Lima Travel Tips: Miraflores
Lima, the largest metropolitan area in Peru, offers an extensive list of great hotels, panoramic sights and world class cuisine.
Having been the capital city for the Spanish during colonial times you will also find stunning architecture and fascinating history.
If you follow these few suggestions, you will be able to gain an appreciation for a city that so few foreigners give a chance.
When tourists and professionals land in Peru they generally spend at least one night in the district of Miraflores in Lima.
Miraflores is home to the majority of Lima's best hotels as well as great cafes, restaurants, shops and live music.
This section of the city that lines the Pacific coastline is also popular for the young and wealthy Peruvians looking to relax, shop and eat.
Most consider Parque Kennedy to be the center of the district.
Here you can watch locals perform at the open-air theatre, wander the arts and crafts market and enjoy the metropolitan life of Peru.
Side streets lead to what seems like an endless list of local dive shops, bars and restaurants intermixed with high-end retailers and fine dining including Maido and Astrid & Gaston.
The majority of Miraflores hotels are also located within a few blocks of Parque Kennedy including Peru's most recognized chain, Casa Andina.
This hotel comes highly recommended because it has 3, 4 and 5 star options located throughout the country as well as an excellent standard of service across the board.
If you are looking for smaller local B&Bs, there are a variety stretching between Parque Kennedy down towards Larcomar on the waterfront, a ten minute walk.
Larcomar is the second most popular location for visitors to stay near.
This large western shopping center built into the side of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean is a hot spot literally all day and all night.
Starbuck's and coffee shops draw in the morning crowd while Lima's top night clubs located in the mall draw the night crowd.
Worth visitng within walking distance is Parque Del Amor, or Park of Love.
Along the coast it is easy to find local surfing equipment to rent and it is also possible to parasail along the coast.
Believe it or not, you can also find ruins mixed in with the McDonald's and high-end retailers that riddle this part of the city.
Huaca Pucllana is a fifth century pre-Inca site in the heart of a residential area of Miraflores.
Although the site is still under excavation, it is possible to take a guided tour.
There are also a few great local markets in the area including San Pedro, a produce market as well as the local Artisan market located just a few blocks away from Parque Kennedy.
If you want to visit the Spanish colonial section of the city, all you have to do is jump on public transportation or hail a taxi and go straight inland a few miles to reach El Centro.
Having been the capital city for the Spanish during colonial times you will also find stunning architecture and fascinating history.
If you follow these few suggestions, you will be able to gain an appreciation for a city that so few foreigners give a chance.
When tourists and professionals land in Peru they generally spend at least one night in the district of Miraflores in Lima.
Miraflores is home to the majority of Lima's best hotels as well as great cafes, restaurants, shops and live music.
This section of the city that lines the Pacific coastline is also popular for the young and wealthy Peruvians looking to relax, shop and eat.
Most consider Parque Kennedy to be the center of the district.
Here you can watch locals perform at the open-air theatre, wander the arts and crafts market and enjoy the metropolitan life of Peru.
Side streets lead to what seems like an endless list of local dive shops, bars and restaurants intermixed with high-end retailers and fine dining including Maido and Astrid & Gaston.
The majority of Miraflores hotels are also located within a few blocks of Parque Kennedy including Peru's most recognized chain, Casa Andina.
This hotel comes highly recommended because it has 3, 4 and 5 star options located throughout the country as well as an excellent standard of service across the board.
If you are looking for smaller local B&Bs, there are a variety stretching between Parque Kennedy down towards Larcomar on the waterfront, a ten minute walk.
Larcomar is the second most popular location for visitors to stay near.
This large western shopping center built into the side of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean is a hot spot literally all day and all night.
Starbuck's and coffee shops draw in the morning crowd while Lima's top night clubs located in the mall draw the night crowd.
Worth visitng within walking distance is Parque Del Amor, or Park of Love.
Along the coast it is easy to find local surfing equipment to rent and it is also possible to parasail along the coast.
Believe it or not, you can also find ruins mixed in with the McDonald's and high-end retailers that riddle this part of the city.
Huaca Pucllana is a fifth century pre-Inca site in the heart of a residential area of Miraflores.
Although the site is still under excavation, it is possible to take a guided tour.
There are also a few great local markets in the area including San Pedro, a produce market as well as the local Artisan market located just a few blocks away from Parque Kennedy.
If you want to visit the Spanish colonial section of the city, all you have to do is jump on public transportation or hail a taxi and go straight inland a few miles to reach El Centro.
