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Panoramic aerial view of Lima, Peru Plaza de Armas

Lima Vacations and Tour Packages

Plaza de Armas

Overview

Take a trip to Lima on your Peru Vacation

The capital and largest city in Peru, Lima is located in the central part of the country. A melting pot of cultures, Lima offers a mixture of European, Andean, African and Asian influences to be enjoyed on a Peru vacation.

The city of Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on the Catholic feast day of Epiphany in 1535, earning it the nickname the “City of Kings”. The city became the capital of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru and grew into the continent’s richest town. Lima was devastated by an earthquake in 1746 but was rebuilt quickly and became the capital of Peru upon independence in 1821. The beginning of the 20th century witnessed a population boom as the city began to industrialize and people started to move from the countryside into Lima.

Today, Lima is the major point of entry for visitors on Peru tours and has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. The Historic Centre of Lima, made up of the districts of Lima and Rímac, is a massive draw for tourists and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The district houses colonial architecture and many churches that date from as early as the 16th century. Lima has been named the “Gastronomical Capital of the Americas” and is home to the highest concentration of museums in the country making the city a hub of Peruvian cultural activity.

At a Glance

Languages

Peruvian Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Asháninka

Currency

Peruvian Sol (PEN)

What do the experts say?

RuthAnne Leonty

RuthAnne Leonty

Team Lead
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For a unique experience visit an indigenous village high in the Andes for a Pachamama ceremony. I was fortunate to participate in one and the warmth of the people and how simple they lived, really touched my heart.
RuthAnne Leonty

RuthAnne Leonty

Team Lead
Learn More About This Expert
Dress for all weather types, climate can range from very warm and humid in Lima to cool and rainy in Machu Picchu and very hot and dry in the Sacred Valley
Osvaldo Gonzalez

Osvaldo Gonzalez

Destination Specialist
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May to October is the best time to visit as it is the dry season with sunny days, clear skies, ideal for trekking and enjoy the landscape. However like in all Latin countries, the weather is unpredictable, so be ready if any rain show up during a sunny day
Osvaldo Gonzalez

Osvaldo Gonzalez

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Everyone should make sure they try a Pisco sour - It's Peru’s national cocktail—a smooth, citrusy, and slightly foamy drink made with pisco, a type of grape brandy. It’s both refreshing and strong, with a sweet-tart balance and a signature foamy top from egg white.
Osvaldo Gonzalez

Osvaldo Gonzalez

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
It is astonishing how much incredible diversity of experiences can be packed into one country, Peru is full of deep cultural roots, a wide range of landscape, adventure and its delicious cuisine.

Highlights

The Plaza Mayor, also known as the Plaza de Armas, located in the heart of the city, is a very historical centre. Some of the highlights to be seen on a Peru vacation surrounding and close to the plaza include the Palacio de Gobierno (the Governor’s Palace), the official residence and office of Peru's president. The changing of the palace guards takes place each day exactly at noon here. The Cathedral was the city’s first church in 1535 and was rebuilt numerous times.  The Archbishop's Palace was originally built during the 1600s.  

The San Francisco Church and Monastery were built in the baroque style of the late 1600s. It is one of the best-preserved in lima. The monastery next to it has an outstanding collection of ancient religious texts, There is also a library plus it has catacombs which once were part of Lima's original cemeteries built under churches. There are around 75,000 bodies buried under the church alone.

Miraflores is a suburb of Lima and an upscale district located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It is where many major hotels are located on Peru tours. The Malecon is a 10-kilometre/6-mile stretch of parks situated along the cliffs. You will find statues created by famous Peruvian artists. One of the most popular spots is “Parque Kennedy” known to locals as the cat park, nicely laid out and full of hundreds of cats. The Pucllana Temple or Huaca is an adobe ceremonial centre built around 500 A.D.  

Travel Stories

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