LIMA TRAVEL TIPS

Planning a wedding in Lima is not just about selecting the perfect venue and catering. It’s about crafting an unforgettable experience for your guests. As the co-founder of The Lima Gourmet Company, I’ve had the privilege of helping couples enhance their wedding celebrations by organizing unique cultural and culinary experiences for their out-of-town guests. If you’re planning a wedding in Lima, here’s how to make your guests' visit as memorable as your special day.

Lima is an extraordinary wedding destination, offering a stunning coastal backdrop, world-renowned cuisine, and rich cultural heritage. While your wedding day is the main event, the days surrounding it present an opportunity to immerse your guests in everything this city has to offer. From food tours to cultural excursions, giving your guests a taste of Peru’s vibrant traditions will make your wedding celebration truly special.

Pre-Wedding Activities to Welcome Your Guests
Hosting a pre-wedding gathering allows guests to bond before the big day. Instead of a standard welcome dinner, consider offering them an authentic experience:

• A Private Food Tour: Treat your guests to Lima’s best culinary experiences, from fresh ceviche and pisco sours to gourmet Peruvian fusion dishes. A guided food tour will introduce them to the flavors of Peru in an interactive and delicious way.
• A Cocktail & Pisco Tasting Experience: Offer guests a hands-on experience where they learn about Peru’s signature spirit while enjoying expertly crafted cocktails.
• A Cultural Walking Tour of Barranco: Show your guests Lima’s most artistic and bohemian district, filled with colonial architecture, street art, and ocean views.
• An Exclusive Dining Experience: Reserve a private space at a top restaurant for a gourmet welcome dinner with a curated menu featuring Peruvian flavors.

Post-Wedding Activities to Extend the Celebration
After the wedding, keep the excitement going with optional activities that allow guests to explore Peru beyond the ceremony:

• A Day Trip to Paracas, Ballestas Islands and the Huacachina Oasis: Take guests on a scenic adventure outside the city. Paracas’ stunning coastal views, penguins and sealions, the oldest vineyard in South America and desert dunebuggies.
  
• A Hands-On Cooking Class: Give your guests the chance to learn how to make traditional Peruvian dishes with a local chef.

What’s the best time of year to have a wedding in Lima?
Lima’s summer months (December to April) offer warm temperatures and clearer skies, making it ideal for outdoor weddings and guest activities.

How can I keep my wedding guests entertained throughout their stay?
By organizing experiences like food tours, cultural excursions, and day trips, you can ensure that your guests have an enriching and enjoyable time in Lima beyond just attending the wedding.

Can The Lima Gourmet Company help organize experiences for my wedding guests?
Absolutely! We specialize in curating unforgettable cultural and culinary experiences, from private food tours to interactive tasting sessions, to ensure your wedding guests leave with incredible memories of their time in Lima.

A wedding in Lima isn’t just about the ceremony, it’s about creating a full experience for you and your guests. At The Lima Gourmet Company, we love helping couples enhance their wedding celebrations by offering unforgettable food and culture-focused activities. If you’re ready to create a wedding weekend that your guests will talk about for years to come, reach out to us to plan the perfect itinerary!
​
By weaving Peru’s vibrant food culture and rich traditions into your wedding festivities, you’ll turn your special day into an immersive and unforgettable adventure.

​

As your time in Lima comes to an end, try and take a moment to reflect on the experiences and memories you've created during APEC Lima, Peru. Whether you explored Lima's historical landmarks, indulged in its culinary delights, or engaged with its sustainable development initiatives, your journey will have deepened your understanding of Peru's culture, economy, and society.

As you bid farewell to Lima, carry with you the warmth of its people, the flavors of its cuisine, and the beauty of its landscapes. Until we meet again, may your experiences in Lima continue to inspire you and fuel your passion for exploration and discovery.

​

There you have it, a sneak peek into the cultural and culinary wonders that Lima has to offer. Whether you're exploring historic landmarks, immersing yourself in local art scenes, or diving into the diverse flavors of Peruvian gastronomy, get ready to fall in love with Lima. 

If you want to jump straight to the good part, check out our Lima food tours and other experiences in Peru. We would love to show you around. Safe travels and buen provecho!

