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Lima

One of the biggest drawing points to the city of Lima is the fact that it is home to some of Peru's best museums, notably the Museo de Oro del Peru (Peruvian Gold Museum) and the Museo de la Nación (The National Museum), which is one of the largest museums in South America. Other highlights include colonial architecture at Iglesia de San Francisco, pre-Inca pyramids at Pachacamac, and catacombs in Central Lima.

The recently renovated Plaza de Armas has been Peru’s governmental center since 1535 with the Palacio de Goberno and the Archbishop’s Palace at its center. Recently, upscale restaurants and cafes have sprung up in the area right around the plaza.

The coastal suburbs of Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco are popular places to stay to avoid Central Lima’s smog and loud chaos. Barranco is especially popular for its nightlife and performing arts center.

There are a variety of hotels in Lima for every taste and budget. The Central Lima Hotels are mainly in the budget to mid-range, with a couple of more luxurious exceptions. These downtown hotels are often charming converted mansions. The Miraflores hotels are a mixed bag, with everything from youth hostels to five-star palaces. If high-end is your thing, you'll probably want to check out the San Isidro hotels, which include a variety of luxury options. Backpackers looking for hip, inexpensive youth hostels should check out the Barranco hotels, which are popular with young international travelers.

If you are just using Lima as a portal to Cusco, your flight will most likely arrive late at night and leave for Cusco early in the morning. You can either tough out the layover in the airport or go to a hotel for a few hours until your flight leaves. The Miraflores district is your best bet for a reasonable rate on a room and you won’t have to travel too far. Central Lima is about half an hour to 45 minutes from the airport. Be sure to be at the airport early as the flights to Cusco are often packed and flights are often delayed to this cloudy, mountainous city.

For more information on planning your trip to Lima see the Viva Travel Guides Lima Guide.