Downtown Lima was part of the lands of Taulichusco, the last Lord of this valley who ruled it. When Francisco Pizarro arrived to this valley, he thought it was a wonderful place to have the capital of the Colonies of the Spanish because of it was near a river. Lima was founded on January 18, 1535. Pizarro called Lima “City of Kings” (Ciudad de los Reyes) but with the time people just call it Lima. Lima was the most important city of the Spanish colonies in South America during the time they ruled these lands. After three centuries of colonialism and after many battles between the Spanish and the Peruvians, independence was proclaimed in the Main Square by Argentinean General Don Jose De San Martin on July 28th, 1821. The rest of the 19th century, Lima was the scene of political fights between different political leaders. The 20th century brought of downtown Lima and the migration from the rest of departments (counties or provinces) to the capital helped to the growth of Lima. New districts were created such as Pueblo Libre, Jesus Maria, San Miguel, Miraflores, San Isidro, Surco, Barranco, La Molina, etc. Downtown Lima is called “The Historic Centre” and was placed by Unesco on the World Cultural Heritage list. Downtown Lima has some tourist attractions such as the Main Square, the Government Palace, the Cathedral and Convent of San Francisco. Also tourists can appreciate beautiful wood carved balconies. Behind San Francisco Convent, there are some remnants of the wall stone “La Muralla” which surrounded Lima in the colonial age. From “La Muralla” it’s possible to see San Cristobal hill which is the tallest in Lima and on summer days you can see all of Lima even magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean from the top of the hill.

Clinics & Hospitals of Lima

Clinica San Borja - This clinic is located at 337 Avenue Guardia Civil in the San Borja district of Lima. Telephone: 475-4000 & 475-3141.

Clinica Internacional - This clinic is located at the corner of Washington and 9 de Diciembre in the Central Lima district. Average charges for consultations are between $17-35 USD. Telephone: 433-4306.

Clinica Montesur - This clinic is located at 505 Avenue El Polo in the Monterrico district and has specialized in womens health problems. Telephone: 436-3630.

Clinica Anglo-Americana - This clinic is located on the third block of Salazar in the San Isidro district. The clinic has some vaccines in house and can charge up to $65 USD for a consultation. Telephone: 221-3656.

Hospital del Nino - This clinic is located at 600 Brasil in the Brena district. Prices vary so ask for a quote first. Telephone: 330-0066.

Instituto de Medicina Tropical - This hospital is located in San Martin de Porres and is one of the cheapest medical facilities in Lima while giving good medical care. Telephone: 482-3903.

Museums of Lima

Museo de la Nacion - This museum is full of all sorts of historic artifacts from weaving to 3D models of the ruins that make Peru so intriguing. Exhibits also include medical procedures of ancient times and how they were carried out. The museum is located at 2466 Javier Prado Este in the San Borja district and opens Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5 pm. Admission:Adults $2 USD, Students $1 USD, and special events are $3.30 USD per person. Telephone: 476-9878.

Museo Del Banco Central De Reserva - This museum hosts mainly a pre-Columbian theme and artifacts. If you recognized the name it also once served as a bank and you will need to bring some sort of identification with you as it is required for admission. You can find this museum at the corner of Lampa and Ucayali and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am until 4:30pm. Weekend hours are 10am until 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission: Free! Telephone: 427-6250.

Museo Postal Y Filatelico - In central Lima you'll find this interesting museum within an actual working post office. The post office is very near to the main plaza and is open from 8:30am until 6:30pm Monday through Saturday and 9am until 12:30pm on Sunday. Admission: Free! Telephone: 427-7261.

Museo De Arte - This museum is known for its Peruvian art and has many other exhibits to include colonial furniture and pre-Columbian artifacts. If you want to take pictures of artifacts this is not where you want to do it. Photography is not allowed! There is also a cafe and film cinema inside the museum. You can find this museum at 125 Paseo de Colon and is open from 10am until 5pm Tuesday through Sunday. Admission:$2 USD. Telephone: 423-4732.

Museo Taurino - This museum is dedicated to those bull fighters from the past and present. You will find more than just a few pictures showing matadors here. Some exhibits include blood stained clothing (from a fallen matador), some local paintings and drawings, as well as some scenes painted by the ever so famous Picasso. The museum is located at 332 Hualgayoc in the Rimac district and is open from 9am until 6pm Monday through Saturday. Admission:$1.40 USD. Telephone: 481-1467.

