Lima

Lima Peru's capital Lima is hectic, busy and ranges from the developing world in the shanty towns of the suburbs and upper class property and business development elsewhere. The city sprawls, the fumes choke and poverty means there is a decent dose of street crime added to the mix. It is not a city that opens it´s arms to embrace a visiter. Lima is partially redeemed by the Plaza de Armas, the main plaza of downtown Lima, and the cathedral of San Fransisco which includes the tomb of Pizarro Fransisco himself and underground catacombs. In addition there are many other fabulous churches in this area which provide a respite from the frenzy of the ...  Read the complete review

Lima is my least favourite city of all those that I have visited abroad. Of course this is relative and it is not all bad. On the plus side there is quite a lot to see and do in Lima and the surrounding area. The center has the usual public buildings and museums and also some interesting architecture eg the old Spanish buildings with their protruding balconies, which are covered in latticework so ladies could look out but not be seen. Further afield suburbs like Miraflores have a more upmarket feel with restaurants and shops (it is a more prosperous area). There is also a gold museum and some interesting ruins on the outskirts. Quite eye-catching is the stark ...  Read the complete review

I have never liked guns. But I found them especially intimidating in Lima, the capital of Peru. In certain areas of Lima if you stop the police has permission to shoot! I find that so absurd! What if you need to stop for some reason? I felt oppressed. Also I was so unlucky as to forget my card in the cash machine. That's because in Peru they will give you your money first, then your receipt and your card at the end. SO be warned. Apart from that Lima is actually quite nice. There are some very nice and informative museums, and inumerous churches. The churches are breathtaking, there is so much gold and nice saint figures. Eating out in Lima can turn ...  Read the complete review

We were not expecting much of the Gold Museum which was included in our tour of Lima but it turned out to be one of the most fascinating we have visited. The rooms at the entrance contained the normal armour and weapons from the Spanish conquest but we went straight to the pre Spanish exhibits in the basement. There was plenty of gold made into ornaments and embroidered onto cloth however the cases contained many other fascinating and sometimes gruesome objects. There were mummified bodies crouching with their knees bound under their chins, pottery jugs fashioned into human and mythical figures and many examples of intricately woven cloth. Another section had ...  Read the complete review