Excursions of Lima

For a Half Day

Pachacamac: When visitors have had their fill of Lima’s various attractions, they can head south for about 30km (48 miles), to visit Pachacamac, the ‘Machu Picchu’ of the pre-Colombian coastal civilisations. When the Spanish invaded Peru, the ancient city was the hub of culture and trade for the whole of the coast. It was also a place of pilgrimage. Tribesmen came to pay tribute to the god Pachacamac - a wooden statue of the god can be found in the site’s museum.

Pizarro’s men sacked the city, in search of gold, killing priests and looting the temples. The ruins stand in a circle on the summit of the hill, topped by the Temple of the Sun, a large adobe pyramid. Pachacamac is open daily 0900-1700 and admission costs PEN7/USUSD 2 (including the small museum). Buses marked Pachacamac leave from Paseo Colon (Avenida 9 de Diciembre). Alternatively, tours can be arranged through Lima Tours, Calle Belen 1040.

For a Whole Day

Beach towns: One of Lima’s saving graces is its proximity to mile after mile of sandy beaches. The best beaches lie to the south of the city, beyond the ruins of Pachacamac. In summer, they become the sole destination of almost every Limeno who can get away for the weekend. In the winter, visitors will have the beach to themselves. Equally unbeatable is the fresh seafood or ceviche that can be ordered in one of the many ramshackle but surprisingly good restaurants, which stand near the main beach in Punta Hermosa.

The town is the haunt of young Peruvian surfers. For families, the nearby beach in the El Silencio bay is a better bet and boasts several seafood restaurants. Another 20km (12 miles) south is the old fishing village of Pucusana. People come to swim and to watch the local fishermen bringing in the day’s catch.

Buses that go along the South Pan-American Highway go to both Punta Hermosa and then Pucusana, as they are on the same road. These can be caught from Jiron Montevideo and Jiron Ayacucho in central Lima, or on the Pan-American Highway - where it crosses Avenida Angamos Este - or on the Avenida Javier Prado Este - where it crosses the Pan-American Highway.