Lima: Historical Center & San Francisco Catacombs Tour

A Guide Who Knows Lima's Contradictions

You get a certified English-speaking guide who treats Lima's history and contradictions as one story, not separate stops. The tour includes entry to the San Francisco catacombs and church, a walk through Muralla Park and the Main Square, and churros at the end. It's compact enough to fit a morning or afternoon, and the fixed route means no time wasted deciding where to go next.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Church and Convent of Saint Francis40m · entry included
2. Main Square30m

Explore Lima Historical Center highlights

• Begin at La Muralla Park
• Discuss Lima's culture and society
• Visit library and chorus
• Tour San Francisco Church and Convent
• Explore the Catacombs
• Learn about Peruvian languages and history
• Visit Lima Main Square monuments

The experience

"Lima is a city that doesn't make sense until you walk it," our guide said as we stood at Muralla Park, pointing across the skyline where colonial architecture sat next to modern glass towers. That's the thing about this 2.5-hour Lima city tour. It's not a checklist of monuments. The guide talks about the contrasts that actually shape the place: wealth and poverty, Spanish influence and indigenous roots, the weight of history and the energy of now. You start at Muralla Park learning about the city's culture and music, then move through the streets toward the San Francisco Church and Convent, where the real depth of the tour happens.

The catacombs under San Francisco are the part people remember. You descend into narrow passages lined with human remains stacked in geometric patterns: thousands of them, from centuries of burials when the church was the only place to go. It's unsettling and quiet, and the guide explains the history without turning it into spectacle. Before you leave the church grounds, there's also the library and the chorus to see, each one adding a layer to how Lima actually functioned. The entrance fee to the catacombs and church is included, which saves the negotiation at the door.

After the church, the tour circles back to Lima's Main Square, the Plaza Mayor, where you see the Presidential Palace, City Hall, and the Cathedral all at once. The guide points out the symbolism, the architecture, the political weight of the space. And then there's the part about Peru's darker decades in the 1980s and 90s, the languages spoken across the country, the way outside influences shaped everything. It's the kind of context that makes you understand Lima instead of just photograph it. You finish with Peruvian churros, which is a small thing but lands well after two and a half hours of walking.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a certified guide fluent in English and Spanish, entrance fees to the San Francisco Church and catacombs, a walk through Muralla Park and Lima's Main Square, and Peruvian churros at the end. You'll need to bring your passport or a clear photo of it.
• a safety briefing and form are required before departure.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 16:30

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “Meet your guide in Lima Downtown: Jiron Amazonas 100 Meeting Time: 16:20 PM”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Lima Experience

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand Lima's history and current reality in one compact morning or afternoon, with a guide who connects the pieces instead of just naming them: the fixed 2.5-hour route and included catacombs entry mean you're not arranging transport, tickets, or timing yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the Lima city tour?

2.5 hours, covering Muralla Park, San Francisco Church and catacombs, the library, and Lima's Main Square.

What's included in the tour price?

A certified guide in English or Spanish, entrance to the San Francisco Church and catacombs, and Peruvian churros. You'll need your passport or a clear photo of it.

Are the catacombs really included?

Yes. The entrance fee to both the catacombs and the church is part of the tour price.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

No. The route involves stairs and narrow passages in the catacombs, and it's not wheelchair accessible or suitable for strollers.

What should I bring?

Your passport, a clear photo of it, or the official entry document you used to enter Peru. Driver's licenses aren't accepted. You'll also sign a safety form before the tour starts.

What's the physical fitness level required?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, but it does involve walking and descending into the catacombs, so basic mobility is needed.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are permitted on the tour.