When travelers are researching where to stay in Lima, both the names of Barranco and Miraflores will come up. Both neighborhoods are the top choices in Lima for tourists, so these questions always come up: which is a best place to stay at? How is Barranco vs. Miraflores? Below you will find the answer, by a local who has lived in both neighborhoods (me).
Planning your trip to Lima?
Check out some of the best accommodation options in Barranco and Miraflores. Make sure to book on time if you visit during the high season!
Best Hotels in Barranco:
1. Hotel B (High-end. I’ve been here, My FAVORITE.)
2. Second Home Peru (Mid-range. I’ve also been here, beautiful sea views.)
3. 3B Barranco (Mid-range)
4. Viajero Kokopelli (Mid-range/Budget)
Best hotels in Miraflores:
1. JW Marriott (High-end, in front of the sea)
2. Lima 18 Boutique (Mid-range, small boutique hotel)
3. Casa Andina Premium Miraflores (Mid-range)
4. Flying Dog (Budget)
Both Barranco and Miraflores are next to the ocean and safe to stay in. They are next to each other but they each have a very different vibe. Let’s take a look at which can suit you better according to your preferences.
Barranco
Architecture in Barranco: Beautiful Old Houses
Barranco is a neighborhood which used to be a beach town in the old days of Lima. While there were people living year-round in the neighborhood, many others lived in other neighbordhoods but had beautiful mansions in Barranco, where they would spend the summertime. A lot of this old architecture is still standing, with Barranco being full of beautiful old houses and mansions.
If you want to see some of these mansions from the inside, you could go for a drink to Ayahuasca Bar or Victoria Bar, both located in big beautiful old buildings (Ayahuasca is more impressive).
There’s also the Bridge of Sighs, an old small wooden bridge, which is the symbol of Barranco. Around that area you will find many bars and restaurants, people heading down to the beach, and some street musicians and artisanal jewelry street vendors.
Vibe in Barranco: Small town, Bohemian
Somehow, even though it’s in the middle of Lima, Barranco has the feeling of being a small town (if you have been to Mexico City, you can compare it to Coyoacán). It is actually the smallest neighborhood in Lima, and you can walk everywhere.
Also, along with many cafes in Barranco, and some great restaurants (including the #1 restaurant in the world, Central, as of 2023), there are still many fruit and vegetable markets and regular small shops.
In many streets, further away from the more touristic area, there are frequent Catholic processions during the year (which I have never seen in Miraflores and I doubt there would be any).
There are no shopping malls in Barranco, but there are a couple of permanent fairs (like La Feria, and Feria Local) and sometimes pop-up ones as well. You will be able to find there small stands selling clothes, accessories, artisanal skin products, plants, etc.
When you compare Barranco vs. Miraflores in terms of their vibe, you will find the vibe is more relaxed in Barranco than in Miraflores. Probably partly for that reason, Barranco has always been considered the bohemian neighborhood of Lima.
Many poets, writers and painters used to live there and still do. You can still see this in the streets, where you can find a lot of street art all around the neighborhood.
Safety in Barranco: Good (but better at some areas than others)
All hotels are located in an area of Barranco that is considered totally safe. Like anywhere else, just take normal precautions. The best and safest area is the one between the sea and Bolognesi avenue (where the Metropolitano bus runs). Everything should be totally fine if your hotel is in the area, and anyway all the attractions are in that area.
There is another area in Barranco (past Bolognesi avenue), that at night might be a bit less safe (though it’s not a dangerous area) if you are a tourist and you look like one. Though generally tourists don’t really go to that area since there is not much to see there anyhow.
Miraflores
Architecture in Miraflores: Modern Buildings
In the past 20 years, Miraflores has lost a very big part of its old houses, maybe most of them, to give rise to modern residential buildings.
Still, Miraflores has a pre-Incan archaeology site, Huaca Pucllana, still standing in the middle of the neighborhood. If you have enough time in Miraflores, Huaca Pucllana is worth a visit. They also have a nice restaurant there, where you can have dinner with a beautiful view of the ruins all lit up.
