Lima has been declared the leading culinary destination in the world eight times over the last decade, so the foodie scene should be on your list of things to do in Lima. You'll find all kinds of restaurants around the city, from traditional neighborhood holes in the wall (known as huariques) to some of the best restaurants in the world (Central, Maido, Astrid y Gastón) with menus that will have your mouth watering before the cutlery is on the table. But where to eat and what to order with so little time in Lima? Luckily, there's a solution: five-hour food and city tours that maximize your time by showing you around three of the city's main districts while trying different dishes, exploring new ingredients, and getting a crash course in Peru's socio-economic history. Full disclosure here, we run these tours at The Lima Gourmet Company, however, they've been listed as the top activities to do in Lima repeatedly, so we feel it's safe to say that fellow travelers also consider them a must-do to make the most of your time. ¡Buen provecho!

​Where do you begin planning your trip to Lima, let alone Peru? Nowadays, a wealth of information is available like never before, and even the most savvy of travelers can get bogged down by the plurality of voices sharing their experiences. The ideal scenario would be to have a local friend to call on for insider insights, someone whose taste and characterization of a place you could unthinkingly trust. What is the next best thing? The perspective of an expat who understands a destination’s culture, history, and nuances while bridging the divide through their own cultural lens. In that sense, you would get the best of both worlds, essentially a shortcut to the “meat and potatoes” of a destination through a curated itinerary that would allow you to get the most out of your Peru trip. Today is your lucky day because that is just what I’m offering you – a way to hack your travel planning to Lima. I’m a Kansas City native who has spent the last 20 years as an expat, eleven of which have been spent in Peru alongside my Lima-born husband, Lucas, helping visitors discover the best of the country.  So, here are my two cents on how to hack Lima and have an unforgettable stay in the City of Kings.
​

​Like many countries worldwide, over the past few hundred years, Peru has welcomed waves of migrants from all over.  Along with the new residents came their cultures, traditions, styles, and of course, cuisine. In many countries, these influences were welcomed but remained separate from the local trends or had only a light impact. However, Peruvians embraced cooking techniques, recipes, and ingredients from abroad, “digested” their essence, and then fused them with traditional dishes to create new and unique delicacies over the years. Today's primary fusions are Japanese-Peruvian: Nikkei, Chinese-Peruvian: Chifa, African-Peruvian: Creole, and of course, the European influence from mainly Spain, Italy, and France. Here you can see a video diving into Peruvian cuisine and its flavorful legacy.
 
Here are some of our favorite spots to try these famous fusions. For Nikkei, Osaka, Hanzo, or Ache are fantastic options. For Chifa, Shi-nua or Chifa Royal will leave you wanting more. For Creole cuisine, Isolina, la Huaca Pucllana, or José Antonio all do the genre justice.


We’re just getting started on the food, but we’ll leave the rest for another post. In the meantime, you can check out more of our favorite restaurants in Lima or a reduced selection of restaurants in Lima and what to order.

​One of the best ways to grasp Peru’s vibrant and ancient culture is through a visit to the Larco Museum. It’s one of the top museums in the country, in our opinion, THE top, and houses over 40,000 artifacts that give you a glimpse into traditions, history, and economy over approximately 4,000 years. The museum is beautifully designed, and a major plus (besides the enlightening erotic ceramics exhibit) is the stunning outdoor café which serves an excellent variety of Peruvian dishes that are expertly executed.
 
​The historic center of Lima is also a spot you’ll want to check out if you’re looking to get a feel for what life was like while Peru was under the Spanish empire. The urban planning of this area was designed by conquistador Francisco Pizarro and the buildings reflect various architectural styles that will keep your eyes toward the sky. In the center, you’ll find no shortage of places to visit, just to name a few: Lima’s Cathedral, San Francisco Monastery, Santo Domingo Monastery, the Inquisition Museum, Plaza de Armas, and Plaza San Martín.
 
If you want to do it all in one day so that you get to see a bit of everything at a leisurely pace, a city tour is a great way to cover the highlights. We’ve done the research for you, check out the itinerary here: Lima city tour.

