Trip Guide: Aesthetic Medical Tourism from Chile to Lima — Day-by-Day

If you've already decided that flying to Lima for an aesthetic treatment makes sense for your case (the Lima vs Santiago cost comparison answers that question first), this article is the next stage: how to organize the trip in concrete terms. Every step, from the prior online consultation to the post-treatment follow-up after returning to Santiago, with real timing, reference costs, and the rationale behind each decision.

The good news: traveling to Lima from Chile is one of the simplest international trips in the world. No visa, no time-zone difference, same language, direct 3 h 30 min flight. Trip planning is easier than organizing long weekends to some Chilean destinations. The key is sequencing the consultation, treatment, recovery, and follow-up properly.

For the strategic overview (why Lima is a logical destination, which treatments Chilean patients come for, how much they save), see our main page on aesthetic medical tourism from Chile. What follows is the step-by-step trip plan.

Step 0: Free Online Consultation Before You Fly

This is not optional. It's the starting point of any well-planned trip. The free online consultation with Dra. Geldres is scheduled at calendico.com/elyzea by selecting “Online Consultation”. It's a 30–45 min video call (Google Meet or WhatsApp Video), and at the end you'll have:

• A concrete treatment plan: what gets done, how many sessions, what result to expect, what side effects to anticipate
• Budget in Peruvian Soles (PEN) with USD and CLP references at current exchange rates
• Tentative schedule for your Lima visit: clinic days, recovery window, follow-up
• List of medications to avoid in the 7–14 days before treatment (anticoagulants, NSAIDs, supplements like vitamin E or ginkgo)
• Specific recommendations for your case: whether to combine treatments, in what order, whether to postpone the trip due to seasonal factors

The goal of the online consultation: buy your ticket only when you're sure the trip is worthwhile. No commercial pressure, no commitment. If Dra. Geldres determines treatment can wait, she tells you so.

Step 1: Santiago–Lima Flight

The flight is direct, 3 h 30 min, with no time-zone difference (both countries on GMT-4 in standard time). Three airlines operate daily routes:

• LATAM Airlines: multiple daily flights, direct service, USD 250–500 round trip. Departs from Terminal 2 in Santiago, arrives at Jorge Chávez International Terminal in Lima.
• Sky Airline: 1–2 daily flights, more economical option, USD 200–380 round trip. Baggage and seat selection are paid extras.
• JetSmart: low-cost airline, USD 180–320 round trip, baggage extra. Ideal if you travel light.

When to buy the flight

With the online consultation done, ideally book 30–60 days in advance for optimal fares. Avoid last-minute booking (prices rise significantly less than 14 days before departure). Lower-fare days tend to be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Luggage

For a 4–7 day stay you don't need checked baggage — an 8–10 kg carry-on usually suffices. Pack comfortable, loose-fitting clothes for post-treatment days (especially if you're doing abdominal cryolipolysis or any body treatment), SPF 50+ sunscreen (Lima has high UV even with cloudy skies), and a light jacket for cooler Lima evenings.

Step 2: Documents and Border Crossing

• Valid Chilean national ID is sufficient for Chileans. Passport also works.
• No tourist visa required.
• Tourist stay: up to 183 days per year on Peruvian territory (more than enough for any aesthetic trip).
• No mandatory vaccinations for Lima. For Amazon zones (Iquitos, Madre de Dios) yellow fever is recommended, but doesn't apply if your trip is only Lima/Miraflores.
• Immigration: at Jorge Chávez immigration you'll receive the digital TAM (Tarjeta Andina de Migración) form. Save the receipt — you may be asked for it on departure.
• Customs: USD 1,000 limit on goods in luggage. Personal medications: bring the original prescription if you carry anything controlled.

Step 3: Arrival in Lima — Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM)

The airport is in Callao district, 30–50 minutes from Miraflores depending on traffic. Lima has dense traffic, especially during rush hour (7–9 AM, 6–9 PM). If your flight lands during rush hour, the trip can take longer.

Transport options to your Miraflores hotel:

• Official authorized taxi (recommended for first-timers): fixed rates inside the terminal, ~USD 25–35 to Miraflores. Companies like Taxi Green, Taxi 365, or Mitsui Taxi have counters inside the airport. Pay by card or cash.
• Uber, Cabify, InDrive: USD 15–25 to Miraflores. They work perfectly with your Chilean app (just change payment method if you want). Pickup point clearly marked outside the terminal.
• AirportExpress bus: USD 15–20, direct connection to Miraflores hotels with several stops. Slower but comfortable.
• NOT recommended: informal taxis outside the airport without official counter. Always take registered transport.

