Lima’s Miraflores district on clifftops above the Pacific Ocean

Peru · Travel Guides

Peru Travel Guides

Peru is one of the world’s great food destinations, and Lima is where the feast begins. Explore the capital’s highlights and the flavors you’ll want to taste, from ceviche to pisco sours.

  • Lima culinary capital
  • 2023 world’s best restaurant
  • 3,000+ native potatoes

Hassle-Free Dream Travel!

Google ★★★★★ 5.0 · 601 reviews
Stewart Logan
★★★★★
Mikaila from The Travel Byrds put together a fantastic trip for us to Vancouver. Everything was arranged to fit our preferences including experiences I would never have known how to navigate myself. What a great way to travel, no stress, all fun — because a professional does the hard part for you.
Karen Terry
★★★★★
Amazing family vacation to Italy * can't wait to go back!
Brandie Penrose
★★★★★
We used CeCe as our travel advisor for our European trip, and she was amazing! She was able to work with a very tight deadline, listened to all of the things we asked for, and executed the trip perfectly. It was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend her services for anyone looking to plan a trip!
Loida Martinez
★★★★★
I cannot speak highly enough about my experience with Christina Gaspari and The Travel Byrds! She made sure to ask plenty of questions at the beginning, kept in touch while planning to make sure the things she was going to book for us were what we wanted, and made sure we had all info we might need and more before our trip. The trip itself was incredible thanks to her! Not having to worry about anything and having a full itinerary ready full of amazing experiences and even relax time accounted for was wonderful! She really put in so much work for our trip which was to multiple countries! Thanks Christina! <3
Steven Alsip
★★★★★
We have traveled with Travel Byrds 5 times and we love their service, last trip to Costa Rica was amazing. Our every concern was addressed/ all needs were met. Our agent's advice and expertise are much appreciated and we will not travel again without them!
Stephanie Fitzgerald
★★★★★
Paige planned my week-long trip to Greece. From my very first call with her to discuss my vacation “must-haves”, I was impressed with both her knowledge and her enthusiasm. She listened to my wants, made suggestions based on our discussion and then perfectly planned my trip… from the islands we visited to the hotels to the excursions. As my trip got closer, she brought in another team member to do any final bookings and modifications. It was so reassuring to know that she and her team had everything covered. I worried about NOTHING. I cannot recommend her enough.
Alexa johnson
★★★★★
If I could give Sylvie more than 5 stars, I would! Planning our honeymoon to Paros, Greece and Rome and Florence, Italy felt a little overwhelming at first, but Sylvie made the entire process so easy and stress-free. She truly thought of every single detail, and I honestly couldn’t have dreamed up a better trip or a more perfect way to start our marriage. Every hotel, transfer, flight, and excursion was seamless. On top of that, the travel app she created for us was incredible. It had every piece of information we could possibly need all in one place, so even traveling somewhere completely new felt easy and organized. We never had to wonder what was next or worry about missing anything because she had already thought of it. Not only is Sylvie incredibly organized and knowledgeable, but she genuinely cares about creating an unforgettable experience for her clients. Our honeymoon exceeded every expectation, and we made memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. I cannot recommend Sylvie enough. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, do yourself a favor and let her handle it. It was hands down one of the best decisions we made, and we’re already looking forward to planning our next adventure with her!
Todd Brydges
★★★★★
Our trip to the Rockies and National Parks was the second adventure Sylvie planned for us, and once again she knocked it out of the PARK! 🙂 Her recommendations and family excursions were spot-on and perfectly matched our interests and family dynamic. She handled all the details, taking the stress and anxiety out of the planning process. We highly recommend reaching out to Sylvie for your next trip—she’ll make sure you have an amazing experience.
Stewart Logan
★★★★★
Mikaila from The Travel Byrds put together a fantastic trip for us to Vancouver. Everything was arranged to fit our preferences including experiences I would never have known how to navigate myself. What a great way to travel, no stress, all fun — because a professional does the hard part for you.
Karen Terry
★★★★★
Amazing family vacation to Italy * can't wait to go back!
Brandie Penrose
★★★★★
We used CeCe as our travel advisor for our European trip, and she was amazing! She was able to work with a very tight deadline, listened to all of the things we asked for, and executed the trip perfectly. It was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend her services for anyone looking to plan a trip!
Loida Martinez
★★★★★
I cannot speak highly enough about my experience with Christina Gaspari and The Travel Byrds! She made sure to ask plenty of questions at the beginning, kept in touch while planning to make sure the things she was going to book for us were what we wanted, and made sure we had all info we might need and more before our trip. The trip itself was incredible thanks to her! Not having to worry about anything and having a full itinerary ready full of amazing experiences and even relax time accounted for was wonderful! She really put in so much work for our trip which was to multiple countries! Thanks Christina! <3
Steven Alsip
★★★★★
We have traveled with Travel Byrds 5 times and we love their service, last trip to Costa Rica was amazing. Our every concern was addressed/ all needs were met. Our agent's advice and expertise are much appreciated and we will not travel again without them!
Stephanie Fitzgerald
★★★★★
Paige planned my week-long trip to Greece. From my very first call with her to discuss my vacation “must-haves”, I was impressed with both her knowledge and her enthusiasm. She listened to my wants, made suggestions based on our discussion and then perfectly planned my trip… from the islands we visited to the hotels to the excursions. As my trip got closer, she brought in another team member to do any final bookings and modifications. It was so reassuring to know that she and her team had everything covered. I worried about NOTHING. I cannot recommend her enough.
Alexa johnson
★★★★★
If I could give Sylvie more than 5 stars, I would! Planning our honeymoon to Paros, Greece and Rome and Florence, Italy felt a little overwhelming at first, but Sylvie made the entire process so easy and stress-free. She truly thought of every single detail, and I honestly couldn’t have dreamed up a better trip or a more perfect way to start our marriage. Every hotel, transfer, flight, and excursion was seamless. On top of that, the travel app she created for us was incredible. It had every piece of information we could possibly need all in one place, so even traveling somewhere completely new felt easy and organized. We never had to wonder what was next or worry about missing anything because she had already thought of it. Not only is Sylvie incredibly organized and knowledgeable, but she genuinely cares about creating an unforgettable experience for her clients. Our honeymoon exceeded every expectation, and we made memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. I cannot recommend Sylvie enough. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, do yourself a favor and let her handle it. It was hands down one of the best decisions we made, and we’re already looking forward to planning our next adventure with her!
Todd Brydges
★★★★★
Our trip to the Rockies and National Parks was the second adventure Sylvie planned for us, and once again she knocked it out of the PARK! 🙂 Her recommendations and family excursions were spot-on and perfectly matched our interests and family dynamic. She handled all the details, taking the stress and anxiety out of the planning process. We highly recommend reaching out to Sylvie for your next trip—she’ll make sure you have an amazing experience.

