The Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas of Lima

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru. Most of the tourists that visit Peru begin their journey here and stop over on the way back home.

Lima was founded in 1535, by Francisco Pizarro, the conquistador who conquered the Incas and stole their gold (a post Imperial view ). He founded the city as the capital for the Viceroyalty of Peru which covered most of South America at that time. After Peru became independent of Spain in 1821, Lima became the Capital of the new Republic.

The population of Lima is estimated at over 7.5 million people (a quarter of nearly 29 million people in Peru). It has many ethnic mixes with immigrants from Europe and Asia mixing with the indigenous people of Peru.

Gateway to Peru

If you want to explore mysterious Machu Picchu, go surfing in Mancora, rafting in Colca Canyon the chances are that you will begin with a flight to Lima.

Many international flights to Peru will land in the evening at Jorge Chavez International Airport (airport code LIM). Unfortunately the airport, which is a safe and clean place, is based in a rough area. You will need to get a taxi to your hotel, and you will be asked by many people if you have a taxi or a hotel, partly to sell you services but also to ensure that you are safe, because you can’t just hop on a bus with all your luggage. 

My tip for any tourists planning to come to Peru via Lima is to book your hotel before you arrive and ask them to arrange for you to be collected from the airport. They will be waiting for you with your name on a sign and so you know that they are taking you where you need to go. Most of the travellers from Europe or North America will stay in the wealthy Miraflores district of Lima. This are is very close to the coast and has many hotels, backpacker hostels, bars and restaurants. It is also a safe place for tourists, providing you do not attract the wrong attention by flashing expensive gadgets or lots of money.

Many tourists stay in the Miraflores District of Lima – take a small tour >> 

Jorge Chavez International Airport:
http://www.lap.com.pe/lap_portal/ingles/index.asp 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorge_Ch%C3%A1vez_International_Airport 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viceroyalty_of_Peru

'El Beso' - The Kiss, sculpture in El Parque del Amor, Miraflores, Lima.

In the Miraflores district of Lima, where many tourists pass through on their journeys there are some nice parks. This is a park that no romantic couple should miss.

It is not too far to walk from the centre of Miraflores, if you walk down Av. Larco and turn right when you come to the Larcomar leisure complex. Just follow the costal path and you will soon see it.

The park overlooks the Pacific Ocean from the cliffs.

The park was opened on Valentine’s Day in 1993.  The sculpture at the centre is called ‘El Beso’ which means The Kisss, designed by the sculptor Victor Delfin. You will find the park a peaceful place to relax and many romantic couples go there to be together away from the busy city and to watch the sunsets over the Pacific.

Couples enjoying the sun and views over the Pacific from El Parque del Amor

The walls of the park are very curvy and covered in colourful mosaics, some of them have poetry about love and names of lovers. I have a special reason to always remember this place… It is where my husband proposed to me!