Taxis, Lima

La Rosa Nautica is a nice seafood restaurant located in Miraflores beach. Looking at a map I thought: well, I take a bus to Miraflores, go walking to the beach and that's all. But no, mistake!
Miraflores is located ON TOP OF A CLIFF, so from the last houses of the seashore to the beach there is a labyrinth of stairs and passages, so it took me about 15 minutes to get to the beach.
Do, to return to the civilization I took a taxi (extremely cheap BTW).

My advice: take a taxi to go there, specially at night.

There is no municipal public transport from the airport (only the Urbanito private bus service, see tip above).
So if you wanna take a tax, here are the fares (in 2005):
- Centre: 7.50 USD
- Miraflores, Barranco...: 10 USD
- Others: 14 USD

Ask always first to the driver if he is an official one and tell him to show you his license. Write down the plate number, just in case. I have no personal complaints about taxis in Lima but you can read scary stories about that in the forums...

Abel Morante, who was my driver, drove me around and cautioned me about some dangers in Lima as well as ended up taking me to a local polloria en route to the airport, which I requested him to do. We broke bread at the "polloria" and had a fast dinner since I was trying to board a flight an hour after. His business card has this contact info:

Abel Morante
Phone#: 998225136
E-mail: abel_morante42@hotmail.com

He provides a professional and courteous service as well as works very hard. I asked him if he takes visitors outside of the city, and he said yes. I guess you can negotiate a pre-fixed price for full day tours. Do give Abel's services a try when you're in Lima. You will not regret it.

Here people use frequently taxis, because the common transportation is poor, and the cost is cheap. For short routes 3 soles ($1) is usual and from the center to some suburb 7 - 12 soles. Always ask the price before!

I found two websites that have good recommendations regarding getting around in Lima:

A. http://www.hopstudios.com/nep/column/taxis_in_lima_peru.html - It is funny and well written.

B. Better even is the following website: http://www.limalimo.net I discovered that this website belongs to a small but excellent and highly reliable "more-formal" owner/operator taxi company called “LimaLimo”. The website has EXCELLENT information about transport in Peru (see the page http://www.limalimo.net/engPage0002.htm ). After studying the LimaLimo website, I have used the services during two recent business trips to Peru and my colleagues in Peru are now using it again. This is not only a great service for foreign visitors, but Miguel is a very nice, reliable guy too.

Even if you decide to use other taxi services in Lima, at least the LimaLimo website tells them the truth and gives them an excellent overview how the taxi system “works” (and does not work) in Lima. In any event, LimaLimo describes the risks for foreigners very well without broadcasting much panic.

There are 'millions' of taxis in Lima! I didn't take any, but I couldn't help seeing and hearing them. Every time they saw a tourist they blew their horn, every time I tried to cross the street several taxis blocked my way! The photo was taken from Plaza San Martin and the hotel in the back was closed because the workers hadn't got their pay. There were placades against President Toledo hanging on it.

Taxis are cheap enough in Lima that it is not worth the effort to try to navigate the bus system. Taxis do not have meters and you need to negotiate a price before getting in. Other than a little bargaining ahead of time I found all the cab drivers knew how to get places and did not try to gouge more money later.

If you don’t speak Spanish, it can be done. However, to make it easier and a bit less stressful. Print out a list of the places you think you will want to see using their Spanish names before you leave. If you discover something that wasn’t on your list, have the hotel write it down for you.

Also carry your hotel’s name, address & phone number with you.
Having a piece of paper and pen with you will help when negotiating prices if you don’t know your numbers in Spanish. Always negotiate your price before getting in the cab. They don’t use meters and each driver has his own rate.

Hi, when I was in Lima, all was a mess because lots of people around taking buses and taxis. Well, the thing is that my friends recommended me to take a new taxi cab company and I liked it, its not very expensive like in the US . The company is called www.radiotaxi.com.pe and I order them by MSN.

What I liked most is that I only paid like $10 for 1 taxi cab hour!!! good attention and fast service. highly recommended.

Lima is a huge city!!! If you are staying at the old city center, maybe you will be able to go everywhere walking (unless you are planning to visit Miraflores, Barranco or Callao).

But if you are staying at Miraflores, like I´ve done, it is impossible to go to the city center walking. A cab shall cost you around 10 soles, so don´t hesitate and take it. Save your legs to walk in Cusco!!!