Location: Lima
Top Things to do in Lima
Top 5 Ancient Ruins in Lima, Lima Region
Lima, founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, is a fascinating city and a treasure trove of history. Explore ancient Incan archeological sites, or stroll through the elegant cathedrals and opulent palaces dating from Spanish colonial times. Downtown Lima is crowded, but you'll enjoy exploring the city's neighborhoods—especially the beachfront areas, which have great shopping and dining and fabulous hotels.
Restaurants in Lima
1. Huaca Pucllana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,333 reviews
Built by millions of adobe bricks, these ruins once served as an administrative center and a pre-Inca ceremonial site dedicated to the God Pachacamac.
Reviewed By alanlid - Oxford, United Kingdom
Smack in built-up Lima, within easy walking distance of the centre of Miraflores (where visitors often stay), this is a remarkable archaeological site: a vast brick pyramid - and outlying courtyards - built of adobe and, thanks to its ingenious 'bookshelf' design, still standing after some 1700 years, despite earthquakes. The tour involves a bit of modest (safe) climbing and takes about an hour; our guide, Jorge, was very good, and explained the sequence of cultures who inhabited the site, how they worked, what they grew and ate (by way of illustration, there is a small garden and some domestic animals - guinea pigs, vicuña, etc. - which will appeal to the kids). Very interesting, unless you're averse to old sites of this kind, The restaurant is meant to be very good, though not cheap; we resisted the temptation.
2. Pachacamac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,591 reviews
Located only 31 kilometers from Lima, these ancient ruins are all that remain of an important religious center that was constructed more than 1,000 years before the Inca Empire.
Reviewed By skyejack - Malvern, Australia
The Pachacamac ruins cover a very large site 31 k south of Lima where a town for 20,000 people was built in 700 AD, pre Inca era. It is a sandy desert with several amazing excavations including a rebuilt house of the chosen women, a granary story of huge proportions, a burial site and a sun temple for adoration of the Sun God. Next door but not part of the site is a Private Hacienda with a 1st class Paso Horse stud.
3. Caral Peru
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 759 reviews
La Zona Arqueológica Caral, Unidad Ejecutora 003 - Ministerio de Cultura, es responsable de las actividades de investigación, conservación y difusión de los valores sociales y culturales de Caral, la Civilización más antigua de América. Y es la encargada de preservar el importante patrimonio arqueológico de la Civilización Caral para beneficio de las poblaciones actuales y del futuro.
Reviewed By janicesT6635NA
This is a site increasing in it's popularity due to it's historical significance. Dating back to before the Egyptian Pyramids, we were told the local town people from Caral (which the site is named after) are involved in the excavation and take pride in the Caral Ruins. It was a full day, with a four hour ride from Lima, but a visit worth the trip for anyone interested in ancient history.
4. Huacas de San Juan de Lurigancho
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
