 

For more detailed information about pricing, availibility and advanced booking check out the Sleepover website. 

The Club LIM - International VIP Lounge

The Club LIM is a traditional though modern and comfortable airport lounge offering a variety of amenities to cater to traveler needs.

The lounge offers inviting and spacious areas with comfortable seating, a quiet zone designed for relaxation, a business center with workstations and high-speed internet, private meeting spaces, a children’s play area, a bar serving a selection of complimentary beverages, including alcoholic drinks for passengers over 18 years, a buffet featuring high-end Peruvian cuisine, and shower facilities.

The Club LIM, which is open 24/7, is located on the 4th floor of the airport terminal and only avaible for international passengers. After passing through the main security checkpoint on the third floor, follow the signs to “Airport Lounges", take the escalator one level up and proceed along the corridor to reach the lounge. Access is available up to three hours before your scheduled flight departure.

LATAM Lounge

LATAM opens its own VIP airport lounge at Lima's airport scheduled for August 2025. The LATAM lounge will be on the 4th floor. After passing through the main security checkpoint on the third floor, follow the signs to “Airport Lounges", take the escalator one level up and proceed along the corridor to reach the lounge 

Airport hotel

The new Wyndham Costa del Sol airport hotel, which will be located directly in front of the airport termina,l isn't open yet. However, the old Wyndham Costa del Sol airport hotel in front of the old terminal is still operating and there is a shuttle every half an hour or so. The hotel offers spacious, modern and comfortable rooms, hourly and nightly room options, a 24/7 restaurant, a bar, a great spa and conference / event facilities.

Airport bus

The Lima airport has two official bus services: the public AeroDirecto bus and the private Airport Express Lima shuttle service.

Airport Express Lima

In April 2017, Lima's airport finally got its first official shuttle bus service, the Airport Express Lima. The Airport Express Lima buses are a safe, reliable, punctual, and cost-effective way to get from the Jorge Chavez Airport to Lima’s district Miraflores and vice versa.

The modern buses, which are well maintained and spotless, are equipped with free Wi-Fi, USB ports and TVs, ensuring a safe, comfortable and pleasant ride.

The Airport Express Lima stops at the airport and at 4 central points in Miraflores - 1) the Marriott Hotel (Larcomar), 2) the Tourist Information Center (Av. Larco corner Calle San Martin), 3) Parque Kennedy (Av. Diagonal corner Calle Berlin), and 4) the Boulevard Hotel (Av. Pardo corner Calle Jorge Chavez). 

For trips from and to the airport, you can book a ticket on the Airport Express Lima website, where you additionally find detailed information about bus stops and prices (single passengers pay around S/ 20 (approx. US$ 5.50) one-way). If you buy a ticket online in advance, you can use it for any bus, and online ticket holders always take first preference if the bus is full.

Additionally, if you want to use the service from the airport to Miraflores, you can also buy your ticket at the Airport Express Lima booth just outside the airport terminal (1st floor, international arrivals). Payments can be made in cash (Soles, US$ or Euro) or with credit card (Visa or Mastercard). If you are going from Miraflores to the airport next to booking online, you can as well pay on board; however, make sure to have the exact change.

The buses run from Miraflores to the airport daily from 06.50 am to 08.50 pm every hour and from the airport to Miraflores daily from 07.00 am to 09.00 pm every hour and drop you off at the airport terminal (3rd floor, departures).

AeroDirecto

Since June 2025, Lima's airport is finally as well connected to different parts of the Lima-Callao Metropolitan area by public transport. The service is called AeroDirecto and offers 5 routes.

The route AeroDirecto Norte starts in the district of Los Olivos at the intersection of Av. Izaguirre and Av. Universitaria. Stops include the Municipalidad, Megaplaza, Plaza Norte, on Av. Tomás Valle Universitaria, Dominicos and Av. Perú, on Av. Faucett Aduanas and Monark, and finally the Airport terminal.

