24 Hours in Downtown Lima – Things You Must do

Tourists generally look at Lima to stay on route to Cusco and the famed Machu Picchu. What they are not aware of is the fact that this historic downtown is the real gem of Lima.

If you are ready to spend some extra time in the capital and the largest city of Peru, Lima downtown should be the must-visit spot on your list.

All you have to do is reserve 24 hours for downtown Lima, and we have already made the ultimate to-do list for you. Let's get started.

Began with Plaza de Armas

You would not want to miss out on the main square of Lima. This is the place that hosts the government palace.

Yes, we are talking about Plaza de Armas!

You can visit the cathedral where Pizarro's ashes lie to this day. Around Plaza de Armas are various world-class restaurants to satisfy your appetite and a pisco museum. There also lies a historic train station converted into a cultural center and library called Casa de la Literatura Peruana.

Cross Puente de Piedra over the Rimac River

Rimac, which literally means "the talking river," is the only river that runs through the center of the city. To cross the Rimac River, you can cross Puente de Piedra (Bridge of Stone), which itself is over four hundred years old.

This is the place undervalued and overlooked by the tourists, but you will witness many locals having fun, laughing, dancing, and enjoying their meals.

Tour the Museums Concentrated in the Lima Downtown!

The downtown area of Lima has many of Lima's noteworthy museums:

• Museum of the Inquisition
• Metropolitan Museum of Lima
• Lima Art Museum
• Museum of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru
• Afro-Peruvian Museum
• Casa Bodega y Quadra
• Santo Domingo Museum
• Museum of Peruvian Gastronomy
• San Francisco Convent and Catacombs

If you ask us about "the one," it is San Francisco Convent.

Apart from the skeletons, you will see the old library, magnificent paintings, and captivating architecture.

Palacio Municipal (City Hall)

Palacio Municipal, founded by Nicolas de Ribera, boasts alluring colonial wooden balconies, a fascinating collection of Peruvian paintings and photographs you would fall in love with.

The city hall is also home to historical documents from the founding of Lima (1535) and the independence of Lima (1821).

Parque de la Reserva – You Won’t Want to Miss this Destination

This magic circuit of the water is a new favorite spot for tourists and locals, being home to the largest fountain complex in the world. Every night, you will get to witness the Parque de la Reserva coming alive with colored lights, laser beams, and motion synchronized with the soundtracks.

Don't forget to bring your camera to capture some pictures at this beautiful and vibrant spot.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is well worth a day of exploration. Visit Lima downtown and experience everything from intricate balconies to unique art that has never been forgotten.

Learn About Peru – Location, Climate, History and More

 

Let us introduce you to a country of western South America that is a mix of ancient civilizations and dramatic archeology residing among some of the most extraordinary landscapes.

Yes, we are talking about Peru!

About the key facts, Peru has an area of 496,226 sq. miles with 31,774,225 people (UN estimate 2016). Peru is a Republic with Lima as its capital city.

By the end of the article, you will surely get a glimpse into the country's proud history, legendary culture and natural aspects of the region that combine to make it a must-visit tourist attraction.

Climate

The climate of Peru varies across the regions. The coastal areas from Tacna to Piura have a warm temperate climate with high humidity and thick mist in winter.

Highlands in Peru have two seasons; summer and winter. Summer days are sunny, while summer nights are cold. There is little rain in summer and frequent and heavy rain in winter. Winter days have a temperature of around 24°C, which can fall to -3°C at night.

Like highlands, the jungle of Peru has two seasons; the rainy season and the relatively dry season. Generally, humidity remains very high all year.

History

Peru has a mythical ancient history with several distinct Peruvian cultures. The best-known ancient civilizations to ever exist in Peru are Chavin and Sechin, who have left behind magnificent stone carvings of religious iconography.

Then came Paracas and the Saliner, followed by mysterious Nazca, who were the architects of incredible Nazca lines.

As these civilizations begin to disappear, the mighty Inca rose in Peru. The Incas declined when the cities were destroyed.

Peru stayed as a Spanish colony for a few centuries until it gained its independence in 1821.

Wildlife

Talk about biodiversity, and Peru has one of the greatest in the world. This is mainly due to the presence of Peru's dramatic geographical features such as the coast, Andes, and Amazon River.

The most stunning among the 53 protected areas in Peru is the Manu, the most biologically diverse area in the Peruvian Amazon.

You can only access it by air or river but being home to 13 species of monkeys, 1000 species of birds, 200 different mammals, and a beautiful array of butterflies, it is the place well worth a visit.

Moreover, Peru's coast is frequented by dolphin pods, sharks, and sperm whales.

Cuisine

Peru has a world-famous cuisine with a sophisticated genre that combines traditional Peruvian staples, Spanish, Basque and Asian food. You will find incredible ceviches and other fish dishes combined with milk, chilli pepper, or potatoes along the coast.

If you want to go adventurous, taste some cuy or roast guinea pig. Or, in the Andes, you might want to try alpaca meat served with Yucca that is a tasty root vegetable common to the area.

If you are looking forward to experiencing some cutting-edge culinary advances in fusion food, traditional dishes, and international foods, take advantage of Lima!

You have gone through some of the prominent features of Peru that make it distinct from most other countries on the planet. Visit Peru to experience a beautiful mix of Hispanic and native traditions and get exposure to the country's art, both modern and ancient.