Lima: What To See And Do

Many times, travelers to Peru are in such a hurry to see the major tourist sites

such as Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, they don't leave much time for experiencing the things that Lima has to offer. If your schedule permits, this capital city merits some extra time during any Peru tours. This is true not just for the places to visit there but also just for getting a general feel for what the people and the culture are like. You will sometimes hear it said that there is Lima and then there is the rest of Peru. By having time in Lima as well as at the other tourist destinations, you will get an idea for both cultures that can be found in the country.

Lima

The key thing to do in Lima on one of the many Peru family vacations is to be sure that you try the food. There is a reason why it has been dubbed the Gastronomic Capital of South America in recent years. If you only try one dish, you'll want to make sure to try ceviche. This is a simple yet delicious dish of raw shellfish or fish that's been cooked by marinating it in lime juice. It's generally eaten during the day and can be found at lots of places all over the city. Take a trip to Barranco or Chorrillos to find somewhere that the locals love that is within shooting distance of the beach.

You will definitely want to go to Barranco in any case. This section of Lima has a real Bohemian flair to it, with many cafes and bars as well as boutique and arty type of shops. On the weekend, there is a food festival outdoors where you can try a lot of different dishes. Whether you can enjoy a weekend here or not, it's still worth visiting for walking around, having lunch and catching the sunset on the Pacific.

When it comes to fine dining, there are almost too many places to choose from. If you can only go to one, you may want to try Astrid y Gaston, the flagship restaurant of Gaston Acurio. Peru's most famous chef, Acurio now has restaurants all over the world. Be sure to also sample a pisco sour, Peru's national cocktail made with the country's national liquor, pisco. While it may not seem strong initially, the grape-made pisco is far stronger than it tastes at first.

It's not a bad idea to take the standard city tour which will take you to see some of the most outstanding colonial buildings as well as through some catacombs that lie under the Church of San Francisco. There are also several museums in the city that can be visited. Probably the best of the lot is the Museo Larco that can be found in the part of Lima called Pueblo Libre. This museum specializes in pre-Columbian art with fine examples of silver and gold work as well as an erotic art collection.

Something you don't see in every huge metropolitan city is a pyramid. There are actually a number of huacas, or spiritual sites, shaped like pyramids in Lima. You can check out the Huaca Huallamarca in San Isidro or the Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores. Tours inside are fairly cheap in comparison to other experiences in Peru and it is surreal to see the modern buildings juxtaposed with this huge structure. The Huaca Pucllana also boasts an haute cuisine restaurant.

by: Terry Philips

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