Start in the capital

Lima, Gateway to Peru

Plaza San Martín in central Lima at dusk

A clifftop city by the Pacific

Most journeys begin in Lima, and it deserves more than an overnight stop. Peru’s capital sits on cliffs above the Pacific, with a UNESCO-listed historic center, world-class museums and one of the most exciting food scenes on the planet.

Spend two nights and you’ll understand why so many travelers leave saying Lima was a highlight.

  • UNESCO-listed historic center
  • Clifftop walks in Miraflores
  • Art and nightlife in Barranco

Our favorite experiences

What to Do as You Discover Lima

Walk the Miraflores clifftops

Follow the Malecón above the ocean, past parks and paragliders, for sunset over the Pacific.

Wander bohemian Barranco

Colorful mansions, street art, galleries and the Bridge of Sighs make this Lima’s most charming neighborhood.

Explore the historic center

Visit the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the catacombs of San Francisco Monastery.

Discover the Larco Museum

A superb collection of pre-Columbian gold, ceramics and textiles in an 18th-century mansion with lovely gardens.

See Huaca Pucllana

A great adobe pyramid, older than the Incas, rising in the middle of Miraflores. Book dinner at the restaurant overlooking it.

Tour a local market

Taste exotic fruits and fresh ceviche with a chef at Surquillo market, then cook what you’ve bought.

Learn the art of pisco

Join a tasting to understand Peru’s national grape spirit, and master the perfect pisco sour.

Dine at a world-class table

Lima is home to several of the world’s best restaurants. We’ll secure reservations that can be booked months out.

