Originally Posted by rockdoc
As far as I know there are no guided tours that can be arranaged at the airport in Lima. However, you may be able to arrange something through a travel agent or the like, but I am not familar with any.
However, you could still explore Lima on your own if so inclinded. Without a doubt there are parts of town you do not want to venture into, but you could tour/shop the Miraflores and/or San Isidro districts by yourself. Both areas are quite safe, especially in the daytime. I would arrange a good hotel in either district as your base of operations and to clean up after arrivial (there are many; I could give suggestions if you want) and then arrange for a car for the day to take you from place to place. Conversely, you could walk and shop the Miraflores area on your own with little problem especially if you get a hotel near Larco Mar (an upscale shopping area on the beach) which has more than enough to occupy you for several hours before heading back to the airport.
Getting a hotel to "set up shop" sounds like a great idea and I have found a couple of inexpensive ones that might work--- The Manhattan Airport Inn and The Hotel Melodia. Both about $33-37 for the day and they will set up tours from the hotel. Are these hotels worth it?
The Manhattan even has a one-way transfer free of charge to the hotel and will call a cab for you to go back to the hotel.
Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.