Lima Hotel Tips by MovingMere

Punta Hermosa - full during New Years weekend

We didn't plan this trip very well, as we went to the beach the Friday before New Years weekend without anywhere to stay. It was probably the busiest beach weekend of the whole summer - like showing up at the beach for 4th of July weekend in the States and thinking you'll find someplace to stay, let alone an affordable place.

After a few hours of talking to people and only finding expensive places to stay, we were getting a bit discouraged. While we were talking to someone on the road, he directed us to his nearby friend who might have room in his house. He was building a place for up to 10 people to stay in, but since it wasn't ready, he offered his daughter's room to us for $20 a night. It was a steep price compared to what Luis was used to, but I was relieved to finally find a place and since I was still used to US prices, it seemed cheap to me.

As we explored the place more, we realized that everything in Punta Hermosa was more expensive than other beaches. Also, many of the locals moved there from other countries and tended to bring their money with them.

Unique Qualities: Because it never rains at this beach, the house had a flat roof and part of it didn't have any covering at all. There was one room in the house that had patio furniture and no roof over it. Staying in the home was like having our own retreat. He also had a maid who had breakfast out for us the next morning. The house was very clean, but the sand must get in everything.

Staying here was a special treat for me, as the owner spent his winters working in the states and spoke very good English. He worked in a restaurant in the Hamptons during the US summers and made enough money to live off of that for the rest of the year in Peru. While we were there, his wife was in Florida working in someone's home.

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$20

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