Lima
Lima, Peru’s capital and largest city, has a plethora of excellent activities to offer, making deciding what to do in this city of 10 million people difficult.
Lima is huge, with many different areas offering different activities, so knowing what to do here in a short amount of time is critical. Of course, you want to make the most of your time in this vibrant city!
I had the good fortune to spend a month in Lima, exploring the various neighbourhoods, trying out the best activities, and eating at the best restaurants. As a result, I am better qualified than most to share my top 12 things to do in Lima.
1 Museo Convento San Francisco
The Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas, which was over 300 years ago, has survived several earthquakes. It used to be the largest church in the Americas. This lovely yellow structure houses one of Lima’s top museums. In fact, there are over 70,000 people buried in the catacombs! Guided tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and last 45 minutes; tours are available in English and Spanish.
2 Parque de la Reserva
Parque de la Reserva is a park in central Lima with fountains and a lot of families hanging out. Entering costs less than a dollar. The fountains are in rainbow colours at night. This is incredible! The park has two sides, and to get from one to the other, there is a tunnel that runs beneath a road. The heart-shaped flower tunnel that has become a popular photo spot can also be in Parque de la Reserva. The attraction’s name is “Circuito Mágico del Agua – Parque de la Reserva,” so if you want to ask locals about it, use that name.
3 Barrio Chino
We like Lima’s Chinatown (Barrio Chino) because it’s off the beaten tourist path. Isn’t it time to try ‘tallarines’ (noodles) and some ‘chaufa’ (fried rice) after touring museums and eating ceviche? The size of East Asian communities in Peru may surprise you, but they have a long history, dating back to waves of immigration a century ago. While Lima’s Barrio Chino may remind you of Chinatowns in North America or elsewhere, it also has some quirky Peruvian flavours. Have you ever seen Chinese restaurant menus in Spanish before? We sampled some local cuisine and enjoyed the cultural mingling.
4 Magic Water Circuit
Seeing the Magic Water Circuit in the evening is without a doubt one of the coolest things to do in Lima Peru. With several fountains, music, and plenty of laser lights, it is a magical show. The largest water fountain complex in the world, located within the Parque de la Reserva, made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. There are 13 different fountains, all which are at night, creating quite a spectacle. While strolling through the park and admiring the fountains is enjoyable, you should plan your visit to coincide with the special show featuring Peruvian folk music.
5 Peruvian History
While you’re in Peru’s capital, you might as well learn about the country’s history. There is no better place to do so than the Natural History Museum in the city. Lima’s Natural History Museum recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. There are several other excellent museums worth visiting if you want to learn more about Peruvian history. The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History, as well as the Museum of the Nation, are also worth a visit.
6 Drink Pisco Sours
You know the old adage “When in Rome…” In Rome, you drink wine, while in Lima, you drink pisco. Because the famous cocktail originated in Lima, one of the top things to do in Lima is definitely try a Pisco Sour (or three). This incredible cocktail is combining pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, ice, and Angostura bitters. Pisco Sours are so popular in Peru that they have a national holiday dedicated to them. Da del Pisco Sour is on the first Saturday of February. Salud!
7 Barranco
Barranco, long a favourite of Lima’s artistic community, is gaining popularity among visitors as a popular alternative to its more trendy and upscale neighbour Miraflores. Even if you don’t stay there, you should definitely go explore this bohemian haven. Barranco was as a beach destination for wealthy Limeos, as shown by the many palm trees that line the streets and pastel-colored mansions. It now attracts curious travellers looking for a more laid-back, artsy vibe. Barranco has plenty to see and do to keep you busy for a while.
8 Street Art
I don’t know about you, but I love looking for street art when I travel. Museums are wonderful, but it’s nice to get your art fix outside of a stuffy room with obnoxious guards following you around. Street art enthusiasts will be in for a real treat in Peru’s capital. Because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the local government opposes graffiti in the historic district. if you poke around for a while and get away from the Plaza de Armas and all its protected landmarks, you’ll find some hidden gems.
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9 Study Spanish
Lima is a popular starting point for long-distance trips around South America because it has excellent flight connections from North America and Europe. If you’re going to be spending time in this part of the world, it’s well worth learning some espaol. While you can get by in Peru using only English and body language, it will be a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience if you can interact with people in Spanish. , there are several options for Spanish classes in Peru’s capital. Signing up for Spanish lessons is the best and easiest way to deal with the visa situation if you want to stay in Peru longer.
10 Larco Museum
If you’re stuck in Lima on a foggy, day (and there are plenty of them), go to the Larco Museum. This is the city’s most impressive museum, housed in a former mansion and containing thousands of pre-Columbian artefacts. There are a few aspects of the Larco Museum that stand out. For one thing, it was one of the first museums in the world to open its storerooms. Tens of thousands of ancient ceramics that aren’t on display in the museum can be here. When the Spanish discovered it, you’ll laugh at seeing the Kama Sutra in clay.
11 Ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana
While more high-rises are being built in Lima, the city is still doing an excellent job of preserving its history. The ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana, which are in the heart of Miraflores, are a prime example of this. Huaca Pucllana is a sacred, seven-tiered adobe temple that was in the fifth century during the Lima Culture. It was constructed to prove the elite clergymen in charge’s authority and control over the area’s natural resources.
12 Larcomar
I would never put a shopping mall in a travel guide. Ask my wife, and she’ll tell you how much I despise shopping malls. the Larcomar mall is pretty cool and deserves to be on this list of Lima attractions. Their unique selling point is that it is the only shopping mall built into a cliff. Isn’t that amazing? This open-air mall has some incredible views thanks to its unusual location. There are 17 restaurants and over 70 shops inside Larcomar, so there is plenty to keep you busy. I even had my picture taken with Papa Noel (Santa Claus) here when we were in Lima in December!
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