Vibe in Miraflores: Big city, Commercial
Miraflores is the best place in Lima to stay if you like to be more around shops and well known brands. The prettiest mall in the city is Larcomar, in Miraflores, located just on the top of a cliff and is open-air. You will be able to find anything you need there if you are still looking for hiking equipment for your trip, or if you want to get some good quality alpaca clothing. A lot of well-known brands are there, like most of the big sports brands, H&M, Gap, etc.
Besides Larcomar, you will find many shops, restaurants and department stores along Larco avenue (the main street of Miraflores) and the Kennedy Park (considered the center of Miraflores).
In general, Miraflores is more commercial and modern than Barranco. For example, there are also three big cinemas in Miraflores, screening most movies in their original language (that is, mainly in English). In Barranco, you won’t find any cinema.
There are also a couple of big artisanal markets catered for tourists, where you will find products from other regions of Peru. Mainly textiles, but also decoration, jewelry, etc.
Safety in Miraflores: Good
Miraflores is one of the safest neighborhoods in Lima, both at day and night. Just take normal common sense precautions as you would in any city.
Barranco vs. Miraflores, which is the winner?
That of course will depend on your preferences. Personally, as a local that has lived in Barranco for many years and has also lived in Miraflores for some time, when I compare Barranco vs. Miraflores, for me Barranco is the winner.
If you, like me, prefer a more relaxed atmosphere and appreciate older architecture, this is the place for you. You can also read this post if you want to learn more about the things to do in Barranco, including visiting its main landmarks but also its hidden gems.
If you prefer more modern places and the conveniency of having bigger shops around, then I would recommend Miraflores. Check out this post for ideas on what to do in Miraflores; it will help you gain a better understanding of the neighborhood.
Where to stay in Barranco: my top picks
Hotel B (high-end)
This stylish boutique hotel offers luxurious accommodations in a beautifully restored 20th-century mansion. It’s walking-distance from the main attractions in Barranco and one block away from the sea. I’ve been to the restaurant several times, the food is delicious and very high quality.
Second Home Peru (mid-range)
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 (the famous sculpture of a couple kissing at Parque del Amor, in Miraflores, is his), so you will find a lot of art in the hotel. I’ve visited the house and the view of the ocean is really beautiful!
Book a stay at Second Home Peru here.
3B Barranco (mid-range)
Popular B&B, 3 blocks away from the sea and just a 10-minute walk to the main square of Barranco. I know many people who have stayed here and they have been very satisfied with their stay.
Book a stay at 3B Barranco here.
Viajero Kokopelli (budget)
This hostel is located in a beautiful old mansion. It is the most trendy and popular backpacker’s place in the neighborhood. They have dorms and private rooms.
Book a stay at Viajero Kokopelli here.
Where to stay in Miraflores: my top picks
JW Marriott (high-end)
Located in the Malecón of Miraflores (the promenade), 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.
Book a stay at the JW Marriott here.
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.
Book a stay at the Lima 18 Boutique here.
Casa Andina Premium Miraflores (mid-range)
Modern hotel with every convenience, part of a chain. Just a few blocks away from Kennedy Park. They have a nice high-tea in the afternoons which I love.
Book a stay at the Casa Andina Premium Miraflores here.
Flying Dog
The most well-known hostel in Miraflores, just next to Kennedy Park (which is considered the center of Miraflores).
Book a stay at the Flying Dog here.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have now more clarity about where to stay in Lima. Both Barranco and Miraflores are very nice neighborhoods in Lima, and if you can’t make up your mind, don’t worry since either option will be ok.
If you are not looking to stay in Lima as a tourist but you are planning to move and work there, then you might consider a couple of other options. For example, San Isidro or La Molina, which can be good options if they are near your job and/or you will have a car. But as a tourist, I would just stick to either Barranco or Miraflores.
