Things to Do in Lima

Tours in Lima not only offer a rich history, but also an up-and-coming gastronomy scene. For gourmet foodies and those who want to tingle their tastebuds, Lima is an excellent choice. Try fresh ceviche, Pisco Sour cocktails, delicate cookies, and other typical Peruvian foods while on a Peru gastronomy tour. It's easy to access most destinations in Peru from Lima by either plane or bus. From Lima, it's only a 2-hour flight to Cusco, and from there many people visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.Or you can use Lima as a jumping-off point for a trip to the Nazca Lines and the Ballestas Islands in the south of Peru.

Lima Museums Tour

Known as the City of Kings, Lima is steeped in history. As such, it offers some excellent museums that tell the tales of pre-Colombian cultures that stretch back millennia, to Inca kings and the Spanish conquistadors. On a tour of Lima's best museums, make sure to stop and see these impressive collections: The Museo Oro, or Gold Museum will give you an excellent understanding of the opulence and expert craftsmanship of pre-Inca goldsmiths. View hundreds of gold pieces collected from several pre-Inca cultures. There are items such as filigree figurines, jewelry, breastplates, funereal masks, and crowns. Artifacts are present from the Nazca people, the Chancay, Chimu, and others. There is also an extensive exhibit of gilded weaponry, inlaid with precious stones and handcrafted with animals and flowers. The Larco Museum not only holds the finest precious metals collection in Peru, but the museum itself was built on an ancient pyramid, built in the 8th-century. Now housed in a royal mansion of the 18th-century, the museum is surrounded by gardens in the midst of Lima. The Larco Museum is famous for its gold and silver collection, its erotic archaeological collection, and its pre-Colombian art collection. There are over 45,000 objects, all classified by culture and theme in chronological order. This museum will give you an excellent overview on 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history.

Caral Ruins Tour

The ruins of Caral are the greatest archaeological project in recent years, because it's considered the oldest city in the Americas. Departing early in the morning from Lima, this tour takes you to the Caral Ruins, located north of Lima along the Rio Supe. This ancient city features pyramids as old as those of Egypt, dating back to 2,627 BC. There are six stone platforms spread over 150 acres. The largest pyramid spans 150 meters across and 20 meters high, with terraces and staircases leading up to the top. Explore the ruins on a guided tour, with boxed lunch included.

Lima Culinary Tour

Lima is not only the capital of Peru – it is also considered the culinary capital of South America. On this Lima city culinary tour, you’ll have the opportunity to taste and see why Lima has won the hearts – and bellies – of so many gourmets. Getting an early start, head for one of the open-air city markets, where farmers sell their freshest produce, meats, nuts, and spices. Your guide will point out what spices and ingredients are needed for common Peruvian dishes, and you can sample some along the way. Learn how to cook ceviche at one of the local seafood restaurants. Then take a guided tour of a Pisco tavern and cellar, and learn how to prepare a Pisco Sour, the national cocktail of Peru. Enjoy tastings of pisco and other tasty cocktails. This tour finishes with lunch at an authentic Peruvian restaurant.

Lima Bay Biking Tour

The capital of Lima boasts a beautiful Costa Verde coastline, where surfers cut the waves, joggers weave along the Malecon sidewalk, paragliders swoop over the ocean, and shoppers enjoy the view on the cliffside LarcoMar shopping center. One of the most unique and fun ways to see these highlights of Lima is to take a guided bicycle tour. Starting in Barranco neighborhood and continuing to Chorrillos, the ride will pass by parks, shops, cafes, colonial mansions, restaurants, and panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Finally, bike through the vibrant district of Miraflores, enjoying a pleasant ride along the wide sidewalks of the Malecon.

Lima Paragliding Tour

Experience the thrill of paragliding over the Costa Verde in Lima, Peru. The capital of Peru is a perfect spot for paragliding because its green coastal cliffs provide updrafts that make paragliding a breeze. And the scenery from the sky over Miraflores, Barranco, Chorrillos, and the other districts of Lima is breathtaking. Take off on a smooth paragliding ride in tandem with an expert guide, and enjoy panoramic views over the city and the coast. Tandem flights are available year-round, depending on the weather and wind conditions. But paragliding is not as great during the winter months, from June to August, because the city is covered in fog.

Palomino Islands Off the Coast of Lima

Off the coast of Lima is the Palomino Islands, which are full of marine wildlife and birds. Set off from Callao port for San Lorenzo Island, located about 4 km offshore. This 8 km-long island was a religious center in pre-Colombian times. During the colonial era, it was a burial spot for pirates. The researcher Charles Darwin set foot here to research the flora and fauna. Currently, the island is a military zone. Also see El Fronton Island, which used to house a penitentiary and the Cavinzas Islands which has many caverns. You’ll see pelicans, Peruvian boobies, guanays, red-legged cormorants, a variety of gulls, Humboldt penguins, and sea lions.

Peruvian Paso Fino Horse Show

Visit 2 local haciendas, where you can see how Peruvian ranchers live and work. The haciendas Mamaconda and Los Ficus are located south of Lima, and here you can watch a horse show as the trainers show off their Peruvian paso fino horses. Paso horses are skillful show horses known for their smooth gait. Bred hundreds of years ago at haciendas along the Peruvian coast, the horses learned how to walk gracefully through the sand. You may also want to have a criollo lunch at the hacienda, enjoy a folklore dance show and demonstration of the marinera dance, and have the opportunity to ride some of these beautiful paso fino horses.