Lima Travel Guide

Peru's capital, Lima, is a vibrant city whose grandeur may be faded but still lives on. Once the heart of Spain's South American empire, modern Lima is a huge metropolis crammed with culture, and a history that pre-dates the Incas. Halfway along Peru's desert coastline, Lima lies between the Pacific Ocean and the foothills of the Andes. The historic centre, with its Spanish colonial mansions graced by latticed wooden balconies, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.Lima has beautiful churches, museums, pretty seaside suburbs and a few remaining Inca ruins. It is also a gateway to the marvels of Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon jungle. As Peru's economic powerhouse,

Lima is home to around one third of the country's people. Even in the richest districts, signs of poverty are never far away. Shantytowns continue to grow around Lima, while the upper classes have mostly moved to seaside suburbs like Miraflores and San Isidro. With their skyscrapers and international banks, these are now the main business centres, with nearby Barranco a hub for nightlife. ,,,,,