A culinary superpower

Authentic Peruvian Cuisine

Peru’s cooking blends Andean, Amazonian, Spanish, African, Chinese and Japanese influences, with more than 3,000 native potato varieties to draw on. Tap through to start tasting.

A plate of traditional Peruvian food

Where to begin

Start with ceviche: fresh fish "cooked" in lime juice with chili, red onion and sweet potato. Then try lomo saltado, a stir-fry of beef, tomato and fries that shows off Peru’s Chinese heritage, and causa limeña, layered potato with chili and fillings.

  • Ceviche and tiradito
  • Lomo saltado
  • Ají de gallina and causa limeña
A spread of Andean potatoes, corn and dishes

From the mountains

In the Andes, meals revolve around potatoes, corn, quinoa and slow-cooked meats. Look out for pachamanca, cooked underground on hot stones, alpaca steak and, for the adventurous, cuy (guinea pig), a festive Andean dish.

  • Pachamanca earth-oven feasts
  • Quinoa soups and stews
  • Choclo, the giant Andean corn
Travel Byrds team at a Peruvian cooking class

Learn to cook it

One of our team’s favorite experiences: a market tour and cooking class with a local chef. You’ll learn to balance chilies, make a classic ceviche and shake a proper pisco sour, then sit down to enjoy everything you’ve made.

  • Market tour with a chef
  • Hands-on ceviche and causa
  • A long lunch to finish
Dishes on the table after a Peruvian cooking class

For those with a sweet tooth

Picarones are warm pumpkin-and-sweet-potato doughnuts drizzled with syrup. Suspiro a la limeña is a silky caramel custard topped with meringue, and alfajores sandwich dulce de leche between crumbly cookies. Don’t miss the tropical fruits, from lúcuma to chirimoya.

  • Picarones
  • Suspiro a la limeña
  • Lúcuma ice cream
Travel Byrds team at a long outdoor lunch in the Andes

Traditional beverages

Toast with a pisco sour, made with Peru’s grape brandy, lime, egg white and bitters. Chicha morada is a refreshing purple-corn drink, Inca Kola is the golden national soda, and coca tea helps travelers feel at home at altitude.

  • Pisco sour and chilcano
  • Chicha morada
  • Mate de coca

Reservations worth planning around

Where to Eat in Lima

Lima’s top restaurants book up months in advance. We’ll secure your table, whether you want a multi-course tasting menu or the city’s best ceviche at lunch.

Barranco

Central

Chef Virgilio Martínez’s journey through Peru’s altitudes and ecosystems, named the world’s best restaurant in 2023.

Miraflores

Maido

Mitsuharu Tsumura’s celebrated Nikkei cuisine, blending Japanese technique with Peruvian ingredients.

Barranco

Kjolle

Pía León’s colorful, ingredient-led cooking, in the same building as Central.

Miraflores

Mayta

Jaime Pesaque’s modern Peruvian menu featuring Amazonian and Andean flavors.

Miraflores

La Mar

The cebichería that made ceviche lunches famous, from chef Gastón Acurio.

San Isidro

Astrid y Gastón

The restaurant that sparked Peru’s culinary revolution, set in a beautiful colonial hacienda.

Work with One of Our Travel Experts

The average person takes over 11 hours researching their vacation. Take that time back and let us handle the nitty gritty of reading reviews, asking questions, comparing hotels and more.

Machu Picchu glowing in golden morning light

After a true deep dive into your requests, your travel agent will come back with a variety of suggested hotels, activities, and surprise experiences. You tell us which ones fit you best and we'll work through the logistics!

Cusco’s Plaza de Armas at dusk, framed by a colonial archway

You'll be equipped with an itinerary complete with the details of your trip. If anything happens along the way, you can relax knowing your travel agent will take care of everything!

Reed boats at the Uros floating islands on Lake Titicaca

Begin your journey

Your Dream Peru Getaway

Peru is a treasure trove of ancient history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture. Tell us about the trip you’re dreaming of, and one of our Peru specialists will start designing it with you.

  • A tailor-made itinerary, designed around you
  • Machu Picchu tickets, trains and permits handled
  • Hand-picked hotels with exclusive perks
  • Support before, during and after your trip

Complimentary consultation

Start Planning Your Tailor-Made Trip by Contacting One of Our Peru Specialists

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3Date & time

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