Why stay in Lima?
Lima, Peru's capital city, has a nice mix of modern and historic buildings and sights to keep the visitor interested. The historic colonial center of the city is surrounded by the more modern Lima, making it easy to see both old and new attractions throughout your visit. Many Peruvians have moved to Lima with hopes of finding work and making money, so the city also has a high poverty rate and large areas of poor neighborhoods (since many who come to Lima don't find the success they were hoping for).
There are several museums in downtown Lima, including the Museo de la Nacion, Museo Larco Herrara, National Museum of Archaeology and History, and Peru's gold museum, Museo de Oro del Peru. Fans of the macabre will want to visit the catacombs underneath La Iglesia de San Francisco with its artistically arranged human bones. (The cathedral itself is pretty nice, too.) Even if you're not in the mood to buy anything, a walk through one of Lima's outdoor markets is an interesting cultural experience. In the evenings, you can find clubs with music groups performing local music, or just socialize with locals or other travelers in the city's many bars and clubs.
When searching for a place to sleep, remember that the word "hostel" won't necessarily appear in the name of the places you're looking at. You may find the words "guesthouse" or "hostal" used instead. The word "hostal," with an "a," is a different kind of accommodation, usually somewhere between a hotel and hostel in price, and generally more akin to a guesthouse. There is often overlap between hostals and hostels, so don't be surprised if you find the same place listed under both titles. Also keep in mind that "hostels" aren't just for young backpackers anymore - they're perfect for budget-minded people who want to meet fellow travelers. A few notable Lima hostels are highlighted here.
Nomade Backpackers Hostel is in the popular Miraflores district and includes a home cooked breakfast. Also in Miraflores is the Kusillus Backpacker's Hostel, within walking distance of the center of town as well as many other area attractions.
Loki Backpackers Hostel & Incahaus Hostel overlooks the Parque Kennedy and is a short taxi ride from bus stations. It also has its own in-house bar. Albergue Miraflores House has its own 11-person van to coordinate day-trips and excursions for its guests.
If these hostels don't suit your needs, don't worry - there are more Lima hostels listed here. Just keep browsing the descriptions until you find the right one.
Should you need anything else for your trip to Lima, you can find it right here. Search for cheap airfare to Lima and read about what there is to see and do in the city in our Lima Travel Guide.