AROUNDINGS OF LIMA
District of Lurin
Area of clear skies, hills, beaches, agro-ecological parcels, horse farms, archeological sites, and clubs for sports and other open air activities. It is known for its wine bodegas, artisans workshops, and country restaurants.
Pachacamac Archeological Complex
31 km / 19 miles from Lima on the Pan-American Highway South (45 minutes by car). SiteMuseum Telephone: (511) 430-0168. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
It was the most important pre-Inca ceremonial center on the Peruvian coast. The main building material was mud. Around the complex, there are palaces, plazas, and temples (some of them restored), the most important being the Temple of the Sun and the Acllahuasi, both built during the Inca reign (1440 A.D. – 1533 A.D.) and the best preserved parts of the area. You will find a site museum that displays pieces found during the excavation.
District of Cieneguilla
20 km / 12 miles east of Lima on an asphalt highway towards Huarochirí (30 minutes by car).
District located in the LurinRiver valley where you can enjoy its natural beauty. There are areas for camping and country restaurants for a family day.
Caral
184 KM / 115 Miles North of Lima on an asphalt highway towards Trujillo (2 Hourss by car)
The most ancient city in South America. Built between 2600 and 2100 B.C. was one of the first human settles in America
Eastward from Lima on the Carretera Central
Puruchuco Archeological Site
Kilometer marker 4,5. Telephone / fax: (511) 494-2641. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. and holidays – 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Web site: http://museopuruchuco.perucultural.org.pe
The Inca buildings (1440 A.D. – 1533 A.D.) are made of mud and adobe. It is thought to be a palace or a very important regional administrative center. The space is distributed along geometric lines and divided into three sectors, the most interesting being the area of patios and lookouts. During the excavation process, several human corpses were recovered, characterized by being placed in a fetal position and accompanied by everyday objects. You will find an interesting site Museum.
Cajamarquilla Archeological Site
Kilometer Marker 10, take the turnoff on the right hand side of the Rimac River and drive 5 km / 3 miles (lower part of the Jicamarca gorge).
It was built during the sixth and seventh centuries A.D., the period corresponding to the Lima culture. Its 167 hectares of mud buildings are considered the second largest among the pre-Hispanic Andean mud cities (after Chan Chan in La Libertad).
Huachipa Zoological Gardens
Av. Las Torres, Ate-Vitarte. Kilometer marker 11 next to the HuachipaBridge. Telephone: (511) 356-3666, 356-1208, 356-3141. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. including holidays except Christmas Eve. Web site: www.zoohuachipa.com
It shelters more than 2000 animals belonging to about 300 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. The BirdForest with its replicas of Peruvian tropical forests is very impressive as well as the Interactive Farm dedicated to children.
Chosica and Santa Eulalia
Kilometer markers 36-39 (50 minutes by car) in the highlands of Lima.
Area with entertainment centers, clubs, and traditional restaurants. The place is ideal for relaxing in its fresh and sunny climate. It is also the entrance to the central Peruvian highlands.
Beach resorts
Towards the North
You will find the resorts of Santa Rosa (km 43) and Ancon (km 44) known for its very calm waters, has been frequented by the people of Lima since the nineteenth century, and today it is a small city almost integrated to metropolitan Lima. It reached its heights as a beach resort in the 50’s and 60’s. It still maintains elegant buildings and an impressive marina, the Yacht Club.
Towards the South
Starting at kilometer marker 35 on unfold to reach the Pan-American Highway South, a series of beautiful beaches ungold to reach the city of Cañete, 135 km / 84 miles from Lima. The sandy or pebbly beaches whit perfect waves for surfing are: El Silencio (km 41.5), Señoritas (km 42), Peñascal (km 51 - San Bartolo), Pico Alto (km 43), and Punta Rocas (km 45). Many have been turned into residential beach resorts: Pulpos (km 41), Santa María and Embajadores (km 51), and Naplo (km 51). Others offer many services such as hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centers: Punta Hermosa and Punta Negra (km 45), San Bartolo (km 51), and Pucusana (km 57).