After a long day of traveling and months of planning and preparing, I finally arrived in Lima… at 8:30 PM. Typical to any South American country, do not expect to go anywhere quickly in Peru, and be prepared for some scary driving! It took me about 45 minutes to get from the international airport to Miraflores, only 17 km away. The good news about taxi’s in Peru, they are cheap! It only cost s/45 to get to my hotel (approximately $15). The two nights I spent in Lima were at Hotel Santa Cruz in Miraflores. While it is not a 5 star luxury hotel, they did have all the necessities and a great, safe location.
Waking up in the morning I left the hotel to explore Lima. There are a lot of things to see in Lima, and I only had one full day.
Parque Itzhak Rabin to Larcomar – Miraflores
The waterfront was just a few blocks from the hotel, so naturally this was the first part of Lima I explored. Walking from Parque Itzhak Rabin to Larcomar offered really amazing views over the pacific ocean, some very interesting public art, and light houses. The foggy winter day in Lima did not get our spirits down, and gave the ocean views an eerie feel. In addition to all the public art, we stumbled on a classic car show at the park.
The initial plan had been to take a bike tour of both Miraflores and Barranco, leaving from near Larcomar. However, in true South American fashion, the tour had been postponed until 3 PM. Forgoing the bike tour, we flagged down a cab and headed to our next destination.
Lima District
I was in for a treat in the streets in the historic Lima district. The indigenous villagers from the Andes made the trip from the mountains to Lima. They were celebrating, playing traditional music, and dancing in the streets. It was amazing to see them throughout the streets from Plaza San Martin to Plaza De Armas.
Cathedrals in Lima
A huge part of the culture in Lima their national religion, Catholicism. We were exploring the city on Sunday, so mass at Iglesia de la Merced was in full swing when we walked by. The cathedral was gorgeous on the inside, just as it was on the outside.
Barricades greeted us at Plaza de Armas. After talking with one of the officers, I learned Plaza de Armas was closed to the public for presidential meetings and press announcements that day.
Even though our attempts to see the Grand Palace and explore Plaza de Armas failed, we still managed to enjoy other parts of the Lima district. Just one block off Plaza de Armas, is the Covenant of San Francisco Basilica. Here I explored the catacombs, cathedral, covenant, and gardens. While this was not my first tour in a cathedral, it was my first tour of catacombs. It was creepily beautiful to see them under the cathedral.
Inside the Covenant of San Francisco Basilica was absolutely breathtaking. The library has books hundreds of years old. I had this feeling if I took a breath wrong they would fall apart! Thousands of original texts are preserved there, along with the original song books for the cathedral. Even though Sunday mass is no longer held at the Cathedral, everthing is still preserved. The gardens, part of the covenant, were gorgeous.
Pisco and Chocolate – Oh My!
Other staples in Lima district included a Pisco tasting and exploring a chocolate museum. We did get a peak at Plaza de Armas, but couldn’t see the Grand Palace.
Puente de los Suspiros – Barranco
From Lima district I headed back to the coast to Parque Federico Villerreal in the Barranco and the Puente de los Suspiros or “Bridge of Sighs”. Barranco has a free bohemian feel, and is a completely different aesthetic from Miraflores and Lima district. The Puente de los Suspiros got its name from the poets, and young lovers, which used frequent this area. Legends say that if you walk across the bridge holding your breath, your wish will come true.
Circuito Magico Del Agua – Lima
In the evening I went to Circuito Magico Del Agua, where you’re in for a real treat. The park cost S/4 to enter and has multiple gorgeous fountains and a water and lights show. The water show was all about the history and culture of Peru. If you are looking for something to do in the evening in Lima, this water show is a must! Another must in Lima is dinner at Restaurante Alfresco! Especially if you are craving seafood.
Check out more of my Peru blogs here, and visit the archives page to see what else Winter and I have been up to in 2019!
Great article Em. Make me want to go there some day
Just wait until you see the rest of the photos!
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