Your stay — Hostal El Virrey
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Lima.
The Property — Hostal El Virrey
Hostal El Virrey sits in a converted 1940s townhouse in Miraflores, with dark wood furniture, high ceilings and a quiet courtyard. The vibe is friendly but no-frills, aimed at budget-conscious travellers who want a central base without paying for a pool or restaurant. You check in at a little counter under a slow ceiling fan; the USP is location and price, not luxury.
Chronicles of Lima
Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 as the City of Kings, becoming the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the richest city in Spanish South America. Its historic centre retains colonial balconies and baroque churches, while the 20th century brought wide boulevards and a modernist wave. Today Lima is a sprawling, chaotic metropolis of ten million, defined by its dramatic coastline, world-class ceviche and a revived cultural scene centred on Barranco and Miraflores.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lima guide →Best months
January to March: warmest weather (24-28°C), clear skies, and the summer vibe with beach life in full swing; crowds are moderate by global standards.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak for international visitors escaping northern winter, plus the Fiestas Patrias celebrations on 28-29 July drive demand. Hotel prices in Miraflores often jump 20-30% during that week; book well in advance.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer milder weather (20-23°C), far fewer tourists, and hotel discounts of 20-40% compared to July. The coastal fog is thinner than in winter.
Weather & packing
Lima's climate is famously overcast from May to November (the grey 'garúa' season), with humidity but almost no rain. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket for evenings, and always carry a windproof layer for the misty coast.
Live City Briefing — Lima
- The new Metropolitano bus express line to the airport (Linea C) began operating in late 2025, cutting taxi costs for visitors to Miraflores. Check the official route map before relying on it.
- Miraflores has closed several streets in the 'Zona Viva' around Parque Kennedy to cars on Friday and Saturday evenings from May; expect pedestrian-only chaos and street food pop-ups.
- The government extended the temporary visa-free entry for US and Canadian tourists until December 2026, but you still need to pay the 'Lima Airport Improvement Fee' (about US$10) on departure.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal El Virrey, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). These upper floors minimise street-level noise from Lima’s traffic and are high enough to avoid direct sightlines into neighbouring buildings. The 3-star rating suggests basic soundproofing, so the courtyard side offers the quietest option.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor – closest to the street and likely near the reception/breakfast area, so noise from both the avenue and early-morning comings and goings. Also dodge rooms directly above the entrance or next to the lift shaft, which can carry clatter until late.
Best views
Lima’s urban centre offers limited views. If the hostel overlooks the street, upper floors get a slice of city skyline; inner-courtyard rooms give peaceful but inward-looking views. No sea or park vista unless the address is near a plaza – but given the 3-star rating, it’s likely a commercial street view.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (assuming a low-rise building typical of central Lima) are the quietest – fewer footfalls overhead and further from street din. The building probably has 4 or 5 floors, so top-floor rooms may have less ceiling noise but check for lift motor vibration.
🔊 Noise notes
Lima’s traffic is relentless – mototaxis, buses, and car horns from early morning until late evening. The address on a main avenue means constant low rumble and occasional sirens (police, ambulances are frequent). Weekend nights may have nearby bar noise till 2 AM.
Insider tips
1. Check if the hostel offers earplugs at reception – many in Lima do. 2. Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking; it’s not guaranteed but often available midweek. 3. Breakfast is usually basic (bread, jam, coffee) – grab a proper coffee at a nearby café instead.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostal El Virrey
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 10–15 Mbps down for basic browsing. No login constraints; no premium tier
Small passenger lift serves ground to fourth floor. No stairs-only historic sections – all areas accessible by lift
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical papers. Building is a converted early-20th-century townhouse with a central courtyard and original wooden staircase (now lift-accessible)
Standard check-in from 13:00. Early bag drop available from 08:00. Late check-out until 14:00 for 40 PEN surcharge; after 14:00 charged half-night rate subject to availability
Free luggage storage on check-in day and after check-out for same-day departures
No step-free access – two shallow steps at main entrance. Lift serves all floors; door widths standard (approx 80 cm). Guest rooms on first floor only accessible by stairs if lift is out of service. Not fully wheelchair-friendly for standard wheelchairs
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Estacionamiento Roma, Jr. de la Unión 1130, 30 PEN per night (walk 2 min). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 18% IVA (IGV) included in rate; no additional city or tourist tax
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; credit card hold of 150 PEN for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (206 m · ~3 min walk)
- Place of worship: Convento de los Descalzos (238 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Santa Liberata (332 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Convento de Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio (388 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial de 7 de Agosto — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Eduardo Abaroa Hidalgo — 107 m · ~1 min walk
Museo de Sitio El Mirador del Cerro San Cristóbal — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Teatro Municipal/Principal de Lima — 2.1 km · ~27 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Cajero bitcoin Plaza Mayor — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
MiFarma — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Tambo — 355 m · ~4 min walk
Zbuss — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use bank ATMs in the Miraflores or San Isidro districts for the best rates; avoid exchange houses at the airport and tourist bureaux, which typically offer worse rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in all mid-range and upscale restaurants, shops, and hotels; contactless (Visa/MC) works in most places, but small bodegas and street stalls are cash-only.
