Anyone who is exploring Peru should make a stopover in Lima, the capital of the country.
Miraflores seems to be the best place to spend this time. This little oasis of calm and cleanliness is situated near the seaside of this busy and overcrowded city.
In contrast to most other areas of the city, Miraflores is completely safe. There are tourist police on almost every corner.
Miraflores is the best for:
Shopping: Handmade shawls, ponchos, sweaters and other goods knitted from alpaca wool are extremely warm, stylish and very Peruvian. In the local market, you can find improbable things that you won't see anywhere else: a lot of local hand-made crafts, drinks, and candies made from coca, "traditional" cases for mobiles and laptops and "precious" stones as well as huge numbers of things that defy description.
Eating: as in the rest of Peru, the food here is healthy and delicious. Pay attention to the local chocolate; it is something unique and special. You can find it, as well as a selection of cafes and restaurants, in the Larcomar shopping centre
Admiring: the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean are exceptional. If you are a surfer, this place can not be missed.
How to get to Miraflores:
The taxi ride from the Lima airport takes about 30–40 minutes and costs 13–14 EUR. I recommend taking Taxi Green—they have fixed rates and good service.
Where to stay in Miraflores:
Weather in Lima:
It is neither hot nor cold; usually, the temperature does not fall below 14°C (57°F) in winter; nor does it typically rise above 29°C (84°F) in summer. Remember that this is the Southern Hemisphere, so the summer starts in December. The humidity is around 100%, so be prepared.
Advice:
In Miraflores you can safely walk until late; however, in other districts of Lima, it is best to obtain safety information before you go. Even the locals consider some areas in Lima to be extremely dangerous
Where to stay in Miraflores:
If you want to feel quite safe and comfortable, I suggest staying as close as possible to Larcomar. There is a wide range of hotels in the area, so you can easily find something that meets your requirements and budget.
Weather in Lima:It is neither hot nor cold; usually, the temperature does not fall below 14°C (57°F) in winter; nor does it typically rise above 29°C (84°F) in summer. Remember that this is the Southern Hemisphere, so the summer starts in December. The humidity is around 100%, so be prepared.
Advice:
In Miraflores you can safely walk until late; however, in other districts of Lima, it is best to obtain safety information before you go. Even the locals consider some areas in Lima to be extremely dangerous