Unique Things to do in Lima – Cheap & Actually Interesting
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After spending a month there this past February, I’ve compiled a list of actually interesting and unique things to do in Lima, Peru. I say actually because as I was reading other articles, I felt like some of the ideas were overhyped or written just for the sake of adding additional list items. However, of course the concept of uniqueness is subjective.
Therefore, I’ve organized the list into categories, so you can decide what is interesting to you:
2️⃣Special Cultural Experiences
While each category offers something a little different, they will all be budget-friendly!
PLUS – Stick (or jump, whatever😞) to the end to find the Ultimate Unique Thing to do in Lima that encompasses all the categories into one!
Before diving in, here’s some general information about Lima:
Where to Stay in Lima, Peru
From what I’ve gathered, the most popular spots to stay as a tourist are Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. All three are safe and filled with other visitors. We stayed in Barranco, took Ubers and walked to Miraflores relatively frequently, and visited San Isidro once. San Isidro was definitely quiet and more upscale. However, since we only went once, I can’t say much about it. That being said, I think the bigger tossup for travelers is between Miraflores and Barranco anyway. Perspective is always relative, but here’s my take:
Miraflores vs Barranco: Which is Better?
For anyone who knows nothing about Lima (no shame, neither did I before going), Miraflores is the most touristy and commercialized spot out of the two. It’s very central and well-located to everything, with many restaurants, hotels, bars, and malls. It was safe and walkable, and we thought there were more developed parks and green spaces in that area. That being said . . .
Why You Should Stay in Barranco Instead of Miraflores
Again, personal take – Barranco is a beautiful place. As opposed to large commercial buildings, the older homes in Barranco have much more charm. Art fills literally every surface area, making the streets so colorful as you wander through.
There are so many trendy coffee shops, sunset viewpoints, and actually, some of the top-rated restaurants are in Barranco too! And don’t be fooled, just because there are museums everywhere doesn’t mean Barranco is boring. We had a few sleepless nights as the nearby clubs blasted “Gasolina” for hours. Therefore, there’s no lack of nightlife either.
Personally, I think it’s more of a unique experience to stay in Barranco, and travel to Miraflores as needed. The location of Barranco is just as close to the beach as Miraflores, and the two are connected by the coast anyway! We walked to Miraflores (a long, but beautiful walk), all the time! Ubers are so cheap in Peru, you can easily get back and forth.
Barranco Bias
With all the information I just provided, you can see I have a bit of a bias towards Barranco. I’m an artist, okay? Of course I loved the colorful, artsy Barranco. Therefore, many of the spots in this list are near that area, as that’s where I spent most of my time. However, there are plenty of cool places in Miraflores too, and I will mention anywhere that stuck out to me!
Alright, moving on!
Unique Things to do in Lima: Outdoor Activities
1. Enjoy the Lima Cliffside
Walking the cliffside in lima is the most budget-friendly and relaxing thing to do in Lima! There’s a specific path for this in Miraflores, called the Malecon, which stretches past the famous Parque del Amor. This park has an area lined with mosaic walls, similar to the iconic “Park Güell” in Barcelona. There’s also a crepe cafe (which are everywhere) overlooking the ocean, which would be a relaxing stop. However, this specific area gets a little crowded.
Walking Between Miraflores & Barranco
Instead of walking along the Malecon specifically, I often walked between Miraflores and Barranco, mostly right by the cliffs! They are doing construction currently (March 2025), so I had to take a minor detour, but it was great exercise and a beautiful walk. You can do so on sea-level or up on the cliffs. I preferred sticking up top as it’s very loud by the highway on sea-level.
Barranco Butterfly Garden
If you’re on the Barranco side of Lima, along the cliffside sits Parque de Mariposas de Barranco. This space is a peaceful area filled with butterflies. I was actually walking along the cliff and noticed them without knowing it was an official spot. When I later saw the sign, I thought it was such a discrete and special thing to have just come across! As you overlook the ocean below, butterflies flutter around the cactus plants and trees. Many people even sit down in between the plants and relax in the grass.
