I’m going on a work trip to Lima, Peru next week for a week. Anyone been there before? Do you have any suggestions on where I should go while I am there?
There doesn’t seem to be any Hackspaces in Peru. This is one of the first major city that I have traveled too that didn’t have a hackspace in it.
I haven’t been, but I’ve heard it’s not a very pretty city. What’s
exceptional in Peru is the food, it always surprises me that you don’t see
that many peruvian restaurants abroad. The ceviche is a super classic, and
they do crazy things with potatoes, there’s something like dozens of
varieties down there (where they come from), and they cook them in very
cool ways. Anticuchos are also pretty good, and there’s a certain heart
dish that is very popular and actually tastes ok.
Maybe go talk with the owner of Vancouver’s only Peruvian restaurant
http://www.megaphonemagazine.com/meet_the_man_behind_one_of_vancouver_s_only_peruvian_restaurants
Most people going to Peru go to visit Machu Piccu (urgh on the spelling). I’ve done this, it is a truly wonderful place. I did the 3 day walk in, was fantastic. Cusco (and Lima) are both very high altitude, expect to be very tired and to need a dew days to adjust.
Geocache!
Eat at any/all of Gaston’s restaurants. La Mar and Tanta are my two favorites
Spend a night at the old Hotel Bolivar
http://www.granhotelbolivar.com.pe/
Have a Pisco Sour at the Hilton
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/peru/hilton-lima-miraflores-LIMMFHH/index.html
Check out the (somewhat touristy, but still cool) Larcomar area
Check out the pre-Incan ruins at the Huaca
http://huacapucllanamiraflores.pe/
If you’re looking to get out of the city, Punta Hermosa is about 45 minutes south. Of course it’s winter in Lima right now, but that doesn’t bother us hardy Canadians. Besides, it’s probably epic surfing right now.
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g1055306-Punta_Hermosa_Lima_Region-Vacations.html
The last time I was there, we stayed at this place about 4 hours south of Lima, just past Ica. It’s a pisco distillery that had beautiful rooms you can rent. I don’t see the rooms on their website any more, but maybe they have a different site for that or something.
as @ninetynein said, the food is awesome there.
Trying some ceviche is a must if you enjoy sea food. Street food is good in general. If you feel adventurous, try some guinea pig if you can. There’s a Bourdain ‘Parts unknown’ episode that features Peru and showcases a bit of Lima.
Check out local food markets, I bet you have never seen the varieties of avocados they have there. Try some chicha (corn-based beverage) which is a staple.
Just as a caution if you are sensitive to air pollution. Lima can be thick in smog on occasion. Might be seasonal, but was thick in November.
enjoy
A few more suggestions from my parents-in-law
Paracas- small town south of Lima, about 2-3 hours driving. Its on the coast, a natural reserve and across the way from ‘Islas Ballestas’ which has penguins and sea lions. There’s a new high end hotel:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3513&language=en_US
Outside Lima- “El Pueblo” resort is about 45mins-1hour outside of Lima’s city centre. This is inland, not on the water. The hotel website doesn’t seem to the working, here’s the trip advisor notes:
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g294316-d615755-Reviews-El_Pueblo_Resort_Convention_Center-Lima_Lima_Region.html
If they go to ‘El Pueblo’, they should try ‘La Granja Azul’ which is a restaurant which specializes in rotisserie chicken, they used to do pigs on a spit on the weekends too, not sure if they still do. This is where they serve their cocktails on ceramic glasses which you get to keep.
http://granja-azul.com.pe
In Lima- Country Club Hotel in the San Isidro area is a really nice hotel
In Lima- Belmont Miraflores Park Hotel is a high end hotel right facing the ocean, this is the one with the spa and pool on the top floor
Huacachina (this is an oasis south of Lima, not very developed)
Peru’s travel website:
http://www.peru.travel/?internacional