LIMA - TRAVEL AND TOUR INFORMATION

More than 7 million of Peru's 23.4 million inhabitants live in the capitol city, Lima. Located on the central western coast, it is large, noisy, polluted, and shrouded in a misty coastal fog (garua) for much of the year. The sky reappears during the sunny summer months of December through April, when many coastal and highland people flock to the beach. Despite the often-dreary landscape; the friendly people, important historical sites, quality museums, and variety of dining and entertainment options make Lima an interesting place to visit.

Festivities can be found year-round in Lima. The Lord of the Miracles (Senor de los Milagros), the patron saint of Lima, is celebrated in October with a series of street processions during which a life-size replica of Jesus is carried through the streets on an elaborately adorned altar. The processions include hundreds of faithful followers who are customarily adorned in purple robes, clothing, or ties. The entire reverent, yet festive, occasion is accompanied by music, singing, the ringing of ceremonial bells, and the burning of incense. 

October is also the month when the bullfighting season starts. The best bullfighters of the world come to compete for the Escapulario de Oro (the gold epaulet) in the Plaza de Acho ring. Other celebrations throughout the year include a wine harvest festival in March, and the Feria del Pacifico international fair in November.

The main square in Lima, La Plaza Mayor, marks the spot of the Spanish founding of Lima - where in 1535 Francisco Pizarro whipped out his sword, carved a square into the ground, and called it the city limits. In addition to housing the heart of city government, it served as a bullring and marketplace. Six years after he founded Lima, Pizarro was assassinated in the same square. Today La Plaza Mayor includes the majestic Government Palace, the Town Hall, and the Cathedral, where the remains of Pizarro lie inside a crystal crypt.

Lima is home to Peru’s best museums, notably the Museo de Oro del Peru (Peruvian Gold Museum) and the Museo de la Nación (The National Museum), which is one of the largest museums in South America. Other highlights include colonial architecture at Iglesia de San Francisco, pre-Inca pyramids at Pachacamac, and catacombs in Central Lima.

The recently renovated Plaza de Armas (or Plaza Mayor) has been Peru’s governmental center since 1535 with the Palacio de Goberno (Presidential Palace) and the Archbishop’s Palace at its center. Recently, upscale restaurants and cafes have sprung up in the area right around the plaza.

The coastal suburbs of Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco are popular places to stay to avoid Central Lima’s smog and chaos. Barranco is especially popular for its nightlife and performing arts center.

Winter in Lima is from April to December when a coastal fog or garúa blankets the city’s skyline. From January to March (the summer months), the sun comes out and the beaches are packed.

There are a variety of hotels in Lima for every taste and budget. The Central Lima Hotels are mainly in the budget to mid-range, with a couple of more luxurious exceptions. These downtown hotels are often charming converted mansions. The Miraflores hotels are a mixed bag, with everything from youth hostels to five-star palaces. If high-end is your thing, you'll probably want to check out the San Isidro hotels, which include a variety of luxury options. Backpackers looking for hip, inexpensive youth hostels should check out the Barranco hotels, which are popular with young international travelers.

If you are just using Lima as a portal to Cusco, your flight will most likely arrive late at night and leave for Cusco early in the morning. You can either tough out the layover in the airport or go to a hotel for a few hours until your flight leaves. The Miraflores district is your best bet for a reasonable rate on a room and you won’t have to travel too far. Central Lima is about half an hour to 45 minutes from the airport. Be sure to be at the airport early as the flights to Cusco are often packed and flights are often delayed to this cloudy, mountainous city.

FLIGHTS TO LIMA

Jorge Chávez International Airport, in the Constitutional Province of Callao, 30 minutes from Lima's Historic Center, is the main point of entry to Peru's capital.

International airlines such as Aces, Aeroflot, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Aeropostal, Air France, American Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Copa, Cubana de Aviación, Delta Airlines, Ecuatoriana, Iberia, Lacsa, Lan Chile, Lan Perú, Lloyd Aero Boliviano, K.L.M., Mexicana, Servivensa, Saeta, Taca, Tame y Varig, have flights to and from Lima airport, linking the capital of Peru with leading cities worldwide.

Planes flying to Peru's main cities such as Andahuaylas, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Cusco, Huánuco, Iquitos, Ilo, Juanjui, Juliaca, Piura, Puerto Maldonado, Pucallpa, Rioja, Tacna, Talara, Tarapoto, Tingo María, Tocache, Trujillo, Tumbes and Yurimaguas also depart from Jorge Chávez Airport.

TRANSPORTATION IN LIMA

For transport around the city, visitors can use public transport, buses and minibuses, or taxis. There are three types of taxis: black limousine services available at the airport and outside most hotels; radio taxi companies requested by phone, and standard yellow taxis registered with the Municipality.

It is inadvisable to use independent taxis as they offer no security.

Something to bear in mind is that in Lima there are no taximeters and fares are settled before boarding the vehicle, except you take a hotel or radio taxi services.

Public transportation is available from 5am to around midnight. Some vehicles provide night services and increase their rates by 50%. Vehicles are old minibuses or buses, which are hardly not recommended to use.

For touring the city you can hire specialized companies, with tour guides in your language, modern units and which make all the arrengements you need, as entrance fees or lunch.