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Peru• Travel Tips• What to do• World travel

Best Museums to Visit While in lockdown

Coronovirus pandemic is definitely affecting our lives, but there are still tons of activities you can do virtually, such as visiting museums. This activity is particularly fun and can help you fulfil your desire of being in another place (even if it’s a virtual visit), but this is the time to adjust to the situation and find things to do that can help us cope with this unique and peculiar moment of our history. Also, if you were planning a visit to Peru in this list we also included some of the best Peruvian museums so that you can have a little taste of what you will experience during your future trip to Peru. We know it is going to be soon! ? 

So here a list of museums and art collections that we compile for your use. We got to help each other to overcome these difficult times. We chose to list them in alphabetical order, there is no order of importance or preference here! ?

  • Art Institute, Chicago, US: https://www.artic.edu/collection. The museum has a wide collection with art pieces from different ages. Apart from the collection you can also find other interesting writing and reading resources on their website.
  • Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy: https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks Here you can find a collection of Renaissance, and you can enjoy paintings by Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto among others…let’s say the greatest Italian painters of all times. There is also a sculpture section with Greek and Roman arts pieces.
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, US: https://www.metmuseum.org/ The MET has three locations, all temporary closed and here you can enjoy 5000 years of art in one place.
  • Museé du Louvre, Paris, France: https://www.louvre.fr/ On the website of the most famous and largest museum in the world you can take several virtual tours and learn about specific artwork of your interest. 
  • Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain: https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection Here you can enjoy works from Titian, El Greco, Goya, Ruben, van Dyck among others. The collection is quite monumental and you can choose to navigate it by artist or by theme such as saints, social realism, portrait, trades and professions.
  • Museo de Sitio Pachacamac, Lima, Perú: https://visitavirtual.cultura.pe/recorridos/MSPAC/museo-sitio-pachacamac/index.html this museum is located at 32 km south of Lima and it is one of the largest archeological complex in the country. Pachacamac was a sacred site named after the Goda Pacha Kamaq. In the museum you can enjoy several artworks, pottery and textiles from several cultures, among them Wari and Chimu.
  • Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, Italy: https://pinacotecabrera.org/en/collezioni/filter-collection/ On the Pinacoteca’s website you can find the collection divided by historic phases, from 4000 B.C. to 2000. Every painting is in hype definition, so that you can enjoy them at the most, especially if you are an art expert.
  • Tate Gallery, London, England: https://www.tate.org.uk/art On their website you can find the British collection from 1500 to contemporary art, and learn about artists and the meaning of their works. There are also interesting resources for creative people and creative activities for kids. It is definitely worth a virtual visit!
  • Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en Here you can find information on the famous painter, tips and interesting resources for creative people and also activities to make with kids during this lockdown time. 

So no excuses then, let’s take this opportunity we have to stay home to do something productive, and learn about artists and their artwork. 

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On 13 abril, 2020 • By
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Machu Picchu• Peru Destinations• Travel Tips• What to do• World travel

Top 5 Movies to watch before your Peru Trip

Do you prefer to gather information on your next destination? Do you buy travel guides before your trip? Do you love watching documentary and learn more about your next travel destination? This article is for you then! We tried to make a list of movies and documentaries featuring Peru, where you can appreciate Peruvian landscapes and cultural idiosyncrasy before your trip here.


Peru: Hidden Treasure: that’s a documentary now available on Netflix, it was released on 2017 and it has been directed and written by Luis Ara. This documentary focused on Peruvian secretes from the culture of the ancestors to the contemporary days, showing beautiful landscapes from several regions of the country, tourist sites and places which are still unknown. Watching this documentary movie, you will get a sense of Peruvian culture, from the culinary to the artistic and historical sides of it. You will discover our delicious and unique food, the best archeological sites, our icons and stunning landscapes, from the desert of the Paracas area to the charming Amazon jungle and of course the Andes mountains chain.
Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Py_6_TwDI

