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Lima & Peru's North Coast: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
North of Lima, Peru's coast hides pre-Inca civilisations most travelers never meet. Caral is the oldest city in the Americas, Chan Chan the largest adobe city on Earth — and Huanchaco's fishermen still surf reed boats their ancestors designed.
Lima & Peru's North Coast is a 560 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as a 4-day trip; the plan below is the 4-day version for November, built from 77 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 4-day plan · best time to go
4
days
744 km
distance
11.4 h
driving
16
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- The coast's clearer months — Lima escapes its grey garúa blanket and the surf towns warm up.
- Heavy transit: day 3 (7h56) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 4 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Lima → Caral
🌡 12.6–27.1°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 12.5h light
09:00
The Lima Gourmet Companylocal & traditional
Taste vibrant Peruvian flavors on a guided culinary city tour.
90 min · Lima
open: 24
10:30
Folkloric dance showslocal & traditional
Enjoy lively traditional dances accompanied by a delicious meal.
90 min · Lima · Range from S/39.50–68 per person
open: Almuerzo: F Sa 13:00–17:30; Noches de Foclore: Tu W 21:00–00:15; Th 21
12:00
Peru Hop
Observe buses lined up for scenic tours to ancient sites.
50 min · Lima · Prices are slightly higher than public b
open: Their office is open M-Sa 09:00–21:00, Su 11:00–19:00
16:01
Ciudad sagrada
Walk among ancient structures under careful guidance in Caral.
90 min · Caral · 11 soles (adult), 4 soles (students), 1
open: 09:00 - 16:00
Day 2 Around Caral
🌡 12.6–27.1°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 12.5h light
09:00
Turismo Barranca
50 min · Caral · 15 soles
09:50
Turismo Paramonga
50 min · Caral · 15 soles
10:40
Bike Tours of Lima
Feel the breeze while cycling through Lima's historic neighborhoods.
90 min · Lima · Biking tours US$35–US$90, other prices v
open: M–F 09:30–18:00; Sa Su 09:30–14:00
12:10
Exquisito Perú
Savor local dishes on interactive walks through Lima's markets.
90 min · Lima · $59 to $159 depending on the food tour
open: 24
13:40
Mirabus bus and road train tours
Ride through Lima's highlights on themed bus and road train journeys.
90 min · Lima · Most bus tours: adults S/70, children (4
open: Information booth open every day 09:00–19:00
15:10
Airport Express Lima
Enjoy a smooth ride through Lima's vibrant streets to Miraflores.
50 min · Lima · S/20 for one person one way, S/15 per pe
Day 3 Huanchaco
🌡 15.1–24.0°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 12.4h light
16:56
Swamps of Huanchaco
Listen to birdsong in the peaceful Chimu ecological reserve.
50 min · Huanchaco
18:30
La Barcalocal & traditionalseafood
Savor fresh seafood, especially their impressive whole fish dish.
75 min · Huanchaco
Overnight: Huanchaco
e.g. Un Lugar Surf School · Huanchaco Paradise
See the remaining 1 days of the 4-day plan →
Route map
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