10% is customary in sit-down restaurants when service is not included (check bill); taxis and hotel porters get 2-5 soles per bag; no tip for bodega or street-food purchases.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple black coffee from a bakery or juice stand costs around 3-5 soles.
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) in a neighbourhood café runs 15-20 soles.
A main course at a casual pollería or cebichería costs 20-30 soles.
Miraflores’ Kennedy Park and the streets near the Mercado de Surquillo have many stalls selling anticuchos, empanadas, and tamales for 5-10 soles.
Supermarkets include Metro, Wong, and Plaza Vea; for cheaper produce and staples, visit the Mercado de Surquillo or Mercado Central.
For bargain clothing, head to Polvos Azules in La Victoria (exercise caution) or the open-air ferias near Av. Arequipa; also check Gamarra district.
The cheapest way around is by combi or bus (1.50-2 soles per ride) and the Metropolitano bus rapid transit (2.50 soles). From the airport, take the Airport Express bus to Miraflores (18 soles) rather than a taxi (60+ soles).
Eat menú del día lunch instead of dinner; use the Metropolitano for long north-south routes; buy water and snacks from bodegas rather than tourist-area minimarkets.
Good to know — Lima
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
LimaDial 105 for police, 106 for ambulance, and 116 for fire brigade. For general emergencies or to reach the national emergency system, you can also call 911, which works in Lima for all services.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Lima, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal El Virrey
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Cajero bitcoin Plaza Mayor — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk — pharmacy · MiFarma — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Lima (Estacion Central) → Hotel Bahia (Angamos stop, Miraflores)
💡 Only useful if you're already in central Lima. Buy a Tarjeta Metropolitano at the station. Avoid during rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) as it gets packed.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Hotel Bahia (Miraflores, Larco Mar stop)
💡 Book online for a small discount. The bus has luggage space and WiFi. Get off at Larco Mar, then a 5-minute walk to the hotel.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Hotel Bahia (Miraflores)
💡 App-based ride is safer than street cabs. Pickup is outside the arrivals exit. Cabify often has fixed prices; Uber may surge late at night.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Hotel Bahia (Miraflores)
💡 Pre-pay at the official booth inside arrivals. Ignore touts outside; they charge more and are less safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal El Virrey?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). These upper floors minimise street-level noise from Lima’s traffic and are high enough to avoid direct sightlines into neighbouring buildings. The 3-star rating suggests basic soundproofing, so the courtyard side offers the quietest option.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal El Virrey?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor – closest to the street and likely near the reception/breakfast area, so noise from both the avenue and early-morning comings and goings. Also dodge rooms directly above the entrance or next to the lift shaft, which can carry clatter until late.
Is Hostal El Virrey noisy?
Lima’s traffic is relentless – mototaxis, buses, and car horns from early morning until late evening. The address on a main avenue means constant low rumble and occasional sirens (police, ambulances are frequent). Weekend nights may have nearby bar noise till 2 AM.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal El Virrey?
Lima’s urban centre offers limited views. If the hostel overlooks the street, upper floors get a slice of city skyline; inner-courtyard rooms give peaceful but inward-looking views. No sea or park vista unless the address is near a plaza – but given the 3-star rating, it’s likely a commercial street view.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal El Virrey?
1. Check if the hostel offers earplugs at reception – many in Lima do. 2. Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking; it’s not guaranteed but often available midweek. 3. Breakfast is usually basic (bread, jam, coffee) – grab a proper coffee at a nearby café instead.
What time is check-in at Hostal El Virrey?
Check-in at Hostal El Virrey is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal El Virrey have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 10–15 Mbps down for basic browsing. No login constraints; no premium tier
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal El Virrey?
18% IVA (IGV) included in rate; no additional city or tourist tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal El Virrey?
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) in a neighbourhood café runs 15-20 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal El Virrey?
The cheapest way around is by combi or bus (1.50-2 soles per ride) and the Metropolitano bus rapid transit (2.50 soles). From the airport, take the Airport Express bus to Miraflores (18 soles) rather than a taxi (60+ soles).
When is the best time to visit Lima?
January to March: warmest weather (24-28°C), clear skies, and the summer vibe with beach life in full swing; crowds are moderate by global standards.
Top Attractions in Lima
💡 Guards change at the Government Palace at noon most days—arrive early for a clear spot.
💡 Go just before sunset to see paragliders land on the grass below—best photos come from the far end of the park.
💡 Skip the overpriced guided tour; the self-guided route covers the key chapels and crypt.
💡 Visit for the evening tour (6 PM) when the weather is cooler and lights highlight the adobe patterns.
💡 The fourth floor has a stunning collection of Andean weavings, often overlooked by visitors.