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Picturesque Peru & Likable Lima

A May 2005 trip to Lima by akakd

Picturesque PeruMore Photos

This journal is about a long-anticipated trip to Peru. Having had to cancel this trip twice (once when my husband broke his arm and another time when my Dad became very ill), we were more than a little anxious to experience all that Peru has to offer.

  • 9 reviews
  • 10 photos

Picturesque Peru & Likable LimaBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Picturesque Peru
Our Peru trip covered Lima, Ica/Nazca, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, and many destinations en route to Puno on Lake Titicaca. This portion is about Lima. See other entries under their own city/town names.

Quick Tips:

1) To avoid altitude sickness, fly from Lima to Cuzco, then go immediately down to the Sacred Valley (a lower altitude). From there, travel to Machu Picchu, THEN back to Cuzco.
2) No matter what time of year you visit Machu Picchu, wear a hat and sunscreen! We went in their winter (opposite seasons from us) and we both got sunburned.

Best Way To Get Around:

Lima is difficult to get around, because things are so spread out. Warnings have gone out about taxi drivers choking, robbing, and raping passengers. We chose to hire a private driver for the day.

Doubletree El Pardo Hotel LimaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Double Tree El Pardo Hotel"

Located in lovely Miraflores, the Double Tree El Pardo Hotel was in a nice location near the Pacific Ocean. Both the Parque Del Amor and Brujas De Cachiche were nearby. The Indian Market was only a short walk away. Rooms were adequate, with a minibar, alarm clock, safe, coffee pot (coffee provided), and a full bath. A large buffet breakfast was included.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by akakd on July 12, 2005

Doubletree El Pardo Hotel Lima
JR INDEPENDENCIA 141 Lima, Peru
511 241-0410

Sonesta Posada del Inca El OlivarBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

On our return trip to Lima, we stayed at the Sonesta Posada del Inca El Olivar (www.sonesta.com/corporate/south-america.asp). San Isidro is a little closer to the airport than Miraflores, and we had an early flight out. The rooms were very large. An Internet area is on-site. There is a restaurant, but we chose to walk to the nearby Bimbo's, a Peruvian equivalent to McDonald's.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by akakd on July 12, 2005

Sonesta Posada del Inca El Olivar
Pancho Fierro 194, San Isidro Lima, Peru
011 511-221-2121

Brujas de Cachiche (Las)Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Brujas De Cachiche"

Some of our best food on this trip was here at Brujas De Cachiche Restaurante. Set in a lovely setting, the food was simply delicious. My husband had a steak and local wine. I opted for a "salad," which was large pieces of chicken marinated in "herbs from the mountains," fried (I think), coated in sesame seeds, and served on a bed of lettuce. Nearly every meal in Peru comes with sweet potatoes, as this one did. I also had a juice that was delicious and refreshing. Credit cards are accepted.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by akakd on July 12, 2005

Brujas de Cachiche (Las)
Calle Bolognesi 460, Miraflores Lima, Peru 18
(51-1) 446-6536

Bimbo'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Bimbo's is the Peruvian equivalent of McDonald's. The menu is similar: hamburgers, fries, shakes, etc. You can find Bimbo's all over the city of Lima. Coca-Cola is readily available, but try the Peruvian cola, Inca Cola.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by akakd on July 12, 2005

Bimbo's
All over Lima Lima, Peru

Parque del AmorBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Parque del Amor
We began and ended our day in Parque del Amor, aka Love Park. Sitting right on the Pacific Ocean in the Miraflores District, Parque del Amor is a great way to begin and end a day. Reminiscent of Gaudi Park in Barcelona, Spain, serpentine mosaic benches wind their way along the Pacific rim. The centerpiece of this park is a large sculpture depicting a couple engaged in a passionate kiss. Below the park, on a pier jutting out into the ocean, is a restaurant painted a light ocean blue to blend in with its surroundings. Come to Love Park. You'll be glad you did.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by akakd on July 12, 2005

Parque del Amor
Malecón Cisneros, cuadra 8 Lima, Peru 18

Plaza MayorBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Plaza Mayor
YELLOW is the color of Plaza Mayor, an active and attractive town square. If you can, time your visit for the Changing of the Guard in front of the palace. Also here is the Archbishop's Palace, with its beautiful wood balcony, and next to it, the cathedral, which contains Pizarro's remains. At the center of the square is a fountain with a trumpeting angel at the top.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by akakd on July 12, 2005

Plaza Mayor
Centro Urbano Lima, Peru 1
Not applicable

San Francisco Monastery and CatacombsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs."

San Francisco Monastery
The San Francisco Monastery is an old convent founded in the 16th century. It is known for the cloister featuring mosaic tiles from Seville, Spain, for its catacombs, which served as Lima's cemetery through the colonial period. As we approached the Monastery, the exterior appeared to have black spots all over its yellow exterior. On closer inspection, those black spots were birds!
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by akakd on July 12, 2005

San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs
Central Lima Lima, Peru

Nazca LinesBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Nazca Lines
We took a four hour bus from Lima to Ica, then boarded a six passenger Cessna to fly over Nazca. (There are also 28-seater planes, used for tour groups.) It takes an hour to fly to Nazca, about 45 minutes to fly over the Nazca Lines, and an hour-long flight back to Ica. Well worth it! You can hardly mention the Nazca Lines without the word "mysterious". Located at the foot of the Andes Mountains, these gigantic etchings are engraved into the desert floor, visible only from the air. How did they get there? Magic? Extraterrestrials? What is it? Astronomical calendar? Unique in all the world, it is a must-see. Take less-drowsy Dramamine if motion sickness is a problem for you. In the Cessna, we did a lot of dipping the wing to see, quick turns, and turning the head from side to side quickly to see out both sides of the plane. The air was a bit choppy the closer we got to the desert floor. Following the flight, we received a certificate and were treated to a nice lunch at a beautiful resort in Ica before returning to Lima.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by akakd on July 12, 2005

Nazca Lines
Lima to Ica to Nazca Lima, Peru

About the Writer

akakd
akakd
Arizona, United States

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