When you’re out shopping on vacation, especially in a foreign country, it’s understandable that you would want to hone in on the products that are crafted with care, that are unique to the destination, and that will bring back unforgettable memories when you get home. If it’s not for you but a gift you’re planning to bring back, then it’s even more imperative that it be something more than a token keepsake and a present representative of where you’ve just been. There are many options in Peru, so we’ll try to point you in the right direction depending on what you’re out to get.  The best souvenirs from Peru are baby alpaca, silver, organic Peruvian coffee, chocolate, pisco, and unique chili pepper mixes. For a curated offer of high-end products by highly lauded Peruvian craftsmen and women, Dédalo and Puna are excellent options. If you want to peruse among endless possibilities, perhaps try the Inca Market in Miraflores. If you are specifically looking for baby alpaca, Kuna and Sol Alpaca would work; for jewelry, try Lorena Pestana or Sissai, and for all food items, you can explore a local supermarket like Tottus or Vivanda. ​

​We’ve thought of that, too! For the last seven years we’ve been positioned as the number one tour in Lima because our routes explore different neighborhoods of Lima, the cultural, historic and socio-economic context of the country you’re visiting and of course – delicious, carefully selected tasting menus so you can have your cake and eat it, too. Check out our city and food tours of Lima for the perfect intro to Peru.

Un fin de semana en Lima te da el tiempo perfecto para descubrir y recorrer la mejor de la ciudad. Entre lo cultural, gastronómico y en términos de paisajes, es un destino donde lo tienes todo. La capital peruana es una metrópolis versátil que se encuentra encima de unos acantilados con vistas increíbles del Océano Pacífico y los primeros cerros de los Andes.  A veces hasta parece como si tuvieras demasiadas opciones y allí es donde necesitas un par de pistas de un íntimo amigo local para encaminarte hacia un viaje verdaderamente increíble. Les dejamos un itinerario que incluye los mejores atractivos de la ciudad que se pueden disfrutar a un ritmo relajado pero que a la vez saca provecho del poco tiempo disponible para enamorarse de su encanto.     

Suponiendo que hayas estado viajando durante el día y recién llegas a la hora de check-in un viernes por la tarde, lo primero que querrás hacer es dejar las maletas y salir a dar una caminata por el barrio del hotel para familiarizarte con la zona. La mayoría de hoteles se encuentran en los distritos de Miraflores, San Isidro y Barranco y por lo tanto una vuelta por esos distritos limeños de renombre te sirve como la mejor introducción. Después volvemos rumbo al hotel para refrescarnos y salir a cenar.

El restaurante Cala en la costa verde es una excelente opción para recibir el atardecer junto al mar en la terraza del segundo piso. Su especialidad es la comida marina (¿cómo no con las vistas y ubicación que tiene?) con platos elaborados para destacar un estilo delicado y fresco pero con sabores robustos. Después de quedarte totalmente satisfecho con la exquisita comida costeña, un bajativo y un poco de música están en orden. Para eso recomendamos que pases al primero piso del restaurante, al lounge donde tienen una zona interior que te lleva a una bella terraza donde puedes explorar el mundo pisquero con un coctel que no solo resalta las propiedades del licor, sino también la variedad de fruta que tan bien acompañan al trago. 

Si estás considerando viajar a Perú, seguramente ya sabes que Lima es una meca gastronómica que atrae a miles de peregrinos culinarios al año para deleitar de su variado repertorio en la cocina. Tanto así que el país ha ganado el título de Mejor destino culinario en los World Travel Awards en ocho ocasiones. Ya te hemos convencido, ¿pero ahora cómo elegir entre tantas opciones, opiniones y recomendaciones de amigos? Te presentamos la solución perfecta - un tour gastronómico de la ciudad. La idea es que en cinco horas llegas a tener una introducción comprensiva a la ciudad que incluye varios distritos, un café orgánico peruano donde tuestan los granos a diario, una vista a un mercado local con su degustación de frutas, una clase participativa de cebiche y pisco sour, y un almuerzo de varios platos y postres peruanos junto a una ruinas impresionantes preincaicas. Entre toda la comida, los restaurantes, los mercados y las callecitas por explorar, también se cubren temas culturales y socio-económicos, las fusiones multiculturales y también las partes destacadas de la historia que han creado la ciudad que hoy conocemos. Nosotros ofrecemos dos rutas que han tenido tanto éxito que nos ha mantenido en el primer puesto entre tours en Lima. 

