Visit Lima for the flourishing foodie scene, travel beyond for epic adventures.
Lima: our first experience in South America. And what a way to start – the food, culture and energy is amazing. (Especially the food.)
We stayed on the 20th floor in a newer high-rise in the Surquillo District, a 15–30-minute taxi or Uber ride to the touristy areas of Barranco and Miraflores. (Travel times can differ because traffic in the capital can get crazy). Lima doesn’t have a metro system, and depending on where you’re traveling, the buses may be privately owned with inconsitent “scheduled” stops. Fortunately, Ubers and taxis are cheap and plentiful.
Lima has a ton to offer to travelers, with the cuisine being a big draw. Not only did we experience a great food tour in Barranco, the Bohemian neighborhood of Lima, but we participated in an amazing cooking class with Haku Tours. In Lima, and throughout Peru, you’ll find some of the most delicious cuisine in South America, and arguably the best ceviche in the world. Our favorite was the “Overdose” ceviche platter at Cala Restaurante on the coast – great food and great view? We’re in.
Besides the ceviche, you have food choices that you’ve probably never heard of but should definitely try: Lomo Saltodo, Causa and alpaca are great choices. If you’re especially adventurous, try Cuy. And do not leave without trying as many versions of the Pisco Sour you can find.
Apart from the food, there are also lots of options for tours and day trips from Lima, including one of our most memorable encounters to date: the Oasis of Huacachina. Tour options range from one day to multi-day trips depending on the operator, and the experience was wild. The long drive on the bus, with a stop for lunch and a quick boat tour at Peru’s Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve, was 100% worth it to arrive at the desert oasis. You’ll hop on a dune buggy for a crazy ride and stop for sandboarding down the largest dunes in South America, then watch the sunset over the landscape.
We also took a weekend trip to Cusco. As much fun as we had there, we missed out on the one place that everyone says you must visit: Machu Picchu. Sad short story: we had a tour scheduled, and the site was closed due to protests from the day we arrived until a day or two after we left. A tale of bad luck, but we tried to make the most of our time in the mountains with trips to Rainbow Mountain and Sacred Valley (the latter of which included the archaeological remains at Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and the Maras Salt Mines.). Both tours were booked with Chullos Travel, and we cannot say enough about the fantastic guides and drivers. A word of warning: the elevation of Rainbow Mountain is no joke – be prepared, and don’t be afraid to rely on a horse to get you to the top.
While the city of Lima alone is worth a trip, the beauty, history, and adventure of Cusco and the Huatanay River Valley is unlike anywhere we’ve seen.