The route AeroDirecto Centro starts at Plaza Dos de Mayo in the center of Lima. Following first Av. Oscar R. Benavides, stops include Tingo, Maria, Dueñas and Universitaria, the Faucett and Hospital San José before reaching the airport terminal.

The route AeroDirecto Sur starts at the bus stop Cuba in Pueblo Libre on Av. Brasil. Stops include San Felipe, Javier Prado, Mercado Magdalena, Escardó, La Marina, Venezuela, Faucett and the Hospital San José before reaching the airport terminal. 

The route AeroDirecto Quilca starts and ends at Av. Quilca in Callao running directly along Av. Faucett and Av. Morales Duarez to the airport terminal.

The route AeroDirecto Ventanilla starts at the Ovalo La Playa in Ventanilla, Callao following Av. Nestor Gambetta and Av. Faucett reaches the airport. Stops include Cuidad Deporte, Chillón, Puente Oquendo, Izaguirre, Canta Callao, Aduanas, Monark and then the airport terminal.

On the "norte", "centro", "sur" and "Ventanilla" route, the AeroDirecto buses run daily every 15 to 30 minutes from 05.00 am to 11.00 pm, on the "Quilca" route 24/7. Depending on the route a trip costs between S/ 2 to S/ 5 (between around US$ 0.55 and US$ 1.40).

Taxis & Ride-sharing (ride-hailing) services

Taxis

At Lima's airport you find three official taxi service companies:

• Taxi 365: for over 20 years registered as official airport taxi; bilingual staff, modern and safe vehicles, trust-worthy and on-time, nice drivers; you can choose between a car for 2 persons, a minivan for 6 and a large van for up to 10 people. 
• Taxi Green: as well for over 20 years registered as official airport taxi, reliable, punctual, modern and well-maintained vehicles, nice drivers. You can choose between cars, SUVs or vans.
• Taxi Directo: the "newcomer" at the airport with modern and safe vehicles including cars, SUVs and vans which are clean and well-maintained. 

You can book your ride in advance through their website or app, or upon arrival, go to their booth located outside the terminal:

• for national arrivals: exit the terminal through door 1 on the 1st level  and head to your right
• for international arrivals:  exit the terminal through door 2 on the 1sy level and follow the blue sign (Taxi Green, Directo, Taxi 365) to your left.

All drivers are vetted, and the cars are modern and well maintained. These companies offer fixed prices, so there’s no haggling or risk of being overcharged. Fares vary depending on your destination district and whether you choose a car or a van.

Be aware that official airport taxi fares are significantly higher than standard taxi prices in Lima or Peru. However, the extra soles are well worth it for a safe, comfortable, and stress-free trip to your destination.

Ride-sharing (ride-hailing) services

Uber and Cabify are authorized to service Lima's airport. So, just book your ride on their app and follow the instructions. Both have designated pick-up spots outside the 1st level of the terminal, which are well signposted. 

Parking

The spacious airport parking lot, which has zones for short-term parking, bus parking and long-term parking, is managed by apparka. It is located just in front of the terminal (follow the free lane, access the Boulevard, which takes you down to the 2nd floor of the terminal).

Short-term parking for cars is

• for up to 45 minutes: S/ 6.30 
• from 46 to 60 minutes: S/ 8.40 
• for everything over 60 minutes: S/ 8.40 per hour

Payments can be made before leaving at the apparka payment machines in front of the terminal in cash or with debit/credit cards, at the apparka counter in cash and using Yape and Plin.

Long-term parking costs around S/ 70 per day. You can book a spot on the long-term parking lot on the apparka website or their app. 

Passenger service counters

You find numerous passenger service counters and information desks offering general airport assistence and  help with inquiries and concerns throughout the airport terminal, for example, in

• the public departure area on the third floor
• the international departure area on the third floor
• the domestic departure area on the third floor
• the domestic and international arrival area on the first floor.

Car rentals

In the public area of the 2nd floor of Lima's airport terminal you find the counters of four rental car companies.

