Lima Coast
3
Day Itinerary •
Peru
Three days in Lima and the Peruvian coast introduces you to one of the great undiscovered capitals of the world, a city of extraordinary colonial architecture, pre-Inca adobe pyramids hidden inside residential suburbs, the most celebrated restaurant scene in Latin America, and an extraordinary clifftop coastline above the Pacific Ocean where paragliders ride the thermal updrafts above Miraflores all afternoon. This focused route covers the essential Lima and coastal experience. The extraordinary colonial centre of Lima with its UNESCO World Heritage Plaza Mayor, the pre-Inca Huaca Pucllana pyramid in the middle of Miraflores, the Larco Museum with the finest collection of pre-Columbian gold in the Americas, the Barranco bohemian arts district, the Pacific coast cliffs, and the finest ceviche, tiradito and anticuchos in Peru.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, summer for the clearest skies and warmest coast
Getting There
Fly into Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), Lima
Getting Around
Taxi or Uber throughout Lima, day trip by bus or hired car
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, entirely flat coastal city
DAY 1
LIMA COLONIAL CENTRE
MORNING
PLAZA MAYOR AND LIMA COLONIAL CENTRE
The extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage colonial centre of Lima, South America's finest collection of 16th and 17th-century Spanish baroque architecture. The Plaza Mayor is the finest in Peru, surrounded by the extraordinary Government Palace with its colonial facade, the Lima Cathedral where Francisco Pizarro is buried, and the extraordinary Archbishop's Palace with its remarkable wooden balconies. The extraordinary Monastery of San Francisco next to the plaza contains the finest colonial library in Peru and extraordinary catacombs beneath containing the bones of 25,000 people. Entry approx 15 soles. Taxi: 20 min taxi
MIDDAY
MUSEO LARCO, THE FINEST PRE-COLUMBIAN COLLECTION IN THE AMERICAS
The most extraordinary private collection of pre-Columbian gold, silver, ceramics and textiles in the world, housed in an extraordinary 18th-century vice-royal mansion in Pueblo Libre. The Larco Museum's gold room contains extraordinary ceremonial objects from the Moche, Chimu and Inca cultures. The famous extraordinary erotic pottery collection documents Peruvian sexual culture across 2,000 years. Entry approx 45 soles. Open until 10pm. Taxi: 20 min taxi
AFTERNOON
MIRAFLORES CLIFFTOP PARKS AND PACIFIC VIEWS
The extraordinary clifftop Miraflores malacon, a series of parks and gardens perched on the dramatic sandy cliffs above the Pacific Ocean where paragliders launch from the cliff edge and ride the extraordinary thermal updrafts above the beach far below. The Parque del Amor with its extraordinary mosaic-tiled walls overlooking the Pacific is the finest viewpoint on the Lima coast. The extraordinary view along the cliff coastline from here is the finest urban panorama in Lima.
š HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Barrio Chino, Lima's Chinese district in the historic centre, is the oldest and largest Chinatown in Latin America, established in the 19th century by Chinese workers brought to build Peru's railways. The extraordinary chifa cuisine that emerged from the fusion of Cantonese and Peruvian cooking is one of the most remarkable culinary fusions in the world. The Calle Capon market is extraordinary. Free to explore.
š½ WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tanta, Lima Outstanding Peruvian cafe chain by Gaston Acurio. Extraordinary pan de yema and chicha morada. | Lunch: El Cordano, Lima Centro The oldest restaurant in Lima, in operation since 1905, one block from the Plaza Mayor. Extraordinary local cuisine. | Dinner: Central, Miraflores Consistently ranked among the top restaurants on earth. Extraordinary altitude-based tasting menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 2
MIRAFLORES
MORNING
HUACA PUCLLANA, THE PRE-INCA PYRAMID IN MIRAFLORES
The most extraordinary urban archaeological site in Lima, a massive adobe pyramid from the Lima culture built between 200 and 700 CE rising 22 metres from the middle of a Miraflores residential neighbourhood. The extraordinary contrast of a 1,500-year-old ceremonial pyramid surrounded by modern apartment blocks is unlike anything else in South America. Active archaeological excavation continues on site. Guided tours every 30 minutes. Entry approx 15 soles. Taxi: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
LIMA CEVICHE CULTURE AT LA MAR
The finest ceviche restaurant in Lima and one of the finest in Peru, Gaston Acurio's La Mar in Miraflores where extraordinary fresh Pacific seafood is prepared in the extraordinary Peruvian tradition. The classic ceviche of corvina sea bass in leche de tigre tiger's milk marinade, the remarkable mixed seafood tiradito and the extraordinary causa Limena potato terrine are the finest expressions of Lima's extraordinary cuisine. Cevicherias close by 4pm. Go for lunch. Taxi: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
MIRAFLORES KENNEDY PARK AND PACIFIC PARAGLIDING
The extraordinary Kennedy Park in central Miraflores, where dozens of stray cats live among the flower beds in a remarkable community of urban wildlife cherished by local residents. Then the extraordinary paragliding launch site above the Miraflores cliffs, where tandem paragliders launch from the cliff edge and soar above the extraordinary Pacific for 10 to 15 minutes. Tandem flights approx 150 soles. One of the finest experiences in Lima.
š HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI) in the Parque de la Exposicion contains the finest collection of Peruvian art from pre-Inca to contemporary, including extraordinary colonial religious paintings, remarkable republican-era portraits and the finest collection of 20th-century Peruvian painting in the country. Entry approx 30 soles. Open until 8pm on weekdays. Almost entirely overlooked by tourists.
š½ WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Haiti, Miraflores The finest traditional Lima cafe. Extraordinary tamales, pan integral and strong Peruvian coffee. | Lunch: La Mar, Miraflores The finest cevicheria in Lima. Extraordinary fresh Pacific ceviche and tiradito. Arrive before 1pm. | Dinner: Maido, Miraflores The finest Nikkei Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant in the world. Extraordinary 14-course menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 3
BARRANCO AND THE COAST
MORNING
PACHACAMAC PRE-INCA SACRED CITY
The most extraordinary archaeological site accessible from Lima, a vast pre-Inca sacred oracle city 30km south of the capital where the Pachacamac deity was worshipped for over 1,000 years before the Inca arrived and expanded it. The site covers 465 hectares with extraordinary adobe pyramids, temples, plazas and the remarkable Acllawasi palace. The excellent on-site museum contains an extraordinary wooden idol of Pachacamac. Entry approx 15 soles. Taxi: 45 min taxi back
MIDDAY
BARRANCO, LIMA'S BOHEMIAN ARTS DISTRICT
The most extraordinary neighbourhood in Lima, a 19th-century seaside resort turned artists district of extraordinary colonial mansions, colourful street art, independent galleries and the finest bar and restaurant scene in the city. The extraordinary Puente de los Suspiros, the Bridge of Sighs, is the most romantic spot in Lima, a wooden footbridge over a ravine leading to the extraordinary Bajada de los BaƱos path down to the Pacific beach. Taxi: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
BARRANCO COAST AND PACIFIC SUNSET
The extraordinary Barranco malacon clifftop walk along the Pacific coast at sunset, where the extraordinary ochre cliffs drop to black sand beaches and the Pacific surf. The contemporary MATE Museo Mario Testino celebrates Peru's most famous photographer in an extraordinary colonial mansion. The Barranco street art murals throughout the neighbourhood are the finest urban art in Lima. The Pacific sunset from the Barranco cliff is extraordinary.
š HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Circuito Magico del Agua in the Parque de la Reserva in central Lima is the world's largest water fountain complex, a UNESCO record-holding series of 13 extraordinary illuminated fountains in an extraordinary park setting. The evening light and water shows from 7pm onwards are extraordinary and entry costs only 4 soles. One of the finest and least expensive extraordinary experiences in Lima.
š½ WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: La Baguette, Barranco Outstanding French-Peruvian bakery in Barranco. Extraordinary croissants and Peruvian coffee. | Lunch: Sonia, Chorrillos The finest traditional cevicheria on the Lima coast, open since 1965. Extraordinary fresh fish and seafood. | Dinner: Isolina, Barranco Outstanding Lima home cooking in the bohemian district. Extraordinary chicharron and causa Limena.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
š HIDDEN GEM
š½ WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
š HIDDEN GEM
š½ WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Miraflores, All Nights Belmond Miraflores Park or JW Marriott Lima. Ocean cliff views. Approx 150 to 350 USD per night. Barranco Alternative The Barranco Hotel or Hotel B. Finest boutique hotels in Lima in the arts district. Approx 100 to 250 USD. Budget Option Hostal El Patio (Miraflores) or Kokopelli Hostel (Barranco). Approx 25 to 70 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Lima has the finest restaurant scene in Latin America. Book Central and Maido weeks ahead.
2. Only use Uber or yellow official taxis in Lima. Never hail a street taxi. Safety is critical.
3. The Larco Museum is open until 10pm. The gold and erotic pottery collections are extraordinary.
4. Ceviche in Lima is a midday dish. The finest cevicherias close by 4pm. Go for lunch.
5. The garua coastal mist covers Lima June to October. Summer (Dec to Apr) gives the clearest skies.
6. Barranco is Lima's finest neighbourhood for an evening. Walk from the Bridge of Sighs to the coast.
Total Budget
60 to 480 USD/day