10 Things to Do in Lima, Peru

If you're planning on visiting Lima, Peru, you might be looking for things to do in the city. As Peru has become more attractive to tourists in the last few years, the city of Lima has been working towards becoming more than just an overnight stop on the way to other sites. You might be surprised at just how much there is here to do.

Parque de las Leyendas

Lima's biggest and best known zoo is much more than just a zoo. Built on one of the city's largest archeological zones, the park has museums, a large play and picnic area, botanical gardens, and a recreational lagoon with boat rides. Fun for kids and adults.

Los Pantanos de Villa

Los Pantanos de Villa is an ecological sanctuary that houses a wide variety of plant and animal life indigenous to the area. It features guided nature trail hikes and boat rides, allowing visitors to get up close and personal to the approximately 150 different birds that live in or migrate through the area.

Watch the Changing of the Guard

You're probably going to visit the historic city center anyway, so go before noon and enjoy the pomp and circumstance of the changing of the guard in front of the Presidential palace.

Visit the Catacombs in the San Franciscan Monastery

The monastery itself is fascinating and filled with amazing art and beautiful items of historical value. The catacombs, filled with the remains of tens of thousands of early Limenos, add a fun and creepy twist to this tour.

Tour Lima on the MiraBus

MiraBus is a double decker bus that offers various themed tours of the city. Find their kiosk in the middle of Parque Kennedy in the Miraflores district. A favorite is the nighttime "City Lights" tour, which makes a stop at the Magic Fountains Park, another can't miss attraction. .

Eat Ceviche
A trip to Lima just isn't complete without trying a plate of delicious ceviche. Make a meal of it with some fried jalea mixto - a battered and fried seafood dish that includes fish, shrimp, mussels, calamari and octopus. Wash it down with a pisco sour or an icy glass of Inca Kola.

Shop at the Indian Market

The best place in Lima to buy souvenirs is the Indian Market. You'll find everything from post cards to handwoven alpaca wool garments. The markets on Ave. Petit Thouars in Miraflores are a great place to start, but you'll also have good luck (and often lower prices) at the markets on Av. La Marina in San Miguel.

Visit the Parque de la Amistad in Surco

This is a great park to visit with children, with train rides, pedal boats and ducks to feed. The centerpiece is a nearly 30 meter tall tiled arch done in the Moorish style. The park features a nice sit-down restaurant and plenty of snack bars.

Go Parasailing

Parasail in a tandem flight with a professional parasailor over the beach in Miraflores. The oceanside cliffs cause a fantastic updraft that offers parasailing like no other place.

Enjoy a Night at the Brisas Del Titicaca

Brisas del Titicaca is a restaurant that offers not only delicious Peruvian dishes but also features a fantastic floor show, bringing Peruvian dance and music right to your table. It's a great way to get a taste of the diversity of the country.