Watch the Surfers at Sunset
In addition to walking along the cliffs, this stretch of land also provides the best sunset views. In Miraflores, many people gathered at the Parque del Armor. On the other hand, in Barranco, you can really wander into any side street pointing towards the ocean. However, the absolute best spot to watch is one my boyfriend was shown on his biking tour (otherwise we probably wouldn’t have found it).
This spot offers unobstructed views of the ocean, where you can watch the sun set from above the cliffs. As the sky changes color, the surfers stop to watch too. It’s a very romantic spot, in which my boyfriend got extra points for bringing me too😉. Here’s a link so you can look for it in google maps:
Mirador Bresciani Barranco: The Ultimate Sunset Spot
2. Take a Bike Tour Through the City
Speaking of the bike tour, this is a unique thing to do in Lima that introduces you to various parts of the city at once. Don’t get it twisted: I personally did not bike through the city because once you experience Lima traffic, you’ll understand. My boyfriend, who has no fear of getting run over, booked an all-day biking tour through the Airbnb Experience tab.
Once he came back, I secretly wished I had gone. Since you can obviously travel faster by bike than foot, he rode all around the city in one day. His guide was a local Peruvian who introduced him to many hidden spots (like the sunset viewpoint) and explained the layout of the city. If you’re staying in Lima for a bit and want to understand the lay of the land, it seemed like a great activity.
You can also do what I did: send your boyfriend on this tour alone so he can come back with helpful information without you having to bike around the entire city😉
3. Relax at El Olivar Park in San Isidro
📍Av. Los Incas, Lima, Lima Region 15073
Another suggestion from the bike tour guide was El Olivar Park in San Isidro, a quick uber drive from Barranco. The park is a narrow greenspace hosting over 1500 olive trees, some of which are over 400 years old! There are also small ponds scattered throughout with bridges, turtles, and many birds.
Who Cares About Olive Trees, Rachel?
Listen, Lima is beautiful . . . but parts of it are loud! The traffic is crazy and for some reason, honking seems to be used more than blinkers. Therefore, this park is an extremely quiet and peaceful oasis. When you’re there, it feels as though you’re no longer in Lima. Like in a movie, we laid down in the grass and watched the clouds float by beneath the olive branches.
Away from all the commotion, the only sounds were birds and children laughing as they searched for fallen olives. It sounded like they were having so much fun that eventually I got up and started to do the same! I’ve never seen olives straight from the tree, so it ended up being an even more unique thing to do in Lima than I thought!
4. Dance With Locals in the Outdoor Squares
A Quick Take on Parque Kennedy
When I mentioned earlier that people put some whacky things on their “unique things to do in Lima,” lists, Parque Kennedy was one of them for me. The park is a large greenspace in Miraflores, filled with cats, vendors, and lots of people! You will inevitably see it listed as a “must-see” in Lima.
Personally, it was too crowded and loud to be a specific destination. It’s surrounded by busy streets and fast-food restaurants. You could pass through for a street snack or to look at some art. However, for me, it wasn’t somewhere to visit on its own.
Dancing in Lima Parks
That being said, the one thing I did love when I passed through the park one day was a group of people dancing! Throughout the month, this was something I noticed all the time in different squares and parks all around Lima. Especially in the main square of Barranco, there was always music playing, along with groups of all ages moving together. Others either watched on nearby benches or joined in at the back.
Even if you don’t join in, watching the rhythm of all South Americans is something that’s stuck with me after leaving each country. Dancing is such a big part of their culture, no matter your gender or age. It’s so nice to see people just having fun, even without alcohol!
5. Paracas and Huacachina: The Ultimate Outdoor Day Trip from Lima
While being on a tight budget for most of the month, my boyfriend and I splurged at the end of our trip and booked this tour: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip. This booking included a trip to the Ballestas Islands and the amazing desert oasis of Huacachina.
