Things to Do
You could take a dozen trips to Peru and never run out of things to do. The country is wildly diverse. Peruvians take a lot of pride in "la costa, la sierra, y la selva," meaning the coast, the mountains, and the jungle. We hope this wedding is only one of many visits.
For this trip, Lima has more than enough to fill a long weekend. Here are some of our favorite things to do.
Neighborhoods
Miraflores
Where we recommend guests stay. You can start your day with a walk along the Malecón, a walkway alongside the cliff overlooking the Pacific. Parque Kennedy is great and more inland, and famous for its cats. There are many cafes, shops, and restaurants in the area.
Barranco
Lima’s bohemian district, and just a short ride (or long walk!) south of Miraflores. It’s famous for its artsy vibe and is full of galleries, murals, and bars. We love hanging around here.
The Historic Center
Exactly what it sounds like: the historic center. The Spanish conquest focused heavily on Peru and Mexico because of their enormous wealth. In the 16th century, Peru was one of the largest viceroyalties of Spain and was where the Spanish governed most of the continent.
The city center reflects that importance, with grand architecture, ornate buildings, and lots of statues. If you head here, start at the Plaza de Armas.
Museums
Museo Larco
Our top museum recommendation. They have a world-class collection of pre-Columbian gold, silver, and ceramics in a flower-filled colonial mansion. The garden cafe is also great.
MALI
The Museum of Art of Lima covers three thousand years of Peruvian art, from pre-Columbian to modern, in a beautiful building at Parque de la Exposición.
Museo Pedro de Osma
Colonial art in a gorgeous historic mansion in Barranco. Small, elegant, and easy to combine with an afternoon in the neighborhood.
MAC Lima
Barranco’s modern and contemporary art museum. Small but well-curated.
Craft Markets
The markets of Av. Petit Thouars
Peruvian artisanal crafts are incredible. If you’ve ever been to our apartment, you’ve probably noticed our love for vibrant textiles. This comes from Katherine’s parents’ love for the markets.
On Avenida Petit Thouars, you’ll find two markets opposite one another: Inka Plaza and Mercado Indio. We highly recommend spending some time there. You’ll find shops selling textiles, alpaca clothing, silver jewelry, ceramics, and more.
Gentle haggling is expected, and most places take card (although you’ll get a discount if you pay with cash).
Ruins
Huaca Pucllana
A 1,500-year-old adobe and clay pyramid, under a 20-minute drive from the hotels we recommend.
Pachacámac
A sprawling ceremonial complex that was active for over 2,000 years. About an hour south of Miraflores, this is a great half-day for history enthusiasts.
Trips Beyond Lima
A heads up
We want to note that February is the rainy season in the Andes, and the classic Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. With a strong El Niño expected, mountain itineraries may be unreliable.
That said, the trail should be open after our wedding, and Machu Picchu is truly a year-round destination. Just know that the weather may be a bit cloudy with the potential for intermittent rain.
Our group trips
If you want to extend your trip to Peru, we have arranged optional group trips through a travel company, just for our wedding guests: Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Amazon, and tours and transfers in Lima. Itineraries can also be customized or booked as private trips. You can find all the details and prices on our Trips page.
See the Trips page →Exploring on your own
If you want to do your own exploring, the southern coast usually stays dry and makes a wonderful 2- or 3-day add-on. You can visit Paracas, the Huacachina dunes, and the Nazca lines. We recently did this trip for Katherine’s sister’s wedding and loved it.
It’ll be summer in February, which means the beaches in the north near Máncora are in their summer prime. We’ve never been, but we’ve heard great things!