Museo De Oro Del Peru - Scandal surrounds this museum as once it was the spotlight museum of Lima. Many of the once priceless artifacts were deemed fakes in 2001. Since then the museum has made assurances that all pieces now on display are genuine and original. The upper Arms section of the museum also hosts one of the largest gun collections in the world. Other artifacts span from decorative gold jewelry, clothing and figures. You can find this museum at 1100 Alonso de Molina in the Monterrico district of Lima, and is open from 11:30am until 7pm daily. Admission:Adults $8.50 USD, Children $4.20 USD. Telephone: 345-1292.

Museo Larco - This museum was once a mansion built atop of what once was a pre-Columbian adobe style pyramid. Within the compound itself there is an astonishing collection of pottery with some of the more interesting pieces being spotlighted. There are many other artifacts inside including one textile piece that has 398 threads to the linear inch. This shows the Peruvians are very good at making textiles even today. Photography is not allowed! You can find this museum at the corner of San Martin & Vivanco in the Pueblo Libre district and is open 9am until 5pm Tuesday through Saturday also 9am through 4pm on Sunday. Admission:Adults $3 USD, Students $1 USD. Telephone: 463-5070.

Other Attractions of Lima

Cerro San Cristobal - A huge cross sits atop a 1341 ft. hill to the northeast. The cross was originally built in 1928 and is the finish to a religious pilgrimage that takes place around the 1st to May. It is lit at night almost as if it were protecting the city against evil. The area also serves as a lookout with wonderful views of Lima. You should take a taxi or bus to this destination as the route there runs through a poor neighborhood.

Plaza San Martin - This area was influenced mainly by French architecture and is absolutely stunning. A bronze statue of General San Martin, stands center stage with a smaller statue of Madre Patria nearby. A lingual error has led to a mishap with the her statue as a misinterpretation of crown of fire(llama) did not translate it's meaning correctly giving the statue an animal on her head instead of a crown. The Gran Hotel Bolivar gives the plaza a feeling of Europe at night as it is very well lit.

Huaca Huallamarca - This Maranga pyramid is adobe in style and dates back to 200-500AD. It has been extensively restored and gives you a feeling of an older Peru. The pyramid is located at 201 Nicolas de Rivera in the San Isidro district and is open 9am until 5pm Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: Adults $1.70 USD, Students $1 USD, Children $.30 USD. Telephone: 222-4124.

Huaca Pucllana - This is another pyramid dating back to 400AD and has been restored over three centuries. Excavations are ongoing and tours are given is Spanish regularly. You can find this pyramid at the corner of Borgona & Tarapaca in the Miraflores district and is open 9am until 5pm Wednesday through Monday. Admission:Free! Telephone: 445-8695.

Parque de las Leyendas Zoo - This zoo is full of native Peruvian animals and international animals. There are around 210 species of local animals available for viewing. Some of these wonderful animals are from the diverse regions Peru has to offer to include the beaches, mountains, and rain forests. You can find the zoo at Parque de las Leyendas in the district of San Miguel and is open 9am until 5:30pm daily. Admission:Adults $2.50, Children under 11 years of age $1.20. Telephone: 451-8696.

Fuerte Real Felipe - This coastal fort was built in 1747 and safeguarded the coast against pirates and corsairs. The fort was last used under Spanish rule during the 1820's as the last stand during the rebellion that gave Peru its independence. The compound is extensive and has many areas used in those times. An assault field still remains as well as the field used to play sports by the soldiers. You can find this fort at Plaza Independencia in the Callao district and is open from 9am until 2pm daily. Use care in traveling to and from the fort as the neighboring area is known to be somewhat bad for crime. Admission: Tourists $2 USD, Peruvians $1.20 USD, Students $.60 USD. Telephone: 429-0532.

Casinos - Most of the casinos are located in the more international hotels. Marriot, Sheraton, and Los Delfines have nicer casinos and betting is in USD. Slots are usually pretty tight throughout the Lima area, but you will find the rules for Blackjack are the same for that of Nevada. The only difference is the betting. You must bet in multiples of $2 increments and the minimum is $2 USD.

Pachacamac - This complex of extensive pyramids and and temples dates back to the time before the Incas, when the Wari culture overthrew the area they added their own touches to it. Later the Incans reclaimed this complex as part of their empire. Many of the different cultures additions are still visible and is one of the more diverse sites around Lima. Be prepared for a ride when venturing to this complex as it lies about 22 miles from the center of the city. Admission: Adult $1.40 USD, Student $.60 USD, Child $.30 USD. Telephone: 01-430-0168.

Plaza de Acho - This stadium is known for its bullfighting champions. The best known are Peruvian Rafael Castaneta and Spanish female matador Cristina Sanchez. She was the first female bullfighter to fight in Lima. Bullfighting is huge in Lima and most of the local news media give schedules on arena events. Tickets are sold through Farmacia Deza and should be procured early. Average prices for one event can range from $20 USD to as high as $100 USD. You can find the bullring at 332 Hualgayoc in the Rimac district of Lima. Telephone: 481-1467.

