LIMA TOURS

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The capital city of Peru is home to around 10 million people. It is a bustling, chaotic coastal city and having one of the busiest airports in South America it is often an entry point into the country for many tourists.

In the past tourists had a habit of leaving as soon as they could but that is now changing as word gets out that Lima has a lot to offer the visitor.

It is a city of many faces and is famous as the culinary capital of South America with its multitude of award winning restaurants.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Top Attractions in & Around Lima

Archbishops Palace  - Cathedral Lima

Archbishops Palace Cathedral Lima

If you are arriving in Lima and have plans to travel onto Cusco or other regions of Peru it is worth scheduling at least a few days to explore Lima as there is plenty to see annd do. 

It is easy to wander around the areas safe and friendly areas of Miraflores and Barranco yourself and these are popular areas to stay. The city center is bit further away from these two neighbourhoods  but well worth spending at least a day exploring to experience the colonial history of Peru and see its grandest buildings.

Here is our pick of the top activities:

  • Parque Kennedy "Cat Park"  - Located in the popular Miraflores area this park, named in honor of the US President J.F. Kennedy, has long been a popular place with locals to hang out but in the last decade it has also become a unique tourist attraction. Take a stroll through the park and you will find hundreds of cats, many being petted by people relaxing in the small Amphitheatre. No one knows for sure why or how started to appear regardless of some locals complaining about them the authorities have taken it onboard to ensure they are neutered, vaccinated and the friendly felines get plenty of food from well-wishers that feed them.

    The cats are not the only attractions though as Parque Kennedy also regularly hosts performances from local artists and musicians

  • Huaca Pucllana Temple - In stark contrast to the glass fronted high rises that make up the back drop to this pyramid constructed of adobe and clay bricks, this makes for an easy visit from Miraflores and is a good way to spend a few hours.

    There is a nice, albeit pricey, restaurant within the complex and make sure you keep an eye for the resident Peruvian hairless dog.

    Website - http://huacapucllanamiraflores.pe/

  • San Francisco Convent Catacombs - this Franciscan monestary and church is on Plaza de Armas and visited by most people that come to the central historic part of Lima. A guided tour through the complex highlights the influence and power of the Catholic church in South America during colonial times. The tour takes a more eerie twist when it descends into the catacombs and you can see thousands of skulls and bones arranged in various geometric patterns. It is estimated that there are over 30,000 buried in the catacombs. There is also a stunning libarary with a priceless collection of old books.
    Website - http://museocatacumbas.com/

  • Sea Kayaking - with tours suitable for beginners through to advanced spending a few hours sea kayaking along the pacific coast is greate fun and offers a nice alternative view of the city and MIraflores perched on top of the cliffs. It is even possible to see dolphins or sea lions if your lucky.
    See full details of our Sea Kayaking Tour in Lima

  • Paragliding -  On any given day that your take a walk along the sea front at Larcomar in Miraflores you will likely see paragliders gently soaring on the thermals above the pacific ocean.  You can arrange tandem flights to experience this for yourself. Flights usually last from 10 to 15 minutes (can depend on wind , conditions and thermals) and are usually in the morning for the best chance of suitable weather.

  • Museo Larco - Here you will find an extensive collection of pre-colombian artifacts on display in an 19th century colonial mansion. There are over 45,000 pieces in the collection (a considerable amount are pottery and ceramics) many of which are located in the museums store room but which can also be visited.. One of the most interesting sections for many is the collection of erotic pottery.The website has an online public catalog of the pieces.
    Website - http://www.museolarco.org/

  • Circuito Magico de Agua  - A series of impressive water fountains in the well presented Parque de la  Reserva is worth a visit but especially at night time for one of its spectacular light and water shows. There are 3 shows per night at 7.15pm, 8.15pm and 9.30pm (Except on Mondays) and at just 4 sol for the entry fee it is a popular way to spend a few hours in the evening.
    Website - http://www.circuitomagicodelagua.com.pe

  • Presidential Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) - Located on Plaza de Armas the palace is secured behind some large gates but you can still see it quite clearly. Try to time your visit so you can see the midday changing of the guard ceremony (arrive a bit before to get a good spot)