The Motorcycle Diaries: this is a movie released on 2004, directed by Walter Salles, with the famous actor Gael García Bernal. The script is mainly based on “Che” Guevara’s trip diary. The movie relates the introspective journey which brought Ernesto “Che” Guevara, a medical student, and Alberto Granado, a biochemist, to discover the real side of Latin American continent. They also visit Peru during the road trip and Machu Picchu. This is an extremely important moment in Guevara’s life, considering that he starts reflecting on how an indigenous civilization that built something so unique and marvelous as Machu Picchu could be destroyed by the modern civilization. In this movie you can enjoy some truly amazing Peruvian landscapes.
Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWBsQArUkQY

Anaconda: If you are into adventure and you are planning a few days in the Amazon rainforest you got to watch this movie, which was a quite box-office success. The movie, directed by the Peruvian director Luis Llosa, was released in 1997. It is set in the Amazon jungle where a National Geographic crew is taken hostage by an insane hunter. In the movie you can enjoy beautiful landscapes and views of the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon rainforest, especially during their boat trips.
Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkX5t5ZJLEk

When two worlds collide: This is a documentary on the constant clash between indigenous communities living in the Amazon region and Peruvian Government on the use of Amazon resources. It focuses on the Bagua massacre which took place in 2009 in that area reporting both points of views: indigenous communities and Peruvian ministers and other authorities. The documentary movie has been released in 2016 and it has been directed by Heidi Brandenburg and Mathew Orzel.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe9ZybqKOLg

Daughter of the Lake: this movie, directed by Ernesto Cabellos and released in 2015, also addresses the issue of the conflict between indigenous communities and corporations who wants to use local resources. It tells the story of a Peruvian woman who communicates with the spirits of the lake that provides water to her village. But a mining corporation discovered a treasure of a big value beneath the water of the lake and they are planning, with the government’s support, to drying out the lake.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54D1TxLpi4M

As you can see Peru, its culture, its history and traditions, its beautiful landscapes have been a source of inspiration for directors, among others. 

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On 30 marzo, 2020 • By
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Sin categoría• Travel Tips• What to do• World travel

Top Things to do during the Coronavirus Quarantine

Most of all is experiencing a quite long period of quarantine and social distance due to the Coronavirus outbreak which is affecting the entire globe. As you might imagine travel industry is strongly affected by the current situation, people are scared to travel and many countries are shut down, which menas you cannot get in or out of the country. So international and domestic flights, trains, fluvial transportation are completely paralyzed. Many countries, including Peru, have adopted restrictive measures to face the coronavirus situation; basically, people must remain home, work from home, keep social distances and avoid going out for leisure activities, shopping, clubbing, going to the gym, etc. You can definitely go out for groceries, remedies and other basic needs you should have, but still could be a stressful moment for many people.


The New York Times

Below a constantly updated map of COVID-19 cases worldwide
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Considering the situation, we felt it could have been useful to write down a list of things you can do at home to make your quarantine better and funnier.

  • Plan a Trip: this is a very nice thing to do which can help you healing the frustration to be forced to stay home. Pick a country, obviously you should pick Peru ? , see the main destinations and consider your specific travel interests. Make up with a tentative itinerary and start looking for flights! Booking a flight is the first step, one you get that you’re nearly set. Your mind will feel better knowing that once all of this will be ended you have a beautiful trip planned.

  • Spend time with your family: if you get to spend the quarantine with your family, try to use this time to make things with them that you never had the time to do. Yes, I know it could be tricky to stay home so many days with the family, but still try to have some quality time with them: play cards, play board games, read a book to your kids, make up creative activities for your kids, etc.

  • Cook: we are fun of cooking activities, so why not? Pick a receipt that you have always tried to make and you never did, make sure you have the necessary ingredients at home or do some online grocery shopping. Cooking is a very relaxing activity and could help you overcome this stressful moment. If you have kids you can try to cook them…yes it could get a bit messy, but it is worth a try.

  • Read a book: read that classic novel that you have always wanted to read, or that saga or trilogy that you never had the constancy and courage to read or that book that you started several times and you never end. You have plenty of time now! Reading is also a very relaxing activity that could make your mind flying away from the current situation we are experiencing.

  • Watch a TV series: Netflix, Amazon prime offers several TV series, there are also other streaming services you can check. A useful tip: select the one with more seasons, you will have time to finish them. Warning: the majority of these TV series are addictive!