Para bajar la comida y darte una oportunidad de ver otro lado de la ciudad, podrías dirigirte al centro histórico de Lima, o el damero de Pizarro. Tomas un taxi hasta la Plaza de Armas donde podrás conocer el palacio presidencial, la catedral de Lima y a un par de cuadras, el Monasterio de San Francisco con sus catacumbas. Ojo - la mayoría de museos/iglesias solo ofrecen entradas hasta las 5:00 PM  y por lo tanto querrás estar atento a la hora. En la misma zona, también se encuentra la Plaza San Martín y luce un estilo arquitectónico que te llevará a otra época.

Después del recorrido histórico y la inmersión cultural, ya estarás empezando a recuperar el apetito. Los tours gastronómicos suelen dejar a algunos visitantes con un poco menos espacio en la barriga de lo normal así que una cena donde hay opciones para porciones ligeras es lo más recomendable. Osaka en la avenida Pardo y Aliaga en San Isidro es el lugar ideal que ofrece una fusión peruana-japonesa, o nikkei, que cuenta con mucho más que solo sushi. El diseño interior, el servicio y la comida son impecables. Reserva antes de ir para asegurarte de tener una mesa.

Al ser el último día del viaje, hay quienes preferirían tomar la mañana tranquila para desayunar en el hotel o para salir de compras, quizá souvenirs. Para los que quieren aprovechar la mañana con un útimo tirón cultural, el Museo Larco es infaltable, fácilmente unos de los mejores museos del país entero. La colección privada recopila y exhibe artefactos que cubren más de cuatro mil años de historia en el territorio peruano - joyas, máscaras, cerámica, incluso en sala única - un cuarto de cerámica erótica. Hasta el depósito está abierto al público donde podrás admirar unas 40,000 piezas adicionales que no se encuentran en la exhibición principal.

Para cerrar la aventura culinaria con broche de oro, llega antes de la 1 PM para almorzar en Isolina de Barranco. Es una maravilla que se encuentra en los top 50 restaurantes de América Latina y su especialidad es la comida auténtica peruana con un toque casero que trae una tremenda calidez a la experiencia. Es una taberna moderna de moda y el seco y el lomo saltado están impresionantes. La porciones son generosas y en realidad para compartir.

En el mismo distrito de Barranco, encontrarás el taller del artista Jade Rivera. Sus cuadros son únicos e impactantes. Es una experiencia que te conecta con la esencia bohemia del barrio.

El fin del viaje ya es inminente y no hay mejor forma de digerir todo lo que has vivido en los últimos días que con una tradición bien limeña (sobre todos los domingos), darse una caminata por el malecón. Desde Barranco, puedes seguir el malecón hasta llegar a Miraflores y posiblemente hasta el mismo hotel, donde llegarás a preparar la maleta y salir hacia el aeropuerto para volver a tu casa y presumir con tus familiares y amigos sobre tu experiencia en Perú.

¡Buen viaje!

Restaurants in Lima add up to tens of thousands of options for dining out in the city with an even larger variety of dishes that are representative of Peruvian traditions, culture and fusions. If you do your research, you can surely narrow the offer down to a few must-visit spots to include in your itinerary. The real doozy, however, is what to order once you square away the reservation and make your way to the restaurant. If you are unfamiliar with Peruvian cuisine, even though you may speak some Spanish, selecting the perfect dishes can be a daunting task. As operators of the highest-ranked food tours in Lima for over a decade, you can imagine that our R&D outings include frequent visits to a number of restaurants, trying a variety of dishes so that we can bring you the best recommendations. We would like to shed some light on the results of all that tough work by sharing our favorite dishes in Lima and where to find them. 

This is likely a restaurant that you’ll find on many lists and for good reason. The laid-back ambience and cozy, fresh style of the place will lure you in, but the food and drinks will keep you there. If you are a seafood lover, you simply cannot go wrong booking a table here.

