Most Popular Saunas in Lima
- Details
- Lima doesn't get the same attention as Rio or Buenos Aires when people talk about South American gay destinations, but Peru's capital has been quietly building something interesting. The sauna scene here tends to open in the afternoon and runs until late, giving you plenty of options to unwind after exploring the city's incredible food scene or before hitting the bars in Miraflores. And if you time your visit right during Pride season, you'll catch Lima at its most colorful.
240Club: The Veteran
Sitting in downtown Lima since the 1990s, 240Club has earned its reputation as one of the city's most reliable spots. Located at Jirón Tarma 240, just a few blocks from the gay bar La Jarrita, it's been around long enough to know what works. Inside you'll find Finnish dry saunas, a steam room, video rooms for those who want entertainment, private cabins that cost an extra 10 soles, massage services, a gym, and a bar where you can grab drinks between sessions.
The crowd skews local, mostly Peruvian guys who've been coming here for years. They open daily from 3 PM until 11 PM, though Saturdays stretch until 8 AM the next morning for the real night owls. The venue occasionally hosts themed events—check their social media before visiting to see what's happening. Entry typically runs around 38 soles, which isn't the cheapest in town but you're paying for the history and the space.
Sauna 69: Two Flavors
The Sauna 69 brand operates two locations in Lima, each targeting different demographics. The Classico location in Santa Beatriz at Jirón Emilio Fernández 782 attracts the bear crowd and tends toward a more mature clientele. The VIP branch over in Lince at Avenida Arenales 1423B goes younger, pulling in guys in their 20s and 30s who want a sleeker experience.
Both spots feature the basics—dry saunas, steam rooms, private cabins, darkrooms for cruising. They're open daily from 3 PM to 11 PM. Word of warning though: some visitors have reported theft issues at the VIP location, so keep your valuables somewhere safe or better yet, don't bring anything you'd hate to lose. The Andel Karaoke Bar sits just a few blocks from Sauna 69 VIP if you want to extend your night with some singing before or after.
Assia Spa: The New Kid
Opened in 2019 by an American-Peruvian gay couple, Assia Spa brought fresh energy to Lima's sauna scene. Located at Gonzales Prada 433 in Surquillo, right next to Miraflores where most tourists stay, it pulls a solid mix of visitors and locals. The facility runs clean and modern—you can tell the owners put thought into the experience.
They're open daily from 3 to 11 PM, which gives you a decent window to drop by after spending the day at Huaca Pucllana or strolling through the cliffs in Miraflores. The proximity to the main tourist zone makes this an easy choice if you don't want to venture too far from your hotel.
Oupen Sauna: The Miraflores Option
Over on Avenida 28 de Julio 171 in Miraflores sits Oupen Sauna, smaller than some of the others but strategically located in the heart of tourist central. Multiple renovations over the years keep it feeling current despite being one of the older venues. Finnish saunas, steam rooms, private cabins—the standard setup you'd expect, nothing fancy but nothing missing either.
The crowd tends toward gay and bisexual men, with the occasional military guy stopping by to cool off (Peru's relationship with homosexuality remains complicated). It's open from 3 PM to 11 PM, and the weekday entry runs 40 soles, bumping to 45 on weekends.
Pride Season: When Lima Explodes
The Marcha del Orgullo takes over Lima every late June, usually around the 28th or 29th. The 2025 edition drew over 50,000 people marching from Campo de Marte in Jesús María through downtown, ending with performances from artists like Milena Warthon and Angie Chávez, plus sets from DJ Vero Vásquez and drag queen Dag Yola.
This isn't just a parade—it's become a statement about visibility in a country that only decriminalized homosexuality a century ago. The week leading up includes film screenings at Out Fest Peru, pre-parties around Miraflores, and community events that turn the whole city into one big celebration. The parade itself kicks off at 3 PM and runs for hours, with floats, rainbow flags everywhere, and an energy that contradicts Peru's conservative Catholic reputation.
The Nightlife Connection
Most people don't come to Lima just for the saunas—they come for the whole package. The gay scene concentrates in Miraflores and Barranco, two neighborhoods that sit next to each other along the coast. ValeTodo DownTown on Calle los Pinos runs Friday and Saturday nights with two dance floors: one spinning techno and house, the other playing Latino chart hits. The drag shows here border on legendary.
La Jarrita downtown attracts the military boys and opens until midnight when tables get cleared and dancing takes over. Andel Karaoke Bar in Lince draws crowds Wednesday and Thursday with 3-for-2 happy hour deals, and weekends bring fierce drag queens joining the karaoke chaos. Legendaris caters to the after-hours crowd starting around 3 AM with themed nights like Stripper Night and Leather Night.
The Peruvian scene operates on Latin time—nothing really gets going until 11 PM or midnight. Most visitors start with drinks in Miraflores, maybe dinner at one of those world-famous restaurants Lima's known for, then bar hop before ending up at ValeTodo or taking a late-night detour through a sauna.
The Reality Check
Peru still wrestles with its Catholic heritage and conservative attitudes toward homosexuality. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples should stay limited to clearly gay-friendly spaces. The good news? Miraflores and Barranco feel pretty safe, and attitudes shift more progressive each year as Pride attendance grows and anti-discrimination laws slowly make their way through government.
Lima rewards the curious traveler willing to dig past Machu Picchu tourist brochures. The sauna scene might not match Bangkok or Berlin in size, but it delivers authenticity, reasonable prices, and enough variety to keep things interesting across a week-long visit.