48 hours in Lima – Weekend Edition
Lima In Less Than 48 Words
With a population of more than 7.6 million, Lima is among the largest cities in South America. Not surprisingly, the city brims with energy and activity, with noisy streets, busy shopping areas, buzzing nightlife, and polluted business districts.
Cerro San Cristobal (Photo by Steve Baldeon)
First 24 Hours
You can arrive at the vibrating capital of Peru via the Jorge Chávez International Airport, which is located 11 kilometers from Lima’s historic center. From there, you can catch a shuttle bus (01/814-6932) that will drop you off at your hotel. The buses arrive every 30 minutes, and will cost you around $7.90. However, the journey is not the fastest way to get into the city, as it stops at the hotel of each passenger. Alternatively, you can take a taxi at the international arrivals terminal to downtown Lima, which usually charges a fare upwards of $9.90.
Lima is the largest city in Peru, and so it can be fairly difficult to navigate, especially for first-timers. However, tourists usually spend most of their time at the Lima Centro, Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranca. You can collect valuable travel information from its tourist office (Módulo 14, Av. Malecón de la Reserva 610, 01/445-9400), which is open daily from noon to 8 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Lima’s hotels
You can arrange for a nice place to stay in during your 48 hour visit in Lima at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Miraflores Park Hotel (Ave Malecon de la Reserva 1035, Miraflores, Lima, +511 610 8300, website). It offers nice views of the city, luxury suites, and an excellent staff.
Miraflores Park Hotel (Photo by srssjs)
You can also try out the JW Marriott Hotel Lima (Malecon De La Reserva 615, Lima 18, (0)1 217 7000, website), which has a nice location near shopping malls, plus good views and attentive service. A nice alternative is the Radisson Hotel Decapolis Miraflores (Avenida 28 De Julio 151, Miraflores Lima 18, 511-625-1200, website). It is an upscale waterfront hotel with good bars, pools, simple rooms, and excellent service.
CERRO SAN CRISTOBAL: Let’s take a view
One of the more popular tourist attractions in Lima is the Cerro San Cristobal (Near the Rimac River, Rimac 25 Lima, +51 1 315 1300). It is a hill that stands around 500 meters from the sea level, and is known for its historic value: being home to indigenous tribes during the 16th century and bearing witness to battles between the locals and Spanish forces.
However, the best option there is visiting the observation point, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the cityscape and surrounding areas. You can also find a small museum and various restaurants there. The site is open to visitors during weekdays from 9 am to 8 pm, and on weekends from 9 am to 9 pm.
PLAZA MAYOR: Go on a historical hike
A visit to Lima would not be complete without heading to the Plaza Mayor, which is located at the very heart of the city. It is recognized as the birthplace of Lima, and is a square housing various historical monuments and buildings.
Palacio de Gobierno (Photo by Martin Garcia)
Perhaps one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Plaza Mayor is the Palacio de Gobierno (Jr. Trujilllo, Lima, Peru, (0)42 53 0244). Also known as the House of Pizarro, it is a French Baroque structure built on the foundation of a former government palace used by the famous Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Inside, you’ll find various elegant, decorated rooms, exquisite furniture, crystal chandeliers, mirrors, gold leaf, and so on.
Another attraction in the plaza is the Cathedral of Lima (01/427-5980), which is a Roman Catholic church that dates back to 1535. It is known for its colonial façade and architecture, as well as its twin yellow towers. Inside the complex, you’ll find the small Museum of Religious Art, as well as a chapel draped in Venetian mosaics and marble – where the body of Francisco Pizarro is interred.
Cathedral of Lima (Photo by James Preston)
The Plaza Mayor also contains the Archbishop’s Palace, which currently serves as the residence of the Archbishop of Lima. It was designed by the Polish Peruvian architect Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski, and is noted for its baroque architecture, cedar balconies, French stained glass windows, and granite sculptures. Other attractions in the square include the Municipal Palace and the Palace of the Union.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM: Have a historical experience
You can have a historical experience at the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera (Av. Bolívar 1515, Pueblo Libre, 01/461-1312, website), one of Lima’s foremost museums. Established in 1926, it is noted for having the largest private collection of pre-Colombian art in Peru. Inside, you’ll find over 45,000 artifacts, including jewelry, stonework, textiles, ceramics, and pottery – mostly from the Moche Dynasty of 200 AD. It also has a small restaurant where you can take a snack and relax. The site is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you $8.25. A guided tour in English will charge you an extra $3.30.