What to order: Pulpo a la parrilla (grilled octopus) – The octopus is marinated in a secret concoction and then cooked to perfection on the grill, served smoking hot and accompanied by grilled cherry tomatoes, potatoes and mushrooms. Amazing. An added bonus for the chefs among you, if you sit bar-side, you can watch the guys work their magic and see how it’s done.

Limaná is one of Lima's more unique restaurants in that it is dedicated to Peruvian superfoods. What’s more is that the restaurant is fully committed to sustainable consumption, so you know you’re participating in a dining experience that has been fully thought through.

What to order: The arroz norteño (a traditional rice dish from the North of Peru) – Each ingredient has been selected and sourced with the utmost care to accomplish a variety of feats. The dish boasts a balance of diverse flavors, while preserving its nutritional value given the fusion of culinary techniques and care that brings the dish to life. Every garden-grown element of this dish speaks volumes of the quality of Peru's fresh produce.

One of Lima’s most successful newcomers, Xoma, offers a variety of dishes that bring creativity and playfulness to life. All of the dishes are presented beautifully, as works of art and labors of love with tasting menus that allow you to travel the whole of Peru through your tastebuds without leaving the capital.

What to order: We are big fans of the beautifully crafted, seasonal tasting menus. You've come to Xoma for the experience, so surrender yourself to the creative expression that is its culinary masterpiece. If you want to take things up a notch, try their blindfolded experience. Your senses will be hyperengaged by more than just the flavors as the aromas and textures shine in the darkness.

It’s no surprise that Isolina made the list. Ever since the place opened, it’s had lines outside that can wrap around the corner and it made its way on to the list of best restaurants in Latin America. The concept is an old-school tavern that features classic Peruvian dishes that give the feel of home-cooking. This Peruvian soul food induces nostalgia for the locals and provides an insider experience for visitors.

What to order: Seco (Cilantro beef stew) – If you are a cilantro-lover, this dish would be your favorite. While you can find this Peruvian classic on many menus throughout Lima, the preparation of seco at Isolina is impeccable. The beef is so tender that it slides right off the bone allowing you to bathe the meat in the rich, aromatic cilantro stew. It’s just one of those dishes that after eating it, you'll already be contemplating when to organize your next visit for round two.

El Mercado
Av. Hipólito Unánue 203, Miraflores
Tues.-Sun. 12:30 - 5:00 PM
T: +51 974 779 517

Limaná
Av. Augusto Pérez Araníbar 2011, San Isidro
Tues.-Sat. 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM, Sun. 8 AM - 5:00 PM
T: +51 997 650 654

Xoma
Elías Aguirre 179, Miraflores
Sun. + Tue. + Weds. 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM / 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Thu. + Fri. + Sat.  12:00 PM - 3:30 PM / 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM
T: +51 970 653 913

Isolina
Av. San Martin 101, Barranco
Tues.-Sat. 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sun.-Mon. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
T: +51 (1) 247 5075

Miraflores has been the center of tourism in the city for decades. Located on a gorgeous stretch of the Pacific coast, this neighborhood has it all. It's a lively district with plenty of dining options (among the top restaurants in the world) and nice walks along the coast. Whether you want something quiet or activities in a more "happening" area, you'll find it here. Another bonus is that most of the hotels are located in areas where you can easily walk from one place to another, and nothing in Miraflores is more than a 10 minute taxi ride away. It has something for everyone: surfing, cultural tours of Lima that include visits to pre-Incan temples, paragliding, food tours, shopping, and even wifi-enabled public parks. Here's our breakdown

Outdoor Attractions in Miraflores

• Malecón de Miraflores, or the clifftop boardwalk that runs through the district
• Surfing in Miraflores, jump right in or take surf classes in Miraflores
• Paragliding along Lima's coastline
• Rent a bike and explore Miraflores on two wheels

Emblematic Parks of Miraflores

• Kennedy Park, the central park of Miraflores
• Parque del Amor, with its mosaics and sculptures by Victor Delfin and Marcelo Wong
• Parque Maria Reiche, landscaped gardens of the Nazca Lines along the coast
• Reducto No. 2 Park, where you'll find artillery and a historic train caboose