  • Fix stuff at home, but not only: take the opportunity to fic that kitchen cabinet that has been broken since 2010 ? …fix stuff at home that you have never had time to do. This is the time to fix relationships as well, make that call that you have always tought about but you never had the courage to do. That’s time!
  • Upgrade your hi-tech skills: that’s the time to start using facetime, whatsapp calls, skype, zoom or other tech tools to be able to talk to your friends, share the latest updates, photos, videos, and keep in touch with a videocall to feel less lonely during this period.

  • Help people in need: if you are able to do so, this is the right time to do it. You have elderly people living in your building? Help them doing the grocery shopping online, make a donation if you can to hospitals in need, etc.

We hope these tips and suggestions will be useful to make your “stay at home” moment more pleasant and entertaining.

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On 19 marzo, 2020 • By
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Cusco• Machu Picchu• Peru• Peru Destinations• Sacred Valley• Travel Tips

Mara Salt Mines: All you need to know before going there

Mara Salt Mines, known in Spanish language as “Las Salineras de Maras” are one of Peruvian’s main attractions for tourists going to the Sacred Valley. If you decide to head to the Sacred Valley on your way to Machu Picchu or on your way back to Cusco, you usually visit Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras and Moray which are in the touristic circuit. You should definitely pay a visit to the famous Maras salt mines, located in the Urubamba province, approximately an hour and half from the popular city of Cusco. The salt mines have been fully operational from the pre-Incan times, it’s believed that they were constructed by the Wari civilization. Actually, we should call them salt pans since mines is not a proper word to describe them. They are thousands of pans filled with salt water which evaporates and leaves the crystallized salt in beautiful shapes. The members of the community in the area carefully scrape the salt crystals from the surface. Once all the crystals are scraped, the pans is once again filled with salt water. There are approximately 6000 pans in the area and they are managed by local families. 

As for June 15, 2019 Peruvian MaraSal S.A., which owns the salt mines, has issued a letter to tour operators and Peruvian tourism authorities, about the access restrictions for tourists, that can no longer reach the salty water pools for preservation and health reasons. Contaminants, such as disposable plastic, paper, hair, cigarette stubs have been found in the ponds due to the increasing number of visitors and this could be extremely dangerous since the salt from the mines is consumed and sold in Peru and abroad. So if you are planning to visit this charming site, your tour will end at the viewpoint where you can take beautiful pictures of the mines but you can no longer have a walk through the salty pools. 

Apart from the restrictions we can ensure that the visit is one of a kind, you will enjoy a charming scenery, you can stll see the salt ponds from the top and a have the opportunity to take stunning pictures. Before leaving, pay a visit to the souvenir shops where you can by Maras salt and bring it back home as souvenir, perhaps for your foodie friends. This salt is great for cooking, but it also has medical properties, it contains zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium and it is great to treat skin conditions and swelling.  

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On 15 noviembre, 2019 • By
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Cusco• Machu Picchu• Peru• Peru Destinations• Travel Tips

Machu Picchu for Disabled People

Reaching Machu Picchu is not so challenging as it was in the past for disabled people, and this is something important and essential in the XXI century. Machu Picchu has been considered one of the less accessible place in the world for years. We all know that visiting this special archeological site is once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers and now this wonderful place is finally accessibile to people with reduced mobility. So if you are a person with motor disability you can now enjoy Machu Picchu like anyone else.

As for the beginning of 2018 most of the spots in the ancient ciutadel were accessibile to people with disabilities, obviously not all the areas are accessibile, due to Machu Picchu’s geography and mountainous nature. However, you will be able to visit the site, to feel Machu Picchu special Energy,  to take great pictures and to enjoy stunning views of this world’s wonder. 

But let’s start from the beginning. To reach Macchu Picchu you have to do several stopsalong the way. First of all you need to get to Cusco from Lima, we suggest you to fly into Cusco, it is faster and easier. Lima’s airport is fully equipped for people with disabilities, as well as Cusco’s. Once you get there you have two options: spend the night in Cusco or be transferred to the Sacred Valley. This is actually a recommended choice if you prefer to avoid altitude sickness, which could bea n issue. Sacred Valley is placed at a lower altitude compared to Cusco, so you might prefer to spend the night there and relax before doing any tour or experience. There are several bus companies equipped for disabled travelers, or you can just take a private taxi to reach the Sacred Valley. Once you are in Ollantaytambo, you need to take the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Inca Train’s personnel can assist you getting on and up the train. Once you are there you have to make the last leg of the trip: the bus ride to Machu Picchu ciutadel. The bus is equipped for people with reduced mobility.

