Current Time in Lima, Peru
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
Perú
Dialling: +51
City Details
Lima
Lat: 12.0464° S
Long: 77.0428° W
Population: 9,700,000
Time Zone
America/Lima
GMT-5
Public Holidays
Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Jun 29in 40dIndependence Day
Jul 28in 69dIndependence Day
Jul 29in 70d
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, with approximately 10.2 million in the province of Lima and 11 million in the wider metro area as of 2025. Built on the desert coast of the Pacific, it is the fifth largest city in South America. Lima is recognised globally for its cuisine — it has more restaurants on the World's 50 Best list than any other South American city, driven by the fusion of Peruvian, Japanese (Nikkei) and Chinese (Chifa) culinary traditions.
Administrative Region
Lima Region (Región Lima Provincias / Lima Metropolitana)
PE-LIM
Local Currency
S/
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.pe
- ISO CodePE-LIM
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
Founded on 18 January 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on the banks of the Rímac River, on the feast day of the Epiphany — the city's full original name was Ciudad de los Reyes (City of Kings). Lima served as the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, the most important Spanish colonial administration in South America, governing a territory stretching from Panama to Patagonia. Its Historic Centre retains significant Spanish colonial architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /Historic Centre of Lima and San Francisco Catacomb complex (UNESCO)
- /Larco Museum — world-class pre-Columbian collection
- /Miraflores Malecón cliff walk and Larcomar mall viewpoint
- /Barranco neighbourhood — bohemian arts and music district
- /Gastronomy tour — Maido, Central, Astrid & Gastón (Nikkei and Peruvian fusion)
🎒 Visitor Tip
Start in Miraflores — the safest, most walkable district — for the first day. Walk the Malecón coastal cliffs at sunset. The Larco Museum (Museo Larco) in Pueblo Libre has the finest collection of pre-Columbian ceramics in the world and an extraordinary open storage vault. Ceviche is Peru's national dish and best eaten at lunch from a cebichería — morning is when the fish is freshest. Fly to Cusco (1 hour) for Machu Picchu rather than attempting the overland route.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Built on the coastal desert plain (La Costa) at the foot of the western Andes, at an average elevation of 154m above sea level. The city spreads across a broad, flat alluvial plain formed by the Rímac, Lurín and Chillón rivers. Cliffs 70–80m high line the Pacific coast at Miraflores and Barranco, providing dramatic ocean views. The Andes rise sharply to the east; peaks over 5,000m are visible from the eastern suburbs on clear days.
Climate Stats
Subtropical desert (Köppen BWn — unusual coastal fog desert)
Avg Summer
23°C
Avg Winter
14°C
Annual Rainfall
9 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to Lima
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Lima
What timezone is Lima in?↓
Lima is in the America/Lima time zone (America/Lima), currently UTCGMT-5.
Does Peru observe daylight saving time?↓
No. Peru does not observe daylight saving time. Lima stays on PET (UTCGMT-5) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is PET?↓
PET stands for America/Lima. It is UTCGMT-5 and is the standard time used in Peru.
How many hours behind is Lima compared to London?↓
Lima is 5 hours behind London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference increases by 1 hour to 6 hours behind.
How accurate is the time shown for Lima?↓
The time displayed for Lima is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT-5 mean for Lima?↓
UTCGMT-5 means Lima is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Lima?↓
Standard business hours in Lima are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM PET (UTCGMT-5). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the Peru national calendar.
What is the best time to call Lima from London?↓
The best overlap for a call between London and Lima is typically late afternoon in London (4–6 PM GMT), which corresponds to morning in Lima. Always check the current time before calling to avoid unsociable hours.