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.
​

Lima has 43 districts, or neighborhoods, meaning you’ll have to narrow your visit down to three or four to maximize your wandering. Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, and Lima’s historic center will encompass most activities on your itinerary. You may hit a few outliers along the way, but for the most part, you’ll be in and out just to see a main attraction or two. The best areas to book your hotel would be, without hesitation, Miraflores or Barranco. ​
​

Miraflores offers a modern view of the city with many shops, upscale restaurants, street food, and many international chains (sometimes a comfort, but I know you did not come all the way to Peru just to hit up Starbucks). Miraflores is a safe neighborhood where you can walk around and get a feel for how the city has developed over the last 60 years. There are beautifully landscaped parks, the coastal promenade, or malecón as it’s known locally, bike lanes and rentals, paragliding, and more.  You’ll find international hotel chains like the Marriott (JW, AC, and Courtyard) and Hilton (Garden Inn, Doubletree, and Lima), but getting carried away by the charm of a boutique hotel or quaint B&B adds another layer to your Peru experience. Here are some lovely options that are well-located and are a big hit: Manor House, La Quinta Miraflores Boutique, and Hotel Atemporal.

Barranco is the bohemian, romantic and even slightly hipster side of the city. Here you’ll find gorgeous traditional mansions that have been restored and invite you travel back in time. The colors of the neighborhood pop as you walk through the narrow, tree-lined streets and appreciate the eclectic architecture, eye-catching street murals and boutique art galleries that are peppered throughout the area. The laid-back vibe and mix of traditional styles infused with a modern twist make this district truly unique and unforgettable. Barranco boasts some amazing boutique hotels that allow guests to be fully immersed in the district’s hallmark style. Try Casa Republica or Villa Barranco for an extra special stay in Lima.

​​If you haven’t tried Peruvian cuisine before now, there is no better place than Lima. And even if you have, be prepared to be blown away by the freshness of the ingredients, variety of flavors, and seemingly boundless fusions. This is undoubtedly the most extensive section of tips; we run Lima food tours, so we believe this is one of the best ways to get to know Peru. With limited time in the city, you’ll still be able to understand why Lima has been declared the Leading Culinary Destination in the World eight times by the World Travel Awards. By now, most people have heard of cebiche and the pisco sour, Peru’s flagship dish and drink, even if you haven’t tried it, however, the country’s rich foodie history has so much more to offer.  Let’s take a look:

​Every year San Pellegrino and associates publish a ranking of the world’s 50 best restaurants. Lima is always guaranteed to be represented among the best of the best. So what are they? Central, Maido, and Mayta. As you can imagine, these hot spots fill up months in advance, so plan ahead if you want a seat at the table (pun totally intended). If you’ve left your planning to the last minute, no worries, there are options. Just like any restaurant, the top three also get cancellations, depending on how badly you want to get in, it’s always worth a try to head directly to the restaurant to see if you can nab a table as a walk-in if they’ve received any cancellations or no-shows. We’ve found that in many cases, lady luck is on your side, and guests end up getting in without prior reservations, it just depends.

If you didn’t get the reservation at one of the coveted top three, never fear. Lima has other unique options that are just as good. For molecular gastronomy that turns the dining experience into a full-blown exhibit of artistic expression, Kjolle is the place to be. Guests also tend to book in advance, so if you’re set on Kjolle, try not to procrastinate when making your reservation. 

For a fresh-faced but upscale sustainable option, Xoma is an incredible alternative. Peruvian chef Ralf Zúñiga focuses on local products and experiments with ways to give these ingredients new form and function for the palate. Out of the world’s 113 microclimates, Peru is fortunate enough to enjoy 84 of them, which are artfully displayed through the dishes.

In case you need one more option to get you through the trip, Limaná is an exceptional choice. Maintaining a fairly low profile on the international scene, this corner is a chic and classic favorite among locals. The restaurant provides a cozy atmosphere with simultaneously refined and straightforward dishes that pay full homage to sustainability in sourcing, preparing, and serving our meals. Limaná is also excellent for patrons with any type of food sensitivity.

​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.     

DÍA 1 - LA LLEGADA

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. 

DÍA 2 - AVENTURA CULTURAL Y CULINARIA

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.

DÍA 3 - AVENTURA CULTURAL Y CULINARIA

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!

Datos de interés

​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. 
​​