Lima’s New Airport Jorge Chávez: 2026 Ultimate Guide

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use or believe will add value to you.

Flying through Lima’s new airport? TL;DR

Airport: Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
New terminal opened: June 1, 2025

What’s great

• The terminal is three times larger than the old airport
• Excellent food, including Lima Mundial by Gastón Acurio
• A mix of Peruvian favorites and chains like Starbucks, Dunkin’, and KFC
• Immigration and security are far more organized than before

What’s still evolving

• The terminal is enormous — expect long walks
• There are very few moving sidewalks installed yet
• Traffic getting to the airport can still be unpredictable

Best tip: arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and eat in the central terminal area before heading to your gate.

Lima’s Airport Has Finally Entered the Modern Era

I started traveling to Lima regularly in 2009, and the airport has always felt a little behind the times.

My husband and I used to take bets when the plane landed:

Would we get a gate… or would we be loading onto one of those airport buses again?

More often than not, it was the bus.

The old Jorge Chávez airport simply didn’t have enough gates. Boarding areas were cramped, security lines were chaotic, and the whole experience felt like it was built for far fewer travelers.

So when Peru announced it was building a completely new airport terminal, I couldn’t have been more excited.

After flying through Lima’s new airport multiple times—both internationally and domestically—here’s what the experience is really like.

The short answer? It’s a huge upgrade. But it’s still very much a work in progress.

What’s New at the Jorge Chávez Airport?

The new airport expansion is designed to position Lima as a major aviation hub connecting North America, South America, and Europe.

Major upgrades include:

• A terminal three times larger than the previous airport
• 46 boarding gates (up from just 19)
• A second runway
• Expanded security and immigration areas
• New dining and retail spaces

The airport is designed to eventually handle around 40 million passengers per year.

First Impressions of the Terminal

Walking into the ticketing hall feels busy, but the soaring ceilings and wide-open space keep it from feeling chaotic.

There are also art installations throughout the terminal—pieces that reference Peru’s history and culture without taking themselves too seriously. Some nod to traditional motifs, while others are playful or contemporary. These bear sculptures, for example, are inspired by the Ukuku of Andean cosmology and represent guardians of sacred sites believed to bring messages of prosperity.

The overall effect is a terminal that feels distinctly Peruvian rather than generic.

How Long It Takes to Get Through the Airport

One of the most common questions travelers have is how it take to get through the airport.

Sometimes the process is surprisingly quick. On one recent trip, I cleared passport control in about eight minutes, and my luggage appeared roughly five minutes later.

But that isn’t always the case.

If several international flights land at the same time, lines can build quickly. It’s safest to plan for up to 30 minutes at immigration, just in case.

The good news is that the new airport has many more passport control windows, which helps keep things moving.

What many travelers don’t realize, though, is that the walking distances inside the terminal are substantial. Depending on where your plane parks, the walk from the gate to immigration can easily take 15–20 minutes, and that’s before you even reach passport control.

And the long distances aren’t just on arrival. The terminal is large in every direction—whether you’re walking from security to the gates, connecting between flights, or heading out after landing.

Part of the reason the walks feel so long is that there are still very few moving sidewalks installed. I suspect more will appear over time, but for now, you should assume you’ll be doing a fair amount of walking.

It’s not a problem if you’re expecting it—but after a long overnight flight, it can definitely feel like a trek.

Special lines for families and seniors

Peru also provides dedicated immigration lines for families with children, elderly travelers, and anyone with disabilities.

If you qualify, don’t hesitate to use them.

Coffee immediately after customs

Once you exit baggage claim, there’s a Starbucks and a McCafe right outside the arrivals doors—a welcome sight after a long flight.

Leveraging Luggage Storage

Another useful service that many travelers ask about is a luggage storage. 

There’s a luggage storage counter located near the arrivals exit, making it easy to drop your bags before heading into the city or waiting for a later flight.

The service is called Guardianía de Equipajes (Luggage Storage) and offers both short-term and daily storage options.

From the posted pricing when I passed by:

• Small luggage (carry-ons, backpacks): about S/8 per hour or S/48 per day
• Large luggage: about S/16 per hour or S/96 per day
• Oversized items (bikes, surfboards, etc.): about S/20 per hour or S/100 per day
• Lockers: around S/20 per hour or S/100 per day

It’s not cheap, but a convenient option if you have a long layover and want to explore Lima without dragging your bags around.

The counter is easy to find near the exit from the arrivals area, right before you head outside the terminal.

Connection Flights

International → Domestic Connection

If you arrive internationally and are connecting to a domestic destination in Peru, the process typically looks like this:

Land → Immigration → Collect baggage → Customs inspection → Re-check baggage at the domestic terminal

After re-checking your luggage, you’ll pass through security and proceed to your domestic gate.

---

International → International Transit

If you’re simply transiting through Lima to another international destination:

Land → Transit immigration check → Security screening → International departure gates

If your bags are checked through to your final destination—common when flying the same airline, especially LATAM—you do not need to collect your luggage.

---

Pro Tip for Transit Travelers

Most restaurants and shops are located in the central terminal area right after security.

If you want a hot meal, coffee, or souvenirs, buy them there. Once you walk down the concourses toward the gates, there is often very little available, and the halls can feel surprisingly empty.

It’s one of the signs that parts of the airport still feel a bit not quite ready for prime time.

Best Restaurants in Jorge Chávez

My son attended a Spanish-immersion elementary school, and many of the families were Argentinian. Because there’s often no nonstop flight to Buenos Aires, they usually have to stop somewhere along the way.

One of the moms once told me that her son always insisted they stop in Lima.

Why? Because the airport had the best food. And that was the old airport. I can only imagine what he would think of the new one.

