Time in Lima, then Guayaquil, Manta

Old Jun 19th, 2016, 08:09 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Time in Lima, then Guayaquil, Manta

We'll be getting off a cruise ship in Lima next February. We have a half day of touring prior to disembarking, then we want to spend 2-3 days in Lima. Thinking Miraflores, or some have suggested Barranco. So, I'd appreciate opinions or recommendations.

And then there's the food. We will be just off a luxury cruise so we will probably not need too many haute gastronomy delights. But I'm reading about how great the food is in Lima, so I'd love recommendations about food.

Sights as well, and do you think two or three days is better?

We will be proceeding on to fly to Guayaquil in Ecuador. I've been told that there's not much to see there (we will have spent the day there on the cruise touring flower growers.) But if it warrants a day or two, please let me know. I can see that there's the Malecon, historic districts, a history park...?

We'll then be either renting a car and driving to Manta, or taking a shuttle bus that seems to operate mostly for ex-pats. We're going to spend about a week in Manta, staying with friends and seeing the sights. Any of your faves there would also be appreciated, although our friends know their way around very well.

Then we will drive back to Guayaquil and stay in an airport hotel the night before our flight back home, which in this case is Tampa.

The reason we're doing it this way, rather than flying to Manta through Quito, is to avoid high altitude. That's also why we're not hanging around Peru to see the highlands--high altitude is out of the equation, and you can't fly into Manta except from Quito. Too bad, but that's just the way it is.

So, any suggestions appreciated. I'm fairly close to booking the flight from Gauyaquil to Tampa, so I have to decide about the Lima stay as well.
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jun 23rd, 2016, 06:43 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3 days in Lima would be better. I prefer Barranco to Miraflores, both are pleasant but Barranco has more of a villagey, bohemian feel to it. Both have great restaurants from cheapies to high end. If you like seafood then Punta Azul in Miraflores is a good bet. A reliable, choice in Barranco is Canta Rana or, for great steak and cocktails try La Cuadra de Salvador.

Miraflores and Barranco are adjacent barrios so you can walk or taxi from one to the other pretty quickly.

Didn't like Guayacil much and see little point in spending anything but the bare minimum of time there. We have stayed in Lima a few times at various places in Barranco and Miraflores and are back there in August and, at mlgb's suggestion, will stay at http://3bhostal.com . There are plenty of other choices in all ranges.
crellston is offline  
Old Jun 23rd, 2016, 07:08 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lima is much more than miraflores and barranco I highly suggest look for another extra options cause you will know those two towns in one day and you will spend time in lima 2 or 3 as you said. Go to LIMA down town, San Isidro, The water Park (its a must) this is located at theDown town. etc.and much more. Good luck
VANCOUVERJASR is offline  
Old Jun 24th, 2016, 11:38 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Central Restaurant is booked months in advance, so make a reservation now for FEB. Its out of this world and will blow away any meal on a cruiseship. On the bargain side, Alfresco is my favorite
FranknSense is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 04:47 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks guys, for all the suggestions. I will look at Barranco as well as Miraflores. And we certainly won't just stay around our hotel, but will do the downtown. Waterpark? Not our thing unless I don't understand what it is.

I'm at the moment considering adding a 4-5 day Amazon river cruise to the mix, so schedule in Lima is not yet set. So much to think about, and I'm still planning our time in Rome and Florence this fall.
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 10:56 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just wanted to let you know that the "water park" mentioned could be the water fountain park in Lima. We visited this park the last time we were in Lima. It was very beautiful at night with water fountains, lights, and music.
traveltalk2 is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 12:44 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We just got back from Lima and Guayaquil (among other destinations.) We had only a 23 hour layover and went on the Lima Gourmet Company day tour which was fabulous... highly recommended (and sets the bar for future food tours.) Our Guayaquil stop was at the end of our trip and instead of venturing forth from our room at the Hotel Continental, we wallowed in Wifi and room service for the afternoon.
amy_torres_sd is offline  
Old Jul 15th, 2016, 10:18 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I prefer Barranco too. There is or worse a really good, basic inexpensive seafood restaurant in Surco (next to Barranco) called El Acquario. $20 easily fed two hungry adults and two hungry children.
dwdvagamundo is offline  
Old Jul 15th, 2016, 10:18 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oops--"is or was".
dwdvagamundo is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 07:48 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for info on the waterpark. Do you suggest hiring private guides for a day, or maybe two days in Lima? We did this in Rio (with friends) and found it very effective. It'll just be the two of us, but I wondered if logistically it would make sense.

Going to look at hotels in Barranco now...
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 08:06 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Any specific recommendations of hotels in Barranco or Miraflores? What price range can I look at for a reasonable level of comfort, A/C, nice neighbourhood, but not luxury. I'm seeing prices all over the places: >$500 a night, but then some in the $100 range.