• Hertz
• Sixt
• Avis/Budget
• Alamo 

Before renting a car at the airport, please read the chapter “Getting from the airport to town” below.

Facilities for disabled and impaired people

The airport is committed to provide an accessible experience for all passengers offering facilities, which make it easier and more comfortable for disabled and impaired people to navigate and move through the terminal. Amenities include:

• Tactile paving routes for visually impaired passengers.
• Ramps, elevators and moving walkways for wheelchair users and passengers with reduced mobility.
• Electric carts for passengers with reduced mobility (available at different points in the terminal).
• Sign language assistance for deaf (-mute) passengers (available at the Passenger Service counters).
• Sunflower lanyards to identify and assist passengers with a hidden disability or a health condition that may not be immediately apparent.

Luggage carts

Lima's airport offers free luggage carts in front of the terminal on the third floor for departing passengers or near the baggage carousels on the first floor for arriving passengers.

Medical attention

Emergency medical attention is available 24/7. The infirmary is located in the public arrivals area on the first floor. Passengers in need of medical attention should immediately reach out to airline or airport personell. 

Luggage wrapping

In the check-in area on the third floor you find services offering to plastic-wrap your luggage.

Breastfeeding room

Some breastfeeding moms will be happy to find a private space at Lima’s airport where they can either nurse their babies or use a breast pump in a relaxed and inviting environment. The lactation rooms also offer newborn care and breastfeeding counselling. The rooms are located on the third floor in the check-in area (just before the security check) or on the third floor in the international departure area.

Arriving at Lima's International Airport

The new terminal at Lima’s airport, inaugurated in June 2025, holds up well in comparison to international airports in North America and Europe. It offers all the essential services and facilities you would expect from a modern international hub - clear signage, an easy-to-navigate layout, state-of-the-art technology, and modern immigration, customs, baggage handling, and check-in areas. The terminal also features a distinct Peruvian design with spacious waiting zones, a good selection of shops and restaurants, practical amenities, and essential services.

Thanks to changes in immigration procedures and increasing digitalization over the past decade, entering Peru via Lima’s airport is now generally a smooth and well-organized process. However, despite all technological advances, the number of incoming flights, especially in the evening, can occasionally lead to longer wait times at immigration and baggage claim.

Below, find useful information to help make your arrival as easy and smooth as possible.

Clearing immigration

Once you get off the plane, you are directed to the immigration counters on the 1st floor (see above our chapter Layout, 1st and 2nd floor arrivals). Passengers in transit will find special transit counters on the 2nd floor before security and immigration.

Be aware that tourists, business travelers, temporary visa holders, other non-residents, and minors cannot use the e-gates, which allow passing immigration quickly and easily, and must proceed to a staffed immigration counter to conventionally clear immigration.

The e-gates are exclusively for adult (18+) Peruvians or legal foreign residents in Peru (with carné de extranjeria), who have a biometric passport and have created an account and pre-registered their passport details and flight information on MigraCheck.

At the immigration counter just present your passport, which should have at least 2 free pages in the visa section and must be valid for at least another 6 months upon arrival. 

If you come to Peru as a tourist, be aware that according to the Foreigner Law, you can stay in the country for up to 183 days in a 365-day period. However, this doesn't mean you automatically get the full six months upon entry. A publication issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) limits and/or divides the general 183 days across the 365-day window for most nationalities.

Today, most travelers - those who can enter Peru visa-free and those who need a real tourist/business visa - are granted only up to 90 days in a 180-day period upon arrival. However, please note that it's always at the discretion of the immigration officer how many days he/she allows you to stay in Peru. You are not entitled to get the maximum allowed time. The topic is explained in detail in our "Tourist visa" article.

Peruvian Tourist Visa

Peruvian Visa Types

When planning a trip to Peru, eventually bureaucratic and visa related matters come to mind. As finding detailed and up-to-date information on this...