It would be advisable to travel with a support group or a travel buddy. Also, there are travel agencies specialized in customized travel packages for disabled people, in case you prefer to travel on your own. They are able to ensure all the assistance you might need.

In any case we suggest you to book in advance your train ticket and your Macchu Picchu entry ticket, at least three months before your trip. Also, try to book in advance your accommodation, especially if you are planning to travel in high season. Thease are the reccommendations we usually give to all of our travellers.

We can say that Peru is becoming a more inclusive tourism destination, and we couldn’t be happier and more proud for it.

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On 28 octubre, 2019 • By
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Nazca• Peru• Peru Destinations• Travel• Travel Tips• What to do

Huacachina: A Unique Oasis in the Middle of the Desert

Peru has many arqueological sites to visit and it has become in the last decades a great spot for culinary tours as well, but the country also offers some unique places where you can relax and have fun, such as Huacachina, a tiny town in central Peru. This is a unique oasis in the middle of Peruvian desert, located in the province of Ica. You can reach Huacachina with a 5-hour bus ride from Lima capital city to Ica and then a short 10-minute bus or taxi ride from Ica to Huacachina. The desert oasis is located south of Lima and is considered a paradisiac place with palms and a blue-green lagoon where you can engaged in multiple activities and also relax. This testify the variety of landscapes you can find in Peru. The town is very small, so you can just easily walk from a side to the other, with no traffic stress. It is a very relaxing place!

Huacachina developed around a little blue-green lagoon, whose water are considered very powerful to heel medical problems such as asma. Around the lagoon several resorts, low-budget hostels and restaurants have popped up since 15 years. Everything is sorrounded by huge sand dunes, ideal for sport activities, such as buggies and sand boarding.

Here a list of things you can do once in Huacachina:

Sand-Boarding tour: The huge sand dunes are the main attraction of the oasis, especially for people who love to engage in active holidays. You can just rent a board in the street of you have previous experience or you are a surf or snowboarding fan or you can take a tour with a professional instructor that will explain how to surf the dunes and you also have the possibility to choose the right sand board for you. It is very common to see tourists riding the sandboarding on their stomach or like a sled, since it is not very easy to do it on your feet. But we can ensure that it’s a lot of fun, especially if you go with your family or a group of friends.

Buggies: Another tour option is to rent four-wheel-drive dune buggies and go up and down the dunes with a professional driver. This tour is offered by the majority of hotels and hostels in Huacachina. We suggest you to take the afternoon tour, since the sun is not so strong as in the morning and the risk of sunburn is definitely lower. Also it is a great way to stop on the dunes and enjoy the beautiful sunset on the desert.

Winery Tour: As I said before Huacachina is only a short bus or taxi ride from Ica, a town very famous for its wineyards. So do not miss the opportunity to do a winery tour before heading back to Lima or visiting another Peru’s destination. In Ica you will find many wine “bodegas” that produce a sweet red wine and also the famous national Peruvian spirit: Pisco. There are traditional linerie that use old production methods and more industrial wineries in the area which use more modern machinery to process their wine and Pisco. During the tour you will learn about the production process and have the chance to taste several types of wine and Pisco varities. Among the most famous wine and Pisco “bodegas” that you can visit in Ica there are Tacama (https://www.tacama.com/), Vista Alegre (https://www.vistaalegre.com.pe/), Ocucaje (http://ocucaje.com) and El Catador (https://www.elcatador.pe/). Obviously you will also have the opportunity to buy wines and Piscos directly in the “bodega” if you want to do so.

Paddle in the lagoon: another activity you can do is to rent paddle boat and go around the little lagoon or swim in the lagoon, but take in account that the water is not particulary clean, so we actually suggest to avoid swimming in there.

Sunset on the desert: this activity is perfect if you love travel photography and you want to take amazing snapshots of the sun descending on the sand dunes. So just have a late afternoon walk and be prepared with your camara equipment to take amazing pic of the sunset.