Step 4: Accommodation — Why Miraflores

We recommend staying in Miraflores, Lima's main tourist district, for five reasons:

• Proximity to Elyzea: Av. Angamos Oeste 715 is within Miraflores. Any hotel in the district is 5–15 minutes walking or 5–10 minutes by taxi.
• Safety: Miraflores is one of Lima's safest districts, with visible serenazgo (municipal security) presence 24/7.
• Walkable: tree-lined streets, wide sidewalks, parks (Parque Kennedy, Parque del Amor), the Malecón overlooking the Pacific. Ideal for recovery days with light walking.
• Dining and cafés: high concentration of restaurants (including world-top spots like Maido, Central, Astrid&Gastón, Kjolle), specialty coffee, and healthy food options.
• Services: 24-hour pharmacies (Inkafarma, Mifarma), supermarkets, currency exchanges, everything you need within walking distance.

Recommended hotels (reference ranges)

• Premium 5-star (USD 200–400/night): Belmond Miraflores Park, Hilton Miraflores, Hyatt Centric Miraflores, JW Marriott (this one facing the Malecón).
• 4-star (USD 100–180/night): Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Costa del Sol Wyndham, Pullman Lima Miraflores, Atemporal Hotel Boutique.
• Boutique 3–4 star hotels (USD 80–130/night): Hotel B (Barranco), Casa Republica Barranco, Tierra Viva Miraflores, ibis Larco. If you prefer Barranco (adjacent bohemian district), it's 10–15 minutes by taxi from Elyzea.
• Airbnb apartment: excellent option for stays of 5+ days. Focus your search on Miraflores Centro, San Antonio, Aurora, or near Parque Kennedy.

Step 5: Typical 4–7 Day Schedule

Exact schedule varies by treatment and whether procedures are combined. Below is the most common pattern for patients coming for one or two non-invasive treatments.

Step 6: Payment at the Clinic — How and How Much

• Currency: Peruvian Soles (PEN). This is non-negotiable: final price is charged in PEN.
• Methods accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express (debit and credit), cash in PEN.
• Chilean cards: work without issues. Your bank charges the usual international fee (~2–4% per card) and the day's exchange rate.
• If paying cash: exchange dollars for soles at Miraflores currency houses before coming to the clinic. The exchange houses on Av. Larco and Av. Pardo offer better rates than the airport or hotels.
• ATMs: withdrawals with Chilean debit cards work. BCP, BBVA, Interbank and Scotiabank ATMs are on every block in Miraflores.
• No CLP price commitment: the Chilean peso values we provide in the online consultation are referential at the moment's exchange rate. Final price is confirmed in PEN before treatment.

Step 7: Connectivity — Phone, WiFi, and Internet

Three options, ordered from simplest to most economical:

• Chilean roaming (most expensive, simplest): activate the international plan with your operator (Entel, Movistar, Claro, WOM) before traveling. Works immediately on landing. Typical USD 10–15/day.
• Tourist eSIM (most practical for 5–7 days): Airalo, Holafly, Saily, or Nomad offer Peru plans USD 10–25 with 3–10 GB. Buy before traveling, install the QR, activates on landing. Your Chilean number still works for SMS if you keep the physical SIM on standby.
• Peruvian prepaid SIM (most economical): buy a Movistar, Claro, or Bitel SIM at a Mifarma/Inkafarma store or their commercial offices. USD 5–10 with sufficient data. Requires ID or passport for registration.
• Free WiFi: hotels, restaurants, cafés, and shopping centers in Miraflores have free WiFi. Larcomar shopping center is ideal for work sessions if you need stable connection.

Step 8: Food and Tourism — Enjoying Lima Without Compromising Recovery

Lima is one of the world's gastronomic capitals. It would be a shame to come and only eat at the hotel. But you have to respect post-treatment guidance. Dra. Geldres gives you a specific list per procedure; in general:

• Heavy hydration: Lima has low humidity and Miraflores's elevation (~80 m above sea level) is not a factor, but dehydration delays recovery. Minimum 2–3 L of water daily.
• Avoid alcohol 48 h pre-treatment and 72 h post-treatment. It's a vasodilator and increases bruising risk in procedures like hyaluronic acid.
• SPF 50+ mandatory after treatments like CO₂ laser, picosecond, Morpheus8, and HIFU. Lima has high UV even with gray skies.
• Spicy food OK if your treatment doesn't involve face/lips. After hyaluronic acid lip filler, avoid spicy 24–48 h.

Restaurants worth eating at

• Seafood / ceviche: La Mar (Miraflores), Pescados Capitales, Punto Azul, Canta Rana (Barranco)
• Contemporary Peruvian: Maido, Central, Kjolle, Astrid&Gastón — book weeks in advance
• Healthy / bowls: Saqra, La Verde, Veda, Quinoa
• Specialty coffee: Origen Tostadores de Café, Tostaduría Bisetti (Barranco), Arábica, La Florería de Acuarela

Tourist attractions compatible with recovery

• Miraflores and Malecón: cliff walk with Pacific views. Parque del Amor with the Víctor Delfín sculpture. Parque Kennedy with its famous cats.
• Lima Historic Center: Plaza Mayor, Cathedral, Convento de San Francisco with catacombs, Casa de Aliaga (Lima's oldest house).
• Barranco: bohemian district. Bridge of Sighs, MATE Mario Testino museum, art galleries, boutique bars.
• Pachacámac: pre-Inca archaeological site 40 min south. Half-day tour.
• Circuito Mágico del Agua: nighttime fountain show (closed Tuesdays).
• Larcomar: mall facing the Pacific, ideal if you need indoor AC space.

