Life on the Combi
A typical limeño spends four hours a day commuting, Lima having the world’s third worst traffic according to the 2018 TomTom Traffic Index. That’s twelve years of an average person’s life spent stuck in traffic jams. Whilst the most affluent members of society might travel in their own car or by taxi, for the masses moving around the city means taking either a bus or a combi. Uncomfortable, unsafe and highly unrecommended to those visiting Lima, a ride on a combi is an unforgettable experience for those from countries with a more organised transport system. For those of you intrepid enough to have a go, I offer you some tips. The first challenge for anyone wanting to take a ride on a combi will be getting one to stop. The best option is to find a paradero, marked by blue and white signs. At the stop you will find absolutely no information whatsoever about routes, so it is probably best to ask a local which one you need to take. The routes of the combi are plastered on the s...
