"A City of Contrasts" Lima by cruisingbug
Lima Travel Guide: 1,161 reviews and 2,723 photos
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.
- 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
Reviews (13)
Serving Cuy at the Last Supper
Things to Do
(4)
During your tour of San Francisco, before you get to the anticipated catacombs, you wind around the upstairs convent... more travel advice
San Francisco Catacombs
Things to Do
(4)
I was reminded slightly of our trip to see the Sistine Chapel. Everyone takes this tour to see the bones in the... more travel advice
Check out Pizza Street
Restaurants
(3)
Calle San Ramon, a pedestrian street off Av. Diagonal in Miraflores, is known as "Pizza Street" or "Pizza Alley" - I... more travel advice
Pre-Incan Pyramid in the Midst of...
Off The Beaten Path
(2)
The Huallamarca pyramid sits smack in the middle of the more affluent San Isidro residential area of Lima. Our first... more travel advice
Lima Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
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Badges & Stats in Lima
- 13 Reviews
- 10 Photos
- 7 Forum posts
- 2 Comments
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Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Lima
- Posted in Miscellaneous Forum "Re: Bad vibes from negative..."
- Wrote a Review Currency Exchange about All Around The Country in Lima Favorites
- Commented on one of AKtravelers's Lima travel pages
- updated a Lima Travel Page "A City of Contrasts"
- Uploaded a Photo to "Serving Cuy at the Last Supper"
Photos in Lima
See All Photos (10)Top 10 Pages
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Friends
See All Friends (13)Latest Lima hotel reviews
- Prince Hotel Suites And Spa
- 54 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 8, 2013 - Apart Hotel Las Americas Lima
- 19 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 2, 2013 - Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima
- 147 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 11, 2013 - JW Marriott Hotel Lima
- 422 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013 - Las Americas Suites and Casino Lima
- 47 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 15, 2013 - Hotel Tambo Real
- 83 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 12, 2013 - Miraflores Park Hotel
- 417 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013 - Hotel Stefano's
- 20 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 2, 2013 - Radisson Hotel Decapolis Miraflores
- 381 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013 - Maria Angola
- 37 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 7, 2013 - Sol de Oro Suites Apart Hotel
- 43 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 14, 2013 - El Pueblo Resort & Convention Center Lima
- 16 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 14, 2013 - Golf Los Incas Apart Hotel
- 24 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 5, 2013 - Hotel Jose Antonio Lima
- 77 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 21, 2013 - Sheraton Hotel & Convention Center Lima
- 182 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 30, 2013

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Comments (2)
The closest we've gotten to seeing Lima is the 45 minute stopover when flying to Chile--your trips were great!
Great start to your Lima page. Thanks!