Are you a birdwatching enthusiast planning your trip to Lima, Peru? Then you’re in for a treat! In Lima you can spot more than 380 bird species. Check out the best birdwatching tours in Lima, a selection by a Peruvian birder myself!
Are you a birdwatcher planning your trip to Lima?
Check out some of the best birdwatching tours. Make sure to plan ahead so you don’t miss out on anything!
Top birdwatching tours and experiences in Lima:
1. Watching Condors in Santa Eulalia
2. Ballestas Islands and the Paracas Reserve
3. Villa Marshes
4. Palomino Islands including swimming with Sea Lions
5. Birding in Urban Lima
Best Hotels in Lima:
1. Hotel B (High-end. Great location if you go to Ballestas Islands or Villa Marshes)
2. Second Home Peru (Mid-range. Great location if you go to Ballestas Islands or Villa Marshes)
3. JW Marriott: (High-end. Recommended if you go on the Condor tour)
4. Casa Andina Premium Miraflores (Mid-range. Recommended if you go on the Condor tour)
5. Hotel Melia Lima (High-end. Good location if you go to the Palomino islands)
If you are into birdwatching, you probably know that Peru is one of the top countries for birdwatching. The second best country, after Colombia, actually.
I’m also a birdwatcher. Just in Lima, so far I have spotted 118 species. In this article, I’ll share with you my personal favorite spots and tips for the best birdwatching tours in Lima and near Lima.
Lima is a city surrounded by different habitats. It’s built on a desert, it’s next to the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Andes Mountains on the other side. That means it’s home to very different kinds of species.
Let’s take a look at some birdwatching tours that I recommend if you are traveling to Lima. You could also arrange a tour with me if I’m in Lima, just send me an email to sharon@itravelperu.com or send me a message through the blog’s contact form.
1. Watching Condors in Santa Eulalia
When it comes to birding in Peru, there is nothing more impressive than watching the Condor, one of the world’s largest flying birds with a massive wingspan of over three meters.
Now, there are a few places in Peru where you can see Condors, such as Colca Canyon near Arequipa and Chonta in Cusco. But those require extreme altitude and can be quite strenuous. That’s why I highly recommend taking a Condor Birdwatching tour to Santa Eulalia Canyon, a few hours away from Lima city (but still in the Lima region).
The tour starts with several stops along the way to get to know some of the unique bird fauna in the area. You’ll get to see several species of hummingbirds, including the dainty Peruvian Sheartail, the noisy Black-necked Woodpecker, the tiny Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, and the endemic Great Inca-Finch, among many others.
Already going birdwatching in that area, regardless of going to watch the Condor, is a great experience. It’s one of my favorite areas for birdwatching in Lima.
Afterwards, you’ll head to the viewpoint for the main event – watching Condors in their natural habitat. It’s a one-hour hike to the viewpoint, but trust me, it’s worth it.
You’ll embark on a one-hour hike to a viewpoint where Condors come to reach the overnight cliffs below. The best time to view the Condors is from 3pm to the end of the day. After 1 or 2 hours, when you will have already had great views of the birds, you will head back to Lima.
In my opinion, taking this tour is a fantastic opportunity to watch Condors. Don’t miss out on this experience.
Book the Condor Birdwatching Tour.
2. Ballestas Islands in Paracas – A Birdwatching Haven
Located just a few hours south of Lima, in Paracas, the Ballestas islands are easily accessible as a day trip.
Since I’m Peruvian and I travel a lot around Peru, I’ve been to the islands several times. But the time when I really appreciated the visit was when I was already into birdwatching.
Although you could arrange the trip by yourself, you might want to take a tour to Paracas and the Ballestas islands. Although it’s not specifically a birdwatching tour, it’s a great opportunity for birdwatching and a beautiful day trip from Lima (plus you get to know a different area of Peru).
The tour starts early in the morning from Lima. When you reach Paracas, you will take a speedboat to Ballestas to appreciate the wildlife living on the islands.