Cultural Attractions in Miraflores

• Tour pre-Incan ruins at the Huaca Pucllana
• Visit the Amano Museum

Shopping in Miraflores

• Larcomar, a seaside mile embedded in the cliff
• Inca Market, an outdoor market with several stalls selling artisanal handcrafts
• La Paz Avenue, a street peppered with antique and silver items

Miraflores has established itself as the mover and shaker of the foodie scene in Lima, until Barranco started gaining steam (which we'll cover below). Get your reservations squared away with plenty of time in advance as space is limited. However, if you prefer winging it, there is no shortage of options. Some of our favorites include:

Maido: Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese fusion)  one of the world's best restaurants many times over 
Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: get the terrace seating for spectacular views of the pre-Incan site
Xoma: creative and artistic renditions of Peru's finest ingredients
El Mercado: Amazingly fresh seafood with a consistently fun and vibrant ambience
Limaná: For fans of sustainability as well as vegans and vegetarians

Traffic in Lima can be chaotic and unpredictable. If you are trying to catch a flight, you don't want to leave it to luck. Usually rides from anywhere in Miraflores to the airport will take you from 45 minutes to one hour. If you are making the trek early on a Sunday morning you can shave 15 minutes off of that estimate, but on a Friday night, if you hit the really bad traffic, it can take you up to 90 minutes.

If you are looking for an authentic and eclectic step back in time, Barranco is the place to be. Many buildings and areas are officially protected as part of the cultural heritage, therefore the Republican and colonial facades give the district personality that you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. This district is considered to be the bohemian, romantic and artsy center of life in Lima and there is no shortage of fascinating art galleries, shops with unique, hand-crafted goods and an emergence of hip bars and restaurants to give Miraflores a run for its money. ​

Cultural Attractions in Barranco
Bridge of Sighs
Barranco's main plaza
Bajada de los baños
Mirador (lookout) at Barranco

Museums in Barranco
Pedro de Osma Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)

Art Galleries in Barranco
Jade Rivera Gallery
Dédalo Gallery
80m2 Livia Benavides Galler

Barranco is a very walkable district and due to the stunning architectural heritage and graffiti art masterpieces, it would be a shame if you missed it by opting to move round by car. The district abounds in tiny restaurants that offer varied cuisine, Barranco having leveled up (some would say surpassed) Miraflores in terms of its foodie scene. Here are a few of our favorites:

Central: another pick among the world’s best restaurants, sustainable and artistic
Kjolle: and again, another global favorite, with the chef Pia Leon at the helm
Isolina: yet again, another worldwide winner dishing up Peruvian comfort food
Siete: boutique, under-the-radar kind of vibe with the freshest dishes around
Mérito: pushes the envelope in terms of creativity while offering impressive flavor

Barranco is the next district over from Miraflores, in the opposite direction of the airport. In terms of actual, physical distance, the difference isn't much, but with traffic you can add 10 minutes to the Miraflores estimates, so on average, 55 minutes to an hour and 10 minutes.

In Lima you'll find everything from large international chains, like the JW Marriott, to quaint B&Bs like Second Home Peru. While luxury chains can run you a couple hundred dollars a night, you can find some amazing charmers that feel just as luxurious for around $100 per night. Our faves in terms of boutique hotels include Casa Republica, Villa Barranco, and Hotel B, and as for the chains, you can't go wrong with Marriott (both JW and AC), the Hilton, Aloft or Casa Andina.

Now, if you just want to sit back and relax and leave it to the pros, you can check out our Lima food and city tours which cover both districts plus San Isidro, the main sights, some hands-on activities and was designed for people who have limited time in Lima but who want to see the city and taste the best dishes in one day.

Here's a map of some of our favorite places around Lima. ¡Buen viaje!

​The best restaurants in Lima all bring exceptional value to the table, whether that be found in the quality of the ingredients, the creativity of the chef and culinary team, the inspiring ambience or the entire story narrated from the beginning until the end of the experience. In counted, unique cases there are opportunities for some of the best dining in Lima when all of these factors unite for one incredible meal. To take matters a step further, there are great rewards for those who decide to leverage Lima’s year-round mild climate and offer guests a respite from the hustle and bustle by providing chic and cozy outdoor seating and rooftop patios. You don’t have to venture very far off the beaten path to become completely enamored by these top restaurants in Lima that serve their delicious bites with a side of fresh air.

