Lima for Digital Nomads
South America's culinary capital with +145% nomad growth
Peru • America/Lima (-5)
TL;DR
Lima scores 7.7/10 on our Hustle-Free Index. You'll spend around $1,500/month for a comfortable setup. Lima is the food capital of the Americas—ceviche that changes your life, Nikkei fusion that rivals Tokyo, and a gastronomic scene that attracts chefs from everywhere. The new DN visa and +145% nomad growth signal that the secret is out. Perfect for burned-out creatives and payment-frustrated freelancers. It's okay to want both adventure and stability. Here's everything you need to know.
Hustle-Free Index Score
Based on safety, happiness, and cost of living data
Quick Facts
| Monthly Budget | $1,500 (comfortable) |
| Visa Situation | 183 days visa-free DN Visa Available |
| Internet Speed | 60 Mbps avg (Good) |
| Best For | Creatives, Freelancers |
| Skip If | Need guaranteed safety, Prefer sunny climates |
| English Level | Moderate |
| Safety | Variable (Score: 55/100) |
Why Lima Works for Freelancers Like You
Lima is the food capital of the Americas—ceviche that changes your life, Nikkei fusion that rivals Tokyo, and a gastronomic scene that attracts chefs from everywhere. The new DN visa and +145% nomad growth signal that the secret is out. Just choose your neighborhood wisely.
"First ceviche at La Mar watching the Pacific as fog lifts"
What Makes It Special
- ✓ World's best food scene (Central, Maido)
- ✓ New digital nomad visa (2024)
- ✓ +145% nomad growth trending
- ✓ Gateway to Machu Picchu
- ✓ Same timezone as US Eastern
What It Actually Costs
Comfortable Budget: $1,500/month
Housing
$650
Coworking
$150
Food
$350
Transport
$50
Fun & Social
$150
Health
$50
Misc
$100
Total
$1,500
Getting Work Done
WiFi Reality
60 Mbps average • Good reliability • Power: Stable
Café Culture
Excellent café scene for working
Visa & Legal Stuff (Don't Panic)
The Quick Answer
You get 183 days visa-free entry , plus there's a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa available.
Digital Nomad Visa (2024)
Duration
1 year
Income Required
$2,000/mo
Cost
$50
Renewability
renewable
Processing
2-4 weeks
Tax Situation
Non-residents taxed on Peruvian-source income only
Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Living Your Best Sustainable Life
👥
Expat Community
Medium
💻
Nomad Scene
Growing
🤝
Local Friendliness
Very Welcoming
🍽️
Food Scene
World Class
Nightlife: Vibrant
The Honest Truth
✓ What's Amazing
- • World's best food scene (Central, Maido)
- • New digital nomad visa (2024)
- • +145% nomad growth trending
- • Gateway to Machu Picchu
⚠ What's Challenging
- • Safety varies by neighborhood significantly
- • Garúa (grey coastal fog) May-Nov
- • Traffic congestion severe
- • Air quality issues
- • Infrastructure inconsistent
Skip Lima If...
- • Need guaranteed safety
- • Prefer sunny climates
- • Don't prioritize food
Your Next Step
You've done your research. That's already more than most people do.
There's no rush to decide. Lima will still be here when you're ready.
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How We Calculate the Hustle-Free Index
Our Hustle-Free Index balances three factors that matter most for sustainable freelance life:
Formula: HFI = (Safety Score × Happiness Score) / Cost of Living Index
- Safety Score (55/100): From Numbeo Safety Index
- Happiness Score (72/100): World Happiness Report + freelancer surveys
- Cost of Living Index (38): Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Last updated: 2025-12-31 • Data sources: Numbeo, World Happiness Report, local research