Itineraries — Pacific coast

Lima and the Pacific coast is Peru's coastal region, stretching along the Pacific Ocean for 2,400 km of desert (the Peruvian Atacama, among the world's driest). It's the most populated and most developed region of the country — Lima alone concentrates nearly one-third of the national population (10 of 34 million inhabitants) and constitutes Peru's international gateway (Jorge Chávez airport, modernized in 2025).

The region subdivides into two complementary hubs with distinct personalities. Lima is the modern metropolis and world culinary capital since 2010 — three restaurants in the World's 50 Best top 10 (Central world #1 in 2023, Maido in nikkei cuisine, Kjolle), an exceptional terroir (84 micro-climates out of 117 global). The city was founded by Francisco Pizarro on 18 January 1535 under the name Ciudad de los Reyes (City of Kings), became capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru (1542-1821) then capital of the Republic after independence. Its historic centre (UNESCO 1991) shelters the colonial baroque Plaza Mayor, the 1535 cathedral where Pizarro's remains rest, the San Francisco monastery with its 1546 catacombs and ancient library, the Torre Tagle palace.

Tourist neighborhoods concentrate on the Pacific coast south of the centre. Miraflores (the modern, safe quarter) is the tourist heart: international hotels, restaurants, the lively evening Kennedy Park, the Larcomar shopping centre built on the cliff above the Pacific, the ruins of Huaca Pucllana (pre-Inca pyramid in the city heart). Barranco (just south of Miraflores) is the bohemian and artistic quarter — street art, gourmet restaurants, Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros), MATE (Mario Testino museum), contemporary art galleries. San Isidro (chic residential) groups business and upscale hospitality.

The southern desert coast unfolds Peru's iconic coastal triptych over 450 km south of Lima, accessible by long-distance bus or car. Paracas (250 km from Lima, 4h by bus) is a desert seaside resort framed by the Paracas National Reserve (375,000 hectares of protected coastal desert, sea lions, sea birds, spectacular red beaches) and the Ballestas Islands (2h boat excursion, the 'poor man's Galapagos' where pelicans, Humboldt penguins and sea lions nest). Ica and Huacachina (300 km from Lima) shelter the Huacachina oasis — a natural lagoon surrounded by sand dunes reaching 100 m, Peruvian capital of sandboarding and dune buggies (outing PEN 50-70, iconic experience). Ica is also the capital of pisco, national brandy produced since the 16th century (visit Tacama, Tabernero, Vista Alegre wineries, pisco sour tasting). Nazca (450 km from Lima) is the gateway to the mysterious Nazca Lines (UNESCO 1994) — desert geoglyphs drawn between 500 BC and 500 AD, visible only from the sky in Cessna (30-45 min, USD 80-130/person).