Lima

Understand

Lima is a growing metropolis of about 11 million people. Many of these people have migrated from the highlands to find work in Lima, without success, leading to widespread poverty and unemployment, and sprawling shanty towns on the outskirts of the city.

Lima's pre-Hispanic and colonial architecture is beautiful and the city has several museums (such as the Museo Larco) that tells the story of a country with a long history that produced a large number of coastal and Andean civilizations (such as the Moche, Chavin, and the Incas) and many local cultures. There are several archaeological sites in and around the city (locally known as huaca).

Get in

thumb|A view of the main terminal at Jorge Chávez

See

thumb|Plaza del Armas in the Historical Center of Lima The historic downtown, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Circuito Mágico del Agua (Magic Water Tour), a fountain and light display in the Parque de la Reserva and Parque Fermín Tangüis. The Parque del Amor (Lovers' Park) in Miraflores. The Costa Verde, Lima's impressive green coast stretches between San Miguel and Chorrillos. The tourist-friendly districts of Barranco, Miraflores and Santiago de Surco. The historical sites of Pueblo Libre, including the Cruz del Viajero, a monumental Christian cross dating from the era of the Conquistadores. Lima's best shopping malls: Plaza Norte, Jockey Plaza, Larcomar, Mall Aventura Plaza, Real Plaza Salaverry. Historical churches: Lima´s Cathedral, Santo Domingo (San Martín de Porres), Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa de Lima), Nazarenas (Señor de los Milagros), San Francisco. Museums: Museo nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia (Pueblo Libre), Museo de Arte (Paseo Colón), Museo Pedro de Osma (Barranco), Museo Rafael Larco (Pueblo Libre). Parque Kennedy in the center of Miraflores. This park is right in the entertainment district and is famous for the large number of cats that used to live there. Huaca Pucllana : Pre-Inca temple of the Lima culture (around 500 AD). This archaeological site is located in the Miraflores district, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Open every day except Tuesday and Sunday, from 09:00 to 15:30. Guided tour required. …

Do

thumb|The Temple of the Sun at Pachacamac

Surfing the waves of the Pacific Ocean in Miraflores Beach Paragliding over the reefs of Miraflores Beach Visit Pachacamac in Lurin (1/2 hour from Miraflores), a sacred pre-Inca citadel. Go to Mamacona (Lurin, behind Pachacamac) and live the emotion of a live show with Caballo Peruano de paso and the beautiful dance Marinera. Tickets in Mirabus, central park of Miraflores. Visit Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores, a pre-Inca ruins.

Eat

thumb|250px|Ceviche de pulpo (Octopus ceviche) as prepared in the port of Callao, in Lima's coast.

Gastronomy has been, since the days of the Spanish vice royalty, an essential aspect of life in Lima. During the last few years, the city's dining reputation has experienced a huge leap in the eyes of the world, due in part to the International Summit of Gastronomy (Madrid Fusión) in 2006, which declared Lima to be the "Gastronomy Capital of the Americas". The offerings in Lima are nowadays more varied and cover a wide range of types and cuisines, both regional and international.

Despite the wide range of choice in Lima's many restaurants, ceviche is surely number one on the list of dishes you must get to know, not only because it happens to be the Peruvian national dish, but because of its unparalleled delicious taste. With the increasing interest in the Peruvian cuisine, ceviche is quickly making its way onto tables all over the world. But if you want to enjoy the real thing, don't miss it during your stay here in ceviche's mecca. There is at least one cevichería in every neighbourhood. Moreover, most criollo restaurants include ceviche on their menus; indeed the dish is so popular that it is even offered at many of the more upscale nouvelle-cuisine restaurants.

In some places, Peruvian food tend to be spicy and heavy. Try it and ask if any dish is picante (spicy), which usually means it is going to be very spicy! A full meal may be really heavy even if it's perfectly nice …

Drink

Pisco Sour is the national drink of Peru, made with Pisco, a brandy made of grapes. It is highly recommended that all visitors to Peru try this drink at least once. Visitors might be amused to learn that Chileans claim Pisco Sour is their own, but it isn't true. There are some variations that are offered in several bars around town. Just be careful; the fresh and sweet flavour makes it very easy to drink too much, and you can so easily get drunk on it. Inca Kola is the most popular soft drink in Peru, one of few sodas that Coca Cola couldn't defeat (until they bought the company). It's a yellow-fruit flavored drink that tastes like hierba luisa. Jugos You can find great fresh fruit drinks all over Lima. Starting from S/0.50 for a fresh orange juice at the market to some more expensive ones. Surtidos, containing several different fruits, are quite tasty. Chicha Morada A refreshing, purple, non-alcoholic drink high in antioxidants. It's made by boiling purple corn with pineapple, cinnamon, clove, and sugar. Emoliente is a hot drink prepared with barley, herbs, sugar and lemon juice. It's often sold by street vendors at night for around S/1. It's especially great in winter. Starbucks Coffee is predictably widespread if you really need your daily caffeine fix.

Sleep

Surco, Miraflores, San Borja and San Isidro are some of the nicest and safest areas in the city. Although they sometimes come a bit pricier than the old city center and other parts, some budget accommodation options do exist.

Keep in mind that the old city may not be safe for tourists at night.

Stay safe

If you witness a crime being committed, do not intervene unless you are really sure of what you are doing: many criminals, even pickpockets, carry guns, knives, etc., and may use them if feeling threatened.

In general, a tried-and-true technique for staying safe in Lima is to maintain a low profile. Leave your fancy watch at home, don't wear a fine suit and don't carry a laptop when hailing taxis on the street, and keep a relaxed, friendly, smiling attitude. If you do need to go out dressed like a tourist, call a taxi rather than hire one in the moment - the few moments you wait and the few extra soles you pay will be worth it.

Go next

thumb|Machu Picchu thumb|The Nazca lines If you are flying out of Lima internationally, the airport tax is US$31, or US$7.40 for domestic flights, which is rolled into the purchase price of tickets at the airport. Ensure you receive a sticker on the back of each ticket from the check-in counter as proof you have already paid the tax at the security checkpoint.

The surrounding residential towns of Lima in the foothills of the mountains offer spectacular views and are ideal day-trips from central Lima.

If you are flying to your next destination, you can take the "Las Flores 18" (IM-18) bus to the airport (from Miraflores/Magdalena/Surco) or any micro bus that says "Todo Faucett/Aeropuerto" on its side. The trip from Miraflores takes about an hour and costs S/2 .

If you wish to take a long distance bus, see the Get In section above for bus companies, the various locations of their terminals and their destinations.

Some popular destinations from Lima are:

Arequipa — the "White City", in the southern highlands. Cajamarca — hosts an exciting carnaval every February. Cuzco — The center of the Inca civilization. Luxury tourist buses run twice daily with Cruz del Sur. One of South America's most iconic sights, Machu Picchu, is just a 4-hours train ride away from Cuzco. Huancayo — can be reached by taking a scenic train trip through the Andes. Huaraz — a mountaineering center. Iquitos — a northern city of the selva (jungle) Ica — a desert …