Lima, Peru

Why stop in Lima?

Lima is the capital of Peru, and is located right on the Pacific coast.  It is located between the valleys of Chillón, Rímac, and the Lurín rivers, and has a population of more than 9 million people, which makes it the third-largest city in the Americas!

Now, Ive visited Lima twice, once to discover and the second was a transit only. If you’ve never been, then its worth stopping over for a night to check it out before you continue to your next stop (most likely Cusco?)

If you’re planning a transit, airport hotel Holiday Inn was fantastic!

If you’ve decided to stop at Lima, here are the things to checkout & see during your visit:

Walk Around PLAZA MAYOR

This “plaza” or square is the oldest public space in Lima. It was designed to have the most important institutional buildings around it, so as to be seen as the center of the city. While you are in the area, head over to the beautiful and peaceful Plaza San Martin square in Lima center.

The Architecture of the Colonial Center

The center of Lima is built during Spain’s colonial rule, the UNESCO-listed downtown area includes masterpieces like the Archbishop’s Palace, the twin towers of the Cathedral of Lima, and innumerable mansions like the Riva Agüero house or the Casa de Aliaga.

Lima’s is super famous for its Gastronomy

Lima is known to be a must-visit for Latin America’s foodies due to its culinary diversity. Dine on seafood specialties like ceviche at La Mar Cebichería, snack on a Peruvian soup at Siete Sopas, or try the beef stir fry at Pollos Hikari.

Walk Along The Malecón De Miraflores

Malecon is a boardwalk in the district of Miraflores, which gives spectacular views of the Ocean and the beaches below. Because of the beautiful views and easy walk. Miraflores stretches for about 8 km along the coast, and it is a preferred area of both tourists and locals alike, since it offers great coastal views and it is very clean and spacious! (good idea for sunset)

Shop for Peruvian Ceramics, Designer Clothes, or Bouquets of Flowers

Lima is a fantastic shopping destination, particularly in neighborhoods like Miraflores. You can window shop all day, or explore bustling craft markets like the Indian Market, the finest place in Peru to pick up artisan craft souvenirs. The Flower Market is another unmissable experience, where beauty and bargains come together in an irresistible mix.

Contemporary Art for Culture Lovers

Check out the galleries such as MAC Lima (the Museum of Contemporary Art) and MATE, an institution dedicated to world-famous fashion photographer Mario Testino.

How to Get Around Lima

Public Transportation

The major public transportation options in Lima include the Metropolitano bus network and the city’s modern urban railway system. To use either you’ll need to get hold of a rechargeable travel card. Fares on the trains start at S/1.50, while single bus tickets are S/2. More adventurous travelers can also get around via Lima’s micro-buses, which take cash and charge a minimum S/0.50 per journey.

Taxi

Taxis are a popular way to travel around Lima (and would be my choice too), but be aware that cabs aren’t metered. Instead, you’ll need to pre-arrange a fare with your driver. Don’t pay more than S/20 for an inner-city journey (most shorter hops should cost around S/10-15).

Car

When you rent a car, you can visit beaches to the south like Punta Negra or day-trip destinations like the historic port of Pisco, so it’s an excellent transportation option. You’ll find branches of Budget and Avis across town, and rates as low as S/22 per day are common.