The new terminal mixes excellent Peruvian restaurants with familiar international chains, so you can grab something quick or have a proper meal before your flight.

Lima Mundial by Gastón Acurio

One highlight is Lima Mundial by Gastón Acurio, a mini food hall inside the terminal with counter versions of his restaurants.

Options include:

• Papacho’s – his popular burger concept
• El Bodegón – traditional Peruvian comfort food

Other Peruvian Favorites

• La Lucha Sanguchería Criolla – one of Lima’s most famous sandwich shops.
• Isolina – an outpost of the beloved Barranco tavern serving hearty Peruvian dishes.
• Tanta – another Gastón Acurio restaurant, separate from the food hall and always a reliable option.
• Pan Sal Aire – a Barranco café known for artisanal breads and Mediterranean-inspired comfort food.
• Puku Puku Coffee – one of Lima’s best specialty coffee roasters.
• La Bonbonniere – one of my favorite stops in the airport. It offers a wide variety of ready to go offerings and a sit-down restaurant with a large menu. It’s very traveler friendly, ie nothing crazy to make you unwell while in the air.

International Chains

The airport also includes familiar options like:

• Dunkin’
• KFC
• Starbucks
• Pizza Hut
• McDonald’s
• Friday’s

Honestly, the American chains aren’t really the draw for me—except for a McDonald’s Diet Coke and their ice cream cones, which are particularly good here since they offer both chocolate and vanilla. But one of my Peruvian friends is obsessed with TGI Friday’s and sees it very differently. Whatever your taste, though, Lima’s airport is one of the few where arriving early just to eat actually makes perfect sense.

Shopping in the Airport

While I could certainly do some serious damage at the many stores in the airport, the shopping itself isn’t dramatically different from what was available in the old terminal. The main difference is that the shops are larger, better laid out, and carry much more inventory, which makes browsing far more pleasant.

Shops include:

• Hugo Boss
• H&M
• Ilaria
• Sol Alpaca
• Kuna
• Swarovski
• Paapampa
• Livingstone
• Alpaca 111

And of course, there’s a large duty-free store stocked with cosmetics, perfume, liquor, and plenty of chocolate.

Where to Stay the Night on a Layover

Because Lima is such a major connection hub, many travelers end up with overnight layovers.

Grand Costa del Sol (New Terminal)

The Grand Costa del Sol is the brand-new hotel next to the new terminal. It’s modern, polished, and extremely convenient.

Rooms usually run $200–$235 per night, which is expensive for Lima but hard to beat for location.

Hotels Near the Old Airport

The Holiday Inn Lima Airport and the Costa del Sol Wyndham are both still located near the old terminal.

They’re usually about half the price, but now require a 15–20 minute drive to the new airport. Traffic can vary, so it’s wise to allow extra time.

Both hotels offer shuttle services, but I strongly recommend confirming the schedule directly with the hotel before relying on it.

I always double-check those details myself—and I suggest doing the same.

Sleeping Pods (Sleep ’n Fly)

The airport also offers Sleep ’n Fly pods, located landside on the departures level.

These private cabins can be rented for short stays and include Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and showers.

Typical pricing:

• 2 hours: about $23–$54
• Sleep pods: about $70 for 6 hours
• Cabins: roughly $100–$150+ for longer stays

They look modern and comfortable—though definitely not cheap. I haven’t tried them yet, but they’re high on my list to test on a future trip.

Getting To and From the Airport

Traffic around the airport can still be chaotic, so I strongly recommend arranging transportation in advance.

We’re lucky to have a regular driver in Lima who is wonderful, and I’m happy to share his contact information if you message me.

Personally, I don’t love using Uber or other ride-share services directly from the airport. Yes, your location is tracked, but that can create a bit of a false sense of security, since the drivers and vehicles aren’t managed the same way professional car services are.

That said, I do use Uber and Cabify within the city itself—just not when leaving the airport or traveling through unfamiliar areas.

An Extra Security Check (and an Annoying Rule) When Flying to the U.S.

One frustrating quirk when flying from Peru to the United States is that there’s an additional security screening right before boarding the plane. One set of agents check your passport and ticket (foreground above). Then another go through your bag and require you to dispose of any bottles of liquid—yes, even ones you bought inside the airport.

This appears to be a carryover from post-9/11 security measures meant to prevent unidentified liquids from being brought on board.

Whatever the origin, it’s definitely annoying.

If you’re like me and want water for the flight, the easiest solution is simple: ask for water as soon as you board the plane. If needed, you can mention that it’s for medical reasons. 🙂

In my experience, LATAM is pretty genial about this—and about most things.

Traveling with Pets at the Airport

I was happy to see MANY dogs. Mostly small, but a few of size and I was happy to see that Lima’s new airport is relatively accommodating. There are designated pet relief areas inside the terminal, which can be helpful during long layovers or delays.

A couple of practical tips if you’re traveling with a pet through Peru:

• Paperwork is important. Peru requires health certificates and vaccination records for pets entering or leaving the country, so double-check the requirements with your airline and the Peruvian agricultural authority before your trip.
• Allow extra time. The new terminal involves long walking distances, and traveling with a pet carrier can make those walks a bit slower.

Overall, the airport is fairly pet-friendly, but like many things at the new terminal, planning a little extra time makes the experience much easier.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Lima’s new airport is a huge leap forward for Peru.

The terminal is modern, spacious, and filled with surprisingly good food.

There are still a few rough edges—especially when it comes to walking distances and infrastructure—but the difference from the old airport is enormous.

I’ll be very happy when the people movers eventually arrive. Until then, I’ll just consider the extra steps part of the travel experience.