  • Museum of the Inquisition & Congress - this museum explores the history of the congress in Peru and also of the times of the Spanish Inquisition. The building that houses the museum is an impressive building but the basement of teh building was also used to torture people and it  includes some grusome explanations and demonstrations of the torture devices that were used during that time.
    Website - http://www.congreso.gob.pe/museo/index.html

  • Vintage Car Museum Coleccion Nicolini - for car lovers this is an absolute must and even those less enamoured with motor powered vehicles often find  this private museum very interesting. The collection of classic cars is owned by the Jorge Nicolini. a member of a wealthy Peruvian family that made its fortune in banking,  and even has an onsite workshop to which makes any spare parts that cannot be bought to the vehicles. It is the largest collection in South America and one of the most impressive in the world including 3 cars that are unique in the world.
    It is quite far out of the city though so taking an Uber or a a taxi with a pre agreed price might be a good idea.
    Website - http://www.museodeautosnicolini.com/

  • Amano Pre-Colmbian Textile Museum  Open daily from 10am to 5pm this Miraflores located museum is home to some outsstanding examples or pre-columbian textiles many of which are in surprisingly good condition. With explanations in both English and spanish the collection is very well presented and worth the entrance fee. It sometimes has some additional guest exhibitions  to supplement the permenent ones.
    Website - http://www.museoamano.org/

  • El Olivar Park -  this nice green space in the upscale San Isidro area of Lima is a pleasant space to stroll around and is bordered by some impressive mansions. It takes its name from the many olive trees it is home to some of which are over 400 years old. 

Watch an Official Peru Tourism Video for Lima

 

Culinary Tourism & Food Tours

Cerviche -The National Dish of Peru

Cerviche Lima Peru

A visit to Lima would not be complete without making some time to try out some of its world famous culinary experiences.

Either by taking one of the many food tours on offer , partaking in a cooking class or simply by visiting some of the many quality restaurants around the city you are sure to be impressed with the quality of dining your can find in the capital.

The national dish of peru is cerviche and there will be a multitude of places offering this famous dish. It is made from raw fish but marinated with citrus juice (usually lemon or lime) which causes a reaction that "cooks" it. Tangy, spicy and fresh you will have no problem getting a local to recommend their favourite spot to you. Seafood lovers should sample cerviche in a variety of places as each can put its own little twist on the dish. 

There are cerviche places to suit every budget and you dont have to break the bank to get some tasty dishes.

A popular place  that use to be a budget option is Chez Wong but since it was made famous by the late Anthony Bourdain its prices have risen and whilst it still serves up quality cerviche the price have risen with its fame.

An upscale places in Miraflores is the recommended El Mercado restaurant close to the sea front and the nice outdoor seating makes it a great place to go in the evenings with friends.

Canta Rana in Barranco is achieving an almost cult like status now and you might have to queue to get in but it is well worth it - often called the best cerviche in Lima!

Apart from cerviche Lima offers world class fine dining opportunities and foodies will be in heaven.

Some of the top establishments include:

Central -  http://centralrestaurante.com.pe/en/ -  In Miraflores

Astrid & Gastón - http://en.astridygaston.com/ -  in San Isidro

Rafael - http://www.rafaelosterling.pe/es/rafael.html -  in Miraflores

Malabar - http://malabar.com.pe/  - in San Isidro 

Popular Areas

Miraflores District of Lima

Miraflores District Lima Peru

 

The city and district of Lima is huge and is home to lots of different areas and most visitor will focus on just a handful of these. 

The following are the most popular areas for tourists to visit when coming to Lima:

 

Miraflores

Many tourists that stay in Lima choose this area due to its reputation for safety, abundance of good restaurants and shopping, plus a variety of hotels and hotels to sort every budget.

From here you easily visit many popular places including the Larcomar shopping mall that is located on a cliff with great ocean views, Kennedy Park, “Pizza Alley”, Lovers Park (parque del amor) and the archaeological site of Huaca Pucllana Temple.

 

Barranco

Adjacent to the Miraflores area this is often referred to as the bohemian district of lima and it is home to lots of arty cafes, bars and a good selection of galleries and museums. Impressive colonial mansions are in abundance here many of which have been repurposed as cool boutique drinking establishments. A popular spot is the “Puente de los Suspiros” – the bridge of sighs , which is in a nice location but bears no resemblance to its namesake in venice.

