What are nice places to visit in Lima?

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Diego S

Well it really depends what you like

If you like museums the National Museum (archeology) is pretty good. I'll include a museum guide in the sources.

If you like sight seeing take a tour of the "centro de lima" (the old downtown). I would recommend taking it by night there is less traffic and most buildings are very well illuminated. After the tour you might want to go to some specific buildings (there are several nice churches -some have catacombs- and the cathedral is nice). Be aware that traffic in Lima can get pretty bad so try to avoid going places during rush hour (otherwise you might get stuck in traffic for a long time).

Shopping can be done in small stores thorough Miraflores and San Isidro or in a few shopping malls. Jockey Plaza is the largest upscale mall, it includes stores such as Chrstian Dior, but also has cheaper stores. I would recommend to stay away from the department stores (Ripley and Saga Falabella), the quality of their products often leaves a lot to be desired. Larcomar is a smaller shopping mall but it is very nice (it is under a park and has a nice view of the sea). It's a good place to have an ice cream or a coffee.

You can also hang glide (check out the link listed in sources) near Larcomar.

Since it will be summer you might want considering going to the beach. The water will be cold, very cold. Beaches in the costa verde (right on the city) are mostly pebble beaches and not particularly nice. South of Lima there are several nicer (sand) beaches you can go to. Here are some: Punta Hermosa, Santa Maria, Asia. Asia is about 1 hr away, Punta Hermosa and Santa Maria about half an hour. Asia has good nightlife and is where a lot of the middle and high class go. Little chance of finding a place to stay unless you know someone. If you feel like going to the beach ask in your hotel for options.

Lima can be a destination just for the food, there are several amazing restaurants and the prices are not exaggerated.
Restaurant list:
Very good (only the top 3 are ranked)
1. Costanera 700 - Japanese-Peruvian. To me is the best restaurant in Peru. Try the octopus in all it's preparations it is amazing, in particular the grilled baby octopus. I have never tried an octopus that was as soft anywhere else.
2. Malabar - International, try the amazonian snails
3 (tied). Hanzo - Sushi bar, dishes have heavy Peruvian influence
3 (tied). Rafael - International
Fiestas - Northern Peruvian
Trattoria di Mambrino - Pastas
La Mar - Seafood, need to go early it gets full very fast, I believe they don't take reservations

Good
Caplina - Seafood
Pescados capitales - Seafood
Cala - Seafood
Ichi ban - Sushi bar, the most "traditional" Japanese
Edo - Sushi bar
Toshiro's - Sushi bar
Matsui - Sushi bar, where Nobu got started, I have heard it is considered a top 10 sushi bar world wide, if it is it must be because Nobu got started there, it is NOT as good as Hanzo in my opinion
Senorio de Sulco - Peruvian
Jose Antonio - Peruvian
Las Brujas de Cachiche - Peruvian
Manos Morenas - Peruvian
Cavenecia - International
La Dalmacia - International
La Gloria - International
Fuzion - International fusion
La linterna - Pizza
Antica - Pizza
La Bistecca - Pastas
Huanchaco - Seafood
Astrid y GastÃ³n - International, leaning towards french
Restaurant Huaca Pucllana - Peruvian, very nice location, very good pisco sour, I would recommend going even if ti is just for a drink.
Hou Wa - Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian fusion)
Wa Lok - Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian fusion)
Lung Fung - Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian fusion)
O Mei - South east asian, more traditional, bit bland for my taste but lots of people love it.
Cabana Vista Alegre - Meats and Grill
El Hornero - Meats and Grill
El Asador - Meats and Grill
Baco y vaca - Meats and Grill
Rincon Gaucho - Meats and Grill
Tranquera- Meats and Grill

Others worth mentioning
Costa Verde - Expensive buffet, fancy, overly expensive, good but far from great, nice location
Hawaiano - good seafood buffet
Blue moon - Game meats buffet, food tends to be a little cold in this place, good for a change but i wouldn't recommend it unless you get a craving, Lima is not the place to go for game meats.
Punto Azul - cheap good seafood, very large portions.
T'anta - International Cafe, cheaper but not that cheap, good for a light lunch, very good desserts
La Bodega de la Trattoria - Pastas, a cheaper, simpler version of Trattoria di Mambrino, good for a light lunch, very good desserts
Delicasse - Cafe, very good desserts.
Bohemia - Peruvian - International, nice Andean cheese fondue (although I doubt you feel like fondue with the heat)

Fast food (Both places are worth trying if you find yourself eating in a food court).
Bembos - Burgers, very large, very good, some very creative burgers others less creative but still good.
Pasquale - Peruvian style sandwiches (pork, burgers, etc). Good sauces.

