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!
Start in the capital
Lima, Gateway to Peru

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.

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

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

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

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

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.
Central
Chef Virgilio Martínez’s journey through Peru’s altitudes and ecosystems, named the world’s best restaurant in 2023.
Maido
Mitsuharu Tsumura’s celebrated Nikkei cuisine, blending Japanese technique with Peruvian ingredients.
Kjolle
Pía León’s colorful, ingredient-led cooking, in the same building as Central.
Mayta
Jaime Pesaque’s modern Peruvian menu featuring Amazonian and Andean flavors.
La Mar
The cebichería that made ceviche lunches famous, from chef Gastón Acurio.
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.
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!
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!
Your Peru journey
Keep exploring Peru
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
Free Consultation
- 30 minutes
- Web conferencing details provided upon confirmation
We're excited to chat about your upcoming getaway! During our conversation, we’ll cover your trip goals, budget, and any constraints, as well as any special experiences you’d like to include.
Afterward, we’ll dive into research to find the most memorable options for your trip. We can’t wait to start planning your next adventure!
What happens next
- We review your detailsOur team looks over the details you’ve shared before your consultation.
- Your 30-minute consultationWe’ll get to know you and your trip: your goals, budget, and any constraints, as well as any special experiences you’d like to include.
Complimentary consultation
Start Planning Your Tailor-Made Trip by Contacting One of Our Peru Specialists
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