Lima Airport (left) and the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Hotel (right). Photo from www.wyndhamhotels.com.

If you’re flying into Lima and then heading straight out the next morning — to Cusco or Arequipa, for example — you might be looking for hostels or hotels near Lima Airport (or maybe an Airbnb).

Staying near the airport can be a good option for layovers in Lima. On the downside, Callao — where the airport is located — is not a particularly interesting or safe place to stay.

But if you don’t have the time, the money or the inclination to take a taxi or bus from the airport to Miraflores, Barranco or Central Lima (three of the main tourist hubs in Lima), you’ll at least find good accommodation near the airport. Just don’t expect any noteworthy attractions in the immediate area.

Of course, you could just spend the night in Lima Airport. I’ll cover that option later in this article.

All room rates are given first in soles or dollars, depending on how they are originally listed.

The Best Hostels Near Lima Airport

Pay Piurix Backpacker Hostel

Pay Piurix is a colorful, safe and friendly hostel just a few blocks from the airport. Twelve-bed dorms start at S/ 35 per person (about US$10), with private rooms starting at S/ 100 ($30). Pay Piurix can arrange airport pick-up for an additional fee. Av. Japon 16138. www.paypurix.com

Hostal Victor

Not as close to the airport as Pay Piurix, but a decent option nonetheless. However, by the time you get to Hostal Victor you’re almost half way to Central Lima. Depending on your flight times, it might be worth driving just a little further to have maybe an hour or two to explore Lima’s historic center in the morning. Single rooms start at $28 (S/ 90), with doubles and triples for $30 (S/ 97) and $39 (S/ 125) respectively. Manuel Mattos 325. facebook.com/hostelvictor

Hostal Las Fresas

Simple, inexpensive and just five minutes from the airport. Don’t expect much, but fine for a layover. Rooms start at S/ 50. Calle Las Fresas 217-221, Urbanización el Olivar. www.hostallasfresas.com

TUPAC Lima Airport Hostel

A clean hostel with helpful staff and a good breakfast included in the price. Ten-bed dorms start at US$7 (S/ 23), with single and double private rooms for $17 (S/ 55) and $20 (S/ 65) respectively. Also very responsive to Facebook messages, which can be helpful. Located not far from Hostal Victor, so not quite as close to the airport as Pay Piurix or Hostal Las Fresas. www.facebook.com/TupacHostel

The communal area inside Pay Piurix, one of the best hostels near Lima Airport. Photo by Tony Dunnell.

The Best Hotels Near Lima Airport

Manhattan Inn

Located about five minutes south of the airport, Manhattan Inn is a good layover option if you’d prefer a midrange hotel rather than a hostel. The hotel’s early check-ins and late check-outs give guests more flexibility with their flight schedules. Rooms start at $50 (S/ 160). Luna Pizarro 168. www.hmanhattan.com

Machu Picchu Suites

This is perhaps stretching the limits of what can be considered a hotel near Lima Airport, but Machu Picchu Suites is nonetheless a straight drive from the airport down Avenida Elmer Faucett. It takes about 15 minutes if the traffic isn’t too bad. It’s a boutique-style hotel with more charm than most layover options. Helpful staff and a great breakfast make for a pleasant stay. Rooms range from about $40 to $100 (S/ 130 to S/ 325). Jr. Machu Picchu 128, San Miguel. www.machupicchusuites.com

Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport

The Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel is linked directly to Jorge Chavéz International Airport, so you won’t find a hotel any closer than this. It’s a fairly standard international airport hotel, but it gets the job done if you want a no-hassles layover just steps from the main terminal. The hotel has all the modern amenities you’d expect from a Wyndham hotel, including sauna and spa facilities. Rooms start at around $210 (S/ 680) with suites for $325 (S/ 1,055). In other words, it’s not cheap. Av. Elmer Faucett, Lima Airport. wyndhamhotels.com

A room at the Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima, right by Jorge Chávez International Airport. Photo from www.wyndhamhotels.com.

Airbnbs Near Lima Airport

Do a quick search on Airbnb and you’ll find a fair amount of options ranging in price from S/ 30 to S/ 100. Try this link to see Airbnbs near Lima Airport — if the link doesn’t work, search for Lima and then drag the map to the airport in Callao.

Can You Sleep in Lima Airport?

Yep, you can sleep inside Lima Airport. It’s open 24 hours a day, and most backpackers head up to the area surrounding the food court on the second floor.

You get there from the main public area inside the airport. Just head up the escalator and you’re pretty much there. You’ll probably see other foreign travelers lounging around. It’s safe, but keep your bags close or pay to store them in the luggage storage area.

Alternatively, you can pay to enter one of the airport lounges. None have sleeping facilities, but you can curl up in a comfy chair. Unless you already have a pass, it costs between $18 and $68 to enter the Lima Airport lounges. You can buy a ticket at the lounge door, if space is available. Your time inside is limited to three to six hours, depending on the lounge.

Lima Airport provides limited Wi-Fi access, or you can use the internet in one of the cafes, if you buy something first.