Renting in Lima: Apartment Guide for Expats 2026

Best Platforms

• Urbania.pe: Peru's largest real estate site. Filter by district, price, furnished.
• OLX.pe: Classifieds with direct owner listings. Negotiate directly.
• Adondevivir.com: Another major listing site. Good for comparing prices.
• Facebook groups: "Apartments Miraflores", "Expats in Lima", "Departamentos Lima". Often best deals.
• Airbnb: For short-term (1-6 months). Higher price but furnished, flexible, no paperwork.
• Walking around: Many buildings have "Se Alquila" (For Rent) signs. Call the number directly.

• Documents needed: Passport, proof of income, deposit (1-2 months)
• Lease terms: Standard 1 year, but 6 months negotiable for expats
• Deposit: 1-2 months rent, returned at end of lease minus damages
• Utilities: Usually paid separately. Budget $50-$100/month total
• Furnished vs unfurnished: Furnished costs 20-30% more but saves hassle for short stays
• Negotiate: Prices are negotiable, especially for longer leases or cash payment
• Check internet: Always test wifi speed before signing. Ask about fiber availability
• Noise: Visit at different times of day. Lima traffic noise varies by floor and street

See our cost of living guide for full expense breakdown.

Lima rental prices vary significantly by neighborhood and whether the apartment is furnished. All prices below are for 1-bedroom apartments.

Note: Furnished apartments cost 20-30% more but save the hassle of buying furniture for stays under 12 months. Prices are negotiable - always ask for a discount on longer leases.

The best approach combines online platforms with on-the-ground searching. Many good deals never make it to websites.

• Urbania.pe: Peru's largest real estate platform. Filter by district, price range, bedrooms, and furnished/unfurnished. Most listings include photos and contact info. Start here for market research.
• AdondeVivir.com: Second-largest platform. Good for comparing prices across neighborhoods. Some listings appear here but not on Urbania.
• Facebook Groups: Search "Departamentos en alquiler Miraflores" or "Expats in Lima Housing." Landlords post directly - often the best deals with no agent fees. Respond quickly as good listings go fast.
• Walking around: Many buildings display "Se Alquila" (For Rent) signs with phone numbers. This works especially well in Miraflores and Barranco. Call directly to avoid agent commissions.
• Airbnb (short-term): For 1-3 month stays while you search for a long-term place. Message hosts about monthly discounts - many offer 30-50% off for 30+ day stays.

Tip: Most listings are in Spanish. Use Google Translate for the browser. Prices appear in soles (S/) or dollars ($).

Renting in Lima is straightforward but contracts are in Spanish. Here's what to expect step by step.

• Documents required: Passport or DNI (foreign resident card), proof of income (bank statements or employment letter), and sometimes a Peruvian guarantor (garante) for unfurnished long-term leases.
• Deposit: 1-2 months rent upfront. Returned at lease end minus any damages. Get a signed inventory list (acta de entrega) documenting the apartment's condition.
• Contracts: Written in Spanish. Standard lease is 12 months, but many landlords accept 6-month terms for expats. Some furnished apartments offer 3-month minimums.
• Typical lease terms: 6-12 months standard. Furnished short-term (3-6 months) available at a premium. Month-to-month is rare except through Airbnb.
• Utilities: Usually paid separately - electricity, water, gas, internet. Budget $50-$100/month total. Ask what's included before signing.
• Agent fees: If using a real estate agent, expect to pay 1 month's rent as commission. Direct-from-owner avoids this.

Practical advice from expats who've navigated Lima's rental market.

• Negotiate the price: Asking prices are rarely final. Offer 10-15% less, especially for longer leases or upfront payment. Cash (bank transfer) often gets a discount.
• Check water pressure: Upper floors in older buildings can have weak water pressure. Turn on the shower during your visit to test it.
• Verify internet availability: Ask the building's portero (doorman) which ISPs serve the building. Not all buildings have fiber. Test speed if possible before signing.
• Visit at different times: Lima traffic noise varies dramatically. Visit mornings, afternoons, and evenings to check noise levels on your floor.
• Check the portero situation: Buildings with 24-hour security (portero) are safer and handle deliveries. Worth the slightly higher maintenance fee.
• Start on Airbnb: Book 2-4 weeks on Airbnb first, then search in person. You'll find better deals and can inspect apartments before committing.
• Get everything in writing: Inventory list, payment terms, what's included. Take photos of the apartment's condition on move-in day.

Main rental platforms in Peru:

• Urbania: urbania.pe - Peru's largest rental platform. Most listings, filters by neighborhood.
• AdondeVivir: www.adondevivir.com - Second largest. Good for furnished apartments.
• Facebook Groups: Search "Departamentos en alquiler Miraflores" - many landlords post directly here.

Most listings are in Spanish. Use Google Translate if needed. Prices are listed in soles (S/) or dollars ($).