Things to do in Lima

Lima is an old city that is full of contrasts. There are beautiful historical buildings, several museums that display and preserve Peru's rich history, old churches, delightful plazas, a zoo and much more.

Historic Centre of Lima

The historic centre of Lima, which is located downtown, and the Rimac district were declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 1988. Within this area are many historical buildings that date back to the Spanish colonial era. Some of these buildings have been fully restored to the glamour of a bygone era and they make a fascinating place to visit.

The Cathedral, Presidential Palace and the catacombs of the Convento de San Francisco are all located here and are very interesting. Parts of the old city wall still stands, and it was from these very walls that the Spanish used to defend Lima from attacks by pirates and other enemies.

Museo Nacional de Antropologica y Arqueologica

The museum has one of the most outstanding and extensive collections of pre-Columbian artefacts including items from the Nazca and Inca periods. Ceramics, textiles, obelisks and many other unique objects are part of the interesting collection here. These exhibits give visitors an idea of the grandeur and richness of Peruvian history.

Museo de Oro

This is one of the most interesting museums to visit and learn about the legendary treasures of Peru's ancient, pre-Columbian civilisations. The privately-owned museum is nicknamed the Gold Museum and has a fantastic collection which includes Inca gold artefacts.

Beaches

There are several spectacular beaches to enjoy while staying at Lima. The Costa Verde beaches - also known as the Green Coast beaches, as the water here was once green because of the subterranean rivers - are very popular with tourists between January and March. Other good beaches for swimming, water sports or just relaxing on the soft sands are at Playa Redondo, Barranquito and Los Pavos.

Parque Las Leyendas

The national zoo of Lima is home to Peruvian wildlife and also the flora and fauna of Peru's habitats. Situated in San Miguel, the zoo has several unusual Peruvian animal species on display. There is also a section called the Baby Zoo, where young animals and other familiar animals such as giraffes, bears, elephants, tigers and lions are kept. The zoo also has an artificial lake, a carbon mine and archaeological sites from the Maranga culture. Souvenir shops and refreshment kiosks are available

Bullfighting

The oldest bullfighting arena still in use in Lima is found at the Plaza de Ancho in Rimac. Visitors who dont mind seeing a bit of blood will be enthralled by the matadors as they bullfight. The season for bullfighting begins in late October and ends in November.

Chinatown

The refurbished Chinatown area in Lima greets visitors with an imposing eight metre high archway that is engraved with dragons and hidden messages. Once past the archway, Chinatown delights with its variety of hawkers, stalls and interesting blend of Chinese and Peruvian culture. There are several restaurants here serving excellent Chinese dishes and Korean cuisine.