Why Your Next Long Weekend Should Be This Destination

Written By Krista Nannery

Last week, I flew to Lima, Peru for the first time since my only other visit in 2013. 12 years on and the city still has the same incredible energy, but it’s also developed a ton and there is so much more to see and do.

When most people think of Peru, their minds go straight to Machu Picchu. And don’t get me wrong — it’s spectacular. But if you’re flying through Lima on your way to the Sacred Valley and skipping the capital of Lima entirely, you’re making a mistake. Lima is a city that rewards you if you give it the attention it deserves: world-class food, historic neighborhoods, and a deep cultural story that’s impossible to replicate anywhere else.

You should definitely consider Lima for a long weekend! This is a great destination for a girls’ weekend or a guys’ weekend or any sort of weekend getaway, really! Here’s how I’d spend a couple of days.

Where to Stay

The lobby at the Country Club Hotel, Lima

Country Club Lima Hotel
If you like your hotels dripping with history (and I do), the Country Club Lima Hotel is it. Think colonial-style architecture, crystal chandeliers, and the kind of polished service that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back into another era. Order a pisco sour at the bar here — it tastes better when you’re drinking it in a characterful environment, surrounded by Peruvian art. Bonus: you can eat one of the city’s best lomo saltados without even leaving the property.

My room a tthe JW Marriott Lima

JW Marriott Lima
On the flip side, if you want sweeping Pacific Ocean views from a glass-walled tower, the JW Marriott in Miraflores delivers. Modern, stylish, and perfectly positioned for walking the cliffside parks and shops in Miraflores, it’s an easy base for exploring. And you’ll want to eat in, too — the hotel’s Nikkei restaurant fuses Japanese precision with Peruvian soul. (If you’re not familiar with Nikkei cuisine, this is the place to try it.)

What to Do

Museo Larco
This is the museum to visit if you want a crash course in Peru’s pre-Columbian history. Housed in an 18th-century mansion with bougainvillea spilling everywhere, Museo Larco is as beautiful as it is fascinating. You’ll see thousands of ceramics, textiles, and gold artifacts — and yes, the infamous erotic pottery collection. And don’t make the rookie mistake of rushing out after the galleries — Museo Larco has a restaurant and bar tucked into its lush gardens. You’ll sit under twinkling lights, surrounded by bougainvillea and terracotta walls, sipping pisco cocktails in one of the most romantic courtyards in Lima. It’s the kind of spot where you’ll want to linger long after your ceviche is gone. Honestly, the grounds alone — manicured, flower-filled, impossibly charming — are worth the visit. We had a private tour of the museum and grounds and it was fantastic.

Walking Tour of Barranco
Lima’s bohemian soul lives in Barranco. A walking tour here is non-negotiable: colorful street art, leafy plazas, art galleries, and the famous Bridge of Sighs. It feels worlds away from the business-like vibe of Miraflores. Barranco is the kind of neighborhood where you can happily lose an afternoon wandering. Start with a flat white at Ciclos Café, a local favorite where the vibe is equal parts cool and cozy. From there, dip into the district’s concept stores: think sleek home goods, edgy fashion, and one-of-a-kind pieces by Peruvian designers. It’s a treasure hunt for anyone who loves good design — and even if you don’t buy a thing, the browsing is half the fun. We had a private tour of Barranco, which I would highly recommend.

Inka Plaza Market (and Related Craft Markets)
I always say: skip the airport souvenir shop and head straight to the Inka Plaza Market. This is where you can pick up hand-woven alpaca scarves, colorful ceramics, and jewelry that actually has some craftsmanship behind it. Yes, you’ll have to haggle, but that’s part of the fun. Honestly, one of the best things I’ve ever bought is the alpaca blanket I bought in Lima.

What to Eat

Lomo Saltado at the Country Club Hotel
I know, I know — you didn’t come to Lima to eat at your hotel. But in this case, you should. Their lomo saltado (beef stir-fried with onions, tomatoes, and French fries, because why not) is legendary.

Chinese-Peruvian at Kion, Miraflores
Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian fusion) is practically its own religion in Lima, and Kion is where you’ll taste it done right. Imagine Cantonese flavors layered with local spices and ingredients. It’s familiar and totally unique at the same time.

Nikkei at the JW Marriott Lima
Nikkei cuisine is Peru and Japan’s love child, and Lima is its capital. The JW’s Sushi Ceviche Lounge serves up sashimi-style fish with bold Peruvian accents — think tiradito with yuzu or maki rolls with aji amarillo. It’s inventive, fresh, and exactly why Lima is one of the top food cities in the world.

Why Lima Belongs on Your Itinerary

Here’s the thing: Lima isn’t just a stopover city. It’s a destination in its own right. Between the food (seriously, it’s hard to have a bad meal here), the museums, and the neighborhoods that each tell a different story, you’ll leave with a much richer sense of Peru than if you’d just hopped off the plane and headed straight to Cusco.

Give Lima two or three nights and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll also eat better than you probably have in years.

A Note About My Own Crazy Travel Issues

If you’ve worked with me, you’ve probably heard me say that the friendly skies aren’t very friendly. Well, I experienced this firsthand twice on this trip. My flight from Iquitos to Lima was cancelled so I lost a planned half-day in Lima. This was just so disappointing.

Then, when I tried to fly back to the US, I couldn’t check in with LATAM online. I got to the airport 3 hours and 30 minutes before my flight’s departure. I had paid extra for an extra legroom seat, but when I went to the automated kiosks in the airport, they wanted to put me in 42J. NOT HAPPENING. I had paid $86 extra for legroom in 13H. I had to go the counter for assurance — I waited an hour in the queue, with my fellow travelers missing flights left and right because the queue was so long. When I finally got to the coutner, 13H was no longer available. Luckily 13A was. But I had to wonder… the seat map that the counter gal showed me only had one seat left and it was 13A. What if I had arrived later? My point is that nothing is guaranteed when you fly anymore! It’s so annoying. 

The new Lima airport is gorgeous though. Lots of fun eating and shopping.

The Priority Pass lounge was crowded but great. I’m very glad I have a Priority Pass membership! If you are planning an international trip coming up, it may be worth the investment.

More annoyances though…I bought a bottle of water before I got on the plane and they took it away from me at the gate. As a frequent flyer and a big water drinker, I really can’t remember this happening to me before. Maybe once?  Then, on the flight, I was served one paltry cup of water.

I flew LATAM because it was priced well but I don’t know if I’ll fly them again. The plane bathrooms were in the middle of the cabin, right next to/in front of/behind passenger seats! There was no mid cabin galley! Just one in the front of the plane and one at the very back.  So the entire plane was all seats. It was weird! But it fits my observation…a plane is just a bus in the sky.

This is just the Lima portion of the trip. I’ll write more about the Amazon in a later post! Stay tuned.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for college, and have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England. My background and 20 year career in the investment management industry have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation to anyone looking to plan their next trip.

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Krista Nannery
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