Regional Museum of Ica: if you are into a more cultural kind of holiday you can visit the Regional Museum of Ica where you will find a collection of pre-hispanic pottery, mummies, textiles, wooden instruments and soft metals from the Paracas and Nazca civilizations.

Just Relax: almost every resort and hostel in Huacachina has private pools, so if you want to relax in the pool and enjoy the sunlight during the day, Huacachina is the perfect spot for you.

For more information on the best Peruvian destinations and the best travel tips just stay tuned!

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On 2 septiembre, 2019 • By
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Cusco• Peru• Peru Destinations• Travel Tips• What to do

The Best Active Holidays Routes in Peru

Peru is a perfect travel choice for those of you loving active holidays and looking for a grain of adventure in their trip. The country has some of the most attractive trekking routes in the world and it offers the most amazing and exciting activities in South America. From the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu to the most off the beaten trekking paths in the central Peruvian highlands, such as Huaraz area, from the exciting zipline experience to the highest dining experience ever in Lima with “Dinner in the Sky”. Here a list of activities you should definitely consider if you are an adventurous trip lover.

  • Inca Trail: this is the classic trekking experience in Peru that trekking passionates cannot miss. It is quite prosaic saying that the route is amazing and you will enjoy beautiful view of the Sacred Valley with the Andes chain at the background and the magnificence of the Inca ruins all around. That’s an amazing experience that will take you directly to the Machu Picchu ciutadel. We suggest you to book well in advance your permit to do the Inca trail, since this is the most requested activity for Peru trip. We have already talked about the Inca trail and other hiking routes you could consider doing instead of the inca trail in this article (http://www.magicalcuzcotours.com/blog/3-spots-you-should-not-miss-if-you-love-hiking/), so have  a look at it!

  • Ausangate Trek: this is a one-day trek experience that will take you to the Rainbow Mountain, considered nowadays one of the most popular attractions in Peru. You can hike the route by yourself or you can rent a horse to make the experience a bit lighter. This is up to you and your physical state. Once you reach the famous rainbow moutnain you will enjoy an amazing and not-ordinary colourful landscape. Do not forget your camara!

  • Zip Line and Via Ferrata: This is an exciting activity that you can do in the Sacred Valley. There are several zip lines (they are seven interconnected ziplines), also ideal for people without any previous experience. Via Ferrata is a type of steel ladder and cable system that runs along the Sacred Valley mountains, it has installed a special security system that make it ideal for people with no climbing experience as well. This experience will be absolutely adrenaly pumping for you.

  • Rafting in the Urubamba River: This is another activity you can be engaged in the Sacred Valley. It is very fun to do as family activity or group activity with your friends for instance. You will raft the rapids of class 2 and 3 of the Urubamba river. During the activity you will have the chance to enjoy beautiful panoramic landscapes on the river shores and you will get to know Peruvian flora as well, enjoying flowers species and plants. There are several companies that will rent you all the necessary equipment for this rafting adventure and there will be a tour guide with you the all time, get ready for an exciting experience in Peru!

  • ATV Quad Bike tour in Maras and Moray: you will have the chance to visit Maras and Moray by quad bike, which can be authomatic or semi-authomatic; there is no need to have previous riding experience. During the tour you will have the chance to visit the archeological site of Moray, the Salt Mines and Moray village. This will be the adventure you will never forget!

  • Dinner in the Sky: if you are a food lover and you love to experience foreign food and combine it with adventure and action this is the right experience for you. You will have the chance to enjoy a delicious meal up in the air, up to 45 meters. It is a new experience, arrived in Peru thanks to the Belgium franchise “Dinner in Heaven”at the beginning of 2019, but already popular in more than 70 countries in the world. They have a capacity to serve 22 people and the structure is located nearby Lima, in Lurín. You will enjoy a main course, a dessert and wine. This is definitely a unique dining experience you cannot miss while in Peru.

These are only few of the best adventurous experiences you can live during your Peru trip! Stay tuned for more travel tips and active holidays recommendations.

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On 5 agosto, 2019 • By
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Peru Destinations• Travel• Travel Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Peruvian Slang – Part 2

A couple of weeks ago we posted an article on Peruvian slang, but we have so many other words, sayings and slang expressions often used by Peruvians that we would like to share with you. Just to start from the real beginning the word “jerga” refers to these slang words.

