Lima Things to Do Tips by swesn

The Plaza de Armas (also known as Plaza Mayor) of Lima is a World Heritage Site, declared by UNESCO. Along its two sides, there are arcades with shops - Portal de Escribanos and Portal de Botoneros. The surrounding buildings are of lovely colonial architecture with wooden balconies and grilled ornate windows.

The Cathedral was reduced to rubble during an earthquake in the 1700s. This is a reconstruction with amazing silver-covered altars, fine woodwork, walls of intricate mosaic designs.

San Francisco, on the other hand, withstood the same earthquake. This monastery is famous for the tilework and ceiling in the cloisters. There are interesting catacombs under the church that can be visited.

There are many other buildings that visitors can admire. They include the Palacio Torre Tagle (Jr Ucayali 363), Casa Aliaga (Union 224), Casa de la Rada (Jr Ucayali 358), San Pedro (Jr Ucayali), etc...

Rio Rimac is the pretty-dry river that cuts through the centre. If you observe under the bridge, you may sometimes spot some young boys.

My host told me these are the 'piranhas'. They are the type of robbers who attack tourists, usually those who just arrived, tired, from a night bus, in droves of up to 20. They just attack the poor guy, slipping their hands into every pocket and crevice on the tourist, underneath the shirt, stripping the tourist of his backpack and carting the backpack off.

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Address: Centrum of Lima

Miraflores is the social hub of Lima.

There are many hostels and restaurants here, and is considered a relatively safer neighbourhood for tourists to wander around late at night.

Parque Kennedy has a small open-air theatre with performances every Thursday to Sunday. There is a handicraft market most evenings.

More blinking neon lights can be found at Centro Comercial Larcomar, a very modern shopping mall. There are expensive chic shops, hip cafes and hot discos. There is also a row of restaurants of all types of cuisine for the cosmopolitans to choose from.

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Directions: Southwest Of The Centrum Of Lima

This southern suburb is a very charming seaside resort. When you reach the centre, you can't help but admire the quaint colonial and colourful buildings, with the quiet charm of an artistic town.

The public library now stands on the plaza. It is an attractive building. There are some paths that can lead one down to the beach. Or you may be able to find some restaurants that sit right on the edge of the cliff, offering you a magnificent view of the Pacific.

It is quite quiet by day, but at night, the suburb comes alive around the bars and restaurants near the plaza.

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Directions: South Of Miraflores