Booking a Tour in Lima? Why I Walked Away Mid-Tour

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I had been looking forward to taking a private photo tour in Lima for weeks. I bought a new camera, literally planned my entire trip to Lima around it, and spent weeks going back and forth with the guide about exactly what I wanted.

Then, the day before, the plan changed. A different guide would be leading.

Cue the gut reaction: Ugh. No.

But like so many women I know, I overrode that voice. I told myself to stay flexible. Be cool. Don’t be all uncool. (Points if you get the Real Housewives nod.)

Spoiler: He was not great. At least not for me.

I went in with an intentionally open mind because I do think that’s part of the travel experience. But unfortunately, he came to play with a condescending, mansplaining attitude that I wasn’t interested in paying $250—plus the cost of a driver—to endure.

From the moment we got in the car, I knew I didn’t like him. Thirty minutes in, I knew I had to make it stop.

I called the company owner, who thankfully (for him and for me) offered me a full refund and the option to rebook on my next trip.

Thank you very much, and bu-bye. I walked away feeling a bit anxious and out of sorts—but mostly relieved.

What Happened When I Walked Away

I called my husband—who was amazing and supportive—then meandered toward Larcomar, Lima’s cliffside mall. Shopping always helps.

There, I stumbled onto a shelter dog adoption event. Besides Oh La Lima, I rescue dogs and have a dog podcast, so of course I did.

Right as I arrived, one of the dogs slipped his harness. With only one volunteer around, I jumped in to help wrangle him back to safety.

Clearly, the universe was reminding me I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Later, Erick, our trusted driver and serious foodie, offered to take me on his own tour of Lima’s historic center.

We started, naturally, with food at Bar Cordano, the fantastically old-school bar that’s been open since 1905. Then we hit the Government Palace, Jirón de la Unión, the Cathedral and the insane beauty of Lima’s colonial architecture.

It was one of the best tours I’ve ever had.

Partly because Erick is the best. Partly because it wasn’t some canned tour. But mostly because I wasn’t spending the day second-guessing where we were going or whether I wanted to leave.

I could just relax, enjoy Lima and take some great pictures.

That’s what a great tour should feel like.

So, How Do You Get a Great Lima Tour Without the Detour?

A little homework before you book can make a huge difference. Especially with a private tour, where the guide is the tour.

You could spend hours with this person, getting into their car and following them around a city you may not know. Personality, communication style and trust matter.

Here’s what I’d do differently now.

Get Recommendations Beyond the Booking Sites

Check Facebook groups like Peru Tips for Travelers and Reddit. I like hearing from travelers who aren’t reviewing directly on a company’s booking page.

And don’t just ask which company they liked. Ask for the guide’s name. If someone raves about a tour, find out who actually led it and request that person.

Viator and GetYourGuide reviews can be useful, but I don’t rely on them entirely. They don’t always tell the whole story.

Know Who Is Actually Giving the Tour

This is the big lesson I learned.

If you’re booking a private tour because of a specific guide, get that person’s name confirmed in writing. And ask what happens if they’re unavailable.

If you’ve spent weeks planning a tour with one person and the company sends someone else, that’s not a minor substitution. It’s a different experience.

If the guide changes, ask who’s replacing them before agreeing. And if you don’t feel comfortable with the change, don’t go.

Know What You’re Actually Booking

Confirm the itinerary, approximately how long the tour will last, what’s included and what isn’t. Know the cancellation and refund policy before you pay.

And keep a record. Screenshot the itinerary, guide confirmation and anything else that matters to you.

Group tours require a little different homework. The company you book through isn’t always the company actually running the tour. Groups can be larger than advertised, and some itineraries include a suspicious amount of time at shops and restaurants rather than the places you actually came to see.

With a group tour, I’d ask who actually operates it, how large the group will be and exactly where you’re going.

Viator, GetYourGuide, or Booking Direct?

I originally found this company through Viator but ultimately booked directly with the operator.

Would booking through Viator have changed what happened? Maybe.

I’ve booked both ways. A platform can add another layer of customer service if something goes wrong. Booking direct can make it easier to communicate with the actual operator.

The jury’s still out for me.

Either way, get the details that matter to you in writing.

Have a Way Out

For a private tour in Lima, have Uber or Cabify set up on your phone, or soles in your pocket, so you can get back to your hotel if you decide to leave early.

On a Positive Note: A Few Lima Tours I’d Actually Recommend

Exquisito Tours. If you want a reliable Lima tour company, I’d start with Exquisito Tours. They’re not necessarily the cheapest, but I think they’re a solid option. And no, I don’t get a referral fee.

Or go with Erick. Our trusted driver Erick is also available to drive/show you around Lima, and he’s amazing—as long as you speak Spanish or want to practice!

Reach out to me, and I’ll connect you.

Final Thoughts

Of course, sometimes you’ve done the research, checked the reviews and asked all the right questions—and something still feels wrong.

That’s when the most important advice is also the simplest:

Trust the first Ugh. No.

I wish I had.