Lima, Peru has emerged from its reputation as a layover on the way to Machu Picchu to be a destination of its own accord, offering world-class art museums, preserved colonial plazas, and a trendy, destination-worthy culinary scene featuring a signature cocktail: the Pisco sour. Discover the city’s charms on a guided tour, visiting the collection of pre-Columbian artifacts at the Larco Museum, the Spanish-influenced Plaza de Armas, the dazzling fountains of the Magic Water Circuit, and the tomb of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in Lima’s City Centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cultural tours of the city bring travelers in contact with local communities, artisans, and chefs through food, drink, and market tours for a taste (literally) of the daily life in the city. Contemporary charms abound in the bohemian Barranco District, while ancient Peru’s history is on display at the Pachacamac archaeological site, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) outside of the city. Those looking for outdoor adventure can indulge in a day of swimming and sun bathing on a day trip to the nearby Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve or sand board at the Oasis of Huacachina, while those seeking to learn more about ancient Peru can fly above the famous Nazca lines or visit a number of nearby archaeological sites and still make it back in time to enjoy a drink on the veranda.
Lima Cruise Port
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Callao, about 7 miles from the center of Lima. Reasonably priced taxis into the city are available at the port and the trip typically takes around 40 minutes. There are also free shuttles that run to the Miraflores neighborhood, while shore excursions generally include round-trip transportation as standard.
Negotiate the price of the taxi ride with gratuities ahead before you hop in.
Worry-free Lima Transfers
Top 3 Attractions of Lima
Nazca Lines
The enigmatic Nazca Lines (or Nasca Lines) are second only to Machu Picchu as the most famous archaeological site in Peru. The mysterious geoglyphs at the UNESCO World Heritage Site range from geometric shapes and swirls to a hummingbird and monkey. Theories on their purpose include astronomical markers, irrigation canals, and alien messages—an enigma that has spurred intrigue since their 1927 discovery. The spectacular etchings likely date from 500 BC and 500 AD.
Ballestas Islands (Islas Ballestas)
A cluster of tiny islands off the Peruvian coast, the Ballestas Islands (Islas Ballestas) are often touted as the “Peruvian Galapagos,” famed for their spectacular variety of birdlife and rugged coastline of soaring cliffs, rocky beaches, and remote sea caves.
Suggested Tour: The Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve from Lima
Sacred City of Caral- Supe
The oldest city yet unearthed in the Americas, the Sacred City of Caral-Supe is among Peru’s most impressive archeological sites. This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site covers 148 acres (60 hectares) in the arid Supe Valley and was first inhabited between 2600 and 2000 BC. Today, the site is a popular day trip from Lima.
Suggested Tour: Experience Caral: The Oldest City of America from Lima
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