Interesting Features In Lima Peru

An Overview of Lima

Lima is a massive urban city on the coast of Peru serving as the country’s capital and main economic hub. The city is known for its many historical attractions, wonderful Peruvian culinary scene and unique parks following cliffs and Pacific Coasts.

Advice When Visiting Lima

Lima has Uber and other ride-sharing services available throughout the city. It is considered somewhat safer than a standard taxi.

Peruvian currency (soles) is accepted everywhere in Peru, but there are some tour groups and foreigner services that accept US dollars.

Many tourist areas, including the Plaza de Armas de Peru, is under heavy security. Professionals in full riot gear exist in large numbers here and other tourist hot-spots.

Miraflores, Barranco and Historico Centro are considered the safest districts in Lima, but there are still pickpockets and small-time scams in these areas. Be sure to stay aware.

Interesting Features In Lima

Miraflores

Miraflores is a large, popular neighborhood in Lima that operates as a known foreigner hotspot. As one of the most affluent areas in the city, it hosts many upscale shops, nice hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and money exchanges.

Parque Kennedy 

This is the most recognizable and pleasant park in Miraflores. The park is known as a popular meeting spot with lots of local cats and flowers. Visitors can also find outdoor sculptures and paved walking paths. The park is often decorated for popular holidays.

Parroquia La Virgen Milagrosa 

This is a landmark church near Parque Kennedy. The interior of the church is dramatically lit during services. The church is also an easily recognizable landmark leading to the entrance of a market stall pedestrian route.

Parque Amor 

Parque Amor is a small park close to Miraflores that offers views over Lima’s cliffs. It’s part of a chain of parks which makes up the Malecón de Miraflores, an extended walking route following the dark cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Costa Verde

A large green-belt heading along the coast of Lima with many parks, serene views of sunsets and oceans and several trendy restaurants. It offers spectacular views down the coast, with overlooks from Miraflores to Chorrillos.

Barranco

This is a vibrant neighborhood famous for university culture and numerous art expositions. The district is considered romantic and bohemian, being the home for many leading artists, musicians, designers and photographers.

 Parque Federico Villarreal

This is a small, somewhat dusty park which overlooks the artfully decrepit Iglesia La Ermita church. This rustic, 19th-century church is built from adobe and thatch, with the upper roof crumbling inwards. The decaying structure is a popular roost for urban birds.

Bridge of Sighs 

The Bridge of Sighs is a small pedestrian bridge that hosts a local legend. Supposedly, a person holding their breath while crossing the bridge will have their wish granted.

Parque Municipal de Barranco

This is a park and library area which hosts market stalls and community artwork. The small park is also home to paved paths, several statues and a colonnaded stage. The rather nice Biblioteca Municipal (City Library) can also be found nearby.

Huaca Pucllana 

This fascinating ancient building is an ancient structural remains of native architecture. The design is extremely chaotic and interesting. Huaca Pucllana is essentially a massive great adobe pyramid with numerous staggered platforms. The structure may also be called Huaca Juliana.

Gianfranco 

Gianfranco is a pleasant café directly adjacent to Huaca Pucllana. It’s a good place to sit for a coffee while looking at the ruins.

Fuente China 

Otherwise known as the “Chinese Fountain” or the “Three Races Fountain,” this is a large standing fountain monument found in the center of Parque de la Exposicion. The fountain and the surrounding park are worthy of a walk-through.

Pabellon Morisco 

Found next to the Monumento a Ricardo Palma in Parque de la Exposicion, this is a beautiful, open air building dedicated and designed by a famous architect. The structure is “elevated” off the ground floor by a series of patterned brick archways.

Museo de Arte de Lima

Museo de Arte de Lima is Lima’s most famous art museum, known for it’s collection of ceramics and textiles

Casa Roosevelt

Also known as the Rimac Building or Roosevelt House, this is a gorgeous building which serves as the de-facto entrance to Centro Historico. The routes heading north from this structure began demonstrating some of Lima’s most compelling and beautiful blocks.

Centro Historico 

Centro Historico is a large neighborhood hosting some of Lima’s most splendid and beautiful plazas, architecture and buildings. It includes Plaza de Armas de Lima Palacio Municipal de Lima, Casa de Osambela, Palacio de Gobierno del Peru, Plazuela San Francisco and the Basilica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima. The area is one of the most historically-infused and popular districts in the city.

Jr. Andahuaylas

For visitors wishing to enjoy an authentic Lima shopping experience, Jr. Andahuaylas is a jam-packed local market following a long shopping street. The area has numerous outdoor stalls, indoor markets, functional shops and additional access to Lima’s Chinatown.

Larco Museum 

The Larco Museum is a privately-owned archeological museum with an emphasis on ceramic, pre-Colombian erotica sculptures. The museum grounds are gorgeous, operating out of an 18th-century vice-royal building surrounded by landscaped flower beds. There are entire shelves of preserved artifacts within the museum, making this one of the most interesting features of Lima.

Circuito Magico del Agua

This is a truly fantastic water and music show in Park of the Reserve. The show itself is best attended at night, after dark, on weekdays. Each show depicts the events of Peruvian history, showing wars, triumphs, explorations and modernization projected onto a misty cloud with shadow figures dancing on the spray. The performances, alongside the other artistic fountains nearby, make this one of the most interesting features of Lima. Show times are available online.

Larcomar

This is a multi-story, large shopping center set into a cliffside overlooking Lima’s coastline.

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