The outdoor seating at Cala is accompanied by spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Playing up the proximity to the sea, the front-row experience extends to the palate by way of the restaurant's enticing seafood menu. Don't skip the starters, as the sharing platters provide the perfect intro to Peruvian flavors. Boasting a chic yet inviting interior re-design, at Cala you'll find no detail has escaped its creators, from the ambience and service, to the colorful ingredients and killer cocktails. It's the perfect way to cozy up to Lima's coastline and get a breath of fresh air.

Tucked into a quaint, green corner in the heart of Miraflores, La Plazita is always a winning option. Just blocks from the iconic Larco Avenue, you’ll find a relaxing patio that has something for everyone. The restaurant’s casual, elegant style puts the menu front and center with fresh Peruvian fusions that allow the country’s rich biodiversity to be the protagonist. La Plazita, without a doubt, is one of the best restaurants in Miraflores with outdoor seating.

No visit to Lima would be complete without the Nikkei experience. The Peruvian-Japanese fusion has brought us innumerable culinary gifts thanks to both cultures’ millenary appreciation for the sea. If you can’t get a table at one of Latin America’s top restaurants, Maido, don’t fret as Lima has some amazing options for you to get a taste of Nikkei cuisine and one of those happens to have a beautiful terrace. Osaka sits right on the edge of the San Isidro district and from the sensory-packed descent into the depths of this underground lair, you can tell it will be an experience. The food, the drinks and obviously the terrace make this a great spot to spend an evening in Lima.

If you have a special appreciation for attention to detail and you’re craving seasonal dishes, there's a corner in Barranco that will give you a meal to remember, Siete. The quality of the ingredients and their delicate preparation are the stars. It’s apparent that the execution of each dish was planned down to the exact position of every element on the plate and the flavors follow suit making it a well-rounded experience. Take your dining experience the extra mile and pair your meal with the hottest Peruvian wines and piscos on the market, from Bodega Murga. Siete shows us native Peruvian ingredients reimagined and recomposed. The bonus is the al fresco patio.

First and foremost, who doesn't love a good play on words? Pescados Capitales is a seafood restaurant, as you may derive from the name, but even more spectacularly, the experience is based around the Seven Deadly Sins, or in Spanish, pecados capitales. Gluttony is the obvious ring-leader, but don't be surprised when you're lusting after every item on the menu, greedy to eat to your heart's content and even a little envious of what the others at your table ordered. Fun without being frivolous, you can order creative yet representative Peruvian dishes that will blow you away.

​For some, sitting down to a meal is about so much more than the flavors and aromas because the preparation for the dishes began long before, when the seeds were planted, well before harvest. Conscious dining is a trend becoming ever-more present as guests want to know more about the origins of their meals and the micro-economy affected by their conscious decisions regarding consumption. Lucky for Lima, there is a centrally-located garden paradise that cooks up just the kind of dishes that care for the environment as much as the consumer. Limaná is a lovely option with well-being at the heart of the matter. While they cater to all tastes, our vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free (among many others) friends will be delighted with the care that goes into every dish.

Last but certainly not least is easily one of the most incredible outdoor patios of them all – the Huaca Pucllana. Nestled within an archeological complex dating back 1,500 years, you’ll dine at one of the best restaurants in Lima while overlooking pre-Incan ruins. With the intricate, gourmet twist given to some of Peru’s most traditional dishes, it’s hard to say which stands out more, the food or the views. While this fine dining establishment is the perfect option for treating yourself to an incredible experience for lunch or dinner, in the evenings they also have an outdoor bar where you can grab a drink just to see the site illuminated at night or join us on a Lima food tour for a visit.

If you can and have the time, move away from Lima and head to our favorite place, el Sur Chico. It's about 40 kilometers to the south of Lima. In this area, a municipality called Punta Hermosa hides several beaches peppered along the coast. Among the most popular are Senoritas and Caballeros - Ladies and Gentlemen (just names, they’re mixed, haha!)

