Here is a quick guide to get the most out of Lima in 24 hours.
An AESU trip to Lima, Peru, offers a cross-section of the highlights of South American activity and culture. When you are looking for the perfect intersection of historical, aesthetic, and culinary experiences, look no further than this beautiful capital. In Lima, you can easily find dozens of places to explore and things to do, and it can be challenging to know where to start. Here is a quick guide to get the most out of Lima in 24 hours.
Start Your Day in Miraflores
When you only have a day to enjoy Lima, perhaps the best place to start is in Miraflores, which is a coastal area that has some of Lima’s most popular attractions. You can walk the main promenade, called the Malecon, which is about a half-mile long. At the start of the Malecon is the Parque Kennedy, a beautiful flowering park, and a short distance from there is another park called the Parque del Amor. There you will find a small amphitheater containing Lima’s famous “El Beso” sculpture among murals made of mosaic tiles. Miraflores sits against the coast of the Pacific, beside the Costa Verde beach. This beach isn’t a typical spot for swimming or sunbathing, but you will find the source of sporty activities like paragliding or surfing at the Puente Villena bridge. Lastly, Miraflores contains the Larcomar shopping center, where you can also find places to eat and enjoy the view.
Explore Lima’s Culinary Scene
In Peru, lunch is often considered the most important meal, and it’s not uncommon for locals to enjoy a long lunch break in the middle of the day. Likewise, you can find a variety of restaurants and eateries to enjoy Lima’s cuisine. You can find local classics like ceviche at restaurants in Miraflores like El Veridico de Fidel. Enjoy a range of delicacies from the Peruvian pisco sour cocktail to roasted Guinea pig with aji sauce.
Learn About Peru in the Historic Center
A trip to Lima is not complete without an opportunity to appreciate Peru’s Pre-Columbian heritage. While Miraflores is a great place to explore many activities in Lima, you must see the historic center in order to appreciate the traditional lifestyle of Lima’s inhabitants. Start your journey through historic Lima at the Plaza Mayor, which was established in the mid-1500’s and features several of the most spectacular buildings in the city. These include the Government Palace, which houses the President of Peru and has a changing of the guard ceremony you can watch every noon. Another popular place to visit is the Monastery of San Francisco, where you can buy tickets to explore the underground catacombs or see the beautiful mosaic chapel that holds San Francisco’s tomb at the Cathedral of Lima nearby.
Explore the World with AESU!
Are you ready to plan an adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal—designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.
Experience an exhilarating Peruvian adventure with our Peru’s Inca Trail trip, or check out the Great Escape, Cosmopolitan, Costa Rica Explorer tour, and more!
2020 tour dates are now available! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.