First Time In Lima
Description:
For most visitors to Peru Lima is nothing more than a necessary entry point to the rest of the country. True, Lima is the country's transport hub and is the base for exploring the almost limitless Peru vacation destinations, but spend a little longer here and you'll find that Lima has so much more to offer the inquisitive newcomer. Lima is without doubt the best place to sample a full range of that world famous Peruvian cuisine. The finestceviche can be found here, along with other specialities such as anticuchos (deliciously tender grilled beef heart) and tacu tacu con seco (a hearty dish of rice, beans and stewed meat). The city is packed with Inca ruins, colonial gems and modern masterpieces, all competing for your attention and the diversity of its nightlife is vast. The hotels in Lima are the finest in the country and offer a range to suit every budget and vacation style. Lima's weather is famously variable, during the summer months (December - March) expect long, dry and sunny days, for the rest of the year coastal cloudprotects you from the sun. Lima is big, and can overwhelm the visitor at first. For that reason take it easy, don't try to see too much too soon and use our handy Lima map to plan your visit to this fascinating city.
Author: Matthew Barker
Day 1 - Lima
Cosmopolitan, accessible and friendly, the trendy shoppng district of Miraflores is an easy introduction to Lima. It is where you'll find the most comfortable hotels and best restaurants and is therefore an ideal place to base yourself during your visit to Lima. Miraflores revolves around the central Park Kennedy, a great place for people watching and home to numerous artists displaying their creations. Explore the area's museums, get a feel for Lima's character and take a peek through the shops and malls. At night, witness the best traditional music and dance show in town at the Asociacion Cultural Brisas del Titicaca.
1
Sala Luis Miró Quesada
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Larco, esquina con Diez Canseco
Lima 18 Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 617 72642
Museo Rafael Larco Herrera
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Bolívar 1515
Lima 21 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 461 1312 , 461 18352
Museo de Oro del Perú y Armas del Mundo
Location:
view in google mapsCalle Alonso de Molina 1100
LM 33 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 435 29172
Museo Nacional de Antropología, Arqueología e Historia
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza Bolívar s/n
Lima 21 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 463 50702
Santa Rosa de Lima
Location:
view in google mapsTacna, block 1
, cuadra 1
Lima 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Iglesia de las Nazarenas
Location:
view in google mapsHuancavelica 515, with Tacna Avenue
, cuadra 5
Lima, Peru
Phone:
+ 51 1 4235712
Cerro San Cristóbal
Location:
view in google mapsNear the Rimac River
Lima 1 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 315 13002
Calesas Clásicas
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza Mayor
LM 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Balneario de Punta Hermosa
Location:
view in google mapsPanamericana Sur, km 41
Lima 24 Lima, Peru
2
Isla El Frontón
Location:
view in google mapsIsla El Frontón
A 7 kilómetros del Callao
Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 315 13002
Colección Enrico Poli
Location:
view in google mapsLord Cochrane 466
LM 18 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 422 24372
Palacio Municipal
Location:
view in google mapsJirón de la Unión sin número, Plaza de Armas
LM 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Museo San Francisco de Jesús
Location:
view in google mapsCalle Ancash,
cuadra 3
LM 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 427 13812
Plaza Bolívar
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza Bolívar
Avenida Abancay, cuadra 2
Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Alameda Chabuca Granda
Location:
view in google mapsAlameda Chabuca Granda
LM 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 315 13002
Alameda de los Descalzos
Location:
view in google mapsAlameda Los Bobos
LM 25 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Lomas de Lachay
Location:
view in google mapsKilómetro 105 de la Panamericana Norte - Huaura
Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Museo Nacional de la Cultura Peruana
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Alfonso Ugarte 650
LM 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 423 58922
Monumento a Bolívar
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Abancay, cuadra 2
Cuadra 2
LM 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Segundo Muelle
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Conquistadores 489
Miraflores
Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 717-99992
Costa Verde
Location:
view in google mapsCircuito de Playas (Playa Barranquito)
Circuito de Playas (Playa Barranquito), Barranco
4 Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 477 24242
La Oficina
Location:
LM 04 Lima, Peru2
Larcomar Multicines
Location:
view in google mapsCentro Comercial Larcomar
LM 18 Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 446 73364
Miraflores
Location:
view in google mapsMiraflores
Costa central
Lima 18 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 61772725
Señorío de Sulco
Location:
view in google maps1470 Malecon Cisneros
Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 441 01836
Asociación Cultural Brisas del Titicaca
Location:
view in google mapsWakulski 168
Lima1 Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 715 69607
Hotel Larcomar View
Location:
view in google mapsCalle Las Dalias 276
LM 18 Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 446 7321Day 2 - Lima
Lima's historical center is a 15 minute drive north from Miraflores. The brave can take a combi bus from the north end of Park Kennedy, look for buses with Arequipa on the side and pay 1 sole to be taken to the end of Arequipa. Others may prefer to hop into a taxi - negotiate before getting in and don't pay more than 10 soles! Historic Lima is based around the Plaza de Armas but walk past Plaza San Martin on your way for an impressive statue of 'El Liberator.' Spend a full day exploring the various sites in and around the Plaza, especially Pizarro's remains in the Catedral and the bones of thousands of former Lima residents in the eery catecombs of Iglesia de San Francisco. Take lunch at one of the many cafes on the Plaza but don't miss the impressive changing of the guard at 12pm sharp (perhaps the only thing in Peru that is always on time!) Unless there is a public event on the Plaza, be sure to leave before dusk when central Lima becomes less safe for tourists.