As you spend an entire day outside the city, riding a boat and surfing down sand dunes, of course it was the most exhilarating and unique thing to do in Lima out of all other outdoor activities.
The day was so amazing that I dedicated an entire separate article to it, which I’ll attach below!
Unique Things to do in Lima: Special Cultural Experiences
Because I’m always searching for experiences that I can’t also do at home, going out to nightclubs and exploring the Larcomar Mall were not on my to-do list. On the other hand, here are some ideas that truly offer insight into the culture of Peru!
6. Dance with Locals at a Peña
In typical South American fashion, the regular night clubs in Barranco didn’t get busy until well past midnight. Additionally, the drinks were way too expensive for people like us who rarely drink. However, I still love dancing and wanted to find somewhere more authentic, where I didn’t feel like my drink would get spiked.
Peña Don Porfirio
📍Jr. Manuel Segura 115, Barranco, Peru, Lima Region 15063
After some research, I found a local joint called Peña Don Porfirio and booked us a table without really knowing what to expect. Google informed me that a “Peña” was a bar or restaurant that typically plays live “criollo” music. This style is essentially a mixture of Creole and Afro-Peruvian culture.
Once we arrived, I realized Google was entirely correct. We were sat at a table next to a band of drummers, guitarists, and a vocalist who sang all night! Though I was expecting the music, I was not expecting how amazing the locals would be at dancing. I’ve never been so intimidated by elderly people, who all danced to the traditional folk music like professionals.
The owners were extremely friendly (and great dancers!) Because we were the weird gringos sitting down, they not only announced our presence on the microphone, but forced me to get up and dance. For the time I was up dancing, it was so much fun.
The experience as a whole felt like one of the most authentic nights we had in Peru.
7. Visit Pre-Incan Ruins Right in the City Center
Located right in the middle of Miraflores sits Huaca Pucllana, a ruins site where you can observe architecture built between 200-770 AD! It’s no Macchu Picchu, but if you enjoy history or architecture, it was a really unique thing to do in Lima that gave insight into the city’s past.
For only about 5 USD, you’ll wander through the ruins with a guide as he explains the different sections and their purposes. I found it amazing that these ancient people understood things like seismic activity, weather patterns, and building methods. As the Incans are the most famous ancient culture in Peru, it’s a unique experience to also hear about who came before them.
One of the other super interesting parts of this tour was seeing the direct contrast between ancient and modern architecture. From the top of the temple, you have 360-degree views of Miraflores. The commercial buildings tower over the ancient ruins, creating a unique sight for the eyes.
At the end of the tour, there’s also an area with alpacas, guinea pigs, and a garden growing local fruit. Attached to the site is also a restaurant, serving great Pisco Sours according to our guide😉
Notes for Visiting Huaca Pucllana
Because it’s a protected site, you can’t walk through the ruins yourself. However, having a guide is superior anyway because without the explanations, it would be confusing and pointless. The only downside is you have to wait for the English tours to start, but they run frequently. I believe you can buy a guided tour in advance, but you can purchase very easily upon arrival.
8. Local Coffee & Chocolate Tasting at The Best Cafe in Lima
📍Jiron Colina 111, Ciclos Café, Lima 15063
Located in Barranco is one of the best cafes I’ve ever been to (and I’ve visited a lot of them). Divided into two parts, Ciclos Cafe takes up the bottom half of the building. Cacaotal, the chocolate shop, sits above Ciclos on the second floor. Both places have amazing and local products! It’s always a special experience to taste foods grown within the same country as the venue.
Ciclos Cafe
Firstly, Ciclos has the best espresso I’ve ever had! All the coffee is from Peruvian farmers in regions like Cajamarca, Cusco, and Chanchamayo. The staff is really knowledgeable about the processes and origins, which they’ll gladly explain. Everything I tried was strong and flavorful. You can see the roasting machine from behind a glass wall, which my interior-designer-self noted as a nice touch.
