Lima Travel Guide

A short travel guide to visiting Lima. Where to go, what to see and what not to miss. Includes links to highly recommended Lima hotels

Lima, the capital city of Peru, has unjustly been given a bad reputation by tourists who breeze through on layovers en route to the more exotic offerings of the country. In fact Lima is a great city worth exploration and makes the country’s must see list. With roughly 1/3 of the country’s population the city of Lima has expanded from a Spanish colonial port city to a Los Angeles-like metropolis. It has all the amenities of the west and like in Cairo you can pass pillars of globalization a block away from the ruins of past civilizations. It is a good idea to get a full understanding of the city by visiting the different neighborhoods; at minimum Barranco, Miraflores and the historic city center.

Start in the historic city center, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One thing you will recognize immediately is the importance of plazas in Peru. The Plaza del Armas and the Plaza San Martin are two of the most beautiful in the city, lined with intricately carved wooden balconies and home to the most important historic buildings, including the presidential palace and the Cathedral. Connected by a pedestrian shopping area it is easy to guide yourself around this part of town and it is possible to visit the historic homes of the area.

Heading towards to coast you should visit the ruins of Huaca Pucllana, dating back to the first century from the Lima civilization. The ruins are a sharp contrast to the Incan Ruins found in the Andes. After a guided tour, head to the Park of Love to see the iconic statue by Victor Delfin and meander down the ocean side path to Larcomar, a western style mall built into the side of the cliffs over looking the Pacific ocean. Only a few kilometers from the city center and a few blocks from the ruins, this posh area of Miraflores is certainly a different experience. After enjoying lunch overlooking the ocean, you should head into the art district of Barranco. There are plenty of private galleries scattered near the coastline but the must see is the home of Victor Delfin which houses his private collection and doubles as a small boutique hotel. If you have some extra time in Lima you should go to the private collection at the Larco Museum located in the district of Pueblo Libre. Not only is this hands down one of the best museums in the city it also houses an interesting exhibit on Pre-Columbian erotic pottery.

If you plan to visit Peru, it is a must to at least get a general sense of the capital to fully appreciate this dynamic country that spans the desert Pacific Coasts, the Andes Mountains and a large portion of the Amazon Rainforest. It is worth the extra day or two.

For further details on hotel accommodations visit: Lima hotels or for details on hotels throughout the rest of Peru, visit: Peru luxury hotels