I’m an engineer and traveler who lives in Lima. I come from Chiclayo which is a place in the north of Peru known as the city of friendship. This is the reason why I am outgoing and love to meet new people and have fun! For me, traveling in Peru was an escape from the moments of depression that I had after losing my grandmother. I began to travel to clear my mind and realized that Peru is a country of extraordinary landscapes.
I got to meet some wonderful people who promote tourism in this country and I started to gain a different perspective on life. It became clear to me that we should try to enjoy each day because we don’t know how long we will get to spend on earth. In short, what inspired me to explore Peru was learning just how beautiful my country is – tasting its amazing gastronomy, meeting the people and creating content to inspire others to travel as well.
Favorite Places in the Lima Region
I have lived in Lima since I was 17 so I have been lucky to visit many places. What I love most about the Lima province is the mountains. Not many people know about the mountains of Lima and that is why I’m happy to share amazing places like Laraos, Challape and Mortero on my Instagram. I love living in Lima because it’s a beautiful city. From Lima you can see so much: beaches, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and lagoons.
Within metropolitan Lima, my favorite place is Miraflores. The view it has towards the beach is amazing and the sunsets here are the best. When it comes to the mountains of Lima, I love the Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve. The landscapes of Nor Yauyos-Cochas are impressive and hardly any tourists know about this destination. It’s located to the east of Lima on about a four to six hour drive. You can book a tour there from Lima.
9 Best Things To Do in the Lima Region
There are so many awesome things to do with Lima as your base. You can explore the sights of the city but beyond that, in the wider province, lies an endless array of hidden gems. These places are all well off the beaten track and travelers will be surprised at just how incredible they are. It’s always nice to visit the most popular attractions of the capital, however venturing to unknown spots in the Lima region will take your travels to the next level.
1. Soak in the Hot Springs of Churin
I love Churin because it has hot springs which are perfect to relax in. Visitors can choose from a few medicinal pools to swim in, some of which have waterfalls which massage your body. Not only is Churin a great place to visit for hot pools but it’s also home to caves, artisans who make wool garments, and fascinating myths and legends emanating from the Mamahuarni love story. You can easily spend two or three nights here.
2. Have an Adventure or Two in Lunahuana
Lunahuana is three hours from Lima and you can visit on a day trip or stay overnight. This is the perfect destination if you want sunshine while taking adventures like rafting, canopy zip lines and ATV rides. One drink you have to try in Peru is pisco sour – pisco is the liquor base which is then complemented with egg white, lime and bitters. And it’s in Lunahuana where you enjoy a pisco and wine tasting at one of the many wineries.
3. See Epic Waterfalls & Bridges in Huarochiri
Huarochiri is known for its waterfalls like Challape. The air is pure at the falls. One suggestion for Huarochiri is the bridge at Huariquina. You can arrive after a 20 minute walk. Once here, the photo ops are endless – especially if you like pictures with unique perspectives or playing around with angles that don’t look real. But be careful, just enter the bridge at the start to take photos and don’t walk across the entire bridge.
4. Discover the Beautiful Laraos Area
Laraos is situated just south of the Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve. This ancient land has steep mountain slopes which cultivate agriculture. There are over 400 cultivation floors to see, each one taking your breath away with its jaw-dropping cliffs. Right by Laraos is the lovely Laguna Cochapampa. On its turquoise waters you have the opportunity to go kayaking, swimming or relaxing on its shores admiring the unique setting.
5. Marvel at the Colors of Laguna Piquecocha
In the district of Vitis, within the Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve, is Laguna Piquecocha – a lagoon which changes color depending on the weather. With the sun reflecting down different colors emerge, while a cloudy sky gives off the effect like it was painted by an artist. You can camp by the lagoon if you want to have a true adventure out in nature. Access is by private vehicle only – a 4×4 is usually required to enter.
6. Explore the Downtown Area of Lima
If you want to feel close to Lima’s history you should visit the downtown area which has an abundance of impressive architecture, important monuments, stunning artworks and a bustling atmosphere. The history here spans over 500 years. Some of the best sights to see are Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, Pancho Fierro Art Gallery, China Town, Parque La Muralla, Magic Water Circuit (Parque de la Reserva) and many other sights.
7. Check out the Murals and Artwork in Barranco
Barranco is a bohemian district of Lima characterized by art in the form of murals, dancers, musicians and its Bridge of Sighs. The bridge is one of the most romantic spots in the city. Just walk around the streets of Barranco and take photos of the street art that you find. You could also join a walking tour to ensure that you locate the most colorful and significant works in the area. Do some research online and see who offers these tours.
8. Watch the Sunset in the Miraflores District
From the Miraflores boardwalk you can see the best sunsets in Lima. The view of the beach during the day is also beautiful, as well as the Chinese Park. Parque Chino is where you will find peaceful gardens which signify 170+ years of Chinese immigration and 50 or so years of diplomatic relationships between Peru and China. Many Chinese Peruvians come to the gardens to find a little oasis of spirituality from the outside world.
9. Try some Delicious Ceviche in Callao
Callao is a seaside spot that has a unique local flavor that can’t be found anywhere else in the capital. One example of this flavor is the genre of Salsa music. Not only that but colorful murals and tasty ceviches are what gives this place its uniqueness. Peru has some of the best gastronomy in the world and if you are going to Lima I recommend trying ceviche in Callao. Other dishes should be tried such as picarones, churros and arroz zambito.
Tips for Visiting the Lima Region
If you are planning on visiting metropolitan Lima, the best time to go is when the sun shines. That happens from November to May. This is also the time for exploring the mountains. I recommend spending at least five days in the region so you can discover all of the places that I mentioned above. However, to just see the city or only the mountains then three or four days would probably be enough. In general though, the more time the better!
Whenever you visit a new city, it’s advisable to ask about the security of the area so you will feel calm. No matter which district of Lima you stay in, the most important thing is to be in groups and with a guide who will suggest the safest zones – because in these districts there are also the best spots. For accommodation, I suggest Hotel Danubio Prime in Churin and El Encanto de Lunahuana in Lunahuana. Thanks for reading and enjoy Lima!