Step 9: Follow-up After Returning to Chile

Post-treatment follow-up doesn't end when you land in Santiago. We coordinate video-call follow-ups with Dra. Geldres at 1, 4, and 12 weeks depending on the treatment. No additional cost. If an in-person adjustment becomes necessary, it's planned for a future visit; most patients don't require touch-ups.

For cases where treatment requires more than one session (e.g., Morpheus8, picosecond), we discuss in the prior online consultation the best strategy: traveling twice to Lima, alternating with a Santiago clinic, or concentrating everything in Lima if the calendar allows.

Common Mistakes That Are Avoidable

• Buying the ticket before the online consultation: consult first, fly later. If you need to change dates, it can get expensive.
• Booking a hotel outside Miraflores: the savings don't make up for taxi commute time and safety. Stay in Miraflores.
• Underestimating Lima traffic: allow 2–3 hours buffer to reach the airport on return-flight day.
• Not bringing sunscreen: Lima has high UV. After laser or resurfacing treatments, skipping SPF can ruin the result.
• Drinking alcohol pre-treatment: increases bruising risk. Stop 48 h before.
• Scheduling the return flight the same day as treatment: almost never a good idea. Reserve 2–4 days margin for recovery and instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need to stay in Lima for an aesthetic treatment?

For common non-invasive treatments (HIFU, Morpheus8, hyaluronic acid, cryolipolysis, HydraFacial, picosecond laser), a 4–7 day visit is most typical: 1 day arrival + rest, 1 day in-person consultation + treatment, 2–4 days recovery combined with tourism, 1 day follow-up and return. Some treatments like HydraFacial or hyaluronic acid allow returning the next day.

Do I need a visa or any special procedure to travel to Peru?

No. Chilean nationals don't need a tourist visa for Peru. A valid Chilean national ID or passport is enough. Tourist stay up to 183 days per year. No mandatory vaccination for Lima.

How much does the Santiago–Lima flight cost and which airlines operate?

Direct Santiago–Lima flights average USD 200–450 round trip depending on season and lead time. Flight time is approximately 3 h 30 min. LATAM, Sky Airline and JetSmart operate daily routes.

Where should I stay in Lima? Which neighborhood do you recommend?

We recommend Miraflores: Lima's main tourist district, with 4 and 5 star hotels 5–15 minutes walking from our address (Av. Angamos Oeste 715), world-class restaurants, Pacific coastline, and safety. Hotels from USD 80/night.

How do I get from the airport to Miraflores?

Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM) is 30–50 minutes from Miraflores depending on traffic. Options: official authorized taxi inside the terminal (fixed fare ~USD 25–35), Uber/Cabify/InDrive (USD 15–25), or the AirportExpress bus connecting directly to Miraflores.

What currency do I pay in at the clinic and how do I handle exchange?

At Elyzea we charge in Peruvian Soles (PEN). We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and cash. Chilean cards work with the usual international fee. For minor expenses in Lima, exchange dollars at Miraflores currency houses (better rates than the airport) or withdraw soles from ATMs with your Chilean debit card.

Will my phone work in Lima? Is eSIM or roaming better?

Yes. Three options: (1) Chilean roaming, usually expensive but works immediately; (2) tourist eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily) USD 10–25 for 5–7 days with sufficient data; (3) Peruvian prepaid SIM from Movistar, Claro or Bitel, USD 5–10 (requires ID or passport for registration). Free WiFi at hotels, restaurants, and cafés.

Can I combine the aesthetic trip with tourism in Lima?

Yes, and it's recommended. The recovery window between treatment and return flight (2–4 days) allows light tourism: walking Miraflores and Barranco, exploring the Historic Center, Lima cuisine at Maido/Central/Astrid&Gastón, visiting Pachacámac, or the Circuito Mágico del Agua. Dra. Geldres provides specific guidance on which activities are safe based on your treatment.

What if I need a follow-up or touch-up after returning to Chile?

We coordinate post-treatment follow-up by video call with Dra. Geldres at no additional cost. If an in-person adjustment becomes necessary, it's planned for a future visit; most patients don't require touch-ups.

How do I schedule the consultation before traveling?

The free online consultation with Dra. Geldres is scheduled at calendico.com/elyzea by selecting “Online Consultation”. It's by video call, lasts 30–45 minutes, and at the end you'll have a treatment plan, budget in PEN with CLP reference, and a tentative schedule for your Lima visit.

Continue reading: Lima vs Santiago Price Comparison · Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatments in Lima for Chilean Patients · Morpheus8 in Lima: Pricing and Results · Main page on aesthetic medical tourism from Chile.