Like "Tierra Viva Miraflores Larco", which has good reviews on TA. It's kind of between the two districts, ore like Leuro. Looking at Tripadvisor, there seem to be very few mid-range hotels in Barranco. Hostels and B&B's, one very expensive hotel, but nothing much in between.

Thanks for your help. Just getting back to planning this trip, after mulling the Amazon side-trip and deciding to forego, after a Delfin boat was robbed a couple of weeks ago.
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 08:30 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,530
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Important to know the difference between hostAl and hostEl. A hostAl is a small inn or hotel, not a youth hostel with shared rooms.

As far as B&B, that definition may also be all over the place, since many if most hotels, inns and private homes include breakfast. I think the equivalent term for B&B used in Peru compared to the US would be "Guest House".

My go-to is 3B. They have smallish, modern rooms in a great Barranco location. Breakfast made to order and included. Exceptional, English-speaking staff.

Another option in Barranco is Second Home Peru. It's more like what you expect for a B*B, a converted home of the artist Victor Delfin. If you like art, especially modern Picasso-style, you might want to look at that. The location is a bit more out of walking distance, the rooms are all different. There are a variety of room types, some with a coastal view.

For traditional hotels, there probably aren't any in Barranco (that's part of the charm). In Miraflores, I've been looking at the new Ibis in Miraflores for a possible stay. I would also look at Terra Viva and one of the Casa Andina hotels. Haven't stayed at any of them.
mlgb is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 09:06 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Or should we splurge and do something like the Marriott, Hilton or Dazzler? Don't mind a splurge from time to time. Just not a $500 splurge like the Hotel B!
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 09:20 AM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Okay, I found this one in Barranco:

Casa Falleri Hotel Boutique, Av Grau 720

This looks like the kind of place we like. Anybody stayed there?
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 09:40 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I much prefer Barranco to Miraflores, although the Marriott is in a great location opposite Larcomar and does a fantastic Sunday buffet lunch.

I have not stayed in Casa Falleri but know it's location which is ok but could be a bit noisy. That said it does seem to have massive rooms and is about the same price as 3B where we are staying in a few weeks ( at mlgb's suggestion!)

HotelB is a wonderful place and worth popping in for a drink but not for staying at $500 pn!

Mlgb re the Ibis. We had a look back in May as we are Accor members with points to use. A good location, close to the Marriott but way overpriced for an Ibisunless you can get it on sale - if you join their club there is a sale on at the moment.
crellston is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 09:50 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,530
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think that's a new hotel. My main concern would be that Av Grau is the main drag for all traffic going into Lima from the districts to the south, including the main bus routes.

I would not expect the hotel to have A/C, and in February it can be hot and muggy. You would probably have to open the windows, making it even noisier.
mlgb is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 09:55 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,530
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi crellston, I see we had the same thoughts.

I'm starting at 3B for three nights when I arrive. Also thought about Airbnb but didn't want to deal with key pickup at 1 am or later, flight delays, etc.

I may switch to Ibis or Airbnb at the end of my trip. I should probably hold Ibis now and then decide.

Are you off to Bogota yet?
mlgb is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 10:45 AM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Casa Falleri claims to have AC.

We don't mind a bit of bustle. Would like a hotel with at least a bar in it. 3B sounds a bit out of the way to me, although it sounds nice.

The Ibis looks a bit bare bones to me. Not interested in AirBnB.

How about the location of the Tierra Viva Miraflores Larco? Calle Bolivar 176-180.
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 11:09 AM
  #19  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And how about the location of these places:

Radisson Hotel Isidro, Av Las Palmeras 240 (noisy street?)

Radisson Hotel Decapolis Miraflores, Avenida 28 de Julio 151 (beach, but far from district centre?)

We would like to be able to walk to restaurants around the hotel, and feel safe. Interesting neighbourhoods are good!
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2016, 12:36 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would forget about San Isidro. Tierra Viva seems a little in no mans land in Miraflores. Rad Decapolis seems like a pretty good location in between the malecon and Parque Kennedy.

The choice for most come down to Barranco or Miraflores. I prefer the villagey, bohemian feel of the former. It is quite compact and very safe. We spent a month in an apartment there, wandered the streets at night and felt perfectly safe even late at night. The absence of a bar in your accommodation there should be too much of a problem as Barranco has tons of great bars all in a compact area. 3B is actually in a pretty good location. 5 mins walk to the central square. I also has one of my fav. restaurants right opposite. There are lots of great restaurants within walking distance.

Miraflores is much, much larger but has the bigger, more traditional hotels. Anywhere around Larcomar or Parque Kennedy would be my choice. From the Larcomar centre it is only 15 mins walking or 5 in a taxi to Barranco. Again Miraflores has restaurants aplenty. Unless you really like walking I think a taxi may be easier.

Mlgb - in VDL until the weekend then Mongui for a few days then Bogota (staying at the Ibis! Hope it's better than the Ibis in Medellin which was hopeless!
crellston is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -