Lima
With over eight million inhabitants Lima, capital of Peru is the second largest desert city in the world after Cairo. It is a city of contrasts. Lima is surrounded by shantytowns where poverty is rampant, yet many of its suburbs are rich and prosperous, its business district boasts skyscrapers and its shopping malls are ultramodern.
Lima is located on a desert strip that runs from the north to the south of Peru, on the banks of the Rimac River overlooking the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. Lima is the richest city in Peru; it is where the government is located and is the financial, cultural and educational center of the country.
Plaza de Armas de Lima
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History
Lima, named City of the Kings or Ciudad de los Reyes by Francisco Pizarro, was founded on January 18th, 1535 as the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. It was chosen because of its ideal location on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, benefiting from its closeness to the natural port of Callao which facilitated trade with Spain. After the independence in 1821, it became the capital of the Republic of Peru.
Basilica Cathedral of Lima
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Lima, Peru Travel
If you are coming from outside of South America you have to fly through Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport and then take a connecting flight to your final destination. Few travelers stay long in this fast moving capital city. Usually undervalued, Lima will appeal to you in many different ways.
Lima boasts some of the finest cuisines in South America, the fusion of Inca, European and Asian cuisines have created an eclectic, yet excellent cuisine. In the coast seafood is a local specialty with high quality restaurants in every price range.
Lima has enough museums, churches, colonial houses and pre-Inca ruins to keep any visitor busy for weeks. The city is a gathering of neighborhoods each with its own distinctive feel and look.
A colonial house in Historic Lima
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There are more than 20 museums in Lima but if you are in the city for a few days there are only few worth spending your time in. The Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and History, Larco Museum and the Museum of Art of Lima offer an opportunity to immerse yourself in the Inca Civilization and Peru’s art and history.
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Hotels and Lodging in Lima
Since the late 1990s and with the decrease of terrorist activity in the country tourism has seen a steady increase which has created a competitive environment in the accommodations industry. Today Lima and many touristic cities in Peru such as Cusco and Arequipa, boast large and modern hotels featuring many international chains and local boutique hotels. Lima has hotels, hostels and Apart hotels suitable for every budget with a wide range of services offered. All establishments must display signs with official authorization and category.
Marriot Hotel in Miraflores
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Transportation
Traffic in Lima is crazy. It is not recommended to rent a car as traffic rules are not always respected. One mean of public transportation is the “combi”, a van that has been adapted for public transportation. There are many old crowded public buses and a huge number of taxis competing with each other for passengers.
Traffic in Lima
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Weather in Lima
Lima has a mild temperature all year, not too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. Summer in the southern hemisphere is from mid December to mid March with the temperature fluctuating between 25 to 28C or 77 to 82F. Winter days are grey and humid with temperatures between 12 to 15C or 53 to 59F. Lima is covered in a thick fog called garua that prevents the sun from penetrating making winter days look dark and gray. Click here for more detailed information on Lima weather.
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More information about Lima
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Historic Lima
Historic Lima is the most visited tourist destination, the Center of Lima or Centro de Lima, as locals call it, used to be the entire city with the Plaza the Armas as its heart.
Miraflores
Miraflores is the higher end side of the city and offers some of the most luxurious accommodations in Lima.
San isidro
San Isidro is one of the upscale districts of Lima with exclusive residential areas featuring some older mansions belonging to old aristocratic families.
Barranco
At night Barranco becomes the Lima that never sleeps, there is a large concentration of bars, live music nightclubs and peñas.
Lima, big city problems
Like any megalopolis Lima suffers from pollution, traffic and poverty. Water supply is a big issue in a city located in the desert.
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