Cacaotal
If you ask, the staff will take you upstairs to Cacaotal! There, a large wall displays chocolates from all different regions of Peru. If you’re just visiting on your own like we did, the staff will still explain all the varieties, their origins, and their flavor profiles. If you’d like, they’ll also give recommendations!
After explaining we like strong dark chocolate, the woman suggested we buy two 70% bars from different regions, so we could taste the differences in flavor more precisely. We did as she suggested, and I swear to you, these were the best bars of chocolate I’ve ever tasted!
Without any additives or artificial flavorings, each bar had different notes of fruit and nuttiness. I didn’t know chocolate could taste like that on its own! Of course, this visit me realize how terrible most store-bought chocolate is. The prices were a bit higher but were both understandable and 100% worth it.
Book a Tasting
As I mentioned, you can also book tastings with them! We didn’t have the time (or money) to do so, but I’m sure it’s an amazing experience as you can taste their local espresso, chocolate, and wine. The other limitation was that they require a group of at least four because you’re essentially renting out the upstairs.
INSIDER NOTE: I couldn’t find this information on their website when I’d looked, so I recommend calling them if you’re interested! The staff is very friendly and most of them speak great English!
9. Visit The Church with Thousands of Bones
The real name of this activity is the San Francisco Church and Catacombs (located in Lima’s historic district). This Boroque-style church holds the remains of around 25,000 people buried beneath it. It also has one of the oldest libraries in South America housing huge, Harry Potter-looking books.
Touring the Catacombs
Though you can visit parts of the church upstairs for free, you need to book a tour to see the underground Catacombs. The guided English tours were very cheap! It was a somewhat creepy, unique thing to do in Lima that again provided insight into the city’s history.
The staff doesn’t allow photos inside, but this keeps the mysterious nature of the visit alive anyway. You’re essentially walking through an underground maze, filled with cases of unidentified bones. A little eerie but super interesting!
INSIDER NOTE: There are people trying to sell you tours on the outside of the building, explaining they can get you in immediately, so you don’t have to wait for the next tour. However, they of course charge an up fee for this, and it’s way cheaper to just wait for the group tours that happen every 30-60 minutes.
After the tour, we met a lovely couple right outside the catacombs exit. Both of them were artists, and the man was weaving tapestries depicting indigenous villages in Peru. He was so passionate about his craft and happy to answer our questions, despite our choppy Spanish. If you visit, stop by his stand and watch him work!
10. Take a Salsa & Bachata Class
As soon as you see others dancing in South America, you’ll realize that us North Americans don’t know a thing about rhythm. Therefore, if you want to keep up and embarrass yourself a little less, take a personalized dance class!
There are many studios in Lima, especially in Miraflores where we went. I booked our session with Alberto at the Bachata Studio. You can reach out to him via WhatsApp and choose from a variety of class options.
We booked the two-hour class, which was an hour of salsa and an hour of bachata. He was a great teacher, and it was a lot of fun. Of course, we didn’t walk out as professional dancers, but we learned some basic steps and it was a unique cultural experience, nonetheless.
11. Book a Peruvian Food Tour
As always, trying new foods is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a different culture. If you’re more limited on time, and your budget allows for it, you can squeeze all of the Peruvian specialties into a singular food tour. There are many options, but I think the best tours are the ones that are small, intimate, and interactive.
Here are some suggestions for food tours in Lima that I think capture what we were able to try over a month into one day:
Food Tour Option 1
- A typical tour option for anyone who wants a guided tour around Barranco, tasting the traditional food at local restaurants in a small group:
Lima: The Ultimate Peruvian Gastronomic Tour
Food Tour Option 2
- For an even more interactive and unique thing to do in Lima, this tour takes you to a market where you can buy the ingredients that you’ll be cooking yourself with the guide of an expert chef!
