Your stay — Hostal Mesalina
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The Property — Hostal Mesalina
Hostal Mesalina is a functional three-star in downtown Lima’s historic centre, within a short walk of Plaza Mayor and the Palacio de Gobierno. The lobby is modestly tiled, with a small reception desk and a couple of sofas; it feels like a clean, no-frills base for travellers who want to be central without paying for frills. It suits solo backpackers or couples on a budget who plan to spend their days out exploring. The USP is location: you can step out and hit the colonial core immediately.
Chronicles of Lima
Lima was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro as the Ciudad de los Reyes, and served as the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru for centuries. Its historic centre preserves Spanish colonial architecture—balconied mansions, the Cathedral, San Martín Plaza—alongside republican-era boulevards. The city expanded rapidly in the 20th century with districts like Miraflores and Barranco developing along the coast, while the modern skyline is a mix of glass towers and colonial churches. Contemporary Lima is Peru’s cultural and gastronomic powerhouse, blending Inca, Spanish, African, and Asian influences.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lima guide →Best months
April and May: pleasant autumn with clear skies and moderate temperatures (22-26°C), fewer tourists than peak summer, and many city events still running.
Peak / festival surge
January and February: peak summer for domestic beach tourism plus the Señor de los Milagros procession in October. Hotel prices rise by 30-50%, especially in Miraflores and Barranco. Hostal Mesalina may see modest surcharges.
Budget shoulder season
November and late March: mild weather (20-24°C), reduced crowds, and good rates. November also hosts the Mistura food festival, worth timing a visit around.
Weather & packing
Lima’s coastal desert climate means it rarely rains but suffers heavy coastal fog (garúa) from June to October, making it feel damp and grey. Explicit packing rule: bring a lightweight waterproof jacket or fleece even in the ‘dry’ season; the humidity at dawn and dusk is persistent.
Live City Briefing — Lima
- Lima’s new Metro Line 2 partially opened in late 2025, but the section serving central Ate is still under construction; check route maps before relying on it.
- The historic centre’s pedestrianisation of Jirón de la Unión was expanded in early 2026, making walking safer but adding detours for cyclists and scooters.
- Seasonal note for July: the Festival de la Marinera and national holidays around Fiestas Patrias (July 28-29) may cause hotel rates to spike and central areas to get very busy.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Mesalina, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the fourth or fifth floor facing the interior courtyard. These rooms are furthest from the street and the lift shaft, and have less foot traffic noise. Upper floors in the newer wing (served by the lift) are quieter than lower ones.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first or second floor at the front of the building. Jr. Ancash is a busy street in the Rímac district, with traffic and pedestrian noise from early morning into the night. Also avoid rooms near the lift lobby on any floor, as the lift mechanism and arriving guests create noise, especially on lower floors.
Best views
Rooms at the front on upper floors (4th or 5th) have a view of Jr. Ancash and the Rímac skyline — you can see the Real Felipe Fortress and the historic bridge. Those facing the interior courtyard look onto a quiet patio but have no notable view.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest in the newer section. In the historic section (stairs-only), upper floors (3rd and 4th) are quieter but require walking up stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Jr. Ancash is a main road into the Rímac district, used by buses and taxis. The building's historic section has no soundproofing on the street-facing windows. The lift motor can be heard on the top floor (especially floor 5) if the lift shaft is adjacent to the room. Service deliveries and staff use the side entrance, which is audible from rooms on floor 1 near the back stairwell.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, the on-site parking (S/ 20 per night) is cheaper than the public lot across the street (S/ 30), but spaces fill by 6pm, so arrive early or call ahead to reserve a spot. EV charging costs S/ 15 per hour, so charge overnight if possible. 2. The free WiFi caps at 1GB per day — buy the extra 2GB package (S/ 10) at reception the moment you check in if you plan to stream or work, or you'll run out quickly.
- 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 Mesalina
free for up to 1GB data per day, then S/ 10 for additional 2GB, username and password required at reception
serves all floors, but some historic sections have stairs-only access
complimentary digital newsstand, including PressReader and The Financial Times, via in-room tablets
24h check-in, 22h early bag-drop, S/ 50 late check-out fee before 12h, S/ 100 after 12h
available for S/ 10 per day, limited to 2 bags per guest
step-free access, wheelchair ramp at main entrance, some rooms have adapted bathrooms
on-site parking available for S/ 20 per night, public car park nearby at S/ 30 per night, EV charging available for S/ 15 per hour
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: S/ 3.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: S/ 100 advance deposit + S/ 200 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia madre de Díos (638 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días (653 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia (2.0 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Open Plaza — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Juan Espinoza Medrano — 836 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Interbank — 258 m · ~3 min walk
Inkafarma — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
US dollars are widely accepted, but exchanging at the airport or tourist bureaus often means poor rates; try changing at local banks or currency exchange offices instead. Be aware that rates may vary.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Lima, with many establishments accepting Visa, Mastercard, and American Express; contactless payments are less common, but mobile payments like Paytm are gaining traction
Tipping is not expected in Peru, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10 soles for good service is appreciated
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found for around 5-7 soles at a local café or street vendor
A budget-friendly lunch option is a bowl of solterito (a traditional Peruvian dish) for around 10-15 soles
A filling and affordable dinner can be had at a local restaurant for around 20-30 soles
Street food is common in areas like Miraflores and Barranco, where you can find vendors selling traditional snacks like churros and anticuchos
Local supermarkets like Wong and Tottus have multiple locations in Lima, offering a range of affordable groceries
For affordable shopping, head to the Mercado Central or local markets like the ones in San Isidro or Miraflores
A day pass for the metro costs around 4 soles, and the cheapest way to get around is by taking a bus or colectivo (shared ride-hailing service) for around 1-2 soles
Avoid eating at touristy restaurants, as prices tend to be higherUse public transportation instead of taxis or ride-hailing servicesShop at local markets or supermarkets instead of touristy shops
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 Mesalina
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Interbank — 258 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Inkafarma — 1.5 km · ~19 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 Mesalina?
Request a room on the fourth or fifth floor facing the interior courtyard. These rooms are furthest from the street and the lift shaft, and have less foot traffic noise. Upper floors in the newer wing (served by the lift) are quieter than lower ones.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Mesalina?
Avoid rooms on the first or second floor at the front of the building. Jr. Ancash is a busy street in the Rímac district, with traffic and pedestrian noise from early morning into the night. Also avoid rooms near the lift lobby on any floor, as the lift mechanism and arriving guests create noise, especially on lower floors.
Is Hostal Mesalina noisy?
Jr. Ancash is a main road into the Rímac district, used by buses and taxis. The building's historic section has no soundproofing on the street-facing windows. The lift motor can be heard on the top floor (especially floor 5) if the lift shaft is adjacent to the room. Service deliveries and staff use the side entrance, which is audible from rooms on floor 1 near the back stairwell.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Mesalina?
Rooms at the front on upper floors (4th or 5th) have a view of Jr. Ancash and the Rímac skyline — you can see the Real Felipe Fortress and the historic bridge. Those facing the interior courtyard look onto a quiet patio but have no notable view.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Mesalina?
1. If you're driving, the on-site parking (S/ 20 per night) is cheaper than the public lot across the street (S/ 30), but spaces fill by 6pm, so arrive early or call ahead to reserve a spot. EV charging costs S/ 15 per hour, so charge overnight if possible. 2. The free WiFi caps at 1GB per day — buy the extra 2GB package (S/ 10) at reception the moment you check in if you plan to stream or work, or you'll run out quickly.
What time is check-in at Hostal Mesalina?
Check-in at Hostal Mesalina is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Mesalina have Wi-Fi?
free for up to 1GB data per day, then S/ 10 for additional 2GB, username and password required at reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Mesalina?
S/ 3.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Mesalina?
A budget-friendly lunch option is a bowl of solterito (a traditional Peruvian dish) for around 10-15 soles
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Mesalina?
A day pass for the metro costs around 4 soles, and the cheapest way to get around is by taking a bus or colectivo (shared ride-hailing service) for around 1-2 soles
When is the best time to visit Lima?
April and May: pleasant autumn with clear skies and moderate temperatures (22-26°C), fewer tourists than peak summer, and many city events still running.
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.