Lima is the coastal capital of Peru that is famous for its mountains. Most adventurous travelers pass through here to hike Inca Trail and see Machu Picchu. Lima has many historical monuments and is popular for its vibrant nightlife, which is probably the best in the country. Because of the Humboldt Current, Lima is covered in fog seven months of the year. Lima gets very little rain throughout the year, and the sky is almost always overcast.
Best Time to Visit Lima
Lima has a sub-tropical climate, and due to the cool water of the Pacific Ocean, the city enjoys much cooler temperatures. The temperature rarely falls to 54ºF (12ºC) or above 84ºF (29ºC).
The peak season in Lima is between December to April, the city’s summer season. The temperatures during this time vary between 64ºF – 78ºF (18ºC-26ºC). Skies are mostly cloud-free during the daytime, with occasional foggy days during this season. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular and colorful sunsets that are quite famous.
Winter is between June – October with breezy conditions, gray skies, and humid plus cool temperatures that are not so popular for travelers. The average temperature remains around 60ºF (15ºC). Dark skies may overcast the city for a week, or more at a stretch, or thick gray fog known as ‘Garua’ covers the city making it less appealing to tourists.
How To Get Around
The best way of getting around in the city is a public transportation system; take the Metropolitano (public transportation system). It connects the popular neighborhoods of Barranco and Miraflores to the historic center. They are often crowded, but they are a quick way to reach your destination and avoid sitting in traffic.
Top Things To Do In
Visit Plaza de Armas
Lima’s Plaza Mayor (main square) is central Plaza de Armas, the city’s historic heart and birthplace. It is Landscaped with palm trees, elaborate lampposts, flower beds, and greenery; the square’s highlight is the 1650-tiered bronze fountain in the center and the statue of Francisco Pizarro on horseback nearby. To watch the changing of the guard at 11:45 am or visit any time to find an empty seat and watch the world wander by.
Explore Plaza San Martín
The Plaza San Martín is one of the most representative public spaces of the city. It is located at the ninth block of Colmena avenue, within the Historic Centre of Lima, declared a World Heritage Site in 1988 by UNESCO.
Check Out Larco Museum
The Larco Museum is a privately owned pre-Columbian art museum in the Pueblo Libre District. The museum is housed in an 18th-century vice-royal building built over a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid.
Municipal Palace of Lima
The Municipal Palace of Lima is a public building that serves as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima.
Government Palace
The Government Palace, also known as the House of Pizarro, is the seat of the executive branch of the Peruvian Government and the official residence of the President of Peru.
Cathedral of Lima
The Basilica Cathedral of Lima is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the Plaza Mayor of downtown Lima. Construction began in 1535, and the building has undergone many reconstructions and transformations.
Monastery of San Francisco
One of the “must-dos” in Lima is a highly recommended tour through the monastery. It gives an impressive inside into how religious life was during Spanish colonial times. Convento de San Francisco is the Spanish name for Saint Francis Monastery, located in Lima, south of Parque la Muralla and one block northeast of the Plaza Mayor.
Palacio de la Exposición
The Palacio de la Exposición is located on Colon Avenue in downtown Lima. It was constructed in the 19th century together with the Park of the Exposition to house the International Exposition of Lima in 1872.
Torre Tagle Palace
The Torre Tagle Palace is a Spanish Baroque palace located at Jr. Ucayali 363 in downtown Lima, Peru, a couple of blocks east of the Plaza de Armas. The palace is currently home to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas
The Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas is a church in Lima. It is the site of the Peruvian Catholic procession of the Lord of Miracles, Señor de Los Milagros, who is also the city’s patron.
Local Food in Lima
You can eat cheaply in the city, especially in those traditional buffet-style restaurants. They also offer a fixed menu of starters, main courses, and sometimes even desserts.
Cala Restaurant, Circuito de Playas, Barranco, Peru
Restaurant Huaca Pucllana, Cdra 8, Calle General Borgoño, Distrito de Lima, Peru
Peruvian Fish curry (Pescado) – The colors of Peruvian cuisine are fantastic. A whole fish fried then cooked in tomato sauce, yucca, and vinegar with the twist of sugar that gives it a delicious sweet and sour taste. The portion is huge, definitely a family size.
Crispy Fried whole Fish (Pescado) – The crunchy fried fish is delicious, cooked in sizzling hot oil, served with yucca, lime marinated onion, salad, and white rice. It has a unique flavor that hard to get in a Peruvian Restaurant in the USA.
Hotel Where We Stayed in Lima
Bayview Hotel, Las Dalias 276, Miraflores, Lima
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