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Lima Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Lima

Lima, the capital of Peru, was founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Pizarro. Once considered the most beautiful city in the Americas, Lima is still a beautiful city. It blends the modern with beautiful Renaissance and colonial architecture. Although once considered too dangerous to visit, Lima’s security issues have been resolved. Lima’s main transportation hub is Jorge Chavez International Airport.

Flights to Lima
Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport services both domestic and international flights and is the main transportation hub for the city. The airport handles over six million passengers a year and is located six miles from the city centre. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Lima try lastminute.com. Lima is the gateway into Peru and from here domestic connections to places like Cusco and Trujillo are easily available. The best way to get from the airport to the city is by taxi or transportation arranged by your hotel.

Transportation within Lima for visitors is limited to taxis. Driving oneself is still not considered safe, although the number of car-jackings has significantly declined in recent years. If negotiating taxi fares is not your cup of tea, it is easy to arrange car hire with a driver, and rates are very reasonable.

Lima


Sightseeing in Lima
Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, was the centre of old Lima. With a beautiful bronze fountain crowning the plaza, it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Around the square, you will find the Palacio del Gobierno (Presidential Palace) where you can witness the guard change daily at noon. The City Hall is on the west side, while the Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace should also be visited. A must-visit in Lima is the Museo de Oro del Peru, or Gold Museum, where you can see the most incredible gold artefacts.

For most visitors, Lima is simply an entry point into Peru, being the main transportation hub. Most people spend two to three days at most in the capital and then travel on to famous sites such as Macchu Picchu, the southern beaches or the Pachacamac ruins.

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Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Lima, like any good South American city, has a vibrant nightlife. There is something for everyone here, from bars and clubs, to live music and dancing. The best areas are Miaflores and Barranco, known as party central. Although there are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, make sure you don’t miss the local peña. Many peña are located near the Puente de los Suspiros, and they incorporate live music and dancing for a small cover charge. If you are brave, try the local delicacy: guinea pig!

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Lima offers a great range of shopping, from boutiques to handicraft shops, from budget to outrageous. Traditional handicrafts include rugs and tapestries, hand knit and gold items. Some incredibly beautiful jewellery can be found in Lima, with both silver and gold items on offer with a high degree of workmanship relative to price. The Central Market, or Mercado Central, is crowded and the place where locals shop. Beware of pickpockets. Bargaining for a good price is also an important practice in Peru.


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