From Puerto Montt, Chile, I transferred through Santiago and arrived in Lima, the capital of Peru.
At Lima Airport, there are buses 🚌 that go directly to the city center. After picking up your luggage 🧳, you’ll see the ticket counter, with fares set at 15 soles. The bus makes four stops in the core areas of the city, and I recommend staying within these areas for both safety and convenience.
My first impression of Lima was the traffic—it’s terrible! The trip from the airport to the city center took 1 hour and 20 minutes, and drivers here are aggressive, with cutting in and reckless driving being the norm. On a three-lane road, you’ll often see four rows of cars squeezing through.
After settling in, I took an Uber 🚗 to Plaza de Armas to begin my city walk. The great thing about Uber is that it doesn’t require cash and offers a fixed price regardless of traffic, which is crucial in Lima!
Itinerary:
Plaza de Armas ➡️ Lima Cathedral ➡️ Presidential Palace ➡️ San Francisco Monastery ➡️ Old City Wall Ruins ➡️ Plaza San Martín ➡️ Kennedy Park ➡️ Larcomar Cliffside Mall
1️⃣ Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas in Lima is surrounded by pedestrian streets, so cars can only drop you off at nearby neighborhoods, and you’ll need to walk to the plaza. Although the old town area generally has some safety concerns, the Plaza de Armas itself is exceptionally secure. The heavy security presence is no exaggeration, with guards stationed every few steps, including soldiers, police, and security personnel. Lima’s city sign is located at the northwest corner of the plaza.
2️⃣ Lima Cathedral
Located on the east side of Plaza de Armas, I happened to visit on a Sunday during a worship service. This service was unique, featuring an electronic band and a DJ performing religious songs in modern pop styles . The interactive atmosphere between the musicians and the congregation instantly reminded me of the movie Sister Act.
3️⃣ Presidential Palace
Directly north of Plaza de Armas, the Presidential Palace stood with its gates firmly closed. Through the fence, I could catch a glimpse of the soldiers performing their changing of the guard.
4️⃣ San Francisco Monastery
Just one block east of the Presidential Palace lies the famous catacomb church. The entrance fee is 20 soles, granting access to the eerie but fascinating underground ossuary.
5️⃣ Old City Wall Ruins Park
Located along the river just north of the monastery, this park features remnants of the old city walls. From the park, you can also see the brightly colored houses of a nearby shantytown on the hillside.
6️⃣ Plaza San Martín
A five-block walk south from Plaza de Armas brings you to Plaza San Martín. In the center of the square stands a statue of General San Martín, and this is a perfect spot to relax and feed the pigeons.
7️⃣ Kennedy Park
Located southeast of the city center, Kennedy Park requires a taxi 🚗 ride to reach. This park is known as a haven for stray cats 🐈, with many friendly felines that aren’t shy around people. Although there are some homeless individuals resting here, police frequently patrol the area, so the overall security is good.
8️⃣ Larcomar Cliffside Mall
From the east side of Kennedy Park, heading straight south leads to the Larcomar Mall, a commercial hub built dramatically into the cliffs overlooking the ocean. This route passes through Lima’s commercial district, lined with malls and currency exchange outlets, though I found that cash wasn’t necessary during my entire stay. With card payments accepted for dining, taxis, and shopping, there was no real need to use cash .
True to its name, Larcomar is built on a steep cliff by the sea. The mall spans three levels descending from ground level and offers restaurants, clothing stores, electronics, a cinema, souvenir shops, and a supermarket. Many of the dining spots are located along the cliff’s edge, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy a meal with a stunning view of the coastline.
Larco Museum: A Hidden Garden in Lima, Peru
The Larco Museum is a private museum located within the Larco villa, which features a beautiful, lush garden. The museum exhibits artifacts from ancient Andean civilizations centered around Peru, including cultures such as the Moche, Nazca, Wari, Chimú, Chancay, and Inca.
The collection focuses on pottery, metal ornaments, and textiles. The pottery stands out for its playful, cartoon-like designs. Beside each piece, restored illustrations of the intricate patterns provide clear visual explanations, making it feel like reading a comic strip.
Recommended Restaurants in Lima, Peru:
1️⃣ PANCHITA
This restaurant is extremely popular, so reservations are a must. It offers a Peruvian delicacy—roasted guinea pig. The dish is crispy on the outside and tender inside, with a skin texture similar to roasted suckling pig. The meat is incredibly delicate, making it a true culinary delight! The restaurant also boasts a lovely ambiance. Another standout dish was the stuffed salad—cornmeal on the outside with seafood salad inside, offering a unique twist.
2️⃣ Huaca Pucllana
What makes this restaurant special is its location right next to an Incan pyramid site, so you can enjoy the view without paying an extra fee. One of the highlights here is the seafood squid ink rice, which outshines the squid ink pasta I had in Italy. The grilled beef heart is another must-try, served with a generous portion of corn beans on the side.
3️⃣ Larco Restaurant
Located inside the Larco Museum, this restaurant offers a beautiful setting, surrounded by vibrant flowers. After dining, you can visit the museum, though entrance fees apply. I highly recommend the stewed tripe, braised beef, and ceviche—they were all exceptionally delicious.
4️⃣ Chicha Morada
Don’t miss out on this traditional Peruvian purple corn juice! It’s available at almost every restaurant and became an essential part of my meals—it’s sweet, aromatic, and absolutely refreshing.