Our personal favorite is El Silencio. It's got finer, light-colored sand. On a sunny day, the water almost looks Caribbean. It's beautiful, but a word of caution for small children or people that don't know how to swim, maybe not a great option. The waves are big, with a steep drop-off once you get in. You’ll need to organize transport if you head in that direction. There are affordable taxis you can arrange for a fixed price to return for you later in the day. 
​​

Christmas in Peru? What a great idea! Traveling over the holidays is the perfect way to create new traditions, and a New Year’s in Lima will be one for the books. You have the chance to connect with different customs and source inspiration for a great new year ahead. Some practices may seem familiar, while others pique your curiosity, striking the perfect balance so you can surrender to it all.

From mid-December, Lima goes into overdrive as preparations get underway for the big celebrations. Restaurants are overflowing, the traffic is beyond ebullient, and every corner of the city is alive and bustling. The anticipation in the atmosphere is palpable as Christmas approaches. And summer has just arrived, so it’s a great time to visit and plug into the capital’s energy.

While many countries celebrate Christmas on December 25th, in Peru, the 24th is the big day, also known as Nochebuena. Families gather in the evening to dine together and, at the stroke of midnight, embrace with a champagne toast and hot chocolate for the kids to receive Christmas. Fireworks abound as the clock strikes 12, and many head outside to catch the local displays in their neighborhoods. 

Both Santa and baby Jesus arrive at midnight, one bearing gifts as the other takes his place in the cradle of nativity scenes. As most of the population is Catholic, many attend 10 PM mass, known as Misa de Gallo, before heading to a relative’s home for dinner and gifts. A typical Christmas dinner includes turkey, cold salads, apple sauce, and a legacy of the Italian influence, panettone, a sweet cake with dried fruits. 

For visitors, things are a bit trickier. As the evening and nighttime activities are reserved for family time, many restaurants close after their lunch service on the 24th. Several places also have special menus for midday options and may not offer their regular a la carte service. Lunch is your best bet for eating a nice meal out on the 24th; for the evening and the 25th, you’ll want to possibly consider local hotels and square away any reservations and confirmations in advance.

The same can be said for New Year’s; you’ll want to coordinate your plans in advance. Most places will have special menus for December 31st, but for January 1st, your options will be much more limited. Like Christmas, New Year’s is celebrated at midnight (like anywhere), with a champagne toast, fireworks, and a couple of other more peculiar traditions.

For good luck, you can eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes twelve or wear yellow undergarments - very original. For abundance, you give and receive small bags of lentils. And for many more travels, some people even run around the block toting their suitcases. We’ll sign up for that last one. 

Happy travels and happy holidays!

​

​So you're getting ready for your Peru trip, and you'll be passing through Lima: Now, you need to get things organized and get everything booked. We are going to bring you a couple of tips, some Lima travel tips for how to manage your trip so everything is smooth sailing and you can enjoy your time in Peru. With more than a decade of experience running food tours in Lima, we’ve taken our shared knowledge and boiled it down to the essentials.

​There are a couple of things to keep in mind. First of all, the temperatures, and in general, Lima's climate, are relatively mild. When you talk about your winter months, remember that we are in South America, and the coldest months are July, August, and September. Your warm summer months are January, February, and March. Many years, the warm weather can stay throughout most of May. 

We can boil this down to the three C's: the culture, the coast, and the cuisine. In terms of culture, the Larco Museum houses an enormous private collection of artifacts. The building and manicured lawn are worthy of a visit in themselves. Bonus: there’s a room dedicated to erotic huacos, or pre-Colombian ceramics. How often do you see that? The center of Lima is also full of history and boasts layers of architecture dripping around the main squares. It's like stepping into the past, many times over different periods. 

If we move on to the coast, you can take a beautiful stroll along the coast in Miraflores or Barranco. If you’re into adventure sports, paragliding, surfing, and biking are all options.
​
And the cuisine, what’s to say that hasn’t already been said? Lima has been the world's culinary capital for several years, so you must book some excellent meals or join a Lima food tour!