1
Plaza San Martín
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Nicolás de Piérola,
cuadra 9
Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas )
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza Mayor
Centro Urbano
Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 315 13003
Catedral de Lima (La)
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza Mayor
Lado este de la Plaza Mayor de Lima, Jirón Carabaya
Lima 1 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 427 96474
Palacio de Gobierno
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza Mayor
LM 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 444 30275
Iglesia de San Francisco y Museo
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza de San Francisco
Lima 1 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 42713816
Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo
Location:
view in google mapsConde de Superunda 200
Lima 01 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 427 67937
Huaca Pucllana
Location:
view in google mapsAvenue Arequipa 4698
Miraflores
Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 242 7978Day 3 - Lima
Start the day with a visit to the Mueso de la Nacion, an imposing militarist building which houses, among many other exhibits, a powerful and compelling photography exhibition documenting civil conflict during the time of the Shining Path insurgency. Pay no more than 10 soles for a taxi to Barranco, Lima's former holiday town which has now become a peaceful haven for the city's bohemian artisan communities. Explore the backstreets of this pleasant neighbourhood and cross the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) while holding your breath and making a wish, local legend has it that your wish will come true. Catch the sunset over the Pacific before having a traditional meal at Ekeko or one of Barranco's many restaurants. Finish your day at Juanito's, a traditional tavern that is over 80 years old before going for a dance at the legendary La Noche live music club.
1
Museo de la Nación
Location:
view in google mapsAv. Javier Prado Este 2465
San Borja
LM 41 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 476 98752
Barranco
Location:
view in google mapsBarranco
Costa central de Lima
Lima, Peru
3
Puente de los Suspiros
Location:
view in google mapsPuente de los Suspiros
Calle Ayacucho y Bajada a Los Baños
Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 315 13004
Ekeko (El)
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Grau 266
Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 247 31485
Juanito's
Location:
view in google mapsGrau 274
Lima 4 Lima, Peru
6
Noche (La)
Location:
view in google mapsAv. Bolognesi 307
(El Boulevard)
Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 477 5829Day 4 - Lima
Pachacamac is the closest major archeological site to Lima and offers a fascinating insight into how the region's pre-Colombian civilizations used to live. You can spend a full day exploring the site, the attached museum, visitors center and surrounding gardens. There is a cafe on site which serves a limited and expensive selection of food. Bring a packed lunch if you prefer. You can hire a taxi to and from the ruins and ask the driver to wait (up to $6 per hour) or catch any bus signed Pachacamac from central Lima.
1
Trip to Pachacamac Ruins
Location:
view in google mapsMIRABUS - Miraflores Central Park
(Tourist Information Office)
Lima 18 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 2426699, 47642132
Sí Señor México
Location:
view in google mapsJiron Bolognesi 706
Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 445 3789Day 5 - Lima
When in Lima, do as the Limenos, and spend your last day relaxing on the beach with the locals. Lima's city beaches are popular during the summer months but for cleaner water and a more relaxing atmosphere catch a bus further south (buses reading San Bartolo head in the right direction) and get off at El Silencio, one of the most popular beaches. Keep an eye on your belongings while in the sea and be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen - Peru's fierce sun can burn even through the coastal mist. Finish your day on the ocean with a delicious meal on the seafront in Punta Sal before heading back to Barranco for one last fling with Lima's legendary nightlife.
1
Playa El Silencio
Location:
view in google maps38 km al Sur de Lima
LM 24 Lima, Peru
Phone:
+51 1 574 80002
Punta Sal
Location:
view in google mapsMalecón Cisneros Cuadra 3 esquina con Trípoli
Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 242 45243
Mochileros
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Pedro de Osma 135
Lima, Peru
Phone:
51 1 477 4506