Posts about Lima
Lima Safety Tips
Traveling in Lima requires a bit of caution, and Lima safety tips will help you have a safe trip to Lima.
Like in any big city, travelers in Lima are at risk of being victims of petty crimes. Lima unfortunately has a lot of these, and also an elevated incidence of more serious crimes.
That doesn’t mean that you should avoid traveling to Lima. It is relatively safe to visit Lima, but you should heed some Lima safety tips that will help you have a safer visit to Lima.
Lima Safety Tips
First, don’t wear (or even bring) any expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, sun glasses, handbags, accessories, or watches in Lima. Doing so will make you a target for theft.
Leave your phone and other high-end electronics in your hotel room safe unless you absolutely need them. Make sure to keep cameras and other gadgets out of sight as much as possible if you carry them with you in Lima.
Leave your passport, tickets, and any other travel documents in a safe in your hotel room. Never leave the hotel with them in your pocket, bag, or purse, and don’t leave them or any other valuables lying out in your room in your hotel in Lima.
Before you travel to Lima, buy a money belt and wear it on the inside of your clothes while you walk around Lima. Only bring as much cash as you need to spend that day, and only one credit card.
Buy a fake wallet and put a few coins in it. If you get mugged or robbed in Lima, hand over the fake wallet instead of your money belt. That said, if you are pressed for more, don’t resist. Your safety is more important than your money belt.
Don’t hail taxis on the street in Lima. Have your hotel call a taxi for you or use a hotel car. It’s more expensive, but it’s far less risky than taking a street taxi in Lima.
Don’t walk around on the streets in Lima at night. Even during the day it is best to avoid walking in empty areas or small, deserted side streets.
Best Restaurants in Lima
Lima’s restaurant scene is lively and innovative, and some of the best restaurants in South America can be found in the capital of Peru.
Keep in mind that if you want to eat the best ceviches in Lima, you’ll have to do so during lunch. Ceviche is traditionally only eaten during the day in Peru, so most ceviche restaurants open around noon and close by 5pm.
Here is my list of the best restaurants in Lima:
Astrid & Gaston
Address: 175, Miraflores, Cantuarias, Lima
A great Gaston Acurio restaurant, Astrid & Gaston restaurant is one of Lima’s best.
Francesco
Address: Malecon de la Marina 526, Santa Cruz Miraflores, Lima
Another great lunch spot, the award winning Francesco restaurant serves up some of the top ceviches in Lima.
Fusion Restaurant
Address: Choquehuanca 714, San Isdiro, Lima
With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and high quality food, the modern Fusion restaurant in Lima is not only a great place to have dinner, but with an excellent wine list, a great place for drinks as well.
La Gloria
Address: Calle Atahualpa 201, Miraflores, Lima
The top Mediterranean restaurant in town, La Gloria is an always-packed favorite spot for a romantic lunch or dinner in Lima.
La Mar
Address: Avenida La Mar 770, Miraflores, Lima
Great for lunch, the famous La Mar Cebicheria in Lima is so famous that there are now sister restaurants as far flung as San Francisco, California. The best dishes are the ceviches, so make sure to try a few.
Las Brujas de Cachiche
Address: Ovalo Bolognesi 460, Miraflores, Lima
Set in a historic mansion, Las Brujas de Cachiche restaurant in Lima offers top notch traditional Peruvian cuisine.
Jose Antonio Restaurant
Address: Bernardo Monteagudo 200, San Isidro. Lima and Avenida La Floresta 124, Chacarilla del Estanque, Lima
Offering great creole cuisine in a wild west-themed setting, Jose Antonio restaurant in Lima offers some of the best traditional Peruvian cooking in Lima.
La Rosa Nautica
Address: Espigon 4 Circuito de Playas, Miraflores, Lima
With a great location right on the water and housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau building, La Rosa Nautica is one of Lima’s best restaurants. Go for the views as much as for the food.
