Lima Vacation - Top Things to Do in Peru's City of Kings

When tourists plan a vacation to Peru they tend toWater which is comprised of the largest fountain
skip over Lima. Instead of planning a Lima vacationcomplex in the world and is a fun place to visit if you
they'll look at Cuzco with Machu Picchu nearby, or thehave enough time during your Lima vacation. There
Amazon jungles of Iquitos to satisfy touristic curiosity.are several fountains at the park, including a
Lima isn't even given a second thought. For touristswalk-through water tunnel and the Children's Fountain.
Lima is simply used as a stop-off point at theThe largest fountain sprays water 80 meters high. In
international airport before heading off to the morethe evening there is a laser and picture show
publicized attractions that Peru has to offer.accompanied by synchronized music.
There is a fog that hangs over Lima for most of theMiraflores
year which seems to cover the tourist's eyes fromMiraflores is an upscale part of Lima that is popular
seeing what hides beyond. When a person gets pasthangout for tourists on their Lima vacation. It's central
the smog and the bustle of nearly 10 million inhabitantspoint is Parque Kennedy (Kennedy Park) where
on its crowded streets, one finds a gem of culturaloutside shows are performed, artists display their work
history going back to times when the Inca Empire ruledand chess players gather. Just off the park is Calle de
the country and afterwards the Spanish conquistadors.las Pizzas (Pizza Street) with several restaurants that
Lima was known to the Spaniards as the "City ofserve not only pizza, but Peruvian dishes as well.
Kings" and was the capital city of Spanish SouthThere are also several discos and karaoke bars in the
America. The Incas made Lima a major part of theirarea that are open all night long. The popular Luis Miro
Empire, who had trading routes going from Cuzco toQuesada Garland Hall exhibits superb artwork from
Lima. There are still colonial buildings and remnants ofPeruvian and foreign artists.
ancient civilizations in Lima. The city also offers a wideShopping is abundant in Miraflores although
variety of Peruvian food, dance, theater, art andhigher-priced than downtown. The shopping center
culture.Larcomar has restaurants, stores, a movie theater, a
When planning a vacation to Peru consider taking abowling alley, arcades and two discotecas. Larcomar
Lima vacation to experience another flavor of thisis located on a hill which provides great views of the
mystical land.ocean and it's beaches below. Miraflores beaches
There are two main areas in Lima that are of interestoffer excellent opportunities to swim, surf and
to the tourist:paraglide.
Historic Center of Lima and Downtown LimaOn Calle Piura 135, just a few minutes from Parque
The historic center of Lima is a UNESCO WorldKennedy, is located the South American Explorers
Heritage site which includes a number of things ofclubhouse. This is a great source of information for
interest to the tourist. The Plaza de Armas, or Plazaanyone who travels in Peru and South America. They
Major (Main Square), is the central focus of Lima. Thisalso host weekly events.
was a part of the Spanish Inquisition after Inca rule andThe only remaining ruins in Miraflores is the Huaca
is now a place to take a stroll and see the magnificentPucllana which dates back to 200 - 700 AD and was
colonial architecture that the Historic Center has toan important site to the ancient Lima Culture. It is 22
offer. On the four sides of the Plaza de Armas standmeters high, made of sun-dried adobe brick, and is
the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop'sdivided into a ceremonial and administrative section.
Palace and City Hall. For a small fee you can be takenSometimes events and music shows are held there.
around the Square in a horse-pulled buggy.On site is also a museum and a restaurant with a
Many of the old buildings have beautiful balconies thatgreat view of the ruins which are floodlit at night.
were once famously used by the Tapadas, theTours
covered women of Lima, who elegantly wore clothingThere are several tour agencies located in the blocks
that covered everything but their eyes.around the Plaza de Armas. Miraflores has tour
The Iglesia de San Francisco is a remarkable churchagencies centered around Parque Kennedy. All of
that is most famous for the catacombs beneath it thatthese agencies offer city tours of both areas. Tours
hold the skeletal remains of 25,000 people who wereshow highlights of the two districts, and some
laid to rest during the 16th and 19th centuries. No Limaextended city tours include a few extra things to see.
vacation would be complete without a visit. The MuseoRight off the Plaza de Armas there are benches
de Arte has exhibits of ancient and modern Peruvianavailable where people wait for a tour bus that stops
art.by regularly. This tour includes a brief overview of Lima
Take a stroll just off the Plaza de Armas to discovercity, then moves on to the bullfighting ring and San
a wide variety of restaurants offering some of theCristobal. If you don't have much time on your Lima
finest Peruvian cuisine, which is considered to be onevacation, then this is the tour to take.
of the best in the world holding several GuinnessA good alternative to traditional tours is the Mirabus. It's
World Records. Handicraft stores sell a wideoffice is located at Larco 345, Mezzanine 9, Miraflores
assortment of souvenirs at very reasonable pricesand offers several different panoramic bus tours of
and of high quality.Lima and Miraflores. The company also gives tours of
The Plaza de Acho bullfighting ring was once theLima's port Callao and of the archaeological site
largest in the world and is still the oldest in SouthPachacamac.
America. Nearby is it's Taurino museum with displaysAs you can see, Lima has a diversity of options
from Peru's bullfighting history. The area called Cerroavailable for the inquisitive tourist. So before being too
San Cristobal has a large cross on it's hill with a goodquick to jump on a plane elsewhere, give a second
viewpoint of Lima city.thought to your potential Lima vacation.
The Park of the Reserve hosts the Magic Circuit of