And don't be surprised to not receive an entry stamp. As of the end of May 2023, Peru eliminated passport stamping for those arriving on international flights. Your entry (and later your departure) is now automatically registered in the Migraciones database, and a so-called TAM Virtual is created. In the past, this Tarjeta Andina de Migración was a physical white card that you had to fill out, get stamped, and return when leaving the country. Today, it’s just a digital entry in the system that records your personal information, date of entry (and departure), point of entry (and departure), and, if applicable, your status as a tourist or business traveler, along with the number of days you are allowed to stay.

Since you no longer receive an entry stamp, your only way to verify how long you are allowed to stay is to ask the immigration officer at the counter. If you want written confirmation or need proof of your entry or exit, you need to check online. Our article "How many days did I get when entering Peru" explains in detail your options to check your allowed length of stay in Peru.

How many days did I get when entering Peru?

Legal Stuff

While during the height of the Corona pandemic Peru eliminated the stamping of passports when entering the country, in May 2022 the entry stamp was...

Lastly, be aware that you cannot extend your stay as a tourist or business traveler in Peru once you entered the country (exception: citizens of Andean Community member countries (Bolivians, Colombians and Ecuadorians) can extend their stay as a tourist). You find more information about the tourist visa extension topic in below article.

Tourist Visa extension in Peru

Legal Stuff

For the past two decades, every few years Peruvian regulations changed, allowing or denying foreigners to extend their stay as a tourist in the cou...

Since most foreign nationals cannot extend their tourist stay once inside the country, make sure you are granted at least the number of days you plan to stay (for most nationalities, 90 days is the maximum) when clearing immigration.

Baggage claim

Your next stop is the baggage claim hall. The baggage carousels are numbered and have a screen displaying the corresponding flight. Simply look for the correct one and collect your luggage. Then proceed to the exit.

Clearing customs

If you have nothing to declare, just follow the signs to the exit of the airport.

If you do have something to declare, since June 2022, you must download the "Bienvenido al Perú" app, available for iOS and Android. The app, available in English and Spanish, briefly outlines the most important regulations and allows you to declare items or currency. Complete the required fields within 48 hours prior to your arrival in Peru and, once at the airport, proceed to the customs counters.

Peruvian customs authorities urge travelers to inform themselves about the regulations and comply with Peruvian law. If you are caught with undeclared dutiable goods or currency, fines can be substantial. You can find detailed information about Peruvian customs regulations in our article "What you can & can't bring into Peru".

What you can & can’t bring into Peru

Legal Stuff

When travelling to a foreign country it’s always a good idea to know which items you can bring with no problems, and which ones you better leave at...

Next, just follow the flow toward the luggage scanners. Once your baggage passes through without any observations, you made it.

Welcome to Peru!

Arriving with pets

When bringing animals into Peru, please note that only dogs and cats are considered pets. The authority responsible for monitoring and approving pet entry into the country is Senasa, the National Agrarian Health Service of Peru. Each person is allowed to bring only one pet into Peru, either as carry-on or checked luggage or as air cargo.

The easiest and most hassle-free way to bring your pet into Peru is to have it travel with you on the same flight, either in the cabin or as checked baggage. To bring your pet into Peru without quarantine, you must present the following documents upon arrival:

• Certificate of Good Health issued by an official veterinarian in your home country within 14 days prior to entering Peru
• Proof of vaccinations:
  • Rabies (for both dogs and cats) administered between 21 days and 12 months before arrival. Note: Peru does not recognize 2- or 3-year rabies vaccines.
  • Additionally, for dogs: vaccinations against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, and Leptospirosis.
  • Additionally, for cats: vaccinations against Panleukopenia (FVRCP), Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus
• Recent proof of veterinary treatment against internal and external parasites.

These requirements also apply to emotional support and service dogs and cats.

Peru doesn’t require a special import permit for dogs and cats (except for puppies and kittens less than 12 weeks of age and unvaccinated) nor does it require a pet microchip or rabies titer test, There is also no banned breeds list.