Malabar
Address: Camino Real 101, San Isidro, Lima
The only chef in Lima that uses Amazonian ingredients and recipes, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino cooks up amazing fusion food that blends Peruvian, Italian, and Cuban cuisines. Don’t miss the famous Pisco Punch made from a historic recipe at the swanky bar.
Osaka Restaurant
Address: Conquistadores 999, San Isidro, Lima
Peruvian chef Jan van Oordt and Japanese chef Hajime Kasuga cook up some of the most inventive fusion cuisine in Lima. Their Japanese-Peruvian dishes and minimalist decor make Osaka sushi restaurant one of the best restaurants in Lima.
Panchita
Address: Avenida 2 de Mayo 298, Miraflores, Lima
Another top Gaston Acurio restaurant. Panchita restaurant serves up great criole food in Lima.
Pescados Capitales
Address: La Mar 1337, Miraflores, Lima
With great fish and seafood dishes, in a casual atmosphere, Pescados Capitales is the perfect place to indulge in a lunch of the best ceviches in Peru.
Rafael Osterling Restaurant
Address: San Martin 300, Miraflores, Lima
A Peruvian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant, Rafael Osterling restaurant in Lima is known for its quality cuisine and attention to detail.
Rodrigo’s Restaurant
Address: Francisco de Paula Camino 231, Miraflores, Lima
Rodrigo Conroy’s hip Rodrigo’s Restaurant serves up great Basque cuisine in a stylish atmosphere. Come for lunch, dinner, or late night drinks.
Sangucheria Pasquale Hnos.
Address: Avenida La Marina, Lima
With delicious traditional Peruvian sandwiches, this Gaston Acurio restaurant is a great place to have a casual meal.
Segundo Muelle
Address: Av. Conquistadores 489, San Isidro, Lima
With a motto of “passion for the sea”, Segundo Muelle serves up some of the best seafood in Lima. Don’t forget to try their excellent ceviches for lunch.
Wa Lok Restaurant
Address: Jr. Paruro 864-878, Lima
Not to be missed when traveling to Lima, this “chifa”, or Chinese, restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Lima. Wa Lok serves up excellent food that more than makes up for the rather uninspiring decor.
Top 10 Things to Do in Lima
Many people visiting Peru rush through Lima on their way to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.
Lima is worth a visit, though, and here is a list of the top 10 things to do in Lima:
1. Visit the Gold Museum, or Museo de Oro, in Lima.
2. Go to the Miraflores area to wander through Kennedy Park and Love Park, and go shopping at Larcomar and Jockey Plaza. Speaking of shopping, don’t miss the boutiques of the San Isidro district. Conquistadores street is particularly good, and there are great restaurants there as well.
3. Visit the Barranco district to see the Puente de los Suspiros bridge and walk through the Municipal Park.
4. Visit the attractions in the Lima city center. Don’t miss the Plaza San Martin, Lima Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, La Merced Church, the Church of Saint Francis with its great catacombs and museum, the Congress building, San Marcos House, Riva Aguero House, Torre Tagle Palace, and Casa Aliaga.
5. Get a Piscosour at the historic Bolivar Hotel.
6. Watch the illuminated water fountain show at Circuito magico del agua from Wednesday through Sunday evenings.
7. Explore the Callao district with its 17th century fortress, the Fotaleza del Real Felipe.
8. Get up early to take a tour of the San Lorenzo, Fronton, Cavinzas and Palomino Islands.
9. Take a day trip to the Pachacamac Santuary on the Pan-South American Highway.
10. Navigate the newly discovered ruins of Caral, the oldest city in the Americas. It’s just a few hours’ drive from Lima and only recently opened for visits.
If you don’t want to walk all over the city, you can take a city sightseeing bus in Lima. Mirabus Peru and City Sightseeing both offer hop on, hop off bus tours of Lima.
More posts about Lima:
Sightseeing in Lima
Best Hotels in Lima