What Should I Do When I Get To Lima, Peru?
Dec
In exactly one week from today I’ll be arriving in Lima, Peru. It will be my first time ever in the city!
Unfortunately, everyone I’ve spoken with who has ever been to Lima has told me to get the hell out of the city as fast as I possibly can. In fact, I considered doing just that, but part of me felt that ditching Lima at the very start of my trip would be somewhat sad. That said, I’ve decided to stay in Lima for two whole weeks. I’ve rented an apartment in the Miraflores region and other than that I have no plans for my stay in Peru’s largest city.
This is where you come in. I need your help!!!
I am going to be in Lima, Peru for two whole weeks and I need your help to plan out my days there.
What should I see while I am in Lima? Is there anything in the city that I absolutely must do? What foods should I eat? And what events do I need to experience?
If you have any advice for me, leave a comment below and let me know what it is that I should see, do, and experience while I am in Lima, Peru.
Photo by Tinou
I don’t know where to begin with this. I have been getting your email letter for about a year. Your website is filled with all the information I would ever need to plan my trip. But here is a question I have yet to see anybody discuss. How old is too old. I am 71, in excellent shape, haven’t been to a doctor in 25 years, have done lots of camping, once spent a year driving around the country in a hippie van, but I have never ridden my bike more than 5 miles. However, I am almost obsessed with the desire to hit the road permanently, just like you. Starting this spring and from my hometown; Williamsburg, Virginia, I want to head North on the East Coast Greenway and connect with the Trans-Canada route and go on from there. So I have 3 questions I hope someone reading this will answer: 1) Have you met guys touring who are in their 70s? 2) Is it possible to use the first leg of travel to get in shape for a 50 mile day? 3) Which is the best bike forum for getting the help I will need?
Hi! I’ve reading your blog for a couple of months and it’s really inspiring! So, first of all, thank you!!
Who told you about escaping from the city?? I don’t know a lot about Lima (but I do about Cusco, if you need help on that), but I’m quite sure that’s a place worth visiting. I’m from Chile, so I’ve heard some things about it, and my mother-in-law was visiting there a few months ago.
Peruvian food it’s known to be one of the best. You should really try “Lomo Saltado” and “Suspiro Limeño” (the last one is a very sweet dessert), just to mention a couple.
You can live extremeley cheap if you want and know how to look for. In Cusco I used to have a good lunch for 2 dollars.
In Peru there was a very strong Spanish Colony during de 19th cent., so you’ll probably find a lot of museums and cathedrals from that period. They’re worth seeing (but not all of them, you get tired of it).
Hope this helps you a bit.
It’s always a good idea asking at a Tourist Information Center or in a travel agency.
ps: the city you should get the hell out of, is Tacna.
Stephen,
1) I don’t think there is an age limit to traveling by bike. I have met guys in their 80s who have been traveling by bike and seem to be getting along just fine. It just depends on your own abilities I think.
2) Yes, it is possible to use the first leg of your trip as a way of getting in shape for future parts of the adventure. I have done this on almost all of my bike tours. You start slow and build up to longer days and more miles/kilometers.
3) I don’t read forums, but there’s a lot of bike touring info here at BicycleTouringPro.com or in my book, “The Bicycle Traveler’s Blueprint” http://bicycletouringpro.com/the-bicycle-travelers-blueprint/
Lea,
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll let you know what I end up doing in Lima. I just got here yesterday, found out the airline lost my luggage, and got a bit sick after arriving at my apartment in downtown Miraflores. Not a good start, but I’m sure things will get better… hopefully!
I am posting a bunch of photos from my travels on the Bicycle Touring Pro facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/bicycletouring