Casa de Ricardo Palma - This was the last home of Ricardo Palma, a famous Peruvian author. He settled in the home in 1913 only to depart this world six years later. The author wrote many literary works that gained him international fame and interest. His house is located at 189 Gral Suarez in the Miraflores district. Viewing of the house is open from 9:15am until 12:45pm and reopens at 2:30pm until 5pm Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: Adult $1 USD, Students $.50 USD. Telephone: 445-5836.

La Catedral - The final resting place of Francisco Pizarro, this church has been rebuilt almost two centuries after an earthquake (1746) destroyed much of it. The rebuilding was in the same fashion and to the same specifications as the earlier church. There was some dispute over the remains of Pizarro and later the true body of Pizarro was found and taken to the church to replace the church official that had been resting in his place. The church is open 9am until 4:30pm weekdays and 10am until 4:30pm on Saturday. Admission: Adult $1.40 USD, Children $1 USD. Telephone: 427-9647.

San Francisco - The only church to withstand earlier earthquakes that seem to have plagued Lima, this church is also home to the famed catacombs that draw visitors from all over. It's reported that tens of thousands of burials have taken place here. If you wish to see one of the oldest churches in Lima, this would be the one to visit. There are even writings that date back to the Spanish Conquers. The price of admission also entitles the patrons to around 45 minutes with a knowledgeable tour guide. This church is located at the corner of Lampa and Ancash and is open from 9:30am until 5:30pm daily. Admission: Adult $1.40 USD, Student $.75 USD.

Santo Domingo - History has its place in the heart of this church. The land for the church was granted to Friar Vicente Valverde, which is the same friar who helped Pizarro defeat the ransomed Atahualpa, for the inevitable fall of the Inca Empire. There are many saints buried here and one of the most famous was the first black saint. Many intriguing works give the church additional spice from the past even after its renovation in the 1800's. You can find this church at the corner of Camana and Superunda and is open 9am until 12:30pm and reopens at 3pm until 6pm Monday through Saturday. Sunday it opens at 9am and closes at 1pm. Admission: All visitors $1 USD. Telephone: 427-6793.

Beaches of Lima

La Herradura - This beach is located in Chorrillos and is the considered the "North Shore" of Lima. Swell heights have been known to surpass 25 feet but require some work to get to them. Dangerous currents could be a problem.

Playa Costa Verde - This beach is known to have good tubes of decent size for all surfers to enjoy. The locals usually hit the beaches from January to March but be careful to keep close eyes on your personal belongings as thieves roam the beach in search of easy gains. This beach is centrally located next to the Miraflores district. Dangerous currents could be a problem.

Punta Hermosa - Is another big wave beach and is not for the inexperienced surfer. As always visitors should watch their belongings. Dangerous currents could be a problem.

San Bartolo - This beach is great for beginner surfers as the swells average around 3 to 5 feet. You will still need to watch your belongings as your still near Metro Lima. Dangerous currents could be a problem.

Punta Rocas - This beach hosts many international surfing competitions and competitors could even be some of your local favorites. Swell heights range from 4 to around 10 feet. Dangerous currents could be a problem.

Taxi Services of Lima

Moli Taxi - 479-0030. You will need to negotiate prices before accepting the ride.

Taxi Seguro - 241-9292. You will need to negotiate prices before accepting the ride.

Taxi Movil - 422-6890. You will need to negotiate prices before accepting the ride.

Taxi Real - 470-6263. You will need to negotiate prices before accepting the ride.

Taxi Miraflores - 446-3953. You will need to negotiate prices before accepting the ride.

Taxi Lima - 271-1763. You will need to negotiate prices before accepting the ride.

Taxi Fono - 226-0866. You will need to negotiate prices before accepting the ride.

Lima travel tips:

People who were born in Lima are called “Limenos” (guys) or “Limenas” (girls)
Don’t walk around downtown Lima after 7pm.
Be careful of pickpockets on crowded streets and side walks.
Ask for an authorized taxi service, DO NOT get into any taxi you see on a corner waiting.
Don’t bring all your money, leave what you do not need locked in a safe in the hotel.
Bring a photo copy of your passport; again leave your original in the safe.
Change your money in authorized stores, do not exchange with street changers.
Be careful when you get money from ATM’s, you never know who is watching your withdrawal or pin number.
Do not walk alone if you can buddy with someone you know.
Be careful with strangers who talk to you, they might not be as nice as they seem.

Cities of Peru