Official Languages
Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: valenciatravelcusco.com, studycountry.com
Overall4/10Less English-friendly than about 90% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- English is widely spoken in Lima's main tourist areas (Miraflores, Barranco) and at hotels, restaurants, and tour operators, but becomes less common outside these zones
- Younger Peruvians in Lima are more likely to speak English than older residents; women tend to speak English better than men
- Even basic Spanish phrases ('hola', 'gracias', 'buenos días') significantly ease interactions and are genuinely appreciated by locals
- Translation apps and gesture-based communication are effective for bridging gaps outside tourist-oriented establishments
- Professional tourism workers (guides, hotel staff, tour company employees) generally speak serviceable English in Lima
Official Languages
Spanish
- Status
- primary official
- Notes
- Spoken by approximately 84% of the population as first language; dominant in urban and administrative contexts
Quechua
- Status
- co-official
- Notes
- Second most commonly spoken language, used by around 13% of the population, especially in the Andes
Aymara
- Status
- co-official
- Notes
- Spoken by around 2% of the population, dominant near Lake Titicaca and southern Peru
English Proficiency
- Lima Specific
- Higher than national average; strongest proficiency in tourist-oriented districts (Miraflores, Barranco) and among younger residents
- Overall Level
- moderate in tourism contexts, low to very low outside tourist areas
- Pct English Speakers
- 11
Where English Works
- Five-star hotels and international restaurants
- Major tour companies and guided tours
- Tourist shops and restaurants
- Hotels and airport facilities
- Tourism-sector workers (guides, receptionists, drivers)
Where English Limited
- Non-tourist neighborhoods and markets
- Regular everyday situations outside tourism industry
- Working-class and rural areas
- Public transportation (taxis may not speak English)
English Learning Status
Mandated by Peruvian Ministry of Education; young and educated Peruvians increasingly learning English, though proficiency remains mixed
Practical Communication
- Recommendation
- Download translation app; learn basic Spanish phrases; carrying hotel business card in Spanish helpful for taxi drivers and directions
- Alternative Languages
- French, German, and Italian rarely functional for everyday communication outside academic/diplomatic contexts
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this language & english friendliness research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Lima
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.