Lima has taught me not to listen too closely to other travellers opinions about a place. The typical hostel conversation goes something like, “Have you been there yet?” and the answer is always one extreme or the other: “Yes, I loved it,” or “No, I hated it.” Almost everyone I spoke to about Lima, the capital of Peru told me it wasn’t worth visiting. It was just another big city in South America and there was nothing going on, I had a week to spend here. Originally, Lima was only meant to be a stopover before flying into the Amazon. But I’m so glad I stayed.
Maybe there isn’t many tourist attractions but the energy of the city won me over. For tourists there are two main areas to visit, Miraflores and Barranco. I was staying between the two which felt like the perfect location. Lima’s coastline begins at the ocean, runs alongside a main highway, and then rises into cliffs where the city begins above. You can walk or cycle the entire coast line, it’s filled with flowers and parks so yes there may not be an actual beach but that doesn’t matter so much, the sunsets are still incredible.
This part of Lima doesn’t feel like you’re in South America at all. To me it feels like a mix of Los Angeles and Florida – minus the chaos. Maybe it’s a downside that Lima feels so westernised; in many ways it actually feels more modern than Santiago de Chile or Buenos Aires. I’ve noticed that not just in Lima, but in many South American capitals, especially Buenos Aires — that one minute you can be in a picture-perfect neighbourhood, and the next, one turn later, you’re suddenly in real South America. It’s a good reminder to stay aware, keep your wits about you, and remain vigilant. That said, I never felt unsafe in Lima. We even found concert tickets online and went to Yield Rock, a small venue on a Sunday night, where we watched local rap artists and ended up making friends with locals. It was one of those simple, unplanned nights that made the city feel even more welcoming.
But my favourite thing about Lima and the whole of Peru is how kind people are. This is the friendliest country in South America I have visited so far (I have intentions to visit every country in the Americas by the time I’m 30, right now Peru takes top spot). People genuinely enjoy chatting, helping out, and making you feel welcome. The receptionists in our apartment building quickly became friends, as did many other locals along the way. I’ve always said Mexico is my favourite country in Latin America but Peru really does come close. The people are kind, the food is good, the weathers great, if you know the right spots then you can really feel at home here.
I understand what people mean when they say there isn’t much to do in Lima — but maybe they’re comparing it to Cusco, the true hub for travellers visiting Peru. I was using this week as a reset time as I was half way through my 6 month trip and it was exactly what I needed. One day we headed into Chinatown. It was hectic with the build-up to Christmas and full of energy. The food was good, though nothing particularly special. Later, we walked to the Historic Centre around sunset. The area was buzzing, and with Christmas only two weeks away, lights filled the main squares, illuminating the beautiful architecture. It was amazing to see.
Barranco is my favourite area, though it’s definitely the fanciest. Locals stroll past in long dresses with chihuahuas tucked under their arms, while artisans line the streets selling beautiful handmade jewellery. There are murals and art everywhere to admire, and from certain spots you can gaze out over the ocean and spot surfers in the distance. Walking along the coast toward Miraflores, you pass shopping centres as the sun sets, alongside parks and tennis courts overlooking the sea. It really is beautiful and full of colour — and I guess that’s exactly where the name Miraflores “look at the flowers” comes from.
So now it’s decided, don’t make opinions on a place depending on other peoples opinions. The same with La Paz many people said they didn’t like it. Perhaps I have an acquired taste but I loved both La Paz and Lima in different ways. And always check the area you are staying in because that makes a big difference to the experience that you have there.
Bevs Backpacking📍 