6 Things to Do in Lima: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
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Welcome to my blog post on things to do in Lima. I am hoping you are here because you are thinking about or are planning your amazing trip to Lima, Peru. I am here to share my personal experiences from my trip on all of the amazing things to do in Lima.
After a long travel day/night, nothing beats the jet lag then getting out and exploring the fun neighborhoods of Lima. As a solo female traveler, I felt extremely safe navigating the streets, tasting the bold flavors, and exploring everything this city has to offer. In this guide I am bringing you with me on all of the things I did in Lima that made me fall in love with this incredible city.
Introduction
I feel like Lima is typically a place that people stop for a few days before they head to Cusco and Machu Picchu, but honestly, this city is so much more than a stopover. From the history to the amazing food, the parks, the museums, this incredibly city is so much fun to explore on foot or on bike and will leaving you wanting more.
In this guide, I will be diving into all of my favorite things to do in Lima that gave me, and will give you the perfect mix of history, culture, and food, all from the perspective of a solo female traveler. Now, let’s dive in!
1. Lima Walking Tour
I arrived in Lima late in the evening, and the very next morning, I arranged a walking tour so that I could learn about the history and culture, and to also earn the neighborhoods, so I knew where I wanted to come back and explore, and grab food.
The local guide with Haku Tours was amazing. He was super informative, made the walk fun, and led us to all of the historical sites: Presidental Palace, San Francisco Monastery and catacombs, all through Miraflores, and Plaza Mayor.
I think the best part of the walking tour was not only learning about the history of Lima, but just feeling completely safe walking around, learning where things were and finding some amazing foods to try, like the ceviche and churros were both absolutely incredible!
Pro Tip: I choose the morning tour, so I could have the rest of the day to explore and have smaller bills, either Peru Sol or USD for tips.
2. Lima Bike Tour
One of the highlights on my trip to Lima was the bike tour I did throughout two of Lima’s neighborhoods: Miraflores and Barranco. On this bike tour, we explored Kennedy Park, Miraflores Boardwalk, Parque del Amor, Puente de los Suspiros, and Parque Municipal de Barranco.
During my visit there was a flower festival going on in Kennedy Park, also known as cat park, and the flowers from the vendors were incredibly vibrant and beautiful. We stopped by the shopping center built into the side of cliff, the ecological park of Parque Armendariz, Parque Husares de Junín, and Casa Taller Víctor Delfin. If you want to try some amazing Peruvian ice cream, there is an amazing little shop on the corner in Heladería Speciale.
Visiting Barranco Lima’s bohemian district, felt like you were in a completely different city. We walked around exploring the street art in the city, and the vibe was very artsy and fun. We crossed the Bridge of Sighs, and yes, I held my breathe across and made a wish.
If you are looking to explore the city on bike, then this Haku Tour is another just-do while in Peru.
3. Lima Cooking Class
Lima, in case you didn’t know, has the most amazing food. There is something about the way the mix their spices and herbs together to create these culinary masterpieces. If you are foodie like me, then I highly recommend taking a Lima cooking class, which is something I enjoy doing in every country that I visit.
The cooking class I took, offered hands-on experience preparing some of Peru’s most iconic dishes and we even went shopping at a local market during this Lima cooking class. Our first stop to the market to pick out fresh meat and produce, discovering the incredible diversity of ingredients in Peruvian cuisine.
Then we headed to the kitchen choosing to prepare a choice of fish, chicken, beef or vegetarian dish like ‘Ceviche’ learning the necessary steps in fun, relaxed atmosphere. One of the perks of this cooking excursion was that it also included round-trip hotel transport (for most areas of Lima), professional chef instructor, snacks and either lunch or dinner, depending on the timing of your class.
4. Paragliding in Lima
Paragliding over Limas sharp coastline can be an unforgettable experience. The views are incredible and gliding over the coastline with views of the city and the ocean are even better than I could ever imagine.
The staff are friendly and absolutely make you feel comfortable and safe, even if you’ve never done it. I had only do paragliding over the ocean, so this was definitely a first.
While in the air I could see San Miguel, Magdalena, San Isidro, and Miraflores, and these views gave me a whole new perspective of the ocean, the cliffs, and the city sprawled below. Such a truly magical experience.
5. Kennedy Park
Kennedy Park, or better known as cat park, is located in the main square of the neighborhood of Miraflores. I can honestly say that this park is one of a kind and not like any other park I’ve ever been to. Why you ask? Because it’s home to hundreds of cats, that actually have onsite housing!
It’s also a very lively spot, and while I was visiting there was a large flower festival going on, which was incredible. There were some many flowers, that were beautiful and had the most vibrant colors.
There are also lots of vendors selling street food, street performed, musicians, and honestly a fun place to walk around and relax. I visited this park twice while I was here and it was such a fun spot that made my trip even more unforgettable.
6. Magic Water Circuit Lima
On my last night I went to the Magic Water Circuit, which is an iconic water show in Lima. When I was first looking into this, I didn’t have high hopes, but after going, it exceed my expectations.
Picture dozens of fountains dancing to the music and glowing in the night sky. It’s very well-lit and safe for families, couples, and solo travelers. It was honestly the perfect way to end my trip to Lima, Peru, and was absolutely spectacular.
Conclusion
Lima was honestly such a fun city to visit, and it was so much more than a stop over before going to Cusco and Machu Picchu. This energetic and vibrant city has a life all of its own and it was honestly such an educational and cultural experience. I hope this guide has inspired you to visit Lima and that it has provided you with a great list of things to do in Lima to help inspire you.
Need help planning or booking your trip? Reach out anytime! I would love to help you make your trip to Lima as memorable as mine was!