DINNER TIME: Discover Lima’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is Pescados Capitales (La Mar 1337, Miraflores, Lima, 421-8808, website). It specializes in seafood delicacies, and has an attentive staff and a patio-type location. You can also try out Astrid y Gaston (175 Calle Cantuarias, Lima, (0)1 242 5387, website), which offers a Peruvian and fusion cuisine and delicious desserts.
Pescados Capitales (Photo from Google images)
Have a taste of Japan in Lima at the Hanzo Japanese Cuisine (Av. Prolg. Primavera 1494, Surco, Lima, 344-4801). It serves authentic Japanese dishes using top-quality seafood. A nice alternative is Cebicheria La Mar (Av. La Mar 770, Miraflores, Lima, 421-3365, website), which offers delicious seafood dishes; a must-try there is the ceviche.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover Lima’s other tourist attractions during your next 24 hours in the city. One of the most important among them is the Museo de la Inquisición (Junín 548, Plaza Bolívar, 01/427-5980), a former mansion owned by the founders of Lima. However, sometime during the city’s Spanish occupation, it had become a tribunal for the infamous Inquisition. Today, it serves as a museum chronicling the religious upheavals in the city from the Middle Ages to the colonial era. Inside, you’ll find various instruments of torture, as well as catacombs that doubled as prison cells. The site is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and admission is free.
Museo de la Inquisición (Photo by straatis)
CONVENT OF ST. FRANCIS: Let’s go to church
You can go to church at the Convent of Saint Francis (Ancash, Plaza de San Francisco, 01/426-7377), which is considered as an epitome of Lima’s colonial-era churches. It dates back to the 17th century, and is noted for its yellow-and-white façade that is a favorite hangout for thousands of pigeons. Inside, you’ll find cloisters lined with glazed ceramic tiles and Moorish-style ceilings, as well as a small museum of religious art that contains sculptures of saints and portraits of the apostles.
For many, the highlight of a trip there is heading down to its catacombs, where more than 75,000 people had been interred. You can also see its 17th century library (with over 20,000 books) and neo-Classical altar. The site is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you $1.65.
MUSEO DE LA NACION: Have a historical experience
You can have a historical experience at the Museo de la Nación (Av. Javier Prado Este 2465, San Borja, Lima, 01/476-9878), which is one of Peru’s foremost museums. Also known as the Lima National Museum, it chronicles Peru’s ancient history, cultures, and achievements. Inside, you’ll find exhibits such as highly-advanced ceramics and textiles, among others. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you $2.
Museo de la Nación (Photo by Luis Alberto Monge Calvo)
MUSEUM OF ART: Appreciate art
Art lovers will definitely enjoy themselves at the Museo de Arte Colonial Pedro de Osma (Pedro de Osma 421, Barranco, Lima, 01/467-0141, website). It is a museum dedicated solely to Peruvian colonial art, and is housed inside the impressive Palacio de Osma. Inside, you’ll find collections of religious art, altarpieces, sculptures, Cusco school paintings, 16th to 19th century silver works, and many more. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you $3.30.
PALOMINO ISLANDS: See wildlife
You can admire Mother Nature at the Palomino Islands, which are found just off the coasts of Lima, near the Callao Sea Port. It is a group of scenic islands that are home to diverse wildlife, especially sea lions and guano birds. In fact, the highlight of a trip there is swimming along with the sea lions. You can make arrangements with a tour company that will arrange the boat ride and excursions, and will cost you upwards of $50.
Palomino Islands (Photo by doodlebeh)
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy Lima’s vibrant nightlife
At night you may proceed to Lima’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife. One of the most popular is O’Murphy’s Irish Pub (Shell 627, Miraflores, Lima, 01/242-1212). It is known for its international beer (especially the famous Guinness), traditional pub grub, pool tables, and darts. A nice alternative is Juanito Bodega (Av. Grau 274, Lima), which is a favorite hangout of the city’s artists and intellectuals.
You can also try out La Noche (Bolognesi 307, Barranco, Lima, 01/477-5829). It is among the most popular live music clubs in the city, and regularly hosts bands that play jazz, local, and international music.
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