At Ballestas, it will be time for some lifers! The islands are home to a rich and diverse range of marine fauna and seabirds. You will likely see the Humboldt penguin, Guanay Cormorant, Red-legged Cormorant, Peruvian Pelican, and Inca Tern. You might even see the Blue-Footed Booby!
It’s worth noting that you won’t get off the boat during the tour since it’s a protected area. But the boat will get close enough to the islands to allow for plenty of opportunities to observe and photograph the birds.
You will also see other marine life such as sea lions and dolphins. The mysterious Candelabro geoglyph, an enormous figure resembling a candelabrum etched into the sand, is another highlight of the tour.
After the island tour, you will head to the Paracas National Reserve. Migratory birds stop here on their journey, including the Whimbrel, Red Knot, and Wilson’s Plover, among others. With a bit of luck, you might spot the majestic pink flamingos in the shallow lakes of the reserve.
After a long day, you will return to Lima in the evening.
Book a tour to the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve.
3. Villa Wetlands – A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
The Villa Wetlands, located on the outskirts of Lima, is a paradise for birdwatchers. Since it’s not so far from where I live, it’s actually the place where I first started birdwatching and where I fell in love with it.
One of the best things about the Villa Wetlands is that it’s easily accessible from the city center. It’s not difficult to go by yourself, you could take a taxi. Still, I highly recommend you to take a birdwatching tour to Villa since your guide will know where to find the most interesting species.
At the wetlands, you can try to spot some interesting birds that you might still need to check off your list. For example, the Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, the Peruvian Meadowlark, and the Peruvian Thick-Knee. Additionally, the wetlands are home to several species of herons, including the Striated Heron, the Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron, and the Black-Crowned Night-Heron. You can also expect to see many shorebirds and ducks, including the Andean Duck.
The wetlands are especially stunning during the Peruvian summer, as migratory birds flock to the area. Among then, you will be able to see a variety of seagulls such as the Andean gull, and other shorebirds. In fact, more than 210 species of birds have been spotted in the wetlands, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts.
If you are a birdwatcher visiting Lima, a trip to the Villa Wetlands is an absolute must. It’s a great place to visit year-round, but especially November to March, when the migratory birds are visiting.
Book a birdwatching tour to the Villa Marshes.
4. Palomino Islands: Birding and Swimming with Sea Lions
Swimming with sea lions and birdwatching? You can have both by visiting the Palomino Islands! Located just off the coast of Callao, this group of small islands is home to an great variety of bird species.
While not specifically a birdwatching tour, booking a tour to the Palomino islands if you are in Lima includes opportunities observe a good array of birdlife. And the highlight of the tour is that you get to swim with sea lions!
As you set sail on your boat, you’ll have the chance to see a diverse range of seabirds. Among others, you might the Humboldt Penguin, Red-legged Cormorant, Peruvian Booby, Peruvian Pelican, Guanay Cormorant and Inca Tern. You could also try to spot the endemic Surf Cinclodes, though it’s a bit elusive.
The islands are also home to large populations of sea lions, so keep your camera ready to capture these magnificent creatures lounging on the rocks or swimming in the water. And get into a neoprene suit if you are ready to jump into the water to swim with them!
The best time to visit the Palomino Islands is during the summer months, November to March, when the migratory birds arrive. It’s also worth noting that due to conservation efforts, visitors are not allowed to disembark on the islands, but the boat goes very close to the islands so you can observe the birds from the boat.
Book a tour to the Palomino Islands here.
5. Birding in Urban Lima
If you think that birding in Lima means necessarily heading out to the countryside, think again! There are plenty of great birding opportunities right in the heart of the city.
I suggest you taking this urban birdwatching tour in Lima that includes three different stops.
First you will head to El Olivar Park, a big park in the middle of the city, with over 1,000 olive trees. El Olivar is home to more than 20 bird species, so here you can get a good idea of what are the main birds of the city. You will be able to see the Vermilion flycatcher (including the Sooty Morph), Amazilia Hummingbird, Saffron Finch, and maybe even some parakeets.
