dhoffman14

kja

I haven't stayed in Miraflores, but absolutely loved 3B Barranco and recommend it very highly.

With only 2 days, you'll have to be very selective in a city with as many wonderful things to see and experience as Lima. If you haven't already seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report. The section on Lima starts with post # 67.
Praise for Peru – A report of my solo month in this amazing country

memejs

I stayed in Barranco before my time in Cusco and then came back to Lima and stayed in Miraflores for a night before heading home. I enjoyed both. At the beginning of our trip we spent a night in Barranco and had a nice walk around the sites in that area, plus a meandering walk to Miraflores, which was a great way to experience part of the city. At the end of the trip I was exhausted and so I stuck pretty close to the hotel - sometimes sleeping in and people watching in the park is a better experience than trying to fit in those important historical sites!

crellston

3bBarranco is only a 15 min walk from Miraflores (an excellent choice) . Both barrios are nice. I prefer Barranco for its local village feel, graffiti, bars and restaurants etc. Some details of what to expect in Barranco on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com/2016/05...barranco-lima/ , I think there may also be something in the Peru cpsection on Centro Historico.

You will probably want to spend half a day in Centro Historico seeing the sights, perhaps a little more. It is easily reached by the Metropolitano from Barranco, or by taxi.

Miraflores is also nice but more about the big hotels, walking the Malecon, Parque Damour , Park Kennedy Etc..

mlgb

I think the 3B staff are worth their weight in gold for first-time visitors to Lima. Have spent many mornings in the breakfast room overhearing guests say how much they wish they'd spent more time in Lima. I suspect if they had been in the casino zone or Pizza Street in Lima (Miraflores district) the feeling might not have been the same.

I use the Metropolitano Station "Balta" which is a few blocks from 3B, you can take it to Estacion Central and walk the length of Jiron Carabayo to Plaza San Martin (pop into the Gran Bolivar hotel). Then walk Jiron de la Union to the Plaza Mayor. Or if you're on the right line (they split) there are closer stations at Colmena or Jiron de la Union. 3B usually has Tap Cards for loan, you'll need coins to add fares.

There are now a few Metropolitano buses although I have mostly used the chaotic mini buses since I've learned the routes!

My usual dinner plan was to get a turkey sandwich to go from Monstruous on the walk back from the Metropolitano. I also recommend the yuquitas (if they're freshly fried only!) from the cart that is on your right hand side as you walk toward the station and before crossing the street at the casino.

So much to see in Barranco. Ask the desk for their map of galleries and restaurants. You don't even really need to go into Miraflores. Except maybe to see the cats and have Picarones Mary at Parque Kennedy (great spot on weekends).
Website LimaEasy also is great for research on sights but double check hours, etc. Not everything is 100% updated.