Lima, Peru
24 Hours in Lima
If you Google Peru and what it’s known for you’ll come up with the obvious: Machu Picchu, the Amazon jungle, cocktails like the Pisco sour but it’s so much more. Peru is a country bursting with personality, tradition and culture. It’s full of life and color and there’s so much to see you’ll likely not even come close to hitting every spot on your list. I was lucky enough to spend two weeks traveling through the capital, down the coast and inland, each town with their own distinct personalities, none better than the last. So above all, that would be my recommendation, take the time to visit a handful of cities and towns, appreciating each for what they have to offer.
My interest in Peru began when a close Peruvian friend offered to personally tour around the country with me, so with two weeks and countless places to see, we were off. Well, I was off to meet him in Peru’s capital, spending 24 Hours in Lima and then moving down the coast to the Islands Made of Rock & Tropical Deserts of Paracas, Dune Buggy Rides & Wine Tastings in Huacachina and The White City of Arequipa. From Arequipa, I took a solo day trip Hiking Peru’s Epic Colca Canyon and then we moved on to Cusco, Once the Capital of the Inca Empire, where I’d have a Near-Death Experience on Rainbow Mountain, tour Sacred Valley: Peru’s Andean Highlands and explore the unimaginable Machu Picchu: A Dream Come True.
My flights went off without a hitch. Flying from Chicago O'hare, I landed in Panama for a short layover with Copa Airlines and then on to Lima. Copa's service was great and meals each flight were a nice touch. Unfortunately, after landing half past midnight it took nearly an hour to get a hold of my luggage. Thank goodness my Peruvian friend, Esau, had arranged a taxi for me into downtown Lima. Talk about an excruciatingly long day.
Taste Peruvian Cuisine & Catch Views at Miraflores
After a quick night's rest we woke and were off for our first meal of the day. Esau and I walked toward Miraflores, a popular area near the coast in Lima. On the way, we stopped in a little pop-up market showcasing interesting handmade goods.
We also learned that every Sunday the main boulevard shuts down to allow the public access on foot. The boulevard was packed full of people rollerblading, walking and riding bikes, enjoying such a beautiful day.
I'll admit, it was tough to find a bite to eat; getting my footing in a new country is always tricky. The area was full of overpriced touristy restaurants and cafes and this was my first Peruvian meal so I didn't want to settle for something inauthentic. Eventually, we chose a traditional style restaurant with seating near the street.
As recommended, I ordered lomo saltado, a beef dish with tomatoes, onions, rice and french fries. It was delicious and full of flavor. Price-wise, this dish varies a lot as it can be found in almost every restaurant. This time, I definitely overpaid at almost 30 soles ($10 USD) but it was worth every penny. Esau ordered another traditional dish of potatoes and fish, also delicious. They gave us a cup of popped corn to snack on, as well.
Near the waters edge are gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. The two of us walked toward the coast and even though it was super foggy the coastline was absolutely beautiful. The water looked rough but was filled with surfers nonetheless. As we walked along the coast we made sure to pile on sunscreen. In Peru, the sun is no joke, even when the skies are cloudy, so lather up regularly.
Stroll Through Plaza de Armas de Lima
After strolling along the coast we jumped into an Uber toward the old city square, Plaza de Armas de Lima. The square was gorgeous with so much character and detail. The main plaza is surrounded with beautiful buildings including the Government Palace, Cathedral of Lima and Archbishop's Palace of Lima.
Just past the Cathedral of Lima are a number of side streets filled with little shops, museums and restaurants of all kinds, waiting to be explored.
As we meandered through the streets we spotted a market filled with stuffed animals, colors of red and pink everywhere.
Next, we came to the Monastery of San Francisco. Flocks of birds were diving in and out of the plaza. The monastery offers tours but it was pretty busy so we passed on the opportunity. Instead, we took a photo opp with a man selling balloons. For just one sole or 30 cents he let us pretend they were all ours. Thank you, sir!
Down the street we found a cafe called La Tapada for a bite to eat. Finally, it was time for ceviche, one of my favorite dishes in seaside cities. In Peru, they typically serve ceviche with sweet potatoes and corn, and it's always extra limey with a bit of seaweed right on top. Just the way I like it.
Ceviche tends to be a bit more pricey than most other foods unless you're in a small town near the water (avoid it in cities like Cusco where it isn't fresh). At La Tapada the cost was 30 soles ($10 USD). Don't forget to add a delicious smoothie but keep in mind Peru's water is not safe to drink. You'll always be able to find bottled water but things like fruits and vegetables have likely been washed with tap water. Personally, I learned the hard way but not sure I would’ve changed my decisions anyway.
Enjoy a Pisco Sour & Dance the Night Away
With only a few hours of sleep catching up to us, we stepped inside for a quick nap. In the evening, Esau and I met one of his high school friends back in Miraflores for dinner. We chose Mangos, an upscale Peruvian seafood restaurant in the Larcomar shopping center. For me, it was the typical Peruvian drink, Pisco sour, and beef liver for the first time.
Although the food wasn’t the best I’d experience in Peru, I couldn’t complain about the view. We chose a table out on the patio where we could see the entire coastline lit up in the night sky.
After finishing up with dinner, we drove down to the beach just south of Miraflores, but realized we weren’t missing much; it was quite dirty and small. Esau mentioned that the nicer beaches are not in Lima but are a few hours south down the coast.
To walk off our meal, we wandered around the park in the main plaza of Miraflores. There was a small open market selling goods in the center and a group gathered together listening to Peruvian music, dancing up a storm. It was a really fun thing to see, everyone so full of energy.
A few more of Esau's friends joined us and we decided to go for drinks at a popular gay club, ValeTodo DownTown. ValeTodo plays upbeat Latin pop. They have multiple dance floors and even host drag shows. The strangest thing though, barely anyone was drinking. Esau told me people mainly go to the bar to dance rather than drink like in the states. What a refreshing idea. It was so much fun and definitely a different vibe than what you’d find back home.
Esau also mentioned how Peruvians are very conservative and even though almost everyone there was gay you would never know it. No one was flirting or touching, it all seemed very platonic. The crowd was mostly male, maybe 80%, and the rest was female. Around 1 a.m. we called it quits after an amazing night full of music, dancing and incredible people watching. In the morning, we’d head down the coast a few hours to Paracas.
