A vacation in Peru is not complete without a tour of Lima, the nation’s bustling cosmopolitan capital that is rich with colonial history that evokes of Spanish culture and tradition.
Lima was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, who called it Ciudad De Los Reyes, or “The City of Kings.” It was an apt name for a city that holds prominent importance in South America during colonial times, being the melting pot of trade and commerce for all the colonized territories of Spain. The historic Lima port of Callao was the pathway for the colonization of Polynesia and other places in the Pacific, all for the glory of Spain. Today, Port Callao remains an important gateway in discovering all the enchantments that Peru has to offer.
Visitors in Lima will find the combination of modernity and nostalgic history an exciting backdrop for their vacation. There are two popular sites declared as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO – the Historical Center of Lima, a walled fort where the Spanish Viceroy held and is now a place where valuable historical monuments are erected; and the San Francisco’s Convent, renowned for its magnificent architecture.
Lima also boasts of valuable archeological sites where Inca constructions like temples and dwellings were restored as a link to the past for the new generation. Outstanding archeological landmarks in the city include Pachacamac, Caral, Cajamarquilla, Huaca Pucllana and Puruchuco.
Finally, exploring Lima’s modern side is a joy to every visitor, beginning with the shopping districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, where restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, theaters and corporate offices converge. At night, one can trek down to the romantic district of Barranco, a favorite spot among artists and poets.
Lima, Peru is within minutes away from the Jorge Chavez International Airport.