Your stay — Secretos Hostal
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The Property — Secretos Hostal
Secretos Hostal sits in a converted old house in the quiet Jesús María district, away from the tourist scrum of Miraflores. Its small lobby feels like a well-kept family home: dark-wood furniture, a polished tiled floor, and the faint smell of coffee from the breakfast room. Rooms are simple but spotless, with good curtains for the strong Lima sun. This place suits a budget-conscious traveller who wants a calm base, reliable Wi-Fi, and doesn't mind a short bus or taxi ride to the main sights.
Chronicles of Lima
Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 as the City of Kings and became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, dominating South America for centuries. Its colonial core features grand plazas and churches, including the cathedral and the monastery of San Francisco, with its catacombs. The 20th century brought modernist high-rises and a vast sprawl of pueblos jóvenes. Today, Lima is a chaotic, coastal megacity of ten million, famed for its world-class ceviche, a thriving arts scene in Barranco, and a perpetually grey winter sky.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lima guide →Best months
November and April: sunny skies, low humidity, and smaller crowds between the summer peaks. December is also good if you avoid Christmas week.
Peak / festival surge
January and February are Lima's summer peak: hot, humid, and busy with domestic tourists. Hotel prices in Miraflores can jump 30-50%, though Secretos Hostal in Jesús María is less affected. Events like Mistura (food festival, usually September) and the Señor de los Milagros processions (October) also spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer the best balance: mild weather, fewer tourists, and discounts of 15-25% on accommodation. You'll find clearer skies in November before the summer haze sets in.
Weather & packing
Lima's climate is famously odd: June and July are winter, with thick cloud cover and drizzle (garúa) but temperatures rarely below 14°C. Pack a lightweight jacket or fleece for the damp chill, and a small umbrella for the persistent mist.
Live City Briefing — Lima
- Lima's new Metro Line 2 is partially open, offering a faster route from Ate to Callao, but it doesn't reach central tourist areas yet. Buses and taxis remain essential.
- Several new cevicherías have opened in Jesús María and nearby Lince; try La Mar for a more upmarket take, or El Mercado for a casual lunch.
- The Costa Verde coastal road has intermittent closures for maintenance in July; check local traffic alerts if you plan to drive along the cliffs.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Secretos Hostal, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise from Avenida Defensores de Lima but still within easy reach of the stairs or lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any rooms directly facing Avenida Defensores de Lima, as this is a busy main road with constant traffic noise, especially during Lima's peak hours (7–9am and 5–8pm).
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors (3–4) with a side view away from Avenida Defensores de Lima offer a calmer outlook over the neighbourhood's rooftops, with occasional glimpses of the distant Andes on clear days.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, being above street-level disturbance but without the heat or roof noise of higher floors (if the hotel has more than 4 floors).
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida Defensores de Lima is a major arterial road in Lima's San Isidro/Miraflores border area, so expect constant vehicle rumble, occasional horns, and police/ambulance sirens. Nightlife noise from nearby bars may also carry, especially on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on a high floor (3 or 4) facing the inner courtyard — this is your best bet for sleep quality. 2. The hotel has limited parking; reserve a spot at check-in if driving, or use the taxi rank outside — mototaxis are noisy, stick to official cabs.
- 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 — Secretos Hostal
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; downloads up to 10 Mbps, uploads up to 5 Mbps; no login required except first-time password from front desk
No lift – all rooms on upper floors accessed by stairs only (3 floors)
No complimentary newspapers; no digital newsstand. Building is a converted 1920s townhouse with original wooden staircase and stained-glass windows in the lobby
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 for 10 PEN; late check-out until 13:00 charged 30 PEN, after 13:00 charged full night
Free for same-day check-in/out; overnight storage 15 PEN per bag
No step-free access – two steps at entrance, no ramp or lift; wheelchair users cannot access any guest rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park – Parque Salazar covered lot, 300 m away, 25 PEN per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 PEN per person per night (mandatory for foreign guests, exempt for Peruvians)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidental hold of 100 PEN per stay at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Capilla San Luis Gonzaga ba (391 m · ~5 min walk)
- Place of worship: Rios De Agua Viva (531 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción (562 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Bautista (591 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Atocongo Open Plaza — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Parque Surco — 83 m · ~1 min walk
Museo de Historia Natural Vera Alleman — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Anfiteatro — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BCP — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Botica Central Pharma — 956 m · ~12 min walk
Bodega Bazar — 794 m · ~10 min walk
Atocongo — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs at banks like BCP or Interbank for the best rate; avoid exchange desks at the airport or tourist areas which give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, and shops; contactless works in most terminals, but cash is still king for small purchases and street stalls.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge isn't included (check bill); taxis: round up the fare; hotel staff: 5-10 soles for porters or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic filter coffee at a local café or bakery costs about 3-5 soles.
A menú ejecutivo (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) in a simple restaurant runs 10-15 soles.
A main course at a casual cebichería or pollería costs around 15-20 soles.
Street-food stalls near markets and plazas sell anticuchos (grilled skewers), salchipapas, and picarones for 5-10 soles.
Budget supermarkets in this area include Plaza Vea and Metro; avoid small overpriced bodegas.
Gamarra (the big textile market) is the main budget shopping area; also check street stalls in central markets for basics.
The cheapest way around is by bus (e.g., Metropolitano or regular combis) at around 1.50 soles per ride; from the airport, take the official Airport Express bus to the city centre for about 10 soles, not a taxi.
Eat at market stalls or menú del día places for the best value; use local buses rather than taxis; buy water and snacks at supermarkets, not tourist 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 Secretos Hostal
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BCP — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Central Pharma — 956 m · ~12 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 Secretos Hostal?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise from Avenida Defensores de Lima but still within easy reach of the stairs or lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Secretos Hostal?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any rooms directly facing Avenida Defensores de Lima, as this is a busy main road with constant traffic noise, especially during Lima's peak hours (7–9am and 5–8pm).
Is Secretos Hostal noisy?
Avenida Defensores de Lima is a major arterial road in Lima's San Isidro/Miraflores border area, so expect constant vehicle rumble, occasional horns, and police/ambulance sirens. Nightlife noise from nearby bars may also carry, especially on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Secretos Hostal?
Rooms on the upper floors (3–4) with a side view away from Avenida Defensores de Lima offer a calmer outlook over the neighbourhood's rooftops, with occasional glimpses of the distant Andes on clear days.
What are insider tips for staying at Secretos Hostal?
1. Request a room on a high floor (3 or 4) facing the inner courtyard — this is your best bet for sleep quality. 2. The hotel has limited parking; reserve a spot at check-in if driving, or use the taxi rank outside — mototaxis are noisy, stick to official cabs.
What time is check-in at Secretos Hostal?
Check-in at Secretos Hostal is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Secretos Hostal have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; downloads up to 10 Mbps, uploads up to 5 Mbps; no login required except first-time password from front desk
Is there a city or tourist tax at Secretos Hostal?
10 PEN per person per night (mandatory for foreign guests, exempt for Peruvians)
Where can I eat cheaply near Secretos Hostal?
A menú ejecutivo (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) in a simple restaurant runs 10-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Secretos Hostal?
The cheapest way around is by bus (e.g., Metropolitano or regular combis) at around 1.50 soles per ride; from the airport, take the official Airport Express bus to the city centre for about 10 soles, not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Lima?
November and April: sunny skies, low humidity, and smaller crowds between the summer peaks. December is also good if you avoid Christmas week.
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.