Your stay — Hostal Montemar
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The Property — Hostal Montemar
Hostal Montemar is a no-frills three-star in the historic centre of Lima, a block from the Plaza San Martín. The lobby feels like a 1950s boarding house with worn terrazzo floors, a reception desk that might double as the owner’s kitchen table, and the faint, pleasant smell of floor wax and strong coffee. It suits the budget traveller who wants a clean bed, hot water, and to be within walking distance of the Cathedral and Government Palace. The USP is location: you step out onto Jirón de la Unión, the old pedestrian shopping street, and the colonial balconies are literally above your head.
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 colonial core, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a grid of carved wooden balconies, baroque churches and former palaces, though the 1746 earthquake levelled much of it. The Republican era added grand boulevards and Beaux-Arts mansions, but twentieth-century migration swelled the city into a sprawling, often chaotic metropolis of ten million. Today, Lima is a culinary powerhouse, a hub of Andean and coastal cultures, and a city where colonial elegance sits abruptly next to traffic-choked streets and creaking modernismo apartment blocks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lima guide →Best months
April, May and October offer the most comfortable weather: warm, dry days (22-26°C) and little rain, with far fewer tourists than the summer peak. The sky is often clear, which is a luxury in Lima, and the light is good for photography.
Peak / festival surge
January to March is Lima’s summer peak: hot, humid, and occasionally drizzly, but the coastal beaches at Miraflores and Barranco fill with Limeños. Hotel prices can rise 30-50%, driven by domestic holiday travel and the Mistura food festival in September (though that is technically early spring). The biggest crowds coincide with the Señor de los Milagros processions in October, but those are local and solemn, not a party.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are the sweet spot for budget travellers: hotel rates drop from the summer peak, the weather is still pleasant (20-24°C, mostly sun), and the city feels calmer. You can get rooms at Hostal Montemar for around 50-60 USD, against 90-100 USD in January.
Weather & packing
Lima’s climate is famously strange: the city sits in a coastal desert but is covered by a low grey cloud layer (the garúa) from June to October, with almost zero rain but 100% humidity. Pack a lightweight fleece or sweater for the grey months, and always bring a windproof jacket — the fog can feel cold and damp, even if the thermometer reads 18°C.
Live City Briefing — Lima
- The Metropolitano bus system has extended its north-south route, now running directly from the historic centre to Miraflores and Barranco; it is cheap (about 2.50 soles) but packed at rush hour, so avoid 7-9am and 5-7pm.
- The old ‘Jirón de la Unión’ pedestrian street, a block from the hotel, has been partially repaved and reopened after a two-year construction project, bringing back the colonial streetlamps and benches — worth a short walk.
- The Peruvian Ministry of Culture has announced a new visitor limit to the Government Palace tour (free, but you need a passport) to reduce wait times; book online at least a week ahead for July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Montemar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor or above, facing the rear courtyard (away from the street). These rooms are quieter and receive more natural light, as the hotel is on Avenida near traffic. The 3rd floor is the highest residential floor (if the hotel has a ground floor plus two upper floors) and better insulation from street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or lobby area—these get foot traffic and check-in bustle. Also avoid rooms at the front of the hotel (facing the street), as Avenida in central Lima can have traffic noise, especially during rush hours.
Best views
Lima’s skyline and nearby rooftops from a rear-facing room on the 3rd floor. Front-facing rooms may glimpse the Avenida, but the view is mostly concrete and traffic. Inland views are more residential.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest, assuming a standard layout with the ground floor as lobby. These upper floors reduce street and lobby noise.
🔊 Noise notes
This hotel sits on a main Avenida in central Lima, so traffic noise is present from early morning (6am) until late evening. Nearby markets or street vendors can add chatter. If near a corner, turning traffic may honk. No bar or nightclub noted, but street music possible on weekends.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, ask about street parking options—many hostales in Lima have no dedicated lot, but staff can guide you to nearby pay parking. 2. Request a room on a high floor away from the lift for better sleep; the lift can be creaky in older buildings.
- 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 Montemar
Free basic WiFi throughout; speed around 5 Mbps download, suitable for email and messaging. No paid upgrade. Login via room number and last name.
One small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Lobby TV tuned to local news.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 with no fee. Check-out by 12:00; late check-out until 18:00 costs S/ 40.
Free storage at reception for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage not available.
No step-free access: two steps at main entrance. Narrow lift fits one wheelchair; no accessible rooms or bathroom grab bars.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento San Martín at Jr. Huancavelica 500, S/ 15 per night (cash only, 14% discount if booking 2+ nights). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no tourist tax levied on 3-star hotels in Lima)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; S/ 50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Días (279 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia María Auxiliadora (660 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Corazon de maria (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia Jesús Redentor (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mall Aventura Plaza Bellavista — 2.7 km · ~34 min walk
Santa Luisa — 228 m · ~3 min walk
Museo Memoria Coronel Leoncio Prado — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Violeta — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Eddy — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Exchange at banks or official cambistas in Miraflores; airport rates are poor and tourist bureaux charge high commissions.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in restaurants, shops, and hotels; contactless works in most modern terminals; small markets and street stalls are cash-only.
Restaurants: 10% is appreciated but not mandatory. Taxis: round up the fare. Hotel staff: 5–10 soles per bag or per cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a corner bakery costs about 4–5 soles.
Menú ejecutivo (soup, main, drink) in a local comedor costs 12–18 soles.
A main dish at a casual pollería or chifa (Chinese-Peruvian) runs 15–25 soles.
Anticuchos (grilled hearts) or salchipapas from street carts in Kennedy Park or around Plaza Mayor.
Plaza Vea and Metro are the main mid-range supermarket chains here.
Gamarra (La Victoria) for wholesale-market prices; Polvos Azules for second-hand and knock-off goods.
Metropolitano bus card costs 2.50 soles per ride; from the airport, the Airport Express bus (8 soles) is cheaper than a taxi (50–70 soles) or the regular bus (7 soles).
Eat lunch as the main meal (menú is great value). Use colectivos (shared taxis) for short trips. Always carry small soles notes – many places won’t change large bills.
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 Montemar
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk — pharmacy · Violeta — 1.1 km · ~14 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 Montemar?
Request a room on the 3rd floor or above, facing the rear courtyard (away from the street). These rooms are quieter and receive more natural light, as the hotel is on Avenida near traffic. The 3rd floor is the highest residential floor (if the hotel has a ground floor plus two upper floors) and better insulation from street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Montemar?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or lobby area—these get foot traffic and check-in bustle. Also avoid rooms at the front of the hotel (facing the street), as Avenida in central Lima can have traffic noise, especially during rush hours.
Is Hostal Montemar noisy?
This hotel sits on a main Avenida in central Lima, so traffic noise is present from early morning (6am) until late evening. Nearby markets or street vendors can add chatter. If near a corner, turning traffic may honk. No bar or nightclub noted, but street music possible on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Montemar?
Lima’s skyline and nearby rooftops from a rear-facing room on the 3rd floor. Front-facing rooms may glimpse the Avenida, but the view is mostly concrete and traffic. Inland views are more residential.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Montemar?
1. If arriving by car, ask about street parking options—many hostales in Lima have no dedicated lot, but staff can guide you to nearby pay parking. 2. Request a room on a high floor away from the lift for better sleep; the lift can be creaky in older buildings.
What time is check-in at Hostal Montemar?
Check-in at Hostal Montemar is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Montemar have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi throughout; speed around 5 Mbps download, suitable for email and messaging. No paid upgrade. Login via room number and last name.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Montemar?
None (no tourist tax levied on 3-star hotels in Lima)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Montemar?
Menú ejecutivo (soup, main, drink) in a local comedor costs 12–18 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Montemar?
Metropolitano bus card costs 2.50 soles per ride; from the airport, the Airport Express bus (8 soles) is cheaper than a taxi (50–70 soles) or the regular bus (7 soles).
When is the best time to visit Lima?
April, May and October offer the most comfortable weather: warm, dry days (22-26°C) and little rain, with far fewer tourists than the summer peak. The sky is often clear, which is a luxury in Lima, and the light is good for photography.
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.