Upon arrival at the airport (if your pet traveled in the cargo hold of the plane, you usually retrieve it from the baggage carousels), pet owners must proceed with their animal to the Senasa office, located at the end of the baggage claim hall. Here you first have to pay two different fees:

• an examination fee equivalent to 1.973% of 1 UIT; in 2025 this equals S/ 105.55
• a fee for issuing the pet’s permit to enter the country equivalent to 0.729% of 1 UIT = S/ 39 (2025).

Then Senasa reviews the health certificate, vaccination records and parasite treatment proof and briefly inspect your pet. If everything is in order and the animal appears healthy, your pet is allowed to enter Peru.

If documents are incomplete or the pet appears unwell, a licensed Peruvian vet may be called in at the owner’s expense for further examination. Ultimately, the Senasa inspector decides whether the animal is allowed entry, requires treatment, such as a vaccination or parasite treatment), or quarantine, or must be returned to the country of origin.

If you ship your pet to Peru as cargo (not as accompanied baggage), be prepared for a complex, time-consuming process with significant paperwork, various payments, and lots of running around before you can finally collect your animal.

For other animals that might be considered pets in other countries, such as birds, rodents, rabbits, fish, reptiles, etc., you must obtain an export sanitary certificate from the country of origin and apply for a special import permit from Senasa before coming to Peru. Additional permits are required for any animals listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Above mentioned recommendations are given to our best knowledge reflecting the current Peruvian regulations. As these sometimes change quickly and without prior notice, we highly recommend checking the veterinary regulations shortly before your travel with the nearest Peruvian consulate and / or Senasa.

How to get get from the airport to Lima

As soon as you’ve made it through customs, you’ll find yourself in the often quite busy and hectic international/national arrivals area. Especially after a long flight and when visiting Peru for the first time, the large airport and the hustle and bustle can feel overwhelming.

So, it’s highly recommended to plan in advance how you’ll get from the airport to the city.

While there have been improvements, Lima still doesn’t have a city-wide mass transportation system, and the airport terminal is still not connected to the Metro, which is steadily but slowly being expanded and will hopefully reach the airport soon. However, with the opening of the new terminal in June 2025, getting from the airport to the city has become much easier and more organized.

Best options to get from the airport to the city

Pre-arranged Pick-up

The best and most convenient option is to pre-arrange a pick-up with your hotel or hostel, family or friends, or to book a private transfer service. As soon as you leave the terminal, someone will be waiting for you, help you with your luggage, escort you to the car, and bring you safely and hassle-free to your destination.

Airport Bus

An equally great option - especially if you’re on a budget - is to use the Airport Express Lima bus, which provides safe, affordable, and comfortable transport in modern buses from the airport to the Miraflores district. (You’ll find more detailed info above.)

If your destination isn’t Miraflores, Aero Directo, the public airport bus, operates five routes connecting the airport with various parts of the Lima-Callao metropolitan area. (More information above.)

Uber and Cabify

Uber and Cabify are authorized to operate at Lima’s airport. Simply book your ride through their app and follow the instructions. Both services have designated pick-up points on the first level of the terminal, which are clearly signposted.

Other options to get from the airport to town

Airport Taxi

If you plan to take a taxi from the airport to the city, only use an official airport taxi. You can choose between Taxi 365, Taxi Green, or Taxi Directo. You can book in advance through their websites or apps (recommended if you need a van), or upon arrival, go to their booth located outside the terminal. You find more information above.

Renting a car at the airport

At Lima’s airport, you’ll find four rental car companies: Hertz, Sixt, Avis/Budget, and Alamo. You can book a rental car in advance through the company’s website or other online platforms, or directly at their counters located in the public area on the second floor of the terminal.

However, if you’re not familiar with Lima and not accustomed to the traffic in the Peruvian capital with its own set of “rules” we strongly advise against renting a car. Driving in Peru, especially in Lima, is vastly different from what you may be used to. You can travel easily and affordably from the airport to the city by airport bus, Uber/Cabify, or official airport taxi, and get around Lima using taxi or ride-hailing services such as Uber, Cabify, InDriver, and Didi.

