Lima Attractions (continued)

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Miraflores

Miraflores is Lima's modern suburb with a nice park and plenty of shops and internet cafes. If you are already starting to miss home then you can find the likes of McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza hut and KFC to comfort you!! There are some good modern stores such as Saga Falabella and Ripley and just a block from the "Ovalo" (central roundabout) with can find a selection of quality handicraft markets (see shopping section below).  A ten minute walk from the Ovalo along Avenida Larco brings you to the "Larco Mar", a shopping centre with great views over the Pacific Ocean (includes shops, cafes & restaurants, multi-screen cinema, ten-pin bowling). During the day Miraflores can be rather characterless but things pick up when the sun goes down. There are plenty of good restaurants, street cafes, bars and clubs. Miraflores also plays host to the majority of good hotels and hostals (see recommended hotels in Lima). Unlike Central Lima, Miraflores feels much safer, although you still have to be careful with your belongings and avoid walking around very late a night.

Miraflores	Miraflores	Miraflores
Larco Mar Shopping Mall, Miraflores	Larco Mar Shopping Mall, Miraflores	Larco Mar Shopping Mall, Miraflores

Mirabus

Lima Day Tour

Departs from Parque Kennedy and visits the Parque de la Exposición, Plaza San Martín, Plaza de Armas de Lima with Cathedral, Palacio de Gobierno and Palacio Municipal, Catacumbas de San Francisco, Parque de la Muralla, La Plaza del Congreso, Parque Universitario, Parques and Malecones de Miraflores, Centro Commercial Larcomar. Return to Parque Kennedy in Miraflores.
Departure times: Daily 09.30 am and 02.30 pm
Price: S/. 50
Duration: 3 hours
Departure from Parque Kennedy (Miraflores)
The entrance fees for 'San Francisco' and 'Parque del la Muralla' are included.

Lima by Night & Magic Water Show

Departs from Parque Kennedy at 6pm in the evening and visits the Parque de la Reserva (Magic Water Show - Circuito Mágico del Agua), Parque de la Exposición, Plaza San Martín, Plaza de Armas de Lima with Cathedral, Palacio de Gobierno and Palacio Municipal, Catacumbas de San Francisco, Parque de la Muralla, La Plaza del Congreso, Parque Universitario. Return to Parque Kennedy in Miraflores.
Departure times: Wednesday to Sunday 06.00 pm and 07.00 pm
Price: S/. 55
Duration: 3 ½ hours
Departure from Parque Kennedy (Miraflores)
Including the entrance fees for the Circuito Mágico del Agua and a refreshment at the Hotel Bolivar or at a restaurant in the Parque de la Muralla.

Beaches

Lima is not a great place to go to the beach. Water is heavily polluted, cold and there are strong currents. They also have a bad reputation for crime. However this doesn't seem to put the locals off who swarm to the beaches in their thousands during the summer months (Dec-Mar). If you still decide to join the locals, be aware of thieves and don't leave anything unattended for a second. You've been warned. See our webpage Best Beaches in Peru  or Surfing in Peru for more info.

View from Larco Mar of Beaches in Miraflores	View from Larco Mar of Beaches in Miraflores

Magic Water Show (Circuito Magico Del Agua)

Magic Water Show - Circuito Magico del Agua)	Magic Water Show - Circuito Magico del Agua)

Shopping

Mercado Indio (Indian Market) 

Located between 6th and 10th blocks of Avenida La Marina, Pueblo Libre. 

If you've forgotten to buy everyone at home a present after visiting Peru then this maybe your last opportunity to do so. This large collection of market stalls sell crafts only, including woollen and alpaca clothing, carved wood objects and jewellery. There's a huge selection and bargaining is expected although the prices in other parts of Peru are cheaper. Don't take any valuables with you as there are always thieves about. The handicrafts markets in Miraflores on Avenida Petit Thouars (blocks 51-54) has a similar, although slightly more expensive, selection.

Side Trips

Pachacamac

30 kilometres to the south of Lima (45 minutes by taxi), the ancient shrine and oracle of Pachacamac was the principal ceremonial centre on the Peruvian coast from before Inca times. Pachacamac was believed to be the creator of the universe and a divinity adored by old Andean civilizations. A sacred and ceremonial site dates back to the beginnings of Christianity where thousands of pilgrims converged to pay tribute and consult the Pachacamac oracle, who they believed could see the past, the future and people’s fate. After the Incas conquered this area, they built a temple to the sun over the old oracle of Pachacamac, strategically located facing the sea. At the site museum there is an idol of the deity, Pachacamac, which couldn’t be seen by the profane, and was reserved for the high priests who kept, revered and interpreted the divine oracle in the old times. A sacred site, the temple was considered to be part of the planet’s mystical axis