arriving 10:30 pm, out the next day at 10:30am. right now booked at the "manhattan inn" at the airport (a recomendation on this board). others on this board say "don't stay near the airport"! what are my options? help......

Bodhijack, I agree with "don't stay near the airport." It's a dangerous area. You might try the San Antonio Abad; it's outside, although close, to the Miraflores area; $45/night/single/ breakfast included/ transfer to airport included (about 25 minutes in heavy traffic). Folks were very friendly, helpful and accommodating. Here's their website:
http://www.hotelsanantonioabad.com/

Recently, a tourist was shot while enroute to the airport from Miraflores. The gunman boarded the bus and robbed the tourists on the bus.
Thus if you wish to avoid this happening, it may make sense to stay near the airport but not take long taxi or bus rides. It takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to Miraflores from the airport.

thank you both! but, see why i'm confused. "stay near","don't stay near". also, miraflores "25 minutes" "45 minutes"!!! help!!!

Bodhijack,

let's think about this. You are arriving at 10:30pm, and by the time you go thru customs, pick up your bag and what not, that probably means that you'll be ready to depart to your hotel at around 11:30pm(give or take). What happened to the tourist who was shot, it's very unfortunate...but think about this, crimes like this happens all over the world. Do you know how many tourists come to Peru each day? and if they all follow RB's recommendations...oh man all of the dinky hotels close to the airport will be overbooked by now. My recommendation to you is to stay in Miraflores, it's a bit further out, but it's a nice and safer are to stay at in the first place, even if you arrive late, you can always experience a little bit of the nightlife in Miraflores if you wish, breakfast and transportation to the airport is included...that's not a bad deal for $45; however, ask them if they can arrange for them to pick you up from the airport.

Good travels!

carlos, thank you for your substansive reply. i'm going on to abad's web-site now. what is your understanding of time from abad to airport? also, do you know of a good 3-star in aguas caliente for 1 night? jack

Bodhijack,

From Miraflores to the airport, you should allow yourself 1 hour travel. Traffic will start building up already by 8am or early already, so you should allow yourself some cushion travel time to get to the airport in the morning.

As far as 3 star hotels in Aguas Calientes....nowadays there are many to choose from for all budgets. My best suggestion to you is to do a search on this page...and enter Aguas Calientes, and it will pull up comments from different fodorites about this location. Try to go to tripadvisor.com as well.

So let's see, arrive at 10:30 pm, through customs at 11:30 pm, catch a taxi and travel for an hour to Miraflores and check -in at 12:30 am.
Since your flight to Cusco is at 10:30 am, you need to leave your hotel to check out by 8 am. What could anyone possibly see in Miraflores in that time?
Miraflores is primarily a residential neighborhood with some shopping at the LarcoMar center.
I would stay at the Manhattan Hotel. It is 5 minutes from the airport and you can get two hours more sleep. You aren't going to see anything of Lima besides the hotel, no matter where you stay (near the airport or Miraflores).
The Manhattan Hotel is a 3star hotel and fine for sleeping for 8 hours.

FYI, Miraflores is not only residential, and Larco Mar is not the only nightlife in Miraflores. There are plenty of pubs, bars and small restaurants that stay open late in Miraflores. I actually mentioned on my previous message...."experience the nightlife",.....not sightseeing. Additionally, at this late at night, the traffic between the airport and Miraflores is much faster (approx. 30 - 40 minutes) as in the morning where it can take 1 hour or so.

The last thing I would want to do after a six to eight hour flight would be to deal with an hour drive each way and to experience the nightlife.

everyone has their own opinion and decision where they want to stay...

thank you both. we would prefer overnighting close to the airport (as long as we know the hotel is secure.) rbcal, have you stayed at the manhattan inn?

Bodhijack.

FYI, here is the website of the hotel:

http://www.hmanhattan.com/index.htm

I haven't stayed at the Manhattan Inn. When I went to Peru last year, I spent several days in Lima and stayed at the Swissotel in San Isidro. However, I explored the downtown area around Plaza de Armas and felt safe.
The biggest surprise is when you first exit the customs area. The arrival area is swarmed with people trying to get you to take their cab.
It would be best to pre-arrange your transfer to your hotel. Someone will meet you with a sign with your name on it and escort you to your hotel. I would be surprised if the Manhattan Hotel would not arrange this.

http://www.enjoyperu.com/hotels/ingles/lima/manhattan/\

bodhijack, The Manhattan is great. You definitely want a place you won't have to spend a hour and a half round trip in a taxi round trip to stay at if your layover is short. I have stayed there many layovers.