7 Reasons Why Lima Should Be Your Next Family Vacation

Lima is more than just a foodie’s city – it has a little bit for everyone in the family. You can visit some of the best restaurants in the world, catch some surf, tour colonial mansions and walk in one of the oldest cities in South America. Here’s why Lima should be the place for your family’s next big adventure.

The culture

Lima is a big cultural melting pot where you’ll find yourself navigating your way through cultures you may never have experienced before. You’ll find influences from the Andes in the food and fashion; you’ll find Peru’s afro-Peruvian roots in the music and food; and the colonial Spanish roots everywhere; and of course there are American and European influences as well. It’s a unique city that offers a look into one of the world’s most diverse cultures.

The food

Lima is has become the gastronomical capital of Latin America, boasting some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world. If you’re a foodie family you’ll have some fun exploring all the different cuisines that Lima has to offer. You’ll find Peruvian food like ceviche, and then there are Peruvian fusion restaurants such as Japanese-Peruvian and Chinese-Peruvian, in addition to modern Peruvian food. There’s so many delicious options that every meal can be an adventure.

The ancient ruins

You don’t just have to go to Cusco to find Peruvian ruins. In and around the Lima area are some of South America’s oldest ruins, pre-dating the Incas. Caral, which is about two hours away from Lima, is one of the first known cities in all of South America, and makes for a great day trip to take the family on. If you don’t want to leave Lima, you don’t have to – go to Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores, where an ancient adobe temple is surrounded by high rises and luxury apartments.

The surfing opportunities

Learning how to surf is on pretty much everyone’s bucket-list, so why not do it while you’re in Lima? Just below Miraflores is one of Lima’s most learner-friendly breaks. You’ll find local surf instructors and plenty of boards and wetsuits to rent. Surfing makes for a great morning or day event while in Lima.

The boardwalk

Lima’s boardwalk has everything so you never have to leave. It has Lima’s most beautiful and famous mall, a skatepark, tennis courts and some of Peru’s best restaurants. The main attraction is renting some bikes and riding along the boardwalk for the sunset.

The entertainment

Lima is Peru’s largest city, so there’s always something to do. You can watch live music in Barranco, go to a traditional Peruvian peña, visit a chocolate museum in Miraflores or go to a water park in the city center. No matter what you want to do, you can find it in Lima.

The architecture and history

Lima was once the home of Spanish royalty in Peru and South America. Today, many of those colonial buildings still stand or have been restored to perfection. You can enjoy a tour of Lima’s historical center where you’ll find towering cathedrals, old churches and the oldest colonial building in Peru.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.