Study in lima, Peru

About lima

Lima, the capital of Peru, lies on the Pacific coast. Lima Metropolitana is the most populous province in the country, with 9.6 million inhabitants at the 2025 national census, according to Peru's statistics office (INEI), out of a national population of 34,158,000. Its largest district, San Juan de Lurigancho, alone has 1,125,000 inhabitants.

Students choose Lima for its universities, including one founded in 1551, and for learning Spanish in a large Latin American capital. Peru's official tourism portal calls it the culinary capital of South America, and food is a big part of daily life.

Studying in Lima

Our directory lists five schools in Lima: three universities, a Spanish language school and a school for children. The Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) is a public university with a history going back to 1551; its undergraduate degrees (carreras) are grouped in five areas of knowledge. The directory also lists the Universidad del Pacífico, and the Universidad San Andrés (USAN) serves the north of the city (Lima Norte) from its campus on Avenida Industrial in Independencia. University teaching is in Spanish.

For Spanish courses, EL SOL Spanish Language School is in the seaside district of Miraflores. It teaches individual classes and groups of no more than eight students, with courses for travellers, academic and business Spanish, Spanish for healthcare and DELE and SIELE preparation. The school states that it is recognised by the Peruvian Ministry of Education (R.M. 432-2020 - MINEDU) and is an official SIELE examination centre. San Columbano, in San Martín de Porres, is a school for local children.

Student visa

Peru's immigration authority, Migraciones, handles student status online. Students enrolled for a year or more at a university or another centre recognised by the Peruvian state apply for the residence visa for training (visa de residencia por formación). Short-term studies need the temporary visa for training: a stay of 365 days that can be extended, or 90 days without extension for exchanges and internships. Both are requested from outside Peru, the fee is S/ 58.80, and you sign a sworn statement that you can support yourself. Foreign documents must be legalised by the Peruvian consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or apostilled.

Cost of living for students

We found no official student budget, rent or fare figures for Lima. Costs vary a lot between districts: Miraflores and San Isidro, by the ocean, have the city's most expensive accommodation, while districts further from the coast are cheaper. Ask your university or language school about homestays and student housing before you arrive.

Getting around and daily life

Public transport in Lima and Callao is run by the Autoridad de Transporte Urbano (ATU): the Metropolitano rapid bus system, the complementary bus corridors and Metro lines 1 and 2. From Miraflores or San Isidro, the Historic Center of Lima is about 20 minutes away. Barranco is the city's bohemian district, known for its murals and galleries. Jorge Chávez International Airport is about 50 minutes from the city by bus or car.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Lima?

Our directory lists the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, whose history goes back to 1551, the Universidad del Pacífico and the Universidad San Andrés. Teaching is in Spanish.

Is Lima a good place to learn Spanish?

Yes, Lima is a large Spanish-speaking capital. EL SOL Spanish Language School in Miraflores teaches small groups of up to eight students and prepares for the DELE and SIELE exams.

Which visa do I need to study in Lima?

For studies of a year or more you need the residence visa for training; for short-term studies, the temporary visa for training (365 days, renewable). Both are requested online from Migraciones before you travel.

How do I get around Lima?

The ATU runs the Metropolitano bus system, the complementary corridors and Metro lines 1 and 2. The airport is about 50 minutes from the city by road.