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Lima, Peru - Ciudad de los Reyes (The City of Kings)
Founded: January 18, 1535 by Francisco Pizarro
Population: 7,605,742
Currency: Nuevo Sol
The foggy subtropical & desert climate that surrounds Lima might not be the obvious vacation choice for the typical traveller. Lima is also Peru’s industrial and financial center.
Sounds busy and uninviting doesn’t it? That is, until you dig a little deeper. Lima is a large city running at a much slower pace than you and I are used to. It feels much more like village clusters than a bustling metropolis. Lima is a surfer’s paradise and a history buff’s gateway to tales of the Pre-Columbian Incan Empire and the Spanish Conquistadors.
There is so much to see in Lima so if history interest you, you might want to start with the Plaza de Armas (Plaza mayor) which is considered to be the heart of the city in Lima’s historical district. There you will find the Palacio de Gobierno. Make sure to get there just before noon to witness the Changing of the Guard! Just a few blocks over you will find the Iglesia de San Francisco (Church of Saint Francis) built in 1674. The unmistakable yellow church is famous for its catacombs. Follow underground tunnels to which contain the bones of roughly 75,000 people. In some areas, the bones are placed in eerie geometrical shapes. The library at San Francisco is almost a must-see as it contains thousands of antique documents dating back to the conquista.
Museums galore! That’s what you’ll find in Lima. Of the many, here are some of the most notable:
- Museo de Oro del Peru which displays gold, silver, semi precious stones, and ceremonial objects like necklaces, scepters, idols, funeral masks, etc.
- Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, Antropolgia e Historia del Peru houses more than 100,000 artefacts from some of Peru’s oldest civilizations.
- Museo Larco is truly impressive with an extensive collection of pottery from all of the past cultures of Peru.
Looking for the
shops and restaurants? The most favoured area for this type of activity is in
Miraflores which is an upscale neighbourhood. It is host to many hotels,
restaurants, and nightclubs. While enjoying your night out, try a Pisco Sour, a pisco/lemon-lime drink that is very popular in Peru. Let me know if you recommend
it!
If you enjoy beaches or want o surf, you’ll what you are looking for here. Known as the Costa Verde, it draws people because of the great waves for surfing year round. If you’re just interested in enjoying a nice walk, start at Plaza Larcomar which is a nice shopping centre and work your way through many parks. The Costa Verde also offers impressive views from the cliffs that overlook the beaches and ocean. Probably not a bad way to end your day!
Seeking a little more adventure and mystique? Many cruise lines and tour operators can arrange Machu Picchu excursions that start in Lima. If you have the time to take on a trip to Machu Picchu, the famous preserved Incan ruins nestled high in the mountains, I would say you should do it. Not to sound clichéd but the views will take your breath away. It’s hard to believe that a civilisation that existed 500 years ago had technology so advanced that they could cut stone so precisely that their buildings do not need mortar.
If you are planning a trip that stops in Lima, we’d love to hear from you and what you are planning to do with your time in Peru. We are open to any questions and comments so please post using the comment box below.
