How to Navigate Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) New Terminal In Our New 2025 Map & Guide
A Real-World Look Inside Jorge Chávez International Airport’s New Terminal, With Photos, Maps, and Local Tips
The new terminal at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, has officially opened, but it’s not a new airport and this confuses many travelers. It’s a separate, modern terminal building with an entirely different layout that’s already confusing travelers arriving or departing here.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what to expect, using real photos, firsthand insights, and tips I’ve learned as a legal airport driver picking up passengers at this terminal every day.
All that said, all travelers now arrive and depart from the 3rd floor, and without a little planning, it’s easy to get turned around. This walkthrough will help you avoid the usual chaos and get through immigration, baggage claim, Customs, arrivals, and pickups with less stress.
What to Expect at Immigration , Unfortunately. . . Long Waits from New Biometric Systems
If you’re arriving internationally, expect longer-than-usual lines at Immigration. The new terminal uses biometric technology, meaning every passenger is photographed and fingerprinted on arrival.
While this upgrade is meant to improve security, in practice it’s been causing major delays, especially during busy times.
Here’s what I’ve seen as a legal airport driver:
Flights arriving between 5AM and 9AM or evening peak hours often mean a 45+ minute wait just to clear Immigration
Passengers with connections sometimes miss their next flights, plan extra time if you’re transferring
Have your documents and address in Peru ready. Keep calm, immigration agents are usually patient, even during long lines.
If you’re a Peruvian citizen or resident, be sure to complete the MigraCheck pre-registration before you arrive. It helps speed up your entry using e-gates.
Download MigraCheck:
The Layout: Everyone Arrives on the 3rd Floor
While this new terminal is modern in many ways, there are still a few quirks that might make it feel. . . well, not so modern.
Whether you’re arriving from another country or another city in Peru, you’ll land on the third floor of the new terminal.
But the journey from plane to baggage claims is different depending on whether you’re on an international or domestic flight.
One big surprise? The distance to Baggage Claim.
You’ll have to make your way all the way down to the first, a long walk, especially after a long flight.
So why the layout? The goal is to keep passengers flowing through the airport, helping the terminal handle more people efficiently. It might feel weird, but there’s a reason for it.
Official Interactive Map, QR Code And Link
While walking through the terminal, I found the official interactive map QR code posted by the airport. You can scan the code below to explore the map, or click the photo for a direct link if you’re on a computer or don’t have a scanner app
Baggage Claim
Upon arrival you will land on the third floor of the new terminal, and have to make your way to the first floor for baggage claims. And as you can see in my photos above, the baggage claim area is clean and looks well organized.
How To Find Your Baggage Quicker
The WhatsApp Baggage Pro Tip (Know Exactly Where Your Luggage Is)
This tip helps you quickly find the conveyor your baggage will be on using WhatsApp as soon as you land.
It works on both desktop and mobile. Just know that the mobile layout looks a little different, the buttons and menus may shift, but the process is the same.
Here’s the step-by-step tip that most travelers don’t know, and yes, I’ve tested it myself:
Go to the official Lima Airport website.
Click on “Passengers” (top left).
Click “Arrivals”, then “Search”.
Enter your flight number in the search box (top right).
Click on your flight, then click “Get WhatsApp Notification” (also in the top right).
(Screenshot below shows the flight search box and WhatsApp button.)
This tool will tell you which baggage belt your luggage is on, no more guessing!
After Baggage Claim, Customs!
What to Expect at Customs After Baggage Claim
Declare whatever you’re bringing. Period.
Don’t try to beat the system, it’s not worth it. If you’re bringing something valuable, or even just unusual, be upfront. If paying a few dollars in refundable customs fees is a dealbreaker, maybe it’s time to reconsider bringing that item at all.
Important:
Items like vitamins and supplements are heavily controlled in Peru.
If the declared value exceeds $500, expect them to be confiscated unless you have proper documentation.
This isn’t rare, but I’ve seen it happen multiple times.
Just be smart. Declare, answer honestly, and keep moving.
Main Arrivals Waiting Area
Even in the brand-new terminal, the main arrivals waiting area can feel cramped and chaotic, especially during peak hours.
I took these photos on different days in the international arrivals area, but both sides, domestic and international share nearly identical layouts. The first photo shows a relatively calm moment and the second, a busy peak hour. As you’ll see, this space can go from quiet to chaotic fast.
The original terminal was built to handle 30 million passengers a year, this new terminal is designed for 40 million. That’s a massive jump. But here’s the catch: the pickup area remains tight, crowded, and at peak hours, downright overwhelming.
Tip: If you’re arriving internationally, finding your driver quickly can be a challenge — especially if you’re tired or unfamiliar with the layout. Below, I’ll show you the exact location (with a real photo) where you should go to meet your driver.
The domestic arrivals area? Almost identical in structure and size, and just as busy.
Connecting Flights
Note: The previous photo showed a wide, panoramic view of the arrivals waiting area. This image zooms in on the center of that same space and yes, it gets that crowded and then some.
After clearing customs, you’ll want to head straight out, staying as direct as possible through the crowd, to reach this spot. This is where many drivers wait for passengers.
Lima Airport Express Bus
To find the Lima Airport Express bus, exit through Door #3, as shown in the photo above, the bus is right outside and visible from inside. This option can work well if you’re comfortable navigating the city with your luggage and if the bus stops near your hotel. Otherwise, a taxi is often the faster, more direct choice, especially after a long flight.
More Real Help Coming Soon
A Note From Me to You
This isn’t some polished corporate brochure. I wrote this guide sitting at my dining room table over the course of a few days, with a goal of helping travelers like you.We’re trying to rebuild after COVID crushed Peru’s tourism industry.
I’m not a big company. I’m the driver, the guy behind the camera, the one building this website for you, piece by piece, with real experience and real photos.
More and more often people are finding us through Reddit, Facebook groups, and even ChatGPT, and not just Google. That tells me one thing: travelers trust other travelers. If that’s how you found us, you’re in the right place.
We’re also working on two more walkthroughs, one for the domestic terminal and one for the Lima airport hotel. They’re coming soon, so bookmark this page or just check back in a few days.
And if you need a 100% legal taxi in Lima with transparent prices and honest service, book a legal airport taxi with transparent pricing and a real human behind the wheel, you can book one right below.
