Lima is the capital city of Peru! When planning a trip to Peru, you will most likely find yourself flying into Lima as a starting point. Though Lima is a big, big city, and maybe not what you think of when looking for the best things to do in Peru, but I recommend spending some time getting to know Lima!
It is a city nestled along the Pacific ocean with a crazy cliff drop, which creates incredible and dramatic views of the city. It is like no other city I have ever seen before.
Lima has more to offer than big buildings and crowded streets. It is a place to experience Peru’s culture and history, as well as some of the most amazing restaurants in all of Peru!
- Things to do in Lima, Peru
- Food & Drink in Lima
- How to Get to Lima, Peru
- Where to Stay in Lima, Peru
- When to Visit Peru
We spent one week in Lima, Peru and found some awesome things to do in Peru’s capital city. Our time in Lima was also special because after spending over 6 months in South America, 5 of our friends joined us to experience Peru’s beauty alongside us.
From visiting historic ruins, swimming with sea lions, exploring historic streets and museums, to eating at some of the best restaurants, Lima is a destination to remember.
Things to do in Lima, Peru
Go Surfing
Lima has some of the best surfing for experts, as well as great beginner surfing. If you have never tried before, Lima is a great place to get yourself an instructor and give it a shot. I did not go surfing because I haven’t worked up that courage yet, but Jacob and my cousin, Alysha went out.
Jake was able to rent a surf board and practice his skills, and we even found an instructor who spoke good English for Alysha to learn with Rasta Surf Miraflores. Jake texted their number on WhatsApp, and was able to get everything set up. But be aware, the water is ice cold in July and August!
Pachacamac Ruins
The Pachacamac Ruins are about an hour drive out of the city. We ordered an Uber, which didn’t cost too much when we split it between everyone.
The ruins were an amazing site to see. There is a museum to teach you about the history of the ruins and the people who once lived there, before entering the actual ruins.
The Ruins were built and inhabited by the Ichma around the year 200 A.D. They were named after the god, Pacha Kamaq, creator of man and woman and they became the capital of the Ichma Kingdom. The ruins were eventually taken over and reconstructed by the Hauri, then later by the Inka.
You have to visit the Pachacamac Ruins for yourself to take in the incredible history and amazing ancient city’s architecture.
Swim With Sea Lions
Yes, you read that right, swim with sea lions! Swimming with sea lions on Palomino Island was a crazy and unique experience that I never thought that I would do, but when the opportunity arose in Lima, we jumped on it!
We scheduled the tour with Mar Adentro Excursiones and met at a cafe in the morning. From there, we hopped on a boat which took us out to the island that is literally covered in sea lions. If you didn’t notice in the photo above, take a closer look to see all the sea lions!
To be honest, I was kind of terrified to jump in the water, but I decided I was going to suck it up and do it because I don’t think I will ever be in the position to swim with hundreds of sea lions again. It was definitely an experience to remember.
Lima’s Historic Center
Of course, you have to go to Lima’s historic district and walk the historic streets. Make sure not to miss the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral of Lima. We had fun just exploring the beautiful streets and buildings.
Larco Museum
Museo Larco was one of our favorite museums, filled with over 5,000 years of ancient Peru history and artifacts from their art, religious items, jewelry, and agricultural tools. It was so interesting walking through the museum and learning about the Pre-Columbian societies and their connectedness to nature and the world around them.
Larcomar Shopping Mall
The Larcomar shopping mall is along the cliff in Miraflores, overlooking the ocean. If you are into shopping, there are a lot of nice stores and it is just a neat experience to shop with a view!
Inka Market
The Inka Market is a local arts and crafts market where you can find all your Peruvian souvenir needs. The people can be a little pushy to make sales, so make sure you are prepared to say no to things you do not need, otherwise you will leave feeling overwhelmed and with too much stuff! However, we did enjoy walking through the market and finding a little something to take home.
Tip: Make reservations for Huaca Pucllana Site Museum because we did not know you needed, and we were unable to visit.
Interested in visiting Cusco? Read: Plan Your Trip to Cusco, Peru
Food & Drink in Lima
Restaurante La Rosa Nautica
We had some time to kill before we could check into our Airbnb, so we stopped at Restaurante La Rosa Nautica for some drinks while we waited. It is on a boardwalk over the ocean in the Miraflores neighborhood. We were able to walk from there to our accommodation. The drinks were very good and you get a nice view of the ocean.
Mercado 28
When you are with a group of 7 people, deciding on a place to eat can sometimes be difficult. One evening we decided to catch dinner at Mercado 28, which was a restaurant market full of different options, so everyone could choose something they wanted.
Saha Peruvian Kitchen
Saha Peruvian Kitchen is hands down had one of the best ceviche dishes I had in Peru. If you are not familiar with ceviche, it is a Latin American dish made from raw fish cured in fresh citrus juices, then spiced with aji, chili peppers, and other seasonings. If you are a fan of sushi, you will love ceviche!
27 Tapas
27 Tapas is a rooftop bar in the Miraflores district. It is a bit on the pricier side, but you get a beautiful view for the sunset and of the city! We only stopped for drinks, but make sure you make a reservation to ensure you will get a table.
Milenaria Cafe
Milenaria Cafe was right across from our accommodation and they had great breakfast options. We were suckers for the acai bowls.
Cafe et Chocolat
Cafe et Chocolat also had delicious breakfast options and bakery items. We ate breakfast here twice. They had great coffee too!
Panchita- Miraflores
Panchita was the very last restaurant we ate at in Lima, and it was a hit with everyone! Their Peruvian dishes are some of the best we had.
How to Get to Lima, Peru
There are direct and reasonable flights into Lima from Miami, Florida, so if it is possible to fly from there, we find it to be one of the best options. However, we use Google Flights to compare the best flight prices and options.
Where to Stay in Lima, Peru
After doing some research, we found that the Miraflores neighborhood is the overall best and one of the safest places for tourists to stay in Lima, and we can honestly say that we felt very safe walking the streets in Miraflores.
We used Airbnb to find a place that was suitable for our group of 7, and we found the perfect apartment.
When to Visit Peru
We visited Peru in July, which is Peru’s winter. The weather in Lima was cloudy most of the time and comparable to fall weather. We usually wore some layers so we could take off and put back on as needed throughout the day.
The best months to visit are May-October, Peru’s winter months. This is when you will find the driest season, blue skies in the Andes, and moderate temperatures. The nights can get chilly, but day times are very agreeable.
Travel Tips for Peru
- The main language in Peru is Spanish, but many people speak English in tourist areas. I do recommend that you learn some survival level Spanish before your trip.
- As with most South American cities, pickpocketing can be common. When you are walking it is wise to keep your phone and money tucked away. I like to wear a fanny pack.
- Make sure to do your research about which neighborhoods are safest for tourists, especially when choosing an accommodation.
- Avoid walking alone at night time, when possible.
- When you land at the airport, everyone will be trying to give you a ride. Use Uber or a legitimate taxi service with a set price. Always make sure you ask the price upfront to avoid getting ripped off.
These are things to be aware of, but not freak out about. We felt very safe during our whole trip in Peru. Just be safe, aware, and have fun!
Lima is a stunning city in Peru that you should spend a little time in before heading to Peru’s more popular destinations. We had a lot of fun during our time there, and my mouth is watering thinking of all the amazing restaurants!
-Morgan
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