Entertainment Overview

Lima may not be the city that doesn't sleep, but it certainly can't be getting enough rest. Limeños love to go out on the town, as you'll notice on any Friday or Saturday night. Early in the evening they are clustered around movie theaters and concert halls, while late at night they are piling into taxis headed to the bars and clubs of Miraflores and Barranco. For more details on the city's cultural offerings, check newsstands on Friday for the English-language Lima Herald. Ask at your hotel for a free copy of Peru Guide, an English-language monthly full of information on bars and clubs as well as galleries and performances. For the latest hot spots, peruse the Spanish-language El Comercio.

The most popular weekend destinations are peñas, bars that offer música criolla, a breathless combination of Peruvian, African, and other influences. The music is accompanied by flashily costumed dancers whipping themselves into a frenzy. Depending on the venue, these shows can be exhilarating or just plain exhausting. Ask locals to recommend one not geared to tourists. Most peñas start the show at 10:30 or 11 and continue until the wee hours of the morning.

There are plenty of other options. A handful of establishments offer live music that might include rock, reggae, or regional favorites. These clubs, which run from claustrophobic to cavernous, are popular with a surprisingly broad segment of the population.