Lima

Lima was founded in 1535 by the Spanish and quickly became one of the most important cities in South America. Today, the vast city contains more than eight million inhabitants and shelters immigrants from all corners of the globe, which has transformed it into a conglomeration of cultures and excellence. In the historic center of the city, which is on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List, you can find wonderful samples of Colonial architecture evident in the Convent of San Francisco, the Covent of Santo Domingo, and the Cathedral, as well as exquisite wood carved balconies. Lima is a city rich with cultural history and traditions which is manifested in a variety of museums such as the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology, and History and the Rafael Larco Herrera Archeological Museum, which conserves valuable Incan, Pre-Incan, and Republican treasures. Located in the heart of the city are some of the great archeological monuments such as Pucllana Huaca and Huallamarca Huaca. You can also explore Pachacama, which is located on the outskirts of Lima, and faces the ocean. Pachacamac was built in the third century A.D. and is one of the most important pre-Incan sanctuaries on the coast. You can also partake in many aquatic sports on the beaches of the coast of Lima.

One of the most amazing aspects about Lima is its fabulous cuisine. Lima contains a diverse array of restaurants and bars where you will be able to taste the most delicious dishes of the Peruvian gastronomy, which are a result of the mixing of African, Asian, European, and Andean cultures and thus cuisines.

Outskirts of Lima

Lima has something for everyone. You can visit the Lomas of Lachay National Reseve which is located just 105 kilometers north of the city. Depending on when you visit you will either see the brown desert mountains or, between July and November, you will witness the mountains transformation to green, lush with vegetation due to the humidly created by the winds that carry fog from the ocean. This natural area is home a large variety of wild flowers as well as to deer, foxes, and uncountable numbers of birds.

A little farther to the north, in the middle of the desert, is the sacred city of Caral. According to recent research, this is the oldest civilization in America, approximately 5,000 years old.

Located 207 Kilometers to the northeast of Lima, are the Churin hot Springs. The people say that the mineral waters of this hot springs have healing powers.

Located slightly above 2,000 meters above sea level, this beautiful inter-Andean valley contains an excellent climate and diverse archeological remains. To the center, you will find the Marcahuasi which is visited by nature, mystic, and esoteric lovers. You can explore among gigantic rock formations in the shape of animals and human figures which give this area a mystic aura.

And to the south, is the province of Cañete where you can participate in adventure sports, mainly in the city of Lunahuaná.

Useful Information

		ALTITUDE -Lowest point: 3 mt asl(above sea level) / 10 ft asl (Ancon). -Highest point: 861 mt asl / 2825 ft asl (Chosica).
		CLIMATE The city of Lima has an arid and semi-warm climate. The average annual maximum temperature is 21,97ºC (71,4ºF) and the minimum is 17ºC (62ºF). The temperature increases in the years when the El Niño phenomenon occurs.
		ACCESS ROUTES By land: Connected by the Pan-American Highway to different cities along the coast of Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. To the west, the Carretera Central is the main highway to different highland and central jungle cities. By air: Regular flights to the major world cities from the JorgeChavezInternationalAirport (located in the Callao Region, approximately 30 minute from Lima).

DIRECTORY:

AIRPORT
Jorge Chávez International Airport
Avenida Faucett, Callao. Telephone: (511) 595-0666 (reports on national and international flights). Attention: 24 hours. Web site: www.lap.com.pe

