I'll be spending a little more than a week in Lima in December. Looking for your "must do" tips for eating, shopping, sight seeing, day trips, etc. Also, what's the weather like in December. I know it will be the summer there, but it is uncomfortably hot? How are the beaches? Thanks!

The beaches in Lima are not very nice and are quite polluted. Even if you drive away from the city they are not that great. Peru is not known for its beaches.<BR><BR>I would stay in Miraflores (the posh bit) rather than central Lima. Miraflores is good for restaurants and souvenirs. The weather will be nice in December. It won't be too hot but you may just catch the sun just walking around.

Second the tip to stay in Miraflores and the advice on beaches. The water is dirty and COLD (Humboldt Current), so not too attractive <BR><BR>Sights: Around the Plaza de Armas--Catedral, Presidential Palace, San Francisco Monastery (the tour takes you into the crypt), San Domingo Church (with tombs of Santa Rosa and San Padre Porres), Museum of the Inquisition (very interesting, but not sure that they offer tours in English).<BR><BR>Museums: National Archaeological and Gold Museum both have great Inca and PreInca collections. Outstanding collections--the National Archeological is arranged chronologically so that you get a sense of the cultures developing and declining. Rafael Herrera has lots of Mochica pottery.<BR><BR>South of Lima is Pachacamac, which is a large temple complex built around a site that was the "Delphi" of South America in its day. Easy half-day trip from Lima (take a cab but negotiate the fare in advance with the driver, including having him wait to bring you back).<BR><BR>Be very careful in Lima. Peruvians are sweethearts, but many are very poor and your camera, jewelery, etc., will invite a "snatch and run."<BR><BR>Barranco is the nighclub district. It's worth a trip (I stayed there when I visited Lima)--close to the sea--you lots of restaurants and bars and nice old homes. Be extra careful there at night, however.<BR><BR>If you have the flexibility, take a plane to Cuzco. You can easily see all of Lima's key attractions in three or four days. Cuzco is only about an hour from Lima via plane and is one of the most interesting places in the world, even if you don't go to Machu Picchu from there. Cuzco was the Inca capital, and the Spanish capital also before Lima, so there is a great combination of great Inca stonework and colonial buildings. Airfares are very reasonable--get tickets at any travel agency in Lima. <BR><BR>!Que le pase bien el viaje!

Thank you David and John. I'm bummed about the beaches, but still looking forward to the rest of it. Thanks for the help. <BR><BR>Still interested in more opinions about Lima. Anyone?????

Hola Amigo;<BR>Nice to hear that you are planning to visit my dear country and specially here in my city Lima. I work for the Tourist Information Bureau (we have a counter in the International Airport and an office in Miraflores) and I know what it's like to be in a non speaking english country. The best area to stay in Lima is Miraflores, safe and clean you won't have any problem to walk around. Just like a message stated aboved it's wise to leave your value things in the safety box of your accomodation. Just like any city in the world if you visit the proper places at a proper time you won't have any problem at all. Downtown Lima is good to visit by day time specially at noon to see the change of guards in the Goverment Palace, the colonial balconies, The Catacombs, The Holly Inquisition next to the Congress and a long etcetera.<BR>If I have some time left I could show you around as well, without any problem. <BR>Regarding beaches, it's true that any beach close to the any large city must be somehow polluted, that's why most of the limenians (lime&ntilde;os) come to the south of Lima to the large area of beaches even for surfing!.<BR>Close to Lima also and if you want to see more than just the city it's also the Ballestas Islands and the Nazca Lines. 8 Hours By bus aprox.<BR>Don't hesitate to contact me before arriving to Lima. I will be very glad to give you some more tips about safe places to stay according to your nice budget of course and much more.<BR>Looking forward to hear back from all of you!<BR><BR>Cesar Dominguez<BR>ID# 07626628 Peruvian Legal Identification<BR>A Peruvian Youngman Of Honor<BR>[email protected], [email protected]<BR>Lima, Peru

TTT

Museo de Pedro de Osma y la playa de Santa Maria -- bellos!<BR><BR>

Peruvians are very sweet, they kiss each other goodbye before leaving for lunch! When you are departing, they all have tears in their eyes. However why in the world would you want to spend a week plus in Lima! And for heaven's sakes if you are going all the way to Peru, go to Cuzco and Macchu Picchu. Lima, being on the Pacific, is subject to cold water currents. What is the motivation for this trip.

Liz<BR><BR>Going with my boyfriend, staying with his family there. Since our primary purpose is visiting family and friends we may not make it to Cuzco, although you are right, seems a shame to be down there and not go to Macchu Picchu. But it also seems like it is not very close to Lima and would be a VERY big side trip. I'm a guest willing to enjoy whatever we do!!<BR><BR>

Well you will certainly enjoy being with a Peruvian family! As I always tell people going to Peru, AVOID PISCO SOURS unless you want the worst hang over of your life. Also be careful of the coffee served in very small cups but powerful!!!! I think you gotta do the Cuzco and Macchu Picchu thing. Peru is one of the most remote and hardest to get to places on earth. Even if you extend your stay a bit....make it happen...they will understand why you want to see the cultural treasures. Also close your eyes on the road into Lima from the airport, very grim. Lima is just like Los Angeles, the beaches look like Santa Monica and Malibu and the hills look like Palm Springs. Bring some nice gifts for his family, T shirts, baseball caps, American stuff for the kids. Perfume for mama. Keep pushing to get to Macchu Picchu!

Liz<BR><BR>I hardly think Peru is one of the hardest places to get to in the world. Numerous airlines fly directly to Peru from the Americas, Europe and even Asia. What is more Peru has several land boundaries with other countries as well as access by sea. On top of that tour companies like Kuoni specialise in packages to Cuzco and Machu Picchu so anyone with a couple of thousand dollars can visit Peru with remarkably little effort.

ttt

ttt,<BR><BR>what does ttt mean?

TTT means "to the top" which means your moving a post which is at the bottom of the list "to the top" so it will get more attention.

I don't see how one can avoid that. at do you think TTT's problem is with me doing this?

TTT for more about Lima!!!

TTT