Lima: Peruvian Cooking Class, Market Tour & Exotic Fruits
12. Take a Spanish Class
Another one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a foreign culture is to actually communicate with locals! Throughout our month in Lima, we took Spanish classes at Peruwayna Spanish School in Miraflores. It was a beautiful space, and the staff was extremely nice, catering our classes to both our schedule needs and Spanish abilities. If you’re going to be in Lima for an extended period of time, I absolutely recommend booking classes with them!
If you’re not sure about whether or not taking Spanish classes is worth it, I also wrote an article explaining my thoughts, which I’ll attach below 🙂
Unique Things to do in Lima: Restaurant & Cafe Recs
If you too have an extended time in Lima, you can absolutely try all the Peruvian flavors without a tour. Influenced by both indigenous and modern cooking styles, trying Peruvian cuisine a unique thing to do in Lima in it of itself!
13. Find a Cheap, Local Restaurant for “Comida Criolla”
My first suggestion for experiencing Lima’s foodie culture on your own is finding a traditional “criolla” restaurant. Criolla food is a mixture of different cuisines, but restaurants serving this food will have the unique dishes you’re looking to try. My suggestion would be to stay away from the tourist traps in Miraflores and ask locals where to go!!!
Take a look at the menu and look for the Peruvian specialties, as I’ve listed below!
Must Try Foods / Drinks in Lima:
👉 Ceviche: The star of Peruvian cuisine is ceviche, which is raw fish marinated with lime juice, onions, and chili. It’s also often served with a side of sweet potato. Personally, the texture of raw fish bothers me, so we didn’t eat much of it.
If you do want to try different kinds, you can search for a “cebichería.” Ranging from fancy to casual, these restaurants specialize in ceviche.
NOTE: If you also don’t like the texture of raw fish, some places have “bolo de ceviche,” which is a fried ball of ceviche. Embrace your inner gringo and enjoy a delicious version of ceviche without the weird texture (nobody make fun of me).
👉 Leche de Tigre: The part of typical ceviche I actually did really enjoy! This liquid, which does not have milk, is the spicy marinade leftover from soaking the raw fish. Many places offer it as a drink or shot, which I thought was strange at first. However, it was actually delicious!
👉 Causa: Layers of seasoned mashed potatoes, often filled with avocado or chicken / seafood salad. Ordering this dish at a traditional restaurant was a delightful surprise, as it was unlike anything from home! Some places have all different kinds you can try as well.
👉 Lomo Saltado with Tacu Tacu: One of the more familiar traditional dishes, Lomo saltado is stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes, and fries. The one we tried was also served with Tacu Tacu, a crispy mixture of rice and beans. This dish is delicious too!
👉 Chicha Morada: Made from the Peruvian purple corn and often spiced with ingredients like cloves and cinnamon! This is literally offered everywhere and worth a try because, why not? (Of course, locals say the homemade chicha is best. We were lucky enough to be able to both try and confirm this).
All three of these dishes are in the photos below!
👉 Aji de Gallina: Shredded chicken in a creamy yellow sauce using the Peruvian yellow aji pepper. This is the dish I tried from Isolina! The stew-consistency took a little getting used to at first, but I liked the flavor a lot.
👉 Pisco Sour: Advertised all over the city is Peru’s national cocktail, which is made with Pisco, lime juice, egg white, and bitters. The one I tried was mild, but locals insist you only need a couple Pisco Sours to feel hammered!
14. Try “Chifa” Food: Peruvian-Chinese Fusion
As I was initially walking through Barranco, I was surprised at how many Chinese-looking restaurants there were. Eventually I learned about Chifa food, which is a specific Peruvian-Chinese fusion that’s very popular in Lima! Our Spanish teacher described it as “Chinese dishes with Peruvian Ingredients.”
There are options everywhere, so you won’t be limited on places to try the cuisine. The most popular item to try is Chaufa (fried rice) + whatever meat or veggies you want. I had an insanely large portion of Chaufa, with wonton soup included, for around 6 USD! Who knew ordering fried rice could be its own unique thing to do in Lima?
