LIMA, PERU!
We recently returned from a trip to Peru!
We'll admit the purpose for our visit to Peru was mainly to see the famous Citadel of Machu Picchu, but our international flight first put us in the capital city of Lima. We spent some time in the planning process debating whether we should venture into the city or continue directly to Cusco to start the trek to Machu Picchu, but we ultimately decided this was our one chance to see the "culinary capital" of South America. We delayed our domestic flight for one day to see what Lima had to offer us.
Since our time was short and the city seemed large (i.e., not walkable from our hotel to the main square), we booked a half day guided city tour.
We'll admit the purpose for our visit to Peru was mainly to see the famous Citadel of Machu Picchu, but our international flight first put us in the capital city of Lima. We spent some time in the planning process debating whether we should venture into the city or continue directly to Cusco to start the trek to Machu Picchu, but we ultimately decided this was our one chance to see the "culinary capital" of South America. We delayed our domestic flight for one day to see what Lima had to offer us.
Since our time was short and the city seemed large (i.e., not walkable from our hotel to the main square), we booked a half day guided city tour.
Destination: Lima | Peru | South America
Traveled: March 2016
Accommodation: Hotel Estelar Miraflores
Adventures: Plaza Mayor, Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, Miraflores, Park of Love, Larco Herrer Museum, Larcomar shopping center
Takeaways: 1) Lima has heavy, aggressive traffic. Even the locals complain about it. 2) Lima has Uber! Who knew Uber was available in other countries? 3) We should have brushed up on our Spanish and brought the English-Spanish dictionary.
Memorable Moments: 1) Taking in the view of the Pacific Ocean from Miraflores. 2) Attempting (almost unsuccessfully) to order a hamburger at the mall. 3) That spicy cheese sauce at dinner. 4) Taking an Uber to the airport. Impressive driving skills, Juan!
Takeaways: 1) Lima has heavy, aggressive traffic. Even the locals complain about it. 2) Lima has Uber! Who knew Uber was available in other countries? 3) We should have brushed up on our Spanish and brought the English-Spanish dictionary.
Memorable Moments: 1) Taking in the view of the Pacific Ocean from Miraflores. 2) Attempting (almost unsuccessfully) to order a hamburger at the mall. 3) That spicy cheese sauce at dinner. 4) Taking an Uber to the airport. Impressive driving skills, Juan!
- Ceviche.
- Chifas, restaurants serving a Chinese-Peruvian cuisine.
- Inca Kola. It tastes a like a combination of bubblegum and cream soda.
- Pisco sours. These are popular cocktails, but we weren't fans of the egg white froth.
Restaurant Picks:
Lunch::
Manduca (fast food hamburgers)
Larcomar, Malecon de la Reserva 610, Miraflores
Dinner::
Manduca (fast food hamburgers)
Larcomar, Malecon de la Reserva 610, Miraflores
Dinner::
Saqra Restaurante (try the fish ceviche and huancaína gnocchi)
Av. La Paz 646, Miraflores
Recommendations:
1) Prearrange your transportation from the airport.
2) Stay in Miraflores.
3) Don't drink the tap water.
4) Use Uber to get around the city. Don't rent a car.
5) Hang onto your immigration card. You need it to check into hotels and leave the country.
1) Prearrange your transportation from the airport.
2) Stay in Miraflores.
3) Don't drink the tap water.
4) Use Uber to get around the city. Don't rent a car.
5) Hang onto your immigration card. You need it to check into hotels and leave the country.
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