by Chad Cowgill

Created on: November 01, 2009

I have traveled to Lima, Peru three times over the last three years. Every time has been wonderful and I have always experienced and found new sites to see and places to visit. Here are some of the locations I recommend that you build into your itinerary.

Huaca Pucllana (Oo-aca Pook-ee-ana) is located in the Miraflores District. It is a religious pyramid that predates even the Incans. It is an excellent picture of the Native American culture. It is cheap and there are tours in English and Spanish that will tell you the history as you walk the ruins of what remains of this great temple and administration center.

Puchacamac is 25 miles outside of Lima. It is an entire city of pyramids and held the idol known as Pachacamac. It is slighty newer than Huaca Pucllana and shows how the culture advanced and evolved as new groups of Native Americans came to power. It is best to walk the main path to the top of the city. There you will find the Temple of the Sun. From this vantage point, you can get a great view of the pyramids below as well as the Pacific Ocean, a nearby modern city, and a bull fighting ring.

For the less adventurous, or for those who love shopping, there is Larcomar. Larcomar is a premium brand mall. It is pricey and certainly better prices can be found in the markets, but the products are top notch and it is centrally located and easily reachable from any side of the city. Besides shopping, it has many restaurants, an excellent view of the ocean, as well as beautiful surroundings. It houses the Museum of Gold, which has some great exhibits. A short walk away is Parque Kennedy. For some cheaper local items and food, this park is a great place to be in the evenings. It has many street performers of music and acting.

The Magic Water Fountains are another great place to spend an evening. It holds the Guinness Book of World Records for most fountains in one public park. Many of the fountains change color and have dancing water shows that coincide with music. A couple of the fountains are more interactive, which give children some excitement.

Lastly, head downtown to the Plaza Mayor. Here you will find the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral of Lima as well as more beautiful fountains. Only a few blocks away is the Cathedral of San Francisco, a great place for tours in English and Spanish.

I have visited every one of these great places and there are so many more museums and architecture in Lima. Don't forget to eat some ceviche (cebiche) and to buy a chullo (choo-yo) hat made from alpaca wool.

I hope you find your trip to Lima an adventure.

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