Fast (ish) Food - Pollo a la brasa, Peruvian version of rotisserie chicken, worth trying. It differs from other rotisserie chickens in a few things, namely it is cooked over glowing charcoal rather than in an oven, how it rotates (hard to describe how it is different but it is, once you see it in person you'll understand) and in the seasoning. In these restaurants you'll find pollo a la brasa an a few other grilled dishes, but not a lot more. (all good but in order, best on top, other cheaper places are decent but not as good, these still are relatively cheap - US$7-13 for full bird)
El Pillo
Pardo's Chicken
La Caravana

Edit (added):
Ice cream/ Gelatto - Both of these Peruvian chains have very good gelatto. Since you are going during the Southern summer be sure to cool down with gelatto at either of these places.
Laritza'D
4'D

If you need more information or help deciding where to go feel free to contact me.

tom p

Try Larco Mar shopping mall.

Very nice with a great view of the Ocean.

There is also a great Sushi restaurant there. Lots of shopping and food.

You must try to get to a steak house and try Argentine steaks. Yummy.

Also try the anticuchos(sorry if its spelled wrong).

In central Lima, Bembo Burger is good for a quick meal.

Pardos Chicken is a must.

Have a great time.

Donna

The Miraflores area of Lima is a great start. My Father was born and raised in the Miraflores district. I go every few years to visit the relatives at our family compound, in Miraflores. You will find many nice restauants, clubs, cafes, and shopping areas in Miraflores. Beaches here will provide some of the most beautiful views. If you're college aged... Be sure to head for Calle de los Pizzas (named because it has So Many pizzerias) at the weekend. You'll find the best bar hopping scene at this time.

For shopping Larcomar is a cliffside mall on the Miraflores Green Coast. Also well worth a visit is the Ripley store. The branch in San Isidro is five levels. Jockey Plaza is definitely worth a look if you want an upscale mall... But you can find a lot of the same designer goods here in the USA at comparable and often better prices.

Be sure to spend an afternoon feasting at the Granja Azul. It's a tradition! They have excellent chicha morada con piÃ±a here, so be sure to have a pitcher with your meal. Chicha is a non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn and served with chopped pineapple floating in it. It makes a nice change from all those endless glasses of Inca Kola you'll no doubt be drinking... And no, contrary to popular rumour, Inca Kola is not made with rat urine as the Peruvians like to tell tourists.

Word of warning... Beware of the traffic and the smog in Lima! The traffic is a nightmare and there is very little regard for pedestrians. Also drivers seem to think that the use of the car's horn is an essential part of acceleration. Also keep an eye on your valuables and wallet. Pick-pockets are common especially on buses. Buy a money belt before you leave and use it! As a tourist, if you're a victim of a street crime (such as a pick-pocket)... You need to report it to the Policia de Turismo, not the "regular police". They are located in the Museo de La Nacion on the 5th floor. You'll get better action from the tourist police (the regular police will just send you to them anyway). Their phone numbers are in the source box.

Be sure to pack in some culture and history with a visit to one of Limas many museums. The Larco is a really good one, as is Museo de la Nacion.

latinoamericano

You can go along the Costa Verde, it is a road that runs along the coast line of Lima to the Pacific Ocean, there are many nice and fancy restaurants as well as more affordable ones, they also have a nice Mall called LARCO MAR which is the most impresive shopping center with a view to the Ocean and a nice breeze to enjoy.

ukm42

Miraflores has most things.Shopping centres,cinemas,galleries,tons of cafes not to mention some really lovely parks.Barrancos not too bad either.

Limas no hellhole despite what some may say/think.However keep your eyes on your belongings,else they'll be gone in seconds

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