Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

"A City of Contrasts" a Lima Travel Page by cruisingbug

Search:
Home » South America » Peru » Departamento de Lima » Lima » A City of Contrasts - Lima, Peru

"A City of Contrasts" a Lima Travel Page by cruisingbug

See the Entire Lima Travel Guide

Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


cruisingbug   
Have kids, will travel again someday...


Real Name: Kendra
Lives In: New York State, US
Member Since: Dec 04, 2003
VT Rank: 743

 

Page Views: 9,217            Last Visit to Lima: January, 2005      

A City of Contrasts

by cruisingbug - last update: Feb 10, 2005

Choking Pollution, Lima, Peru
Lima is a city of the richest rich in Peru, as well as the poorest poor.

For the wealthy, it means life in Miraflores and San Isidro, dinners at the most exclusive country clubs and seaside restaurants, and the services of maids, nannies and drivers.

For those less fortunate, Lima is a dim and depressing place. Many of the poor are Indians from the Andes, who came in search of a better life but instead live in abject poverty on the outskirts of town. Their children beg in the streets and they themselves try to find ways to cash in on the tourists passing through on their way to Machu Picchu, by selling artifacts at streetcorners.

It's the age-old story of the conquerors (those of Spanish descent) ruling the conquered (those of Incan descent). Spanish Limenos are suspicious of Andean Indians going about their daily lives in Lima. But up in Cusco, these Incan descendents are rightly proud of their heritage, as they compare Incan architecture with shoddy Spanish work.

Lima is a seaside town, by location, but by no means by economics, with little to offer tourists. The city's beaches teem with locals - the wealthy, though, retreat to beach houses outside the city to escape the smog and noise. An endless cacophony of horns and car alarms (used as horns) define the city's drivers, and in some areas of town, the air is practically unbreathable.

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Only way to access the rest of Peru"
Cons:"Only way to access the rest of Peru"
In A Nutshell:"A sprawling, third-world seaside city"
cruisingbug's Lima Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 4 - Photos: 4
 
Restaurants
Tips: 3 - Photos: 2
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
Transportation
Tips: 1
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 1
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 1

Comments for cruisingbug about Lima
VeronicaG Thu Mar 16, 2006 14:38 UTC
 The closest we've gotten to seeing Lima is the 45 minute stopover when flying to Chile--your trips were great!
butterfly_girl Fri Jan 21, 2005 17:55 UTC
 Great start to your Lima page. Thanks!

Lima Hotels

About VirtualTourist10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTouristContact UsPress CenterHelpUser AgreementPrivacy Statement
Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.