Flying to Lima for fractional CO₂ laser is increasingly common among US patients seeking the procedure outside major-market US pricing. The 10-day window — long enough to cover full re-epithelialization, short enough to be feasible for working professionals — is the standard format. This guide walks through a complete day-by-day itinerary for a US CO₂ tourist coming to Elyzea in Miraflores: flights, hotel, consultation, procedure, recovery, and return.
Pre-trip planning (4-6 weeks before)
Before flights are booked:
- Free virtual consultation with Elyzea: 30-minute video call with Dra. Geldres or her team via Calendico — confirms candidacy, discusses indication and parameters, prescribes pre-treatment hydroquinone if needed
- Confirm dates: winter/shoulder season (April-September) preferred for lower UV recovery
- Book flights: arrive Miraflores Day 0, depart Day 9-10
- Book hotel: Miraflores 5-15 minute walking distance from the clinic; mid-range options US$80-150/night
- Pre-treatment regimen: hydroquinone (if prescribed) for 4-6 weeks before; strict sun avoidance; mineral SPF 50+ daily
- Stop tretinoin/retinols 2-4 weeks before: per the Elyzea pre-treatment protocol
- If HSV history: antiviral prescription (acyclovir/valacyclovir) starting 1-2 days before procedure
Pack list specific to CO₂ recovery
- Mineral SPF 50+ — bring from home if you have a preferred brand
- Ceramide moisturizer (CeraVe, La Roche-Posay)
- Soft button-front shirts (avoiding pull-overs the first 3 days)
- Wide-brim hat for outdoor brief errands
- Sunglasses (eyes are sensitive after eyelid CO₂ if applicable)
- Comfortable indoor clothing for the hotel recovery days
- Phone charger and entertainment for the 5-7 indoor days
- Standard toiletries — gentle cleanser, soft towel
- Travel insurance documentation
- List of medications and Elyzea pre-treatment prescriptions
Day 0 — Arrival
- Land at Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
- Take a registered taxi or rideshare (Uber, Cabify) to Miraflores — 30-45 minutes depending on traffic, US$15-25
- Check into hotel; light dinner at the hotel or a nearby restaurant
- Avoid alcohol and heavy salt — minimizes pre-procedure swelling
- Early sleep — local time is the same as US Eastern Time (no jet lag concerns)
Day 1 — Pre-procedure consultation and prep
- Morning: walk to Elyzea (or rideshare 5-10 min) for the in-person consultation
- Skin assessment, photos, final treatment plan confirmation
- Final pre-procedure questions answered; consent forms signed
- If antiviral hasn't started: take the first dose
- Afternoon: light Miraflores activity — Parque Kennedy, Larcomar oceanfront walk (covered, SPF on)
- Light dinner; early sleep
- Confirm everything is set for tomorrow's procedure
Day 2 — Procedure day
- Light breakfast (don't arrive on empty stomach)
- Wash face with gentle cleanser; arrive with no makeup, no SPF, no skincare
- Wear soft button-front shirt
- Topical anesthesia applied at the clinic 30-45 min before
- CO₂ procedure: 20-40 minutes active treatment, 1-hour total appointment
- Post-procedure: barrier cream applied, written aftercare reviewed
- Rideshare back to hotel — bring sunglasses, hat
- Rest of day: lie down with head elevated, apply barrier cream every 2-3 hours, hydrate aggressively
- Hotel room service or simple delivery for dinner — avoid alcohol
Days 3-4 — Peak inflammation
- This is the worst-feeling phase — swelling peaks, crusting heaviest, intense redness
- Stay in hotel room; sleep with elevated head
- Barrier cream every 2-3 hours; thermal water spray for heat relief
- Light room-service meals; soft food for ease
- Acetaminophen as needed for comfort (avoid ibuprofen if your physician advised against)
- Communicate with Elyzea via WhatsApp if any concerns — 24-hour line during recovery week
- No mirrors-and-panic moment: this is the expected trajectory
Day 5 — Peeling phase begins
- Crusts begin to release naturally — DO NOT pick
- Continue gentle cleansing with lukewarm water and fragrance-free cleanser
- Add mineral SPF 50+ even if staying indoors (light through windows is enough to disrupt healing)
- Brief covered walks outside if you want; stick to shaded paths
- Light Miraflores exploration: museums (Museo Larco), low-key restaurant lunch in shade
- Continue barrier cream 3-4x daily
Day 6-7 — Re-epithelialization
