Pacific coast

Lima and the Pacific coast is Peru's coastal region, stretching along the Pacific Ocean for 2,400 km bordered by the world's driest desert (the Peruvian Atacama). It's the most populated and most developed region of the country (Lima concentrates 10 of the 34 million Peruvians), international gateway (Jorge Chávez airport), world gastronomic capital and starting point of the southern desert triptych (Paracas-Huacachina-Nazca).

The region subdivides into two distinct hubs. Lima (the capital, 10 million inhabitants, founded by Pizarro in 1535) is the modern metropolis and world culinary capital since 2010 — three restaurants in the World's 50 Best top 10 (Central #1 in 2023, Maido, Kjolle), an exceptional terroir (84 micro-climates out of 117 global), unique nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) cuisine. Tourist neighborhoods concentrate on the Pacific coast: Miraflores (the modern, safe quarter, international hotels, restaurants, Kennedy Park, cliffside Larcomar shopping), Barranco (bohemian, artistic, street art, gourmet restaurants, Bridge of Sighs), San Isidro (chic residential, business). The historic centre (UNESCO 1991) shelters the colonial baroque Plaza de Armas, the 1535 cathedral (Pizarro's tomb), the San Francisco monastery (catacombs), Torre Tagle palace.

The southern desert coast unfolds Peru's iconic coastal triptych over 450 km south of Lima. Paracas (250 km from Lima, 4h by bus) is a desert seaside resort framed by the Paracas National Reserve (sea lions, sea birds, red and black desert beaches) and the Ballestas Islands (the 'poor man's Galapagos', 2h boat excursion, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, sea lions). Ica and Huacachina (300 km from Lima, 4h30 by bus) shelter the Huacachina oasis — a natural lagoon surrounded by 100 m high sand dunes, Peruvian capital of sandboarding and dune buggies (tour PEN 50-70). Ica is also the capital of pisco, national brandy. Nazca (450 km from Lima, 7h by bus) is the gateway to the mysterious Nazca Lines (UNESCO 1994) — desert geoglyphs from 500 BC to 500 AD, visible only from the sky (Cessna flight 30-45 min, USD 80-130/person).