We think about these articles as a guide for you while walking the streets of Lima, Cusco or any other destinations and trying to talk and comunicate with locals. These are words that you will easily heard throughout the country. We tried to select the most useful expressions a traveler could bump into while visiting Peru.

  • Jama/Jamear: This word is used to refer to “food”, also used as a verb “to go to eat”. So you will listen to the expression “vamos a jamear”, which literally means “let’s go eating”.

  • Chancha: This word literally refers to a female pig, but it is used by Peruvians to the act of splitting the bill between friends. So you might listen to the expression: “hacemos chancha” or “hacemos chanchita”, which means “let’s split the bill”. Remember this saying if you are invited out for dinner or a drink by locals.

  • Huevón: The word can be used among friends with the meaning of “dude”, “buddy”, “guy”, but be careful that sometimes can be a bit insulting, especially when used in third person.

  • Porfa: this is a shorten version of the expression “por favor”. It is extremely common to hear this word. Formality is a very important part of the Peruvian manner of speaking.
  • Roche: this word means “shame”, you will hear the expression ¡Qué roche! quite often, which means “What a shame!”. If a couple is arguing in the street for instance or if someone is totally drunk, you can use this expression.
  • Bamba: this means that something is fake, so if you are at the street market and your Peruvian friend says “Esto es bamba!” means that “the item is fake”, so do not buy it. Keep an ear open for this word when you are shopping at local street markets!
  • Jato: the word means “house”, so you will listen to “te veo en mi jato”, which literally means “I’ll see you at my house” or “estoy en mi jato”, which means “I’m at home”.

  • Grifo: the word litterally means tap, but in Peruvian slang means gas station. So, if you listen to the expression “Encuentras la tienda pasando el grifo”, means “You’ll find the store after the gas station”.

  • Huasca: the expression “Estás huasca” means “You’ re wasted”, so if you or someone else drink too much it is very common to say that.

 

  • ¡Ya fuiste!: if you listen to this saying is because you miss your shot, you miss an opportunity. If you are late for a tour for example, or for the bus you can listen a local saying ¡Ya fuiste!.

If you are traveling to Peru for a month or more or even if you are spending here just few days, learning a bit of local lingo will definitely help you out! If you are a person who loves getting in touch with locals is even better to have a sense of what these words mean and probably learning these words will open the door to new experiences during your stay in Peru.

 

 

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On 1 julio, 2019 • By
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Peru• Peru Destinations• Sin categoría• Travel Tips• What to do

The Best Dining Experiences in Lima For Travel Foodie

Lima has been considered one of the foodie capital since the second decade of the XXI century! The capital city offers many exciting culinary experiences and culinary stops that you cannot miss while in Peru, so as we always suggest a 2-day visit to Lima is something you should definitely include in your Peru’s itinerary. You can opt to spend a couple of days in Lima on your way to Cusco and Machu Picchu or on your way back, this is totally up to you. But if you stop in the capial city, be prepared to enjoy some of the best and most delicious food in the world and a very pleasant and relaxing time in this vibrant city. 

We tried to put together a list of culinary experiences you cannot miss, among our recommendations there are fine dining restaurants, huarique restaurants where you can taste traditional food and also a stop at the local market food stalls. So it is pretty much a mix of different experiences, ideal for every kind of traveller. 

  • Central Restaurant: this is a mandatory stop if yu are a real travel foodie. Central Restaurant by the popular Peruvian Chef Virgilio Martinez, has been awarded as the second best restaurant in Latin America during the 2018 Latin America’s Best Restaurants Awards sponsored by San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna and the sixth best restaurant in the 2018 World’s Best Restaurants List. The tasting menu they porpose is a combination of ancestral Peruvian ingredients from the coastal, mountain and rainforest regions of the country. The restaurant is located in the Barranco district, be aware that it is extremely difficult to find a table, so book and pay for the experience in advance. 