These options spare you from having to navigate Lima’s chaotic traffic and stand your ground against reckless drivers who doesn't seem to follow any of the traffic rules you know from home. After a long and exhausting flight - likely without a clear sense of direction - Lima’s traffic is more than a challenge, even for experienced drivers.

If you still feel you need a car, we recommend reading our article “Car Rentals in Lima” as well as our humorous take on “Driving in Lima.” And if you then still decide to rent a car and drive yourself, consider first taking the airport bus, a ride-hailing service, or an official taxi to your hotel, or arranging a pick-up. Once you’ve arrived, rested, and oriented yourself, you can either pick up your rental car at a branch or have it delivered to your hotel.

Car Rentals in Lima

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Driving in Lima - Not for the faint-hearted

Editors Opinion

Driving in Lima and Peru will be a very “interesting” experience if you are used to driving in North America or Europe.

Departing from the Lima International Airport 

Leaving Lima through Jorge Chávez International Airport is generally a smooth process, especially with a bit of preparation. 

Lima's airport only has a single terminal with 4 levels, serving both national and international flights. Despite its size, the terminal is easy to navigate, passenger-friendly, and well-organized. Signage is in both Spanish and English, and most airport personnel, which is readily available, are at least bilingual. To get an overview of the airport terminal and its 4 levels check out our chapter Location and layout of Lima’s airport above. 

Below, find useful information to help make your departure as easy and smooth as possible.

How to get to the airport

Getting to Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport in Callao from districts like Miraflores, San Isidro, or downtown Lima is fairly straightforward, though travel time depends heavily on traffic, especially since the planned new access road to the airport is not yet completed. All vehicles must currently use one of five temporary access routes and cross a temporary bridge to reach the terminal, which can lead to heavy traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours (7:00 am – 10:00 am and 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm).

The most convenient options to get from the city to the airport are:

• Airport Express Lima: A safe and affordable bus service from Miraflores to the airport. The journey takes about 45 to 60 minutes (in peak hours up to 1.5 hours) depending on traffic. Find more information about the Airport Express Lima bus above. 
• Ride-Hailing Apps: Services like Uber, Cabify, InDriver, and Didi are widely used in Lima. They offer door-to-door service and fixed fares. Travel time is typically 30 to 60 minutes, or up to 1.5 hours during peak traffic.
• Drop-off by private car: If someone is giving you a ride, they can drop you off in the designated drop-off area on the 3rd level of the terminal in front of the departures doors (just follow the free lane). Note that stopping time is limited to 10 minutes, so it’s best to have your luggage ready and keep the goodbye short.

To avoid stress, especially during peak hours (7-10 am and 5-8 pm), plan to leave well in advance and aim to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before an international flight or 2 hours before a domestic one.

Check-in, security check and gates

The public departure area, which includes the check-in area with 120 check-in counters and numerous self-check-in machines, various shops, and PeruSuyo, a gastronomic space that celebrates the richness and diversity of Peruvian culture and cuisine, is located on the 3rd level of the terminal.

As the check-in counters are not dedicated to an airline, but have a letter and a number, first find the big screens located after the entrance sliding doors. These screens are not only showing your flight, departure time, and departure gate, but also the number of  the check-in counter of your flight.

Proceed to the check-in counter of your flight and check in. For international flights, the airport authority recommends arriving 3 hours ahead of departure time; for national flights, it's advised to check in 2 hours before your flight leaves. 

If you still have time, you can stroll through the area with it's numerous shops or have a bite to eat at PeruSuyo.

The security checkpoint is located at the back of the public departure area behind the check-in counters. After passing through security:

• to the left is the international departures area. Once through immigration control, you have access to a wide range of shops, duty-free stores, restaurants, and the international departure gates (D) and the mixed departure gates (C).
• to the right is the domestic departures area, which also offers shops, restaurants, and the domestic departure gates (A) and the mixed departure gates (C).

To get an overview of the layout of the 3rd level check out our chapter Layout above. 