Afterwards, the tour heads to Bicentenario Miraflores Park. The park sits on the cliffs between the districts of Miraflores and Barranco, with great views of the Pacific Ocean. The park has become a sanctuary for many endemic and migratory birds, such as the Bananaquit, Shiny Cowbird, and Red-Crested Cardinal. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the beautiful butterflies that fly around the park, enjoying the nectar of the flowers that adorn the landscape.
The last stop is at La Herradura beach. The beach is a great place to see many endemic and migratory birds like the Inca Tern and the Blackish Oystercatcher and several kinds of seagulls.
Join this urban birding experience, and you’ll be surprised by the variety of bird species that can be spotted within the city limits of Lima.
Book a birdwatching tour in urban Lima here.
Recommended hotels in Lima if you go on this birdwatching tours
If you are staying in Lima just for one or two days but want to make the most out of your time going to birdwatching tours, I recommend staying in the following hotels.
If you visit the Ballestas islands in Paracas or Villa Marshes:
Ideally, stay in Barranco, one of the top neighborhoods preferred by tourists visiting the capital. It’s located in southern part of Lima. Since both the islands and the marshes are to the South, you will save a lot of time for birding instead of being stuck in traffic. Also great location for the birdwatching urban tour.
High- end: Hotel B: Located in a beautiful restored mansion one block away from the sea. I’ve been to the restaurant here several times, the food is delicious and high quality.
Midrange: Second Home Peru: Small beautiful hotel at the cliff overlooking the ocean. It’s actually located at the (big) house of an important artist of Barranco, Victor Delfín. I’ve visited the house and the view of the ocean is really beautiful!
Mid-range: 3B Barranco: Popular B&B, 3 blocks away from the sea and around 10 blocks to the main square of Barranco. I know many people who have stayed here and they have been very satisfied with their stay.
If you want to go to watch Condors in Santa Eulalia:
If you want to go to watch condors in Santa Eulalia, I recommend staying in the Miraflores neighborgood. You could find hotels much closer to Santa Eulalia, but you would be going further away from the airport. So Miraflores is your best option, it’s a great neighborhood and one of the top options for tourists. Plus it’s a great location for the birdwatching Lima urban tour as well.
High-end: JW Marriott: Located in the Malecón of Miraflores (the street in front of the sea). It has beautiful views of the ocean and is located right across Larcomar shopping mall. It has all the conveniences of a 5 star hotel chain.
Mid-range: Lima 18 Boutique: Small boutique hotel in an old house of a quiet street of Miraflores, a 10 minute walk to Kennedy Park. Some rooms have a terrace.
Mid-range: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores: Modern hotel with every convenience, part of a chain. Just a few blocks away from Kennedy Park.
If you visit the Palomino islands:
In this case I recommend staying at a hotel near the Lima airport, or at the airport hotel itself. The islands are in the Callao region, which, seen from the airport, is on the opposite side than the main touristic area of Lima. This is if you have very short time and you mainly want to go to the islands. Otherwise there isn’t much to see around and it’s far from the main attractions in Lima.
Mid-range: Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport: Comfortable 4-star hotel inside the airport.
Mid-range:/High-end: Hotel Melia Lima: This 5-star hotel, in the San Isidro neighborhood, can be a great option if you want to be closer to Lima’s attractions but still in a good location to go to the islands. Spacious rooms, swimming pool, sauna.
Final Thoughts about Birdwatching in Lima, Peru
Well, that’s my guide of the best birdwatching tours in Lima! I hope you found it informative and inspiring. Lima might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of birdwatching in Peru. But as we’ve seen, Lima is a great destination for birdwatchers, as there are plenty of opportunities to see some amazing birds in and around the city.
From the quiet Villa Wetlands to the fun adventure to the Palomino Islands and the urban green spaces of Lima, you will see that Lima is a great place for birdwatching tours.
So whether you’re a seasoned birder willing to increase your lifers list in Peru or just starting out in birdwatching, I encourage you to give birding in Lima a try. You might just be surprised at what you can see!