Note on the Famous Restaurants in Lima
Though our budget didn’t allow for visits to most of these restaurants, maybe yours does. Though I can’t go into detail as I didn’t taste the foods myself, the food scene in Lima shouldn’t be so underappreciated! I had no idea Peru was such a hub for these restaurants! The restaurants I heard the most about were:
👉Isolina (The one we did try!): Serving huge portions of traditional Peruvian comfort food! I enjoyed our dishes, and the prices were reasonable compared to the other restaurants. The atmosphere is also pretty casual, and we just walked in for lunch one day, so I think it’s more accessible than the other two as well.
👉Central: Also in the heart of Barranco and ranked #1 in the world in 2023 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants! Exploring ingredients of different altitudes, Chef Virgilio Martínez is kind of a Peruvian legend. The tasting menus are a couple hundred dollars, but I’m sure the dishes are amazing. One day, when I’m no longer drinking regular milk simply because I can’t afford oat milk upcharges, I’ll return to try it.
👉Maido: Recommended to us by locals as well, Maido is a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant, showcasing dishes like the “50-hour short rib” and “ceviche nigiri.
Can’t Afford to Eat at Central? Watch a YouTube Documentary Instead!
If you’re interested in Peruvian cuisine, or Chef Virgilio Martinez from Central, I highly recommend the documentary, “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted – Peru’s Sacred Valley.” As a Gordan Ramsey fan, I stumbled upon this episode on Youtube one day, and it blew me away!
Gordon basically does a cook-off with Chef Martinez after exploring the Andes. Through the mountains, he meets with indigenous farmers, trying their unique ingredients and learning their ancient cooking methods. If you’re also a self-proclaimed foodie, you will equally appreciate this episode as it shows the roots behind modern Peruvian cuisine.
The video is a little blurry as I don’t think it’s supposed to be on YouTube, but if you have access to National Geographic, you can access the actual episode.
15. Cafe-Hop Around Barranco
In addition to Lima’s food scene, there are so many amazing coffee shops that serve Peruvian coffee. Unlike in the states, where the coffee is almost never from local farm, being able to try espresso from all around Peru was a unique thing to do in Lima in it of itself. As I mentioned, because I was living in Barranco, my cafe recommendations are centered around there (sorry Miraflores):
👉Ciclos Cafe: So good, I had to mention it again just because
👉Casa Lola: A spacious, great place for working as there’s an upstairs mezzanine with a large table. The food is delicious, and I tried an oat-milk flat white which was also great.
👉La Panetteria Barranco: The absolute best place to buy fresh sourdough! Because of the spacious interior, we worked here almost every day. The staff is very kind and there are two locations across the street from one another if they’re busy!
👉Demo: (Right across the street from Casa Lola on Barranco’s main cafe strip) Demo had my favorite indoor space because they have large windows that they leave open, letting the fresh air in. I loved sitting next to the window because it felt like I was working outside. Also, their monkey bread is amazing!
16. Taste Gelato that Gives Italy a Run for its Money (+Dairy-Free Options!)
📍28 De Julio 202, Lima, Gobierno Regional De Lima 15063
Obviously, ice cream and gelato aren’t necessarily unique experiences by themselves . . . usually!
Blu Gelateria, located right in the heart of Barranco, is an amazing gelato spot that serves some of the best gelato we’ve ever had. I love trying interesting and new flavors, and Blu offers many kinds that showcase local ingredients and exotic fruits of Peru!
One of their flavors is Lúcuma, a fruit native to Peru! Some say it tastes like butterscotch or maple; I thought it tasted a little like mango. Peruvians often use Lúcuma in ice cream, and because you likely won’t find it anywhere else, it’s a very unique flavor to try! My boyfriend also became obsessed with their chocolate flavor with cacao nibs.
