Lima, Peru was the perfect last stop on the trip, especially since I was headed back to Los Angeles, because it had all the feels of East LA, and all the luxuries of my favorite parts of Los Angeles. Well, that’s not completely true. The Lima beaches are not for those with pretty bathing suits; at least not in November.
Like most places where people say things like, “there isn’t much to do here,” I found plenty of things to keep me busy when I wasn’t enjoying the drinking games at Pariwana Hostel. Per the request of my dear brother, Hustle Ran, here is my list of Lima things to do:
1. Find a free salsa class and master those amazing moves. If you’re like me, you’ll be teaching the class within 10 minutes, catching the eyes of the pros who will want to take you for a spin around the class. Take those moves to Sargento Pimienta: Av. Francisco Bolognesi 757, Barranco, Peru
2. Take a stroll through Old Lima grab a dulce de leche-filled churro, and admire the gorgeous old architecture, especially the 1600+ enormous balconies built in the viceroyalty era.
3. Try the amazing bizarre foods, including Guinea Pig, Baby Goat Sweetbreads, Cow Heart & Brain. La Panchita in Miraflores is AMAZING!
4. The Magic Water Circuit: A little touristy, but well worth the small price. It’s a water show with many colorful fountains of dancing water. They even show Fantasia. The film, not the artist.
5. Pariwana Hostel: If you’re not staying here, which you absolutely should be, stop by and hang out with the cool backpackers and play drinking games, beer pong, free arcade games, and join the ping ping tournament to try to beat Raul, the champ!
6. Take a stroll through Barranco, Lima’s most bohemian and romantic district. Many artists, musicians, and photographers live and work here, and the vibe is certainly noticeable. Look for the love letters written in small spaces on the sidewalk, or amazing graffiti left behind by someone unknown.
7. Huaca Pucllana: Lima isn’t the place to come for a hike through clay pyramids and ancient Incan empires, but in the heart of Miraflores is this amazing structure built many centuries ago for rounds of ancients games, ceremonies and such.
8. Walk around and look important and wait for the people to run to you asking, “can I take a photo with you?” Do it! Smile! Throw up the peace sign. It’s fun.
Lima is a city to chill, reflect, catch up on rest, eat well, laugh loud, then move on. Three days is all you need.