  • Maido Restaurant: this is also a fine dining experience you cannot miss while in Lima. The Restaurant has been considered the “Nikkei Temple”, it has been appointed the best restaurant in Latin America in the San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna List for two years in a row (2017 and 2018) and it is also in the 7th position in the World’s Best Restaurants List. The chef-owner, Mitsuharu Maido, is the “King of Nikkei”, a cuisine style which mixes Peruvian and Japanese basic tequniques. The result is an explosion of flavors, you will definitely enjoy this amazing flavors journey thorughout Peru and Japan. In this case as well, we suggest to book in advance your table. 

  • Isolina Tabern: The popular Peruvian chef José del Castillo has opened Isolina Tabern in the heart of the bohemian district of Barranco few years ago and the restaurant is already n. 13 in the 2018 Latin America’s Best Restaurant List. In this culinary spot you can enjoy dishes from the Peruvian culinary traditions, such as “asado de tiras”, “chicharrón”, “tallarines saltados”, “cau cau con sangrecita” among others. They mainly serve criollo dishes that represent Peruvian gastronomy at its best. If you are planning to go there for your Sunday lunch, be patient since the queue could be quite long.  

  • Kañete Restaurant: this is another culinary spot that we usually suggest to visitors. It is located in the Surquillo district, next to the famous Miraflores area. It is a “huarique” restaurant, which literally means a hidden/secret place, that no so many people are aware of. Here the Chef Israel Laura serves dishes from the Peruvian traditions and a great selection of seafood dishes as well. The well-known chef rescues recipes and ingredients from all over the country, making his menu a real reflection of Peruvian culture and traditions. 

  • Market Food Stalls: if you want to go local and on a budget, pay a visit to the market n. 1 located between Miraflores and Surquillo districts, next to the Ricardo Palma Metropolitano stop. Inside the market you can find some of the greatest food stalls in Lima, where you can have delicious seafood, start from a “leche de tigre” (literally tiger milk) and keep trying a delicious “ceviche” or “jalea de pescado”. You will definitely have an idea of how a real peruvian ceviche should taste. 

  • La Mar Cebicheria: For a fancier “ceviche experience” try this restaurant located in Av. La Mar in Miraflores district, placed N° 17 in the 2018 Latin America’s Best Restaurants List by San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. It is one of the best places to have fresh seafood cooked in a sublime way using the highest culinary tecnhiques, thanks to the talented Chef Gustavo Montestruque. The result is amizing dishes, happy clients and full bellies! What else you can ask for? Do not miss the opportunity to try a classic “ceviche”, you will not regret it! Please keep in mind that this is a no-reservations spot, and highly popular, so be prepared to queue, it is quite crowded especially at the week-end.

  • Osso Restaurant: this is a real “meat emporio”, managed by the Peruvian chef Renzo Garibaldi. If you are a meat person you cannot miss a visit to this restaurant/butcher’s shop in the heart of La Molina District. Try their artisanal hamburgers, their carpaccio and the dried meat. This culinary spot is n. 25 in the 2018 Latin America’s Best Restaurant List.

  • Amaz Restaurant: this is the temple of the Amazonian kitchen by the famous Peruvian Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. The restaurant, placed at n. 48 in the Latin America’s Best restaurant List of 2018, serves dishes of the Peruvian Amazonian cuisine in the heart of the vibrant Miraflores district. Here you can find the popular “paiche” fish cooked in several ways, “juanes”, “chonta” salad sprinkled with Amazonian nuts, and other amazing flavors from the Peruvian rainforest. Also do not miss the special and delicious cocktails made of Amazon fruit.

  • Mercado 28: we have already talked about this gourmet market where you will find different food stalls here: http://www.magicalcuzcotours.com/blog/best-places-to-visit-in-lima/. This is the first gourmet market in Peru, located in Av. 28 de Julio in the heart of Miraflores district. Here you can enjoy several kind of food, from Amazon food to criollo food or delicious sandwiches and fast-food style burgers. There are also several coffee and desserts/ice cream options. The best part is that you will have the opportunità to try several kind of cuisines in one place. Do not miss a stop here for a frugal lunch or a fun dinner while visiting Lima.

  • Truck Park: The park is located in Surquillo district and it is a nice experience for people who love food trucks-style cuisine. Here you will find special sandwiches and burgers, salchipapas, tasty french fries made with Peruvian native potatoes and all kind of fast food dishes along with Peruvian beers station. Sometimes there are also shows scheduled in the patio of the park.