The Best Sorbet of All Time
I was trying not to eat dairy at the time, so I actually only tried their (dairy-free) sorbet, which tasted just like regular gelato. As opposed to being that icy texture sorbet often has, it was creamy and soft. For once, I didn’t feel like I was missing out by not eating the dairy.
The staff is super friendly, allowing you to try as many flavors as you want before buying! Because Blu was around the corner from our apartment, we started ordering pints and bringing them home with us!
Unique Things to do in Lima: For Art Lovers
Lima itself, but especially Barranco, is really an art-lover’s dream. There are so many art-related, unique things to do in Lima that really inspired me as an artist. Like before, these are all centered in Barranco, but if you like art, you should absolutely spend more of your time here anyway! 😉
17. Observe Colorful Murals by the Ocean
The most obvious (and free) way to experience art in Barranco is just by walking around! There are literally murals on every wall, so you can’t miss them. Even buildings without painted murals are colorful, creating beautiful alleyways to wander through. In addition to the facades of buildings, there’s also art on all other surfaces along this walk, from staircases to plant pots.
Bajada de Baños
The main alleyway to see these murals is Bajada de Baños. In the heart of Barranco’s bohemian district, this street was once utilized by fishermen in the 19th century. Surrounded by restaurants and views of the ocean, it’s a romantic and vibrant atmosphere.
Learn More Through a Guided Mural Tour
If you’re even more interested in learning the history of each painting, you can also book a cheap walking mural tour, such as this one below. The tour includes a deeper description of the murals on Bajada de Baños, as well as a trip to the infamous Bridge of Sighs. It has 5 stars with over 2,000 reviews, so I believe it’s worth checking out! This activity is a unique thing to do in Lima that allows you to learn more about Barranco’s history!
Many of the famous murals you’ll see were done by Jade Riviera, which brings me to my next point . . .
18. Explore Barranco’s Museums & Galleries
Along this walk by the water, both on top of the cliff and down by Bajada de Baños, there are museums and galleries scattered throughout. Many of these shops are small art spaces featuring local artists, and you can pop in and out of as many as you want!
Visit the Jade Riviera Museum
Along with the smaller galleries, the Jade Riviera Museum is close by and definitely worth a visit if you love art (or even if you don’t!) Jade Riviera is a very famous Peruvian artist, known specifically for his murals scattered all throughout the world.
The variation in his artistic abilities was what stuck out the most to me. He began working with graffiti to create street art, and his artistic style evolved into both surrealism and realism! (If you’re an artist, you know these are completely different worlds, and therefore, difficult to master both!)
PRO TIP: Visit the museum before walking around the city more so you can pick out his work! You’ll recognize his style, but he also signs his signature on all of his murals. For example, once I visited the museum, I appreciated this mural by the Bridge of Sighs much more!
Visit Dédalo (Right Next to Jade Riviera Museum!)
Right next door to the Jade Riviera Museum is another unique place in Lima to find Peruvian artisan goods! Dédalo has many rooms, filled with everything from furniture to puzzles, jewelry to other home decor. Even without the intent to buy, walking around is still a fun activity, especially if you love art. There’s also a cafe in the back!
Artesanías Las Pallas for Traditional Souvenirs and Gifts
Recommended to me by our Airbnb host, Artesanias Las Pallas is an quirky, somewhat hidden shop in Barranco. You may initially be confused, as the owner, Mari Solari, is actually from the UK! However, if you ask her about her story, she’ll tell you all about her life, spending years exploring traditional Peruvian folk art in the Amazon rainforest!
Mari is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about each piece in her shop, which is filled with all types of artisanal items. If you’re looking for authentic souvenirs or gifts, or just want to ask questions about folk art, it’s worth a stop!
NOTE: As each item has its own back story, Mari likes to walk around with you as you browse and explain each item. If this is something that bothers you, maybe skip this place. I didn’t mind, as I knew she merely wanted to describe the significance of the piece, and I wanted to learn anyway!