E-gates

Lima's airport has over 10 e-gates at the departure area allowing some passengers to quickly and easily pass immigration control. To use the e-gates you

• must be a Peruvian or a legal foreign resident in Peru (with carné de extranjeria).
• must be an adult (18+).
• must have a biometric passport.
• must create an account and pre-register your passport details and flight information up to 48h before your flight on MigraCheck.

Tourists, other non-residents, temporary visa holders, and minors cannot use the e-gates and must proceed to an immigration counter to leave the country. 

Airport tax - TUUA

The airport tax (TUUA) covers various services provided to passengers at Jorge Chávez International Airport. It is charged to all departing travelers but has been included in the price of airline tickets since 2010.

As of 2025, the TUUA is US$ 30.86 for international flights and US$ 12.41 for domestic flights.

With the opening of the new airport terminal in June 2025, the TUUA has been expanded to also apply to transit passengers. The transit TUUA is US$ 11.32 for international flights and US$ 7.07 for domestic flights. However, to give airlines time to update their pricing structures, the transit fee is currently on hold and not yet being charged.

Restricted and prohibited items

As on nearly all flights around the world, certain items are prohibited in your checked baggage and/or hand luggage.

The official airport website provides a detailed list of items that are prohibited or permitted in the airport terminal, as well as on international and domestic flights. It’s also essential to check the specific baggage regulations of your airline, as rules may vary slightly.

Narcotics

Visitors thinking of making some quick and easy money by smuggling drugs out of Peru should better think twice. The anti-narcotics unit of the PNP at the airport is highly professional, well-equipped, and operates under strict international protocols. Local newspapers report drug seizures and the arrest of foreign nationals at the airport at least once or twice a week.

Prison sentences for drug trafficking in Peru are severe and often carried out without the possibility of parole or extradition. A Peruvian prison is not a place you want to end up. It’s simply not worth the risk.

Even if you have no intention of trafficking drugs, be extremely cautious if someone asks you to take a package or seemingly harmless items, such as shampoo bottles, Peruvian snacks, clothing, or souvenirs, abroad "for a friend or relative." Drugs can easily be hidden in these items, and you could unknowingly become a drug mule.

Finally, be aware that products made from coca leaves, such as mate de coca (coca tea), coca flour, energy drinks or bars containing coca, coca sweets, or coca chewing gum, are legal in Peru but may be illegal in your destination country. Attempting to bring these items into another country could lead to fines or even imprisonment for drug possession or smuggling.

Departing with pets

If you plan to travel abroad with your pet from Peru, you’ll need to prepare well in advance—not because it’s difficult to leave Peru, but because entering your destination country may involve strict requirements. Many countries require not only vaccinations and health certificates but also a microchip and a negative rabies titer test from an approved rabies serology laboratory. Since there is no such lab in Peru, the sample must be sent to Chile, which takes time.

An excellent source of up-to-date and accurate information about pet entry requirements for your destination is the airline you're flying with and the official authority responsible for pet imports in that country. To ensure you have all the necessary documents ready by the time your flight departs, start the process early.

On the Peruvian side, Senasa (the National Agrarian Health Service of Peru), which oversees the "import" and "export" of animals, requires the following documents when you leave the country with a pet:

• Certificate of Good Health issued by a registered Peruvian veterinarian (in the format of the Veterinary Medical College of Peru)
• Current rabies vaccination certificate, also in the official format and issued by a registered Peruvian veterinarian
• Proof of recent treatment against internal and external parasites
• If you are traveling with a Peruvian Hairless Dog: an export permit issued by the Peruvian Hairless Dog National Protection Committee.

As mentioned above, these are only the documents required for leaving Peru. Your destination country may require additional paperwork.

While the official process involves visiting the SENASA office at the airport to present your documents, pay a fee (around S/ 100), and have your pet and kennel inspected, our personal experience was different: when we left Peru with our dog, we went directly to our airline’s check-in counter. The staff reviewed the documents, guided us through the process, and accompanied us to a room where our dog was inspected, and the kennel was x-rayed and disinfected.