Lima
Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, as well as a primate city.
It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The city is considered the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of Peru. Jurisdictionally, the metropolis extends mainly within the province of Lima and in a smaller portion, to the west, within the Constitutional Province of Callao, where the seaport and the Jorge Chávez Airport are located. Both provinces have had regional autonomy since 2002.
Worth seeing
The historic downtown, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Circuito Mágico del Agua (Magic Water Tour), a fountain and light display in the Parque de la Reserva and Parque Fermín Tangüis. The Parque del Amor (Lovers' Park) in Miraflores. The Costa Verde, Lima's impressive green coast stretches between San Miguel and Chorrillos. The tourist-friendly districts of Barranco, Miraflores and Santiago de Surco.
Things to do
Bike Tours of Lima, Calle Bolivar 150, Miraflores,. Mon–Fri 09:30–18:00; Sat Sun 09:30–14:00. A variety of 'public' and private bicycle, walking and food tours of Lima by English-speaking guides. Prior booking is required. It is the number 1 activity in Lima on Tripadvisor. Biking tours US$35–US$90, other prices vary, pay in U.S. dollars. The Lima Gourmet Company, Miraflores, Lima, Peru,. 24.
Where to eat
Gastronomy has been, since the days of the Spanish vice royalty, an essential aspect of life in Lima. During the last few years, the city's dining reputation has experienced a huge leap in the eyes of the world, due in part to the International Summit of Gastronomy (Madrid Fusión) in 2006, which declared Lima to be the "Gastronomy Capital of the Americas".
Getting around Lima the local way
- Get aroundIn Lima the shared taxis are prohibited, but there are some taxis colectivos pirata, and it might not hurt to look if there's someone hiding on the back seat or the trunk before entering.
From Wikivoyage: Lima, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Mayimbú (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.