- Surface essentially closed; tightness easing
- Continue all aftercare; SPF 50+ rigorously every morning
- 1-week follow-up at Elyzea (in-person or via WhatsApp) — Dra. Geldres confirms healing
- Switch to lighter water-based moisturizer if desired
- Foundation possible in thin layer (mineral preferred)
- Comfortable returning to non-physical social activity — coffee shops, gentle walks
Day 8-9 — Pre-departure activity
- Pinkness present but reducing
- You can resume normal social activity — restaurants, light shopping in Miraflores
- Light walking exercise OK; avoid sweating intensely
- No saunas, hot tubs, beach
- Consider a gentle Lima walking tour on Day 8 — Parque Kennedy, Huaca Pucllana, Larcomar (covered, SPF, hat)
- Day 9: Pack; final-night dinner in Miraflores
- Confirm flight; pre-trip-arrange rideshare to airport
Day 10 — Departure
- Morning shower; gentle cleanse and barrier cream + mineral SPF
- Rideshare to Lima airport (allow 60-90 minutes ahead of typical airport-arrival timing because Lima traffic varies)
- On the flight: bring barrier cream, thermal water spray; apply hourly during dry cabin air
- Mineral SPF for the airport and any layovers
- Avoid alcohol on the flight; hydrate aggressively with water
- Skin will be visibly pinkish but socially acceptable
Where to stay in Miraflores
Recommended hotel zones within Miraflores, all 5-15 minute walking distance from typical aesthetic clinic locations:
- Around Parque Kennedy: central, walkable, restaurant-dense
- Around Larcomar: oceanfront, scenic, slightly more upscale
- Av. Larco area: middle of everything, transit-easy
- Calle Berlín / Calle Manuel Bonilla: quiet residential blocks for recovery
Hotel price ranges in 2026 for these zones: $60-90 budget, $90-160 mid-range, $160-300 upscale. Apartment rentals (Airbnb) are also widely available and often offer kitchens for soft-food recovery meals.
Activities suitable during CO₂ recovery in Lima
- Indoor museums: Museo Larco, Pedro de Osma, MALI
- Restaurant exploration in Miraflores and Barranco (covered patios)
- Bookstores, cafes, indoor cultural centers
- Shopping in Larcomar (indoor mall)
- Walks in covered/tree-shaded zones (Parque del Amor)
- Massage or non-facial spa services after Day 7
Activities to avoid during recovery
- Beach trips (Asia, Punta Hermosa, Paracas)
- Andean tourism (Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca)
- Outdoor markets in direct sun
- Hiking
- Pool sunbathing
- Hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms
- Heavy gym workouts (sweat irritates healing skin)
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this in 7 days instead of 10?
Possible for lighter indications (lesions, mild eyelid resurfacing). For full facial CO₂, 10 days is the safer minimum to fully recover before flying.
What if I want to combine with another procedure?
Same trip can include neuromodulator (toxina botulínica) and minor procedures. Filler typically scheduled separately for spacing. Discuss combinations during virtual consultation.
What's the language barrier like?
Elyzea offers consultations in English. Hotel staff in Miraflores typically speak English. Restaurant menus often have English. Local pharmacies and basic services may need translation help — use Google Translate.
Is Miraflores safe for solo travelers?
Yes — Miraflores is one of Lima's safest districts for tourists. Standard urban precautions apply (don't display expensive items, use rideshares at night).
Will I be functional enough to fly home alone?
Yes by Day 10. Visible pinkness only. No medical restrictions on flying.
What if I need urgent care during recovery?
Elyzea provides 24-hour WhatsApp during the recovery week. Lima has high-quality private hospitals (Clínica Internacional, Clínica San Felipe) for any unrelated medical needs.
Bottom line
A 10-day Lima CO₂ trip — Day 0 arrival, Day 1 consultation, Day 2 procedure, Days 3-9 recovery in Miraflores, Day 10 departure — is the standard format that delivers full re-epithelialization before return. Combined with strict pre-trip preparation and Elyzea's 24-hour aftercare support, the trip is well-paced and productive. Total cost (procedure + flights + hotel + meals) typically runs US$2,000-$3,500 — comfortably below comparable single US-clinic procedures. Book a free virtual consultation to plan your specific dates and treatment combination.