Exploring Peru's Capital: Lima

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Advisor - Valeria Noriega
Curated By

Valeria Noriega

  • Couples Travel

  • Food & Wine

  • Solo Travel

  • Peru

  • Local Culture

  • Local Food

  • Entertainment

A coastal cityscape with buildings along the shore, cliffs, and a beachfront with waves breaking in the foreground.
Curator’s statement

Being a child of Peruvian immigrants, Lima is my second home. A trip to Lima is an exploration of Peru’s diverse landscapes. Its vibrant food, rich culture, friendly people and beautiful coastline make it a city that captivates visitors and often makes them reluctant to leave. Peru takes great pride in its culture and has emerged as a top culinary destination.

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Where to stay in Peru

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Things to do in Peru

A coastal cityscape with buildings along the shore, cliffs, and a beachfront with waves breaking in the foreground.
  • Go to Huaca Pucllana Site Museum: Nestled in the middle of Miraflores, Huaca Pucllana Museum is home to a clay pyramid built from staggered platforms.

  • Visit the Magic Water Circuits: Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest water park in the world. These water circuits incorporate lights and music for a spectacular show at night.

  • Surfing: Lima has multiple different surfing spots, like Punta Hermosa. For beginners, I recommend Playa Makaha.

  • Visit the Historic Centre of Lima: Lima’s historical center is a World Heritage site with gorgeous squares and colonial balconies.

  • Shop at Larcomar: Perched on a cliff in Miraflores, this shopping center boasts stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

  • Visit Love’s Park: A park overlooking the ocean with mosaic walls and the famous kissing statue.

  • Paragliding: For all the adventure seekers, paraglide off the cliffs to have the best view of Lima’s Costa Verde.

  • Visit Pachacamac: A significant archeological site that traces its origins to Pre-Incan times.

Day trips:

Day trip to Huacachina: Around a 4-hour drive to Lima, this is the perfect day trip to do if you have limited time. Huacachina is a desert oasis with adventurous activities such as sand boarding and dune buggy tours.

Places to eat & drink in Peru

A plated dish with various vegetables and sauces, accompanied by a glass of wine and additional condiments on a light blue table.
  • Osaka: This restaurant is the first of the Nikkei chain. The tuna foie and katsu osk style nigiris will melt in your mouth!

  • Central: Ranked the #1 restaurant in the world in 2023, Central will take you on an unforgettable culinary journey.

  • Maido: Ranked as the best South American restaurant and #5 in the world, Maido is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant. With a wide variety of eats. Insiders' Tip: you do not have to do the tasting menu. You can order a la carte with any reservation.

  • Barracones Bara Marina: Delicious seafood and ceviche eats located in San Isidro.

  • Cosme: This eclectic restaurant serves Peruvian fusion comfort food.

  • Astrid y Gaston: This restaurant is owned by the famous Gaston Acurio and his wife Astrid.

  • Isolina: Situated in the artsy neighborhood of Barranco, this restaurant specializes in Peruvian comfort food.

  • Tomo: Opened by former Maido chefs, this restaurant is another Nikkei staple.

  • Carnaval: This chic bar is located right next to Osaka and serves unique and grandiose cocktails.

Advisor - Valeria Noriega

Travel Advisor

Valeria Noriega

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This guide is a part of our ongoing series on travel to Peru. For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Marc Scholnick's guide, 10 Days in Peru: Can You Handle This Much Adventure and Culture?