		CULTURAL CENTERS “Estación de Desamparados” EducativeCulturalCenter: Jiron Ancash 207, Lima. Telephone: (511) 3113900 extension 805. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. NationalSchool of Fine Arts Cultural Center: Jiron Huallaga 402, Lima.Telephone: (511) 427-9442. San Marcos Cultural Center: Avenida Nicolás de Piérola 1222, Parque Universitario, Lima. Telephone: (511) 428-0052. Guided tour of the old mansion (San MarcosCulturalCenter) Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M – 6:00 P.M. Guided tours of other locations on campus: Thurs. and Sat. Upon reservation. SpanishCulturalCenter: Jiron Natalio Sanchez, block 1, Santa Beatriz. Telephone: (511) 330-0412. Schedule: Exposition halls: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. Library: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Video library: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. Web site: www.aeci.org.pe City of Miraflores Cultural Center: Corner of Larco y Diez Canseco, Miraflores. Telephone: (511) 444-0540. CayetanoHerediaUniversity Cultural Center: Avenida Armendáriz 445, Miraflores. Telephone: (511) 446-2684. Ricardo Palma Cultural Center: Av. Larco 770, Miraflores.Telephone: (511) 446-3959. Casa Abierta Cultural Center: Avenida Petit Thouars 5390, Miraflores. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru – PUCP Cultural Center: Camino Real 1075, San Isidro. Tel: (511) 222-6899. Web site: http://cultural.pucp.edu.pe/ Juan Parra del Riego Cultural Center: Pedro de Osma 135, Barranco.Telephone. (511) 477 4506. Japanese-Peruvian Cultural Center: Avenida Gregorio Escobedo 803, Jesus Maria.Telephone: (511) 463-0606.
		MALLS Larcomar Tourist and Entertainment Center: Malecon de la Reserva 610, Miraflores. Telephone: (511) 620-6000 / Fax: (511) 620-6011. Web site: www.larcomar.com Jockey Plaza: Avenida Javier Prado Este 4200, Santiago de Surco. Telephone: (511) 437-4100. Web site: www.jockey-plaza.com.pe Caminos del Inca: Calle Monterrey 170 – Chacarilla, Santiago de Surco. Telephone / fax: (511) 372-7067. El Polo: Avenida El Polo 7401, Santiago de Surco. Telephone: (511) 4359008. Plaza Camacho: Avenida Javier Prado Este 5193, La Molina. Telephone: (511) 4378591. Plaza San Miguel: Avenida La Marina, block 20, San Miguel. Telephone / fax: (511) 566-3569. Web site: www.plazasanmiguel.com.pe Megaplaza Norte: Avenida Alfredo Mendiola 3698, Independencia. Telephone: (511) 613-9500. Web site: www.megaplaza.com.pe
		HEALTH CENTERS Lima -Arzobispo Loayza National Hospital: Avenida Alfonso Ugarte 848, Cercado. Central switchboard: (511) 424-6050. Emergency telephone: 330-0264 and 330-0241. Attention: 24 hours. -Dos de Mayo National Hospital: Parque Historia de la Medicina Peruana, Lima. Tel., Central: (511) 328-1414, 328-0028. Attention: 24 hours. -Jose Casimiro Ulloa Emergency Hospital: Avenida República de Panama 6355, San Antonio, Miraflores. Tel., Central: (511) 445-5096 and 241-2789. Free calls from land line: dial 117. Attention: 24 hours. -Cayetano Heredia National Hospital: Avenida Honorio Delgado, Ingenieria, San Martín de Porres. Telephone: (511) 482-1410 / 482-0402. Attention: 24 hours.
		LOCAL POLICE Tourism Police -Jiron Moore 268, Magdalena del Mar. Telephone: (511) 460-4525. -Pasaje Belen 106, Cercado de Lima. Telephone: (511) 424-2053.
		CRAFT MARKETS -Avenida La Marina, the 6th-8th blocks of Pueblo Libre. -Avenida Petit Thouars, the 48th-52nd blocks of Miraflores.

POSTAL SERVICES
-Pasaje Piura, Correo Central, Cercado de Lima. Telephone: (511) 533-2005.
-Av. Petit Thouars 5201, Miraflores. Telephone: (511) 445-0697 / 445-5378.

LINKS

-Lima City Hall www.munlima.gob.pe
-Convention and Visitors Bureau of Lima. Jorge Basadre 610, San Isidro.
-Regional Government of Lima www.regionlima.gob.pe