 These are actually just few culinary recommendations in Lima, there will be more to come in the future, so stay tuned! 

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On 30 mayo, 2019 • By
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Peru• Peru Destinations• Sin categoría• Travel• Travel Tips

Best Places to Visit in Lima

When you plan you Peru trip, the first thing you have in mind is going to Machu Picchu, this is actually normal and we sometimes struggle with our travelers to let them understand that Peru has a lot more to offer. Many travelers seem not to be very happy to spend a couple of days in Lima, there is a misconception that the capital city is pretty ugly and caotic and that there is anything to do and visit. Nothing can be more wrong!

Peru’s capital city has many different sites worth a visit and many activities you can include in your travel plans. Here we tried to make a list of our favourite spots and activities you cannot miss while in Lima:

  • Market visit: go and check Lima’s local market, we usually suggest to go to the market located between Miraflores and Surquillo districts, which is called Mercado n. 1, where you can find many local fruits and veggie, as well as a great selection of fresh seafood, nuts and Andean grains. There, you can have breakfast in one of the food stalls located inside the market area or you can also have a traditional lunch, tasting a real Peruvian ceviche or a delicious “jalea” (fried seafood served with fried yuca, “salsa criolla” and mayo), among other traditional dishes.

  • Huaca Puccllana: this is an ancient pyramid made of clay and adobe located in the heart of the vibrant and turistic Miraflores District. It was considered a sacred place, an important administrative and ceremonial location, built by the Lima civilization in the fifth century. There is also a restaurant inside the archeological complex, where you can have a delicious meal enjoying a beautiful view of the Huaca. 

  • Inca Market: This market deserves a visit especially if you are planning to buy some suovenirs before heading back home. Here you will find traditional Peruvian fabrics, music instruments, bags, backpacks, jewellery and alpaca jerseys and scarfs. Do not forget to bargain with vendors and try to find the best deal you can. Remember that you can pay in cash or by ccard. It is a nice experience and you will definitely find Peruvian traditional handicrafts all in one place.

  • Larcomar: if you are looking for a more fancy shopping experience, do not miss Larcomar shopping mall, located in the Miraflores’ malecon, right on the Pacific Ocean cliffs. Here you will find stores of the best Peruvian and international brands. If you want to buy alpaca products, here you will find high quality scarfs, ponchos and jerseys. In the shopping mall there are also several restaurants that are worth a stop, such as Tanta, Popular de aquí y de allá, La Trattoria di Mambrino, among others. 

  • Mercado 28: this is an interesting culinary spot located in Miraflores district, where you can find different kind of food, from Peruvian fast food to foreigner cuisines, from criollo cuisine to Amazon food, from elegant patisseries to ice cream shops. You can find more on Mercado 28, the first gastronomic market in Peru, here: http://taste-of-peru.com/mercado-28-a-new-culinary-stop-in-the-heart-of-miraflores/

  • Barranco and Miraflores districts Malecon: if you love to spend time outdoor and to enjoy a beautiful sunset, these spots are the perfect places for you to relax after a morning cultural tour, a biking tour or a shopping tour, having a picnic for example or a delicious icecream in the Malecon can help you recharge and relax for the night. Do not miss the beautiful sunset on the Pacific Ocean, it is a remarkable experience.

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  • Plaza Mayor and San Francisco Church: if you are more into culture sites, you cannot miss a visit to Lima’s downtown where you will find the city’s cathedral, the government palace placed around Lima’s main square (Plaza Mayor), right behind the square you can also visit San Francisco Church with its monastery and catacombs. This is a cultural stop that you cannot miss while in the capital city.

  • Culinary spots: there are so many restaurants we can suggest in Lima, but we might need another article on this. Just few of them: Maido, Isolina Tabern, Central Restaurant, Astrid and Gaston, Kañete, La Mar among others. In the capital city you can basically find all kind of cuisines and different prices range restaurants. More on this to come on the blog!

So, when planning a trip to Peru, just try to spend a couple of days in Lima to enjoy the modern side of Peruvian culture and have the opportunity to try the best culinary spots in the country.

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On 3 mayo, 2019 • By
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