Latin America 📈Rising

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

7.7 /10

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

Lean Budget: $950/month ▼

For those who want to stretch their runway. Trade-offs include shared housing, café working instead of coworking, and cooking most meals.

Housing: $390 • Food: $240 • Total: $950

Treat Yourself: $2,500/month ▼

Nice apartment, premium coworking, eating out regularly, and enjoying the city's best experiences.

Housing: $1,150 • Food: $550 • Total: $2,500

Getting Work Done

WiFi Reality

60 Mbps average • Good reliability • Power: Stable

Café Culture

Excellent café scene for working

Recommended Coworking Spaces

Comunal

Modern • Events • Miraflores

Contact

WeWork Lima

Global access • San Isidro

$150+/month

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living for digital nomads in Lima? ▼

A comfortable lifestyle in Lima costs approximately $1500/month. This breaks down to: housing $650, food $350, coworking $150, transport $50, entertainment $150, health $50, and miscellaneous $100.

Does Peru have a digital nomad visa? ▼

Yes! Peru offers the Digital Nomad Visa (2024) with a duration of 1 year. The income requirement is $2000/month, visa cost is $50, and processing takes 2-4 weeks. Tax note: Non-residents taxed on Peruvian-source income only

How is the internet for remote work in Lima? ▼

Lima has good internet reliability with average speeds of 60 Mbps. The café culture is excellent, making it easy to work from coffee shops. Power supply is stable.

Is Lima safe for digital nomads? ▼

Lima is rated as variable with a safety score of 55/100. Common concerns include: Safety varies by neighborhood significantly.

What is the digital nomad community like in Lima? ▼

The nomad community in Lima is growing with a medium expat community. English proficiency is moderate, and locals are very welcoming. Nightlife is vibrant. The food scene is world class.

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.

Take the Freelance Life Quiz

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: 2026-01-03 • Data sources: Numbeo, World Happiness Report, local research