Peru’s capital city is the only one out of the South American capitals with direct access to the sea.

The simplest way for arriving is obviously by air, to the Jorge Chavez Airport. You should get to fill out some formalities already on the plane, like you declare your goods (more or less) with no intention for sale  etc. and immigration stuff. It happened to be 9pm when I got to the immigration offices and most of them stopped working, how convenient is that, you queue up for several minutes, one gate closes then the other one without prior warning. The German guy, Winfried who I met on the German carrier and we continued together from Caracas was long gone before I even got to the desk. Did my theory on passports prevailed, maybe this time in a different way.
It seems so that if your order a taxi from your accommodation, prices are fixed, 15USD and in general you should always take the safest way of transport even when it costs a bit more. By reading some guide books, there is a lot of warning, specially at night you should be careful and use only licensed taxis. Make the price out upfront as there is no meter in taxis, there is room for bargain.
I can recommend Cesar, Cesar Cornejo Merino with full name, speaks only Spanish but very helpful and knowledgeable even as a guide. You can contact him by email or phone (9-97794099, Ceciliairene@hotmail.com)

I know Miraflores as a safe neighbour, with the one disadvantage that the real interesting sites are in the centre of Lima. But you can get easily a taxi for around 10 soles (3-4USD) into the centre. However the ocean is just beside Miraflores with rather surfing opportunities then swimming, yet its definitely worth to checking it out. I stayed in The Inka Lounge Hostel (www.theinkalounge.com), helpful staff and friendly people which is a stone drop from the beach and there are paths to get down from the top platform just to the sea side.
Everything well kept, the parks, streets it looks pretty, but there is often an unpleasant smell in the air. Urine, piss and yet its not always animal related. I know, but back to serious business. Miraflores with its centre Parque Kennedy and Avenida Diagonal offers a lot of restaurants and shops.

Huaca Pucllana a kind of ceremonial centre (pyramid made of water and clay) build around 200-700 AD by the people of old Lima.

I tried Inca Cola my first night, whoa, sweet, much sweeter then Coca Cola, more like a bubble gum with sour cherry taste but high level of added sugar. But interesting as I was told it was the only place where Coca Cola could not over take its rival (in this case Inca Cola) was here so they bought it. Popular with spicy Peruvian dishes, that could explain the sweetness level.
Lima is also a good place to get prepared for the horn concert specially when you going South, like Ica where it can get even worse. They actually not allowed to use the horns, 50 soles fine, but nobody cares Traffic is a bit crazy driving right, left or even in the middle, but I haven’t seen any accidents during the few days I was there, amazing.

Pavol Azules the black market, safe inside but outside you should always the the taxi from the door, straight. CD’s, DVD’s, cloths and a lot more. Everything available here for cheap prices, worth to check out if you interested in such stuff.

Just on that weekend celebrated the capital its 400 years anniversary, plenty of activities in the center with music, dancing, shows and a lot more. Plazas de Armas (or Plaza Mayor) is UNESCO World Heritage, see the Cathedral and the guard change in front of the Palace. The Museum San Francisco a monastery and museum founded in the XVI century has interesting paintings and motives. Like the one where Jesus and his apostles are at the last suffer and the Peruvian dish a Ginnipeg is served on the table. In the catacombs are real bones and skulls can be found.
Over all Lima is worth to pay a longer visit it has a mixture of vibrant culture and good restaurants. But bear in mind to be careful, specially at night (use the official taxis) its better be safe then

Tags: lima

Trackback URI | Comments RSS