Unique Things to do in Lima: The Ultimate Experience at Museo Larco
19. Museum & Dinner at Museo Larco
📍Avenida Simon Bolivar 1515, Lima, Lima Department
As promised, I left the best experience for last. The ultimate unique thing to do in Lima is visiting the exhibits Museo Larco: a perfect combination of art, history, culture, the most romantic setting, and delicious food. This date was how we personally spent our last night in Lima and here’s why you should too . . .
How to Visit Museo Larco
Located a bit further from the busy downtown areas, you may have to Uber to Museo Larco (but these are cheap). I would make a reservation for dinner, but you can buy tickets for the museum when you get there. It’s very easy to make reservations on their website, and my recommendation is to plan the night around sunset! Depending on what kind of “museum-goer” you are, allocate time for that before so you can eat dinner as the sun sets!
PRO TIP: Like most museums in Peru, there’s a student discount that gets you half off! If you still look the part . . . just pull up a picture of that “student ID” to bring your ticket down by half 😉
Wander Through Ancient Andean Cultures
The museum showcases tons of ancient artifacts from the Pre-Columbian civilizations of Peru (most notably the Incans). The exhibits feature items like Incan jewelry and textiles, gold and silver artifacts, and an entire room dedicated to Moche ceramics!
“Erotic” Art Gallery
The final gallery, perfect for setting the scene for the romantic dinner you’re about to have, is the museum’s Erotic gallery. This space is filled with sexually suggesting ceramics! Despite being a little peculiar, the exhibit portrays the interesting perspective than the Ancient Peruvians had on sex and fertility. It is actually fascinating if you take the time to read the descriptions!
Otherwise, you can enter “middle-school-boy-mode” and simply laugh. Either way, the visit makes for a unique thing to do in Lima that you really won’t find at most other art museums.
The most PG photo I had from the visit . . .
Dinner at Museo Larco Cafe & Restaurant
In addition to the museum, the Museo-Larco Cafe & Restaurant sits above a courtyard across from the exhibits. Covered in vines, vibrant flowers and cacti, this indoor-outdoor restaurant looks like it’s from a movie. The fairy lights create the most romantic atmosphere as the sun sets behind the building, and the design of the interior is just as beautiful. Filled with comfy couches, rugs, and plants, the designers somehow made a living-room aesthetic still feel fancy and upscale.
The Menu
The menu features a variety of nice options, using mostly Peruvian flavors with influence from international cuisines as well. The prices are higher than your average criolla restaurant, but seriously, by U.S. standards, they’re super low for this caliber of restaurant! For your reference, we paid about 70$ for a glass of wine, an appetizer and two entrees, all with meat and seafood, and a dessert.
If you want any specific recommendations, we ordered a sea scallop appetizer, topped with some type of sweet garlic sauce. For dinner, my boyfriend ordered the “Pepper Loin” and I had the “Brown Tuna,” which was cooked perfectly and served with a delicious sweet potato puree.
The real winner, however, was the crème brûlée we had for dessert. Mind you, crème brûlée is my favorite dessert, so I’m picky about them. Set to the perfect consistency and mixed with hints of orange zest and mint, this crème brûlée was one of the best I’ve ever had!
In terms of setting, quality of food, and price, this was the best dinner we had the whole trip. Of course, we didn’t try some of the super upscale choices I mentioned, but if you’re on a budget yet still looking for a nicer dinner, this is an amazing option. Combined with the sex-crazy Peruvian pots, Museo Larco made for the perfectly romantic final night in Lima.
That’s a Wrap!
Unique Things to do in Lima – Cheap & Actually Interesting
That list wraps up my suggestions for unique things to do in Lima! With the Larco Museum being the most expensive day we had, the rest of Peru was extremely budget friendly. Hopefully you now have some special ideas for both indoor and outdoor activities, as well as foods to try! As you can see, Lima has activities for all types of people and is a great place to explore the cultural center of Peru!
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