 

San Isidro

This is one of the most exclusive areas of Lima and many embassies and business headquarters are located here. One effect of this is that some of the cities top restaurants are in this area so it is a great place to try the best of Peruvian cuisine.

There are also some ancient ruins called Huaca Huallamarca which are worth visiting but if that’s not your thing then designer boutique shops are plentiful in this area.

El Olivar park is in this area and is a recommended visit to see the wonderful mansions there.

 

Historic Central Lima

Head to the central Plaza de Armas and you will likely be impressed by the incredible colonial architecture all around. It is home to the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) which is both the symbolic headquarters of the country and the residence of the president. On the eastern side you will see the best example of the carved Moorish style balconies, that are seen in Peruvian architecture, protruding from the Archbishops Palace.

There are several places to visit near the plaza with the most common being the catacombs of San Francisco Convent. There are plenty of decent places for lunch or to sample some of the best pisco sours you can find.

 

China Town

Also located in central downtown Lima this area is the center for Chinese Peruvian culture in the city. Peru is home to a sizable population of Chinese with an estimated 3% of the people believed to be of Chinese heritage.

The entrance to China town is marked by a large red decorative archway and as expected there are lots of Chinese restaurants to choose from that are locally referred to as “chifas”.

 

Useful Tips

  • If you are travelling across the city from one zone to another try to avoid peak hours as traffic can be horrendous. Between 7.30am - 10.00am and 4.00pm and 8.00pm you should allow for longer travel times.
  • Whilst there are plenty of taxi services in Lima there are also ride share services Uber and EasyTaxi which can be useful especially if you dont speak any spanish as most driver wont speak english.
  • The skies above Lima are regulary grey and dull. Summer is from December to April and although you can get plenty of blue skies then , its still common to have cloudy days. After April it is pretty much guarantee to be grey and dull. That said , the sun can still burn through the clouds to dontr forget your sun cream.

Last Updated 10th August 2018

Lima Tours

5 Item(s)

  • Sea Kayaking Tour - Lima

    Lima Sea Kayaking Tour (2 hours approx) - The kayak route itself offers nice views of the city coast line and cliffs and is a beginner level route that is available year round. Total paddling distance is about 5km and usually takes aroudn 2 hours but obviously can vary depending on your paddling speed and conditions. There is the possibility to see dolphins and/or sea lions if we are lucky during this route.

    $75.00
  • Ballestas Islands & Sand-Boarding 2-Day Tour (from Lima)

    2 day trip to the Ballestas Islands and the the oasis of Huacachina (sandboarding!). Safety and fun guaranteed! It starts from Lima and visits two must-sees of the region. Perfect if short on time and don't want to miss out on them.

    $139.00
  • Ballestas Islands & Sand-Boarding 3-Day Tour (from Lima)

    3 day trip to the Ballestas Islands and the the oasis of Huacachina (sandboarding!). Safety and fun guaranteed! It starts from Lima and visits two must-sees of the region. Perfect if having a few days in Peru and want to have a longer tour to explore these places. Also includes a visit to a pisco vineyard, where pisco, traditional drink of Peru, is made. The tour leaves 5 times a week.


    $159.00
  • Ballestas Islands & Sand-Boarding + Nazca Lines Flight 2-Day Tour (from Lima)

    Take this tour and visit the three highlights of the Ica region in only two days: Ballestas Islands, sandboarding in Huacachina and a stunning flight over the Nazca Lines! This tour departs daily from Lima. Pickup from your hotel in central Lima and hostel accommodation in Huacachina for the night are also included in the price.

    $249.00
  • Ballestas Islands & Sand-Boarding + Nazca Lines Flight 3-Day Tour (from Lima)

    Take this tour and visit the three highlights of the Ica region in three days: Ballestas Islands, sandboarding in Huacachina and a stunning flight over the Nazca Lines! This tour departs 5 days a week from Lima. Pickup from your hotel in central Lima and hostel accommodation in Huacachina and Paracas for the nights are also included in the price.

    $269.00