Lima

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ADVENTURES IN PERU

A March 1998 trip to Lima by mays9charles

We are not in the SaharaMore Photos

I FLEW FROM MIAMI TO LIMA,PERU ON AMERICAN AIRLINES. I ARRIVED IN LIMA AND WENT TO HOTEL LA CASTELLANA IN THE SUBURB OF MIRAFLORES WHERE I SPENT THE FIRST TWO DAYS. LIMA IS CITY OF 8 MILLION PEOPLE. IT IS NEARLY 5 CENTURIES OLD AND HAS SURVIVED TERRORISTS, EARTHQUAKES, IMMENSE POVERTY AND MANY CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT. THEY SAY A CRIME OCCURS IN LIMA EVERY SEVEN SECONDS. THE SAFEST AREA TO STAY IS THE SUBURB OF MIRAFLORES WITH ITS MODERN BUILDINGS, PARKS AND EXCELLENT RESTAURANTS. IF YOU GO IN THE WINTER YOU WILL ENCOUNTER CLOUDY DREARY DAYS DUE TO WHAT IS CALLED THE "GARUA." THIS IS A FOG BANK THAT COVERS THE CITY OF LIMA DURING THE WINTER TIME. NIGHTS ARE CHILLY AND ONLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOTELS WILL HAVE HEAT. IF YOU GO 30 MILES OUTSIDE OF LIMA THE SKIES WILL LIKELY BE CLEAR AND THE WEATHER WARMER. HOWEVER, FROM JANUARY THROUGH MARCH YOU WILL HAVE BEAUTIFUL SUNNY SKIES. IT RAINS ONLY ABOUT 2 INCHES PER YEAR IN LIMA. ONLY WAY TO GET AROUND LIMA IS BY TAXI. DRIVERS ON THE ROADS ARE WILD AND RECKLESS AND BUSES ARE CROWDED AND YOU MAY BECOME A VICTIM OF PICKPOCKETS. NEVERTHELESS, LIMA IS FASCINATING CITY WITH BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES, MUSEUMS AND SOME OF THE MOST DELICIOUS SEAFOOD YOU WILL EVER TASTE. AVOID DOWNTOWN AREA AT NIGHT AND KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED AND WINDOWS ROLLED UP WHILE RIDING IN A CAR. TERRORISM IN PERU IS NO LONGER A THREAT BUT STREET CRIME IS GETTING WORSE. DO NOT WEAR EXPENSIVE JEWELRY AND USE ONLY LEGITIMATE TAXIS FOR TRANSPORTATION.

  • 10 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
  • 12 photos

ADVENTURES IN PERUBest of IgoUgo

Overview

We are not in the Sahara
Visit the GOLD MUSEUM where you can see PIZARRO'S SWORD and ONE MILLION PIECES of GOLD.

PLAZA OF LIMA has a PRESIDENTIAL PALACE and BEAUTIFUL CHURCH, which was built in the 1700s.

In MIRAFLORES there is a BEAUTIFUL PARK where live music and flea markets provide attractions.

Quick Tips:

Don't drive. See below.

Best Way To Get Around:

The only way to travel in LIMA is by TAXI. Very inexpensive.

DRIVING IS NOT RECOMMENDED. Lima drivers are reckless and rude. There is no established pattern for traffic rules and regulations.

In Miraflores, you can walk to any restaurant from your hotel.

La CastellanaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Hotel LaCastellana
Hotel is favorite of tourists, with Spanish-style architecture. TV in rooms. They also have bottled water available.

English not spoken. Hotel is near downtown Miraflores. Just a few blocks away from park.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on June 30, 2001

La Castellana
Grimaldo del Solar Lima, Peru
443-520

Hotel EsperanzaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

HOTEL HAS EXCELLENT SECURITY WITH LOCKED GATES. IT IS NEAR DOWNTOWN AREA AND PARK. ROOMS ARE LARGE AND CLEAN. THEY HAVE RESTAURANT ALSO AND ELEVATOR. 6 STORIES HIGH.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on June 30, 2001

Hotel Esperanza
Calle Esperanza 350 Lima, Peru

San Antonio AbadBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

HOTEL IS LOCATED DOWNTOWN WITH EASY ACCESS TO MANY RESTAURANTS. ROOMS ARE CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE. BUFFET IS PROVIDED AND ALSO THEY HAVE AIRPORT PICK-UP IF NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on June 30, 2001

San Antonio Abad
Ramon Ribeyro 301 Lima, Peru
447-6766

Casa de HuspedesBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "CASA DE HUSEPEDES"

LOCATED IN QUIET RESIDENTIAL SECTION. SHORT WALK FROM TOWN AND NEAR BEACH. ROOMS ARE BRIGHT AND CLEAN. CAN CHOOSE ROOM WITH OR WITHOUT BATH. GOOD SECURITY WITH FRIENDLY STAFF.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on June 30, 2001

Casa de Huspedes
Porta 686 Lima, Peru
444-6023

Manos MorenosBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Manos Morenos is excellent dining in a luxurious atmosphere. I have eaten there several times. I recommend loma saltado, cebiche (raw fish cooked in lime), and for dessert chicha morado. If you order cebiche you will receive a plate with shrimp and three other kinds of shellfish. Included on the entree are sweet potatoes and corn on the cob.

Chicha morada is a sweet-tasting dessert made from the seeds of a tropical plant found in the jungle. It is served as a gelatin and is extremely tasty.

Expect to pay between $15-$20 for a meal, but it is well worth the price.

Service is excellent and restaurant is modern and luxurious. I would never travel to Lima without dining here at least once.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on July 7, 2001

Manos Morenos
Pedro de Osma 409 Lima, Peru
467-4902

HaitíBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Haiti Restaurant"

Waiter at Haiti
Haiti is located in downtown area of Miraflores, which is a suburb of Lima. Here you will find distinguished waiters wearing black bow ties.

The restaurant is often crowded and the service can be slow at times, but the food is delicious. My favorite dish here is the diet chicken soup, which consists of 1/4 chicken in a bowl with mashed potatoes and vegetables. You have never tasted chicken soup until you try this.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on May 15, 2003

Haití
Avenida Diagonal 160 Lima, Peru 18
+51 1 445 0539

La Rosa NauticaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

La Rosa Nautica
This elegant restaurant in the Lima suburb of Miraflores is built over an ocean breakwater.

Seafood, international, and Peruvian dishes are featured in a most romantic setting. Their piña coladas are delicious!

Located at the end of a pier, you walk along the boardwalk for about 50 yards to get to door of restaurant.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on May 8, 2003

La Rosa Nautica
Espigon 4 Lima, Peru
447-0057

Museo de Oro del Peru (Gold Museum)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Gold Museum"

Gold Museum
Just a 20 minute cab ride from downtown, the Gold Museum has 6,500 pieces of worked gold, a weapons collection, and Pizzaro's sword. There are also Incan ceremonial costumes with exquisite featherwork and mummies. The upper floor contains an extensive weapons collection and a sword believed to have belonged to Pizzaro.

The grounds are quiet and peaceful with a rather expensive jewelry store and a small restaurant serving snacks and drinks. This is where I had my first taste of Inca Cola.

There are some llamas there on the grounds that the children may enjoy. We met travelers there from several different countries who came to relax and tour the museum. The entrance fee is inexpensive, but cameras are not allowed.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by mays9charles on May 1, 2003

Museo de Oro del Peru (Gold Museum)
Calle Alonso de Molina 1100, Monterrico Lima, Peru
+51 (1) 435-2917

Plaza de ArmasBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Palace Guard
The Plaza de Armas in downtown Lima was planned by Pizzaro in 1535. It consists of the Presidential Palace, The Cathedral, and City Hall.

The Presidential Palace is not open to the public and security around the plaza is quite heavy. It is possible to take photos of the guards and the palace, but ask first. The Catherdal was begun in 1746 after the first one was destroyed by an earthquake. On the right hand side as you enter, you'll see the remains of Pizzaro. The carved choir stalls were a gift of Charles V to the first cathedral of Peru. The Museum of religious art inside the cathedral is also open to the public. There are many beautiful paintings from the 16th and 17th century there.

There is an admissions charge and extra charge for cameras.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on May 1, 2003

Plaza de Armas
Downtown Lima Lima, Peru

Things to Do in LimaBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Ice Cream
The suburb of Miraflores is the safest place to stay. You can obtain a taxi at the airport for $20 or negotiate outside with taxi drivers. The best price is about $12.

I recommend the Gold Museum, where you can see Pizarro's sword and Incan artifacts. Also, there are many pieces of worked gold. There is also a gift shop (very expensive) and a small outdoor cafe where you can stop for Inca Cola. Inca Cola is the number-one soft drink in Peru. It even out-sells Coca-Cola. It has a sweet taste much like bubble gum.

The park in Miraflores is beautiful. On weekends, there is flea market where it Is possible to purchase beautiful paintings for excellent prices. Also, bands play and you can get a taste of Latin music.

There are many excellent restaurants are located in Miraflores. The beach is nearby but polluted. I also recommend La Rosa Nautica on the breakwaters of the Pacific. It is a very expensive but romantic restaurant. The best shopping area is Mercado Indio, where a variety of native goods and souvenirs can be purchased. It is also possible to do some bargaining.

About the Writer

mays9charles
mays9charles
Fort Worth, Texas

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