Lima in Peru
The capital of Peru as well as its largest city, Lima is situated on the country’s east-central coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Considered the industrial and financial center of Peru, the capital city boasts some 7,000 factories and the largest exportation industry in all of South America.
The climate of Lima is a mixture of subtropical and desert but is actually quite moderate with average summer highs of about 80 degrees F and winter temperatures averaging a high of about 66 degrees. Humidity can be pretty high, especially in the mornings when fog is also prevalent. Rainfall is quite low all year round. This means travelers can visit just about any time of year and still enjoy pleasant weather.
The population of the city is about 7.5 million with a total of approximately 8.5 million in the designated Lima metropolitan area. It’s the 16th most populated city in the world and is very ethnically diverse. For example, it is home to the largest Chinese population in Latin American. (Look for Chinese restaurants with a Peruvian twist!)
For most people, Lima is where they’ll land when entering the country by air. The Jorge Chavez International Airport boasts direct flights from many major cities throughout the world. Hotels here are modern and welcoming and vary in price according to amenities and proximity to certain attractions. Casinos are located throughout the city and modern shopping centers are springing up everywhere.
Lima’s architecture is almost as diverse as its population. While visitors will find plenty of colonial Spanish designs in the city center, there are also lots of Baroque and neo-Classical structures, early 20th century Art Nouveau architecture, “brutalist” styles of the 1960s, and sparkling new glass skyscrapers indicative of the 21st century prosperity of the city.
Lima also has a thriving cultural district and its downtown area sits on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Museums are many, including excellent art and natural history museums, and there’s a very active theater scene in this city, featuring plenty of opportunity for visitors to view classic plays, musicals, experimental theater, children’s theater, dance, and more. The city has also become a popular venue for top-name entertainers from the United States including numerous rock groups and pop singers.
Lima is also known for its culinary offerings and was recently dubbed the “Gastronomical Capital of the Americas.” A wide variety of cuisines are offered throughout the city though the most popular are Andean, Spanish, and Asian.
Other leisure activities are popular as well and Lima’s coastal location makes it an ideal destination for beach lovers. The beaches along the Pan-American Highway, for example, are quite popular with both locals and visitors and are undoubtedly crowded on the weekends during the summer months. The best are located in the southern portion of the city and include San Pedro – popular with surfers, Punta Hermosa and Santa Maria – with calmer waters for swimming and for families with little ones, and